Singing Instruction - Advice on Singing Techniques Can Be Dangerous
A big problem with singing forums and blogs is that many answers and suggestions come from amateurs, with little or no real knowledge of good singing techniques.
I visited a singing forum, and was appalled to read "If you want to be a good heavy metal singer you need to practice screaming as loud as you can for 20 minutes each day.
" When I checked back later for responses to this post, I found this: "I am 16 years old, and sing heavy metal.
I took your advice about screaming for 20 minutes every day.
I must be doing something wrong, because I've totally lost my voice.
My Mom is taking me to the doctor tomorrow, but my choir teacher told me he thinks I may have hurt my voice badly.
" Think about this the next time you read some amateur's advice.
(Yes, I did post my own response to the post, but the damage had already been done.
) Understand that playing the guitar, using some very bad technique you read about on the web will not permanently damage your fingers.
The worst that can happen is you sound awful.
Singing, using faulty techniques can do permanent damage to your vocal cords.
Be careful.
There's so much freely dispensed information out there on singing.
How do you know what to believe? Who to believe? Here are some guidelines.
1.
Check their experience and credentials.
if you can't find any, disregard the information.
2.
Listen to their recordings.
Do they sound like they are straining a pushing, or is the sound free and easy.
Of course there is a difference between rockers and country singers, etc.
but you can hear if they really know what they are doing.
3.
Email them for more information on themselves and their background.
Be nice, but be convinced that they are qualified to give you advice concerning your precious vocal cords.
4.
Google singing teachers like Roger Love, Brett Manning, Jeffrey Allen or me.
Most of us have posted information pages up concerning singing techniques.
These are free, and come from the best qualified teachers.
4.
Check Article directories such as this one for information by the "expert" authors.
5.
Use common sense.
If it sounds stupid it probably is.
Remember the old cliche: "Just because you read it doesn't make it true.
" Check up on the sources.
I visited a singing forum, and was appalled to read "If you want to be a good heavy metal singer you need to practice screaming as loud as you can for 20 minutes each day.
" When I checked back later for responses to this post, I found this: "I am 16 years old, and sing heavy metal.
I took your advice about screaming for 20 minutes every day.
I must be doing something wrong, because I've totally lost my voice.
My Mom is taking me to the doctor tomorrow, but my choir teacher told me he thinks I may have hurt my voice badly.
" Think about this the next time you read some amateur's advice.
(Yes, I did post my own response to the post, but the damage had already been done.
) Understand that playing the guitar, using some very bad technique you read about on the web will not permanently damage your fingers.
The worst that can happen is you sound awful.
Singing, using faulty techniques can do permanent damage to your vocal cords.
Be careful.
There's so much freely dispensed information out there on singing.
How do you know what to believe? Who to believe? Here are some guidelines.
1.
Check their experience and credentials.
if you can't find any, disregard the information.
2.
Listen to their recordings.
Do they sound like they are straining a pushing, or is the sound free and easy.
Of course there is a difference between rockers and country singers, etc.
but you can hear if they really know what they are doing.
3.
Email them for more information on themselves and their background.
Be nice, but be convinced that they are qualified to give you advice concerning your precious vocal cords.
4.
Google singing teachers like Roger Love, Brett Manning, Jeffrey Allen or me.
Most of us have posted information pages up concerning singing techniques.
These are free, and come from the best qualified teachers.
4.
Check Article directories such as this one for information by the "expert" authors.
5.
Use common sense.
If it sounds stupid it probably is.
Remember the old cliche: "Just because you read it doesn't make it true.
" Check up on the sources.
Source...