Vocal Coaching

I was speechless when Bic Runga left our table. I wanted to cry. Partly because I’m what Randy Newman calls – “a real emotional girl”, partly, because I simply couldn’t speak. I was made acutely aware of my internal emotional landscape when vocally silent for three and a half weeks following surgery to remove a cyst from my vocal folds.… Read the rest

In a Sunday Magazine feature, one of my favourite song-smiths Don McGlashan was quoted as saying “A lot of people sound as if they’ve learnt how to sing from a book” and that to “tell a story right from the heart… that’s a rare gift”.… Read the rest

I was lucky enough to see James Reyne perform in Sydney in a recent trip across the ditch. He gave a superb 150% performance, AND all with a ‘shot’ voice (having been prescribed Steroids to keep him going). The good news is, there are alternatives to extreme chemical medication.… Read the rest

If we genuinely meant what we sang – it would be so easy. If we genuinely need to express ourselves or a specific perspective in order to be understood, many technical problems disappear. The key, I believe is to be emotionally honest and connected – being ‘in tune’ with your emotions.… Read the rest

Fielding ideas for this column, I received a wonderful list of topics: ‘How to perform when you don’t feel like singing?’, ‘How to sing in tune?’ ‘Tips for voice care while on tour’, ‘Does the voice change with the seasons?’ and even ‘Why is Killing In The Name Of such an amazing song?’… Read the rest