5 Types of Vocal Training: Manipulating Sound Versus Building a Strong Foundation
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5 Secrets of Vocal Training: Manipulating Sound Versus Building a Strong Foundation
Building a strong foundation for the singing voice is the core of a master vocal training. There are many types of training and not all create the strong foundation based in vocal pedagogy that a singer needs to ensure the right development and the health of the voice.
Over the years I’ve had many singers come to me that were completely confused by vocal techniques and still mystified by things like “vocal placement”, “diaphragmatic breathing”, “abdominal support” and more.
The voice, an instrument inside the body that we can’t “see” in motion, is easy to misunderstand and misrepresent information that can lead singers down the wrong path.
There are many different kinds of vocal coaches and types of training. Everyone’s got their own techniques and contributions.
But it is really important to know that there is a huge difference between “vocal coaching” and “vocal technique”.
The term “vocal coach” made famous by American Idol, is the coach who coaches a great performance out of the singer. But many of these coaches are not “technique” teachers that actually understand vocal pedagogy thoroughly.
Many coaches are pressed to help singers sound good quickly and are without the deeper knowledge of the workings of the voice which can cause problems long term for the singer.
They resort to what I call “secondary techniques” or tricks to manipulate the sound quickly in performance, but many of these tricks only work temporarily. Because these techniques are widely known, they are adopted as fundamental techniques that singers use as their foundation never achieving their best voices.
Let’s explore the types of vocal training to understand how they work and what are the best methods to build a strong foundation for your voice—one that will last your entire lifetime.
1. Vocal training that manipulates sound and placement
Most vocal coaches teach the commonly known techniques of manipulating sound and “placing” the voice to get the desired sound. While some of these quick tricks can come in handy in the moment it can cause issues down the line for the health of the voice and can also keep the singer from discovering their true sound and potential.
For example, placing the sound “forward into the mask” is a common one. This initially gets the singer out of their throat and resonating in the nasal chambers providing temporary relief and improvement in the sound.
But overusing this quick trick can cause a “nasal tone” and increase tension as the singer reaches too “forward” tensing neck muscles and reaching the head forward. This constricts the voice and destroys a clean and clear vocal path prohibiting high notes and causing a thin or “nasal” tone.
I call it “window dressing”. It’s using techniques to sound good on the surface but the foundation is faulty.
Try this instead:
Using this method you will resonate more freely avoiding constriction and create a clean and clear vocal path that sounds rich and full instead of thin and nasal.
- Keep the head balanced over the body with the back of the neck lengthened up towards the ceiling elongating the spine.
- Shoulders fall down and back.
- Open your jaw downward about 2″.
- Place your fingers at your jaw joint just in front of your ears.
- Sing “KAHHHH” and imagine the sound resonating right in front of your ears. Don’t worry about how much you “feel” it. Just visualize the sound resonating there.
- Avoid reaching your chin or head forward as you sing. Keep it neutral.
- Visualize the air spinning around like a lotto ball dancing on the air in the air machine. There is a slightly spinning or circular motion that creates a light bubbling motion.
- During singing, visualize the air dancing on the roof of your mouth right in front of the ear.
This prevents you from moving your head “forward” trying to “reach” the mask and tightening muscles clearing the correct vocal path for your voice.
2. Vocal training from a choir director
Many singers start off their singing journey by joining a choir. It’s a wonderful way to work on your voice and feel the pure joy of voices singing together. I remember my days in the Metro Mass Choir here in New York and enjoyed it immensely.
However it’s important to discern direction a choir director may give versus correct vocal technique. Choir directors have specific goals that can easily be misinterpreted by singers.
Over the years I’ve heard so many stories of singers thinking they are the register their choir director put them in when that may not be the case.
The choir director has to get the right number of voices in different registers and ranges to fill out the choir. So if you are a soprano and the choir is already filled up with sopranos, they may place you in the alto section if your voice sounds good there. But then sometimes long after their experience with the choir, singers can mistakenly think they are an “alto” when they really are a soprano.
Secondly, choir directors for the most part are not trained in vocal technique, they are trained to lead a choir. Some of them may have some experience with technique, but it is better to assume they don’t so you don’t misunderstand their advice. Here’s why.
The choir director is responsible for the overall sound of the choir. The direction you receive in a choir would not necessarily be the same direction you would use as a singer in a lead role. For one example, choir voices have to blend and not “stick out” among other things.
They may also give the common directions that “coaches” who don’t know pedagogy give, like “tuck your stomach in,” “sing into the mask,” etc. But these techniques are more for performance and are not a solid direction for vocal technique.
Summary:
- Your register / range is not necessarily determined by your choir section.
- Direction in choir is not a replacement or representation for proper vocal techniques. It is best to get direction from a vocal coach who teaches proper vocal techniques like our Cole Vocal Method.
3. Performance coaching from a "vocal coach"
American Idol made the term “vocal coach” a household name. Before then, there were vocal teachers who taught vocal technique and vocal coaches who coached singers in performance.
The two have blended now into the term “vocal coach” which is totally fine, but it’s important for the singer to discern the difference because they are two different things—and once in awhile you get both in one (like myself).
However if you are training with a “vocal coach” whose specialty is coaching great performances out of you but doesn’t have a background in vocal technique or pedagogy, you can damage your voice.
A vocal coach usually refers to someone who specializes in prepping songs for performance. They work on vocal arrangements and how you will sing the song, help you rehearse and prepare.
A vocal “technique” teacher can also be referred to as a “vocal coach”, but they have studied the vocal as an instrument and have a deep understanding of vocal technique and pedagogy.
Vocal pedagogy: Vocal pedagogy is the study of the art and science of voice instruction. It explores what singing is, how singing works, and how proper singing technique is accomplished. This field of study is crucial for singers, voice teachers, and music educators, as it helps them understand the intricacies of the human voice and develop effective teaching methods. Vocal pedagogy involves the study of vocal anatomy, physiology, and acoustics, as well as the application of scientific principles to improve vocal technique.
Summary:
Following a vocal coach who is not trained in vocal pedagogy could lead to vocal problems. I’ve had singers come to me after training with coaches who actually caused vocal nodules and problems because they didn’t have the right techniques at the base of their coaching.
All professional or aspiring singers who want to keep their voice need to train with a solid vocal technique teacher who understands how the voice works to protect the health and longevity of the vocal instrument.
You can learn the Foundation of the Cole Vocal Method in my Vocal Freedom Circle. Learn more here.
10 Steps to Building a Powerful and Professional Singing Voice.
4. Vocal training from a good singer who is not trained in a healthy vocal technique
Teaching voice out of New York City for over 38 years gives me a unique perspective and experience. Many times I’ve had many singers come to me after training for years with nodules because the techniques they were learning were more based on “sound” than on vocal health and pedagogy.
The number one fundamental for all singers is vocal health. Without a healthy voice, you can’t sing for long. Without the correct pedagogy this leads to vocal damage. Vocal techniques and approaches that do not have vocal health at the foundation can cause vocal problems.
There are a lot of great singers out there who teach. It doesn’t mean they are trained to teach. While everyone has their own strengths and value, be careful to know whether the techniques you are studying are based in vocal health because it can lead to vocal damage.
The Cole Vocal method has vocal health at it’s foundation, so everything inside the technique is encoded with the training that will protect your vocal health and longevity.
Summary:
- Glean phrasing and performance runs and ideas rom singers who have great voices, but don’t go to them for techniques that may not be based in vocal science and health.
- Study and train with a vocal method that is based in vocal science and has health and longevity at it’s foundation.
5. Vocal training from a technique teacher trained in a pedagogy based in vocal health
The art and science of vocal technique is at the base and foundation of every world class voice.
Singing is an athletic event. Singers are athletes of the voice and breathing. The impact of a live concert and the strain on the voice, is irrefutable.
Dr. Peak Woo (an internationally recognized laryngologist, clinical research scientist, and author of Stroboscopy) said that the physical effect of a 45-minute vocal performance is equivalent to a 2-hour football game for a linebacker.
No matter how strong your voice or technique is, there is a natural strain and “wear and tear” on the voice in performance. Like athletes, is imperative that singers train or they are going to inevitably end up with injuries or issues that can be avoided.
Vocal pedagogy is the study of the art and science of voice instruction. It is used in the teaching of singing and assists in defining what singing is, how singing works, and how proper singing technique is accomplished.
Vocal pedagogy covers a broad range of aspects of singing, ranging from the physiological process of vocal production to the artistic aspects of interpretation of songs from different genres or historical eras.
Typical areas of study include:
- Human anatomy and physiology as it relates to the physical process of singing.
- Breathing and air support for singing
- Posture and alignment for singing
- Proper vocal production and phonation
- Vocal resonation or voice projection
- Vocal registration
- Vocal biomechanics and vocal science
- Decrease in compensatory muscles
- Increase in strength of core vocal muscles
- Sostenuto and legato for singing
- Other singing elements, such as range extension, tone quality, vibrato, coloratura
- Vocal therapy and rehabilitation
- Vocal health and voice disorders related to singing
- Phonetics, diction, vowels and articulation
- Voice classification
All of these different concepts are a part of developing proper vocal technique. Not all voice teachers have the same opinions within every topic of study which causes variations in pedagogical approaches and vocal technique.
One of the most important elements of a vocal method is that it addresses the different states of vocal health and preparation that singers experiences. The voice, an instrument inside the body, is not always in the same state. There are variables depending on the level of hydration, sleep and diet, that can affect range and sound. The state of the instrument also changes from day to day due to the level of vocal overuse or underuse. A voice that hasn’t been singing will experience weakness, whereas a voice that is performing a lot might experience strain from over-singing. Then there is the additional aspect of respiratory illnesses, getting over being sick, and / or fatigue.
Knowing exactly what to do in each instance is the benefit of a great vocal method. The Cole Vocal Method™ has very specific exercises to strengthen, and condition the voice to bring it back into balance in all of these situations. This gives a newfound confidence to the singer needing to manage their vocal state and health often at the last minute before a performance.
The Cole Vocal Method™ is a complete master vocal method based in biomechanics, 38 years of vocal mastery, 40 years of vocal science, and over 100 years of application. This method is based in Bel Canto techniques from the true Italian schools of singing. It addresses the core mechanics and function of the voice dramatically improving sound, strength and resilience. With the health of the voice baked into the foundation of the tehcnique, it also protects singers vocal health and longevity with conditinoing elements that reduce wear and tear and strain.
Here’s how to learn the Cole Vocal Method™:
- Level I: There are three ways to start.
- Part 1 of the Cole Vocal Method™ starts with the Singers Gift Vocal Warmups. Click here to learn more.
- Learn the complete foundation of the Cole Vocal Method™, Parts 1 – 4 that are taught indepth inside the Vocal Freedom Circle (VFC). To learn more about VFC – click here.
- You can also learn the complete foundation of the Cole Vocal Method™, Parts 1 – 4 in private sessions with Cari Cole. Start with a 30 minute Vocal Analysis Learn more – click here.
- Level II: Level II of the Cole Vocal Method™ is taught inside the Vocal Coach Certification Program (VCCP). This program is for singers interested in learning the next level of the method and for vocal coaches who want to get certified to teach the method. VFC is a pre-requisite for VCCP. Registration for VCCP Level I opens May 15, 2024. Join the waitlist here.
- Level III: Level II of the Cole Vocal Method™ is taught inside the Vocal Coach Certification Program Year 2. This is for singers who want to learn the advanced level of the method and for vocal coaches who want to get Master Certification to teach the method. Level III registration opens in early 2025. Level I and II is a prerequisite for Level III.
Learn more about the method here at our Free Webinar here: Building a World-Class Singing Voice: A Step-by-Step Method to Vocal Freedom Based in Biomechanics and Vocal Science.
JOIN ME EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 12 pm Eastern: Join me on YouTube (and Instagram, Facebook)– where I discuss the Blog of the Week followed by a short Q&A where you can ask me questions.
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Hi, I’m Cari Cole.
You’ve got talent, but you want to become great at it. You’re in the right place! My mission is to help you refine your unique artist vision to bring to the world.
About Cari Cole
Cari Cole is the CEO / Founder of caricole.com and CCVM: Label Without Walls. She is a Holistic Vocal Coach, Artist Development Expert, A&R Director, and Songwriter based in New York City helping artists for the past 38 years. She is a mentor for Women in Music and The Association of Independent Music Publishers.
Her latest venture, CCVM a label services company, provides artists with a seamless path from creation to completion. After 30+ years of observing the overwhelm and challenges that artists face, Cari pulled together the best top creative professionals and designed a new approach to supporting our artists.
Disclaimer:
The information provided on Cari Cole's website is informational only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on Cari Cole's website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
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