A voice is not enough.......

Can you "float" your voice, "spin" a mellifluous line and change dynamics with ease and confidence..... ?

A voice is not enough for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in any of the professions, or pastimes, which require constant or refined use of this most versatile instrument.
Vocal sound is dependent upon the flow of air controlled by your breathing apparatus - the lungs and related physical connections - muscles, sinews, etc. - a very complex "machine", via the vocal folds, and the resonances excited in the mask of the face. Very little air is required for this function - "less is more"......difficult to believe, but true ...! If these elements are not functioning efficiently and fully synchronised naturally, many problems manifest themselves - noisy inspiration, dry throat, lack of air support, intrusive tremolo, indeterminate pitch, exaggerated ennunciation, shrill and unfocussed tone, physical effort in the throat to force the vocal folds to function - this causes the exact opposite to occur and can result in permanent damage to the vocal folds and the formation of nodules, polyps, etc..

Should you wish to find out more about a breathing routine that will assist you in fulfilling your potential, follow this blog and all will soon be revealed - keep breathing......simsannabim.....

What is this "ageism" business all about ?

Over the years most of us have been told that we are either too young, or too old for certain professions or pastimes. Who is it that determines how old or young we should when we decide to apply, because we have the ability and skill, that we are one day too old to enter a competition, or audition ?
Surely it is known that people develop at different rates ? Of course, one wouldn't expect to win the marathon at eighty years due to the natural degeneration of the physique and energy levels, but in the case of opera singers, the age at which the voice and body mature can vary by ten years - so why not have open auditions with an upper limit of say, forty years ? That is the age at which most opera singers are at their best in my experience. Too many start out in their twenties and are vocally dead by thirty ....!!
In the acting profession it is often claimed that it takes a forty year old actress to play Cleopatra at the age of fifteen - tricky, but possible. So many performing artist are "ageless".....and it is amazing what good lighting, makeup, etc., can do .....

How do I know about breathing....?

So how did I find out how useful breathing is ? By almost losing it in a fire accident some years ago !
At the time I was a professional singer - mainly opera.. I opened the door of my room, which I hadn't realised until then was an inferno !
Flames engulfed me and searing heat scorched down my windpipe like a flame thrower, extracting the oxygen literally - in a flash..!
The blast of the fire threw me down a staircase, luckily by the 'phone - I just had time to dial 999 and give the house address before my voice ceased to function. My hair was wrapped in a damp towel, having just been washed,I was wearing specs' so my eyes were not burnt - the skin on my hands "melted" and I passed out.....
Regaining semi - consciousness in hospital some weeks later, I remember hearing a most eerie sound , quite scary - the kind associated with what technicians create for dinosaur "language", and lots of gasping noisy "sucking in" of air ....!
When fully conscious later, I realised it had been my lungs and throat trying desperately to survive. There followed quite a battle of will and brilliant nursing which effected my survival.... . so, here I am, some thirty odd years later and still going strong - a miraculous re-birth ..... and knowing enough about respiration to be able to help many who have breathing and phonatory problems.
My lungs have minimal capacity, but I can still sing, which is why I know how little air one needs to activate those tiny vocal folds which are so delicate ......
The restoration of my voice was a surprise - it wasn't expected to work at all, ever again, by specialists !......So here we had another miracle. it's all so simple if you just know how !! keep watching and find out more, and pleeeease - keep breathing ....

The problem for singers in training....

The problem for singers is to find a person who actually knows how to connect the air with the voice. Many "singing teachers" are those who have been unable to develop their own voice successfully, and assume that going over scales endlessly will perform some kind of miracle and help the student improve their vocal ability - wroooong .......
Without a good natural breathing technique, which entails breath CONTROL - plus the ability to sing in time, tune and rhythm, one may as well choose another way of making a living.
Watching t.v. programmes such as the X Factor should give most people a clue as to what is needed to pursue a professional career in the music business - and it isn't only singers who need to breathe efficiently - all musician are affected by the lack of oxygen to the brain caused by "nerves" ......
Guess what - as soon as you stop breathing with anxious anticipation - the brain stops functioning efficiently..... Keep watching ..and breathing.....