Here is a soundtrack of a 14-year-old singer, pictured here (his guitar teacher is Michael Sumner). Here is the vocal advice that I gave him when I coached him and assisted with the band’s writing of this song.
The human voice can only take so much; work out how to achieve an effect as efficiently as possible. An example of this is to use consonants; can consonants achieve the aggressive effect one wants without screaming? If so, use your lips, teeth & abs to deliver snappy consonants; practice consonants as much as vowels because it is all part of singing.
Rest the voice. An example of this is to take a day off a week from singing.
Hydrate.
Be involved in the writing process. As the lead singer, you are the one who will sing the song! What feels natural to you & most importantly, what is your sustainable range.
Learn what a ‘balanced onset’ is. Go to a classical singing teacher, not a contemporary teacher. The two styles have slightly different takes on what balance is. If you can, go to a Bel Canto teacher. Once you have learned to onset your sound with a ‘balanced’ onset then you will need to speak like this as well as sing like this. Don’t use a balanced onset all the time – plan out when to give a hard onset or aspirated onset for effect. But, when you give a hard onset or aspirated onset, be mindful that it costs you more! Singing is like a bank account – if you budget then you will have enough, if you don’t you will blow it.
Focus on your head voice when you are warming up. ‘Oooo’ attracts the head voice like moths are attracted to light. Sing ‘oooo’ enough and you will unlock tone colors and a range that you didn’t know existed in your voice; my singers vocalize with me throughout a range of about three to four octaves.
Don’t overdo it. When you begin singing lessons, begin with five minutes a day. Would you go to the gym and expect your body to instantly respond? No. Then why do you expect that of the muscles that are involved in singing?
If you play guitar. Look at your alignment. Your alignment needs to be as healthy as possible – not easy with a guitar.
Use the mic. Why do you go to band practice and scream your head off? Take it easy. Use the mic. Don’t compete with the rest of the band – you won’t win.
Deborah Wai Kapohe 