My biggest fear is spending hours doing something wrong. I really struggle to relate the descriptions teachers give to my own body. I never seem to feel the tension that I supposedly have. My teacher looks at my neck and can tell but I can never feel it. It's so frustrating.
RIGHT... Only YOU can know and declare what is right and wrong with your OWN BODY. The best thing you can do for your voice is ignore teachers and learn how to learn about your own body :)
I'm just about to start getting into singing but from weightlifting: There is a thing called Mind-Muscle-Connection: As you build your muscles you are able to fine tune your movements so you can do the simple excercises with better form and stability, and continue to more complex excercises that require greater coordination. And since singing is also all about fine tuned muscle control, you might be able to take concepts from weightlifting and apply them to singing. Learn how your body reacts to the simple excercises and get to know the "feel" of doing them correctly. I was a fucking spastic when I started lifting and martial arts and now I can pick up new movements and excercises pretty fast. Just 2 cents from someone just about to start lawl
My old vocal coach told me this: stand with your back and head against the wall and see if you can still sing. Yes you need to focus a lot harder on support but this’ll show you if you have to “fold” your body to hit notes. Sorry that this is being replied 2 years later lol
Hey man. Indian classical music has this technique called meend. It means switching from one note to another with a gliding curve. It can be done by anyone. I found this to help with singing without tension and easiness on the throat
I figured this out one day in the car. I was singing a high note and just decided to flex my abs and everything sounded louder, warmer and my throat wasn’t tense
Dude, you're literally priceless. These video's are worth real money. Especially since the only reason I only had 4 lessons, is because I can't afford how expensive the ones of your caliber are.
Chris. Your program and your content have been essential in my progress as a singer. I can’t thank you enough for what you do. I often go back to your warm up video when I feel overwhelmed with perfectionism and my ADD brain wants to mindlessly do every single exercise on the internet. thank you for your work! This has been an extremely challenging year for me, but singing and music are truly a guiding light for me every day.
Nice intro! Also I just noticed after this video, I always introduce tension because I don't want to be loud(roomates.) But if I just let loose, not only can I sing tension free, but it sounds so much better. Thanks Chris!
Same here man! When I’m singing in my house it’s hard to be free because I fear bothering my siblings and parents. But when I’m in the car I can just be so much freer!
I took the vocal course. Chris Lipe your freaking amazing. I hit notes I thought I never could and the clarity was AMAZING it felt better to sing than it did to do a heelflip on a skateboard for the first time. I thought my voice was a lost cause. Thank you so much.
@@chrisliepe Check out the clip I did on my channel... ringtone 1... I did it on the fly last weekend in a practice session. I'm working on the full length song this weekend.
I just love your way to point things out. Singing a song about "Why is everything so tight" and demonstrating it at the same time is just great. You're a really experienced and very conscious singer. I already profit from your videos. Thanks so much!!!
Came here straight from the email list!! Chris, you are the best vocal teacher on UA-cam. You actually explain stuff in detail in a way that is hands on and easy to follow. I have seen so much progress because of you. I’m hitting notes that I’ve never been able to hit before in confidence. Keep up the great videos!
I have to tell you - Despite the fact that this video is like listening to fingers on a chalkboard, I kept turning it off and then coming back to it saying "maybe he's onto something here". I do voice-overs and also sing in my church praise team and over the years my throat has gotten worse and worse and worse and I have such a hard time doing my voice-overs and do every vocal exercise known to man, I've gone to vocal therapy and had scopes down my throat 3 times!!! NOTHING helps and since the "pros" haven't helped me, I've been trying on my own to figure things out - then this incredibly annoying video comes to my thread and as I said I kept turning it off, but then I think the Lord kept telling me - Go back to it - and do you know!!!! THIS is EXACTLY what I needed to know! Truly - I am getting through my voice-over work with so much less vocal stress and tightness today. My throat keeps wanting to revert back to my bad habit of tightening but this is only day one and only a couple hours in, so going to relearn how to speak and use my voice. I think the more I was trying to loosen my throat up the more I was focusing on my throat and the tighter it was getting!!!!! Anyway - I thank you from the bottom of my larynx for this video!!! This is helping me so much!!!! I am thinking of my face and nose instead of my throat and wow! Makes my voice sound sooo much better!!!! Thank you and God bless you!
This is great to hear! I hope you can engage with my free course linked in the video description. If this video helped you, the mindsets and techniques I teach there will be complete game changers for you!
I tried doing this while slightly sick, so I was inhaling eucalyptus from my trusty Vick vapo rub and it helped a lot with breathing deeply and focussing on the nose. Would highly recommend!
I would love being in the studio with you and practicing, cause you definitely would match my energy. I get goofy and pumped when I'm in my singing mode, so it'd be nice to have a vocal coach who doesn't take themselves too seriously. I love it. Definitely starting the free course. Thank you for what you do!
Tightness...!.! Earth and Water. This is where deep-throating your microphone is helpful. Unless its an Aston Origin, in that case, abstain. . Joking - just follow what he says! He is great and so is his channel :)
Chris, I think you just saved me!! I've been spending a lot of time getting my technique right but one thing that's always been killing me is my throat tightening up, and my voice has gradually been more dull with time. But now I've realized all I needed was to get more "ring" or resonance at the back of my sinuses with that "ng" sound. Focusing on that has reduced my throat tension drastically, not to mention added so much of that richness back to my voice... it's made a night and day difference in literally 1 practice session! Who knows how much improvement I'll see in a month? Thank you for this video.
I'm so glad you keep coming back to the importance of support. I often get so taken by all the other stuff that I'm working on that I forget to support. You've been really helping me keep my attention on it and to build it into my automatic and unconscious functioning. thanks. I'll keep it up.
this was the single advice that helped me the most to achieve higher notes more naturally, I'm impressed with how well it works, pretty fast too if you commit
Interesting. In Karate there's a similar technique. You concentrate the focus of the punch in the lower abdomen, so you don't use more force than you need in the punch. Thanks for the tips. Subscribed.
My favorite lesson from Chris, is how to use the abs in singing. It has changed every song I've ever sung, and it's highlighted how I was doing it on my best songs even before I knew about it. Before I sing now I have a little talk with my core, and say "are we ready?" Thanks Chris.
Thank you thank you thank you!!!… I love how you break it down and make any and every kind of noise when you’re explaining things I am totally blind… Even though I’ve been singing all my life… I lost site ha ha of where to sing from I think because of my videos on Smule… I subconsciously think about everything I’m doing to look OK and lose concentration on what I’m doing with my voice… This video rocks!✊❤️
I just had a septuplasty last month because my nasal airways were 85% obstructed and now I’ve been dealing with two issues; one being tension after recovery and two being that, where I had little to no “ping” or facial resonance before without being really intentional about it, I now find I have too much and my voice has this like, “tinny” quality when recorded. It’s a process, and this video always helps. 😊
Thank you so much, I have to say I was really upset lately because since I was younger I was not able to undertand why when I tried singing high it sounded horrible and forced so I kept getting dissapointed thinking I simply cannot sing and after you said how you only have to shift your focus on the sound that comes out that clicked for me… and next time I tried singing after that I was kind of mindblown how much better my singing was after testing songs I usually don’t even bother trying to sing anymore so you kind of made my day😂 thanks a lot man (Also weird to think how for a few years I was stuck due to focusing on the wrong thing and it only took your video to pop up for that to change… that’s just crazy)
Chris, I'm a huge fan of your channel and teaching methods, you make it all so much fun and you're a great person! I have two vocal analysis requests because you always do those videos so well: the impossibly demanding "Hiroshima Mon Amour" sung by the mighty Graham Bonnet (with Yngwie Malmsteen on guitar, this song ranks up there as one of the most ridiculously impressive rock performances I've heard) and something by Michael Bolton (I've never heard anyone replicate his unique power and tone, his voice is naturally amazing), for example "When I'm Back on My Feet Again" which has an incredible belted chorus (the live version is twice as good by the way)
Oh hey that must be why i can sing so well at the end of long bike rides- cuz I’ve just been pedaling and engaging my lower abdominals for hours, so they’re tense and tight just like it feels while doing this exercise ✌️
Damn, Chris. The example backing track "why is everything so tight" is very pleasing to my ears. I'd so download an original song of yours like that! :)
Hey Chris! I want to thank you for everything you've done. I haven't done any serious singing in a couple years, but practicing some of your techniques from these videos let me be able to start doing things I didn't even dream of when I was still in my "prime". It doesn't sound pretty yet, but it'll get there. My range and belting capabilities are slowly coming back to me, and you've made it a much easier climb than if I were on my own. And I've also been able to start discovering my mixed voice as well as grit. Things I never thought I would ever be able to discover properly. Like I said though, it doesn't sound good yet. But the fact that I have been making some pretty nice progress thanks to your videos warrants a comment from me. So, thank you. I did go and sign up for your free course just now to have some of the basics in a reviewable format. Sometimes we just forget the basics when trying new things, so I hope that'll help.
Thanks so much for the great comment and for sharing a little bit! Let me know how the Free Course helps you further! You'll get my email address there... you can just reply directly to the emails I send you with the free course!
Very interesting, it's like you're 'bracketing' the trouble area physically and mentally to take the focus off the 'pink elephant' and strengthen the genuinely productive areas.
This is just what I needed. Thank you. ❤ Ok, I just did a humming vocal exercise and just wanted to say that this tip really changed the way I use my voice already. It’s insane. I usually struggle to get the proper cord closure and resonance, but this just unlocked something instantly! I’m so excited! You’re the best! Seriously. The struggle was real lol
Chris, you're a Godsend. I've needed this exact video for so long. I'm involved in musical theatre, hoping to do it professionally- but my high range struggles a lot. This technique is going to help so much, I really appreciate it!!
The way you access these technique for the first time may look absurd but actually, this helps a lot for the muscle memory of this right technique... Good Job Chris... 💪
Chris is channeling Pete Murray’s sound in the intro demo. Love it! I’m grateful to watch your free to view tutorials as they really knock it out of the park. Thank you Chris!
You are a hero Chris! These videos you make are wonderful, so didactic and true. And you help and encourage people all around the world. Thank you for what you do, keep up!
I really do look at as much as I can on UA-cam for this. I swear I've seen nearly every video of yours and Ken (you know who I'm talking about ;) ) both of you offer equally important information in a different way. Although I will say I believe Ken has the experience and understanding on you, your content is sometimes easier to digest. Watching you both is such a good way to expand my singing ability. So thankful to have you both so readily available to learn from, even just hearing your words on the subject loosens my cords. Great stuff brother
Great lesson! I think my issue is from embarrassment mostly. I've never really sung, but have always wanted to. I've NEVER understood how people in bands, etc....just start singing! It's beyond my reasoning, because my voice is kinda Ethel Merman-y rather than Ann Wilson-y, so I'm always nervous and my throat clenches up. I can hold a tune, but only when singing softly. And I live in an apt. so...singing loudly is not so appreciated by my neighbors. 🙄 I may need to start taking a little drive now and then to let my voice out!
Such a helpful vid! One thing that would be a great video (not sure if you've covered it) is covering/helping a weird unconscious tension when just about to track/record a vox part. Ex: Hit record a measure or two early to ready myself in front of the mic (recording at home alone), sing a couple of wonderfully relaxed notes just prior to the moment the real singing begins, feeling/sounding great and take a nice full relaxed breath - and BAM, tension as soon as you open your mouth and ruin the whole take. Knowing how to fix that would help A LOT! I've tried every iteration with no success (don't do any relaxing sounds before the first note, sing the first note/word relaxed before the real note and just hold it until the beat starts and let it out, etc). BTW: anyone ever tell you that you sound a little like Ryan Seacrest? haha It just hit me with this video and now can't get it out of my head LOL
I'll be eager to try this. For context, I'm learning trombone, and have heard from others describe that playing trombone is a lot like singing. To the point that it is common for trombone students to be assigned vocal parts as exercises. So while the syllables of focus are different for us (more of T-Ohm sound), this same concept applies in trying to minimize throat tension. Long story short, this is good stuff to think about as I try to break away from bad habits that create throat tension and inhibit my air flow/breath. Thank you for making this free.
So great! I already do an exercise for my every day mind/for overcoming trauma- SBR-NT, stop, breathe, relax, & new thoughts (to replace the negative old ones from the past/abuse) so I’m rewiring my neurons and this is ironically very similar to what I’m doing for other reasons! Kinda cool 😎 and thanks for posting. I sing lead vocals in a band in NYC and we perform at a venue-it’s been one year now. I’m in my 50s & it’s what i dreamt of doing when I was 13/anyway I’m always looking to improve my vocals. Do a lot of Patti Smith/PJ Harvey/Stevie Nicks-anyway, I’m glad i found this and starting on in right away 🎉
I'm grateful to have found this while I was searching for: Why does my throat close up when I sing? Nodes? Bad breathing? I just enrolled in the course. . . and feel like I'm on the right track. Thanks, Chris.
I am going to record vocals today so this lesson came just at the right time hehe Chris, your videos have been a blessing to my progress as a vocalist, thank you.
Those were some real "Freestyla" type of sounds haha! Other struggles I have and would love to see your take on this, is the oversqueeze syndrom. In a nutshell, this is not only a neck tension problem but an inner muscle problem where the vocal chords have to learn to make smoother motions. The vocal cords themself coordinate and they do what they should be doing (being connected), but their motion is like taking a hammer to a glass it is not refined which results in an oversqueeze type of sound the chords are basically grinding on each other. I find that to compensate for that, As I go higher in my mix I tend to focus the resonance in the phyrangal area more, which helps to reduce the oversqueeze but I want to learn to keep the resonance in the mouth while still be able to sing freely in mix voice. Love to hear your comments or a deeper video on that Chris ✌ Take care R.
You know, I see this all of the time and try to explain to people how to relax their throat. This seems like an excellent exercise to achieve it. Great work, Chris!
Thanks! That was so helpfull for me right now. I just interrupted a recording session after not having sung for over a month. I couldn't open up my vowls and felt tense all the time. This exercise made me reflect on that issue very well. I gonna dive intoe more of your exercises right now. :)
My girlfriend came in at this moment 8:40 as I had forgot what I was listening to hahaha absolutely brilliant Thanks for the video too! It's great stuff.
Chris, your channel, and your way of teaching is so honest and helpful. I want to say thank you for what you do. Just amazing. This is the some of the best teaching I have ever seen.
Tight throat is a problem for me too. Yawning really wide helps me when my throat is tight. I also notice it's tight when I am dehydrated. Hydration is hard for me to keep up with.
Great video Chris! I've been following your channel for a long time and you've really helped me grow as a vocalist. I keep hoping that one day you'll make video on the style of Toshi from X Japan!
Great stuff, Chris! This feels like a helpful exercise to get rid of throat tension. As for videos studying rock singers, would love to see some old school classic voices analyzed - John Lennon and Paul McCartney, for example, who could sing blistering rock when they chose to. Also, Brad Delp of Boston and Lou Graham of Foreigner, two guys who can can sing crazy high notes and make it sound effortless. What can us mere mortals learn from how these guys sing? Thanks, Chris!
Haha yeah I posted a question about this on Reddit yesterday and today UA-cam answers with this video recommendation. I guess I don't mind if Big Brother is watching me at this point because at least I get good content.
I absolutely agree with his choice not to shy away from comparing things to pooping 💩 Oh & the eyebrow thing I totally get that 👌😂 I do want to say a lot of his content covers stuff I had been self teaching on and off for over a decade & that hit me hard, I really want to recommend to anyone stopping by to take this very seriously. It’s a weird vibe but you can see the importance of adjusting to that, but I digress. It’s crazy to hear terms for this stuff & relating to the vocal journey Wish I could put my money where my mouth is but I’m not a great producer & a mediocre instrumentalist at best. Music is a hobby to me I just wanted to say this is relatable content.
I would add something more... There are also TMJ issues that creates great tensions in the throat (i am struggling with it but i keep training safely until one day i'll be ok) and another point that can triggers tension in the throat'muscles is the neck... A disalignment of the first vertebraes C1 and C2 (wich i am expieriencing too)...
Essentially pooping 💩 😂😂 thank you Chris for giving this guitar guy hope he can sing well. Your stuff is so relatable, encouraging, and helpful. Cheers!!
My biggest fear is spending hours doing something wrong. I really struggle to relate the descriptions teachers give to my own body. I never seem to feel the tension that I supposedly have. My teacher looks at my neck and can tell but I can never feel it. It's so frustrating.
Oh dude I'm going through that right now, this week my teacher try to explain me something and made me think I have been doing everything wrong...
RIGHT... Only YOU can know and declare what is right and wrong with your OWN BODY. The best thing you can do for your voice is ignore teachers and learn how to learn about your own body :)
You can't visibly see tension, only you can feel it. Your teacher might not be the best, I had a similar experience in highschool
I'm just about to start getting into singing but from weightlifting:
There is a thing called Mind-Muscle-Connection: As you build your muscles you are able to fine tune your movements so you can do the simple excercises with better form and stability, and continue to more complex excercises that require greater coordination. And since singing is also all about fine tuned muscle control, you might be able to take concepts from weightlifting and apply them to singing. Learn how your body reacts to the simple excercises and get to know the "feel" of doing them correctly.
I was a fucking spastic when I started lifting and martial arts and now I can pick up new movements and excercises pretty fast. Just 2 cents from someone just about to start lawl
My old vocal coach told me this: stand with your back and head against the wall and see if you can still sing. Yes you need to focus a lot harder on support but this’ll show you if you have to “fold” your body to hit notes. Sorry that this is being replied 2 years later lol
I wouldn't progress so much in singing without that channel, valuable stuff again!
I doubt i be singing at all if not for Chris
Same
Did you pick up the technique ? I visualizing pushing down but it feels like there's no air
"essentially pooping" made all the difference for real 🙏
Basically the ultimate guide how to not poop yourself while singing. Or is it?
@vikewave 100%. Within a week of doing that I let out a bit of growl too, very exciting.
those who know, know
Hey man. Indian classical music has this technique called meend. It means switching from one note to another with a gliding curve. It can be done by anyone. I found this to help with singing without tension and easiness on the throat
Interesting. Do you have any articles or videos that explains this technique? I would love to try it ;)
@@gunnarsgarageband6384 sure it’s in hindi but the concept is the same i hope you’ll get it. Here’s the link
ua-cam.com/video/kFYmaUoTRQQ/v-deo.html
I'm not familiar so much with this but it sounds VERY interesting. Do you have any links?
@@chrisliepe
here’s the link : ua-cam.com/video/M5V2_C_ut7I/v-deo.html
@@chrisliepe atif aslam is a pakistani singer who uses meend . He did playbacks in indian music too. Check out some of his coke studio sessions
literally just came back from a singing session in my car in which my throat was v tight to see this in my recommended well played
I figured this out one day in the car. I was singing a high note and just decided to flex my abs and everything sounded louder, warmer and my throat wasn’t tense
Dude, you're literally priceless. These video's are worth real money. Especially since the only reason I only had 4 lessons, is because I can't afford how expensive the ones of your caliber are.
Take a shot every time he says "gone".
i did, just died from alcohol poisoning
Drunk now 🤤
HAHAHAHA... FANTASTIC game :)
Carefull with the dry chords lol
Yet again you just showed up in my youtube feed and taught me to resolve something i was struggling wiht for a month in the span of 10 min. Amazing
Chris. Your program and your content have been essential in my progress as a singer. I can’t thank you enough for what you do. I often go back to your warm up video when I feel overwhelmed with perfectionism and my ADD brain wants to mindlessly do every single exercise on the internet. thank you for your work!
This has been an extremely challenging year for me, but singing and music are truly a guiding light for me every day.
Thank you for sharing!! Glad you’re along for the journey and that it brings life to you!
Nice intro!
Also I just noticed after this video, I always introduce tension because I don't want to be loud(roomates.) But if I just let loose, not only can I sing tension free, but it sounds so much better. Thanks Chris!
You're so welcome!
Same here man! When I’m singing in my house it’s hard to be free because I fear bothering my siblings and parents. But when I’m in the car I can just be so much freer!
@@LuneToon032 i’m a car singer aswell, and when I am at an Open mic I can actually sing way better than at home!
I took the vocal course. Chris Lipe your freaking amazing. I hit notes I thought I never could and the clarity was AMAZING it felt better to sing than it did to do a heelflip on a skateboard for the first time.
I thought my voice was a lost cause.
Thank you so much.
This is awesome to read!
@@chrisliepe Check out the clip I did on my channel... ringtone 1... I did it on the fly last weekend in a practice session. I'm working on the full length song this weekend.
I just love your way to point things out. Singing a song about "Why is everything so tight" and demonstrating it at the same time is just great. You're a really experienced and very conscious singer. I already profit from your videos. Thanks so much!!!
Glad it was helpful!
I speak Spanish and I am learning English, the "a little slow" way you speak really helps me understand everything you say! Thanks!
nice, you're so welcome
Came here straight from the email list!! Chris, you are the best vocal teacher on UA-cam. You actually explain stuff in detail in a way that is hands on and easy to follow. I have seen so much progress because of you. I’m hitting notes that I’ve never been able to hit before in confidence. Keep up the great videos!
Nice! Another tool to get this “feel” down!
YES
I have to tell you - Despite the fact that this video is like listening to fingers on a chalkboard, I kept turning it off and then coming back to it saying "maybe he's onto something here". I do voice-overs and also sing in my church praise team and over the years my throat has gotten worse and worse and worse and I have such a hard time doing my voice-overs and do every vocal exercise known to man, I've gone to vocal therapy and had scopes down my throat 3 times!!! NOTHING helps and since the "pros" haven't helped me, I've been trying on my own to figure things out - then this incredibly annoying video comes to my thread and as I said I kept turning it off, but then I think the Lord kept telling me - Go back to it - and do you know!!!! THIS is EXACTLY what I needed to know!
Truly - I am getting through my voice-over work with so much less vocal stress and tightness today. My throat keeps wanting to revert back to my bad habit of tightening but this is only day one and only a couple hours in, so going to relearn how to speak and use my voice. I think the more I was trying to loosen my throat up the more I was focusing on my throat and the tighter it was getting!!!!! Anyway - I thank you from the bottom of my larynx for this video!!! This is helping me so much!!!! I am thinking of my face and nose instead of my throat and wow! Makes my voice sound sooo much better!!!! Thank you and God bless you!
This is great to hear! I hope you can engage with my free course linked in the video description. If this video helped you, the mindsets and techniques I teach there will be complete game changers for you!
I tried doing this while slightly sick, so I was inhaling eucalyptus from my trusty Vick vapo rub and it helped a lot with breathing deeply and focussing on the nose. Would highly recommend!
I would love being in the studio with you and practicing, cause you definitely would match my energy. I get goofy and pumped when I'm in my singing mode, so it'd be nice to have a vocal coach who doesn't take themselves too seriously. I love it. Definitely starting the free course. Thank you for what you do!
Tightness...!.! Earth and Water. This is where deep-throating your microphone is helpful.
Unless its an Aston Origin, in that case, abstain.
.
Joking - just follow what he says! He is great and so is his channel :)
I really think you are some sort of singing angel who came to teach us how to sing
Best Vocal Coach out there, PERIOD.
Thanks!
Yes!
Chris, I think you just saved me!! I've been spending a lot of time getting my technique right but one thing that's always been killing me is my throat tightening up, and my voice has gradually been more dull with time. But now I've realized all I needed was to get more "ring" or resonance at the back of my sinuses with that "ng" sound. Focusing on that has reduced my throat tension drastically, not to mention added so much of that richness back to my voice... it's made a night and day difference in literally 1 practice session! Who knows how much improvement I'll see in a month? Thank you for this video.
I'm so glad you keep coming back to the importance of support. I often get so taken by all the other stuff that I'm working on that I forget to support. You've been really helping me keep my attention on it and to build it into my automatic and unconscious functioning. thanks. I'll keep it up.
this was the single advice that helped me the most to achieve higher notes more naturally, I'm impressed with how well it works, pretty fast too if you commit
Interesting. In Karate there's a similar technique. You concentrate the focus of the punch in the lower abdomen, so you don't use more force than you need in the punch. Thanks for the tips. Subscribed.
Thanks for the sub!
Best channel for singing in UA-cam. Period!
Friends, I seriously recommend his course.
You should take part in a band man! Your singing skills are _immaculate_
My favorite lesson from Chris, is how to use the abs in singing. It has changed every song I've ever sung, and it's highlighted how I was doing it on my best songs even before I knew about it. Before I sing now I have a little talk with my core, and say "are we ready?" Thanks Chris.
Thank you thank you thank you!!!… I love how you break it down and make any and every kind of noise when you’re explaining things
I am totally blind… Even though I’ve been singing all my life… I lost site ha ha of where to sing from
I think because of my videos on Smule… I subconsciously think about everything I’m doing to look OK and lose concentration on what I’m doing with my voice… This video rocks!✊❤️
I just had a septuplasty last month because my nasal airways were 85% obstructed and now I’ve been dealing with two issues; one being tension after recovery and two being that, where I had little to no “ping” or facial resonance before without being really intentional about it, I now find I have too much and my voice has this like, “tinny” quality when recorded. It’s a process, and this video always helps. 😊
Thank you so much, I have to say I was really upset lately because since I was younger I was not able to undertand why when I tried singing high it sounded horrible and forced so I kept getting dissapointed thinking I simply cannot sing and after you said how you only have to shift your focus on the sound that comes out that clicked for me… and next time I tried singing after that I was kind of mindblown how much better my singing was after testing songs I usually don’t even bother trying to sing anymore so you kind of made my day😂 thanks a lot man
(Also weird to think how for a few years I was stuck due to focusing on the wrong thing and it only took your video to pop up for that to change… that’s just crazy)
currently my favorite singing teacher, super-practical and straightforward stuff; very very helpful
thank you :)
hey, i never ever comment on videos but i wanted to say your channel has helped me so much and i really really appreciate you
Chris, I'm a huge fan of your channel and teaching methods, you make it all so much fun and you're a great person!
I have two vocal analysis requests because you always do those videos so well: the impossibly demanding "Hiroshima Mon Amour" sung by the mighty Graham Bonnet (with Yngwie Malmsteen on guitar, this song ranks up there as one of the most ridiculously impressive rock performances I've heard) and something by Michael Bolton (I've never heard anyone replicate his unique power and tone, his voice is naturally amazing), for example "When I'm Back on My Feet Again" which has an incredible belted chorus (the live version is twice as good by the way)
Oh hey that must be why i can sing so well at the end of long bike rides- cuz I’ve just been pedaling and engaging my lower abdominals for hours, so they’re tense and tight just like it feels while doing this exercise ✌️
Damn, Chris. The example backing track "why is everything so tight" is very pleasing to my ears. I'd so download an original song of yours like that! :)
Thanks!!
😅
Hey Chris! I want to thank you for everything you've done. I haven't done any serious singing in a couple years, but practicing some of your techniques from these videos let me be able to start doing things I didn't even dream of when I was still in my "prime". It doesn't sound pretty yet, but it'll get there. My range and belting capabilities are slowly coming back to me, and you've made it a much easier climb than if I were on my own. And I've also been able to start discovering my mixed voice as well as grit. Things I never thought I would ever be able to discover properly. Like I said though, it doesn't sound good yet. But the fact that I have been making some pretty nice progress thanks to your videos warrants a comment from me. So, thank you. I did go and sign up for your free course just now to have some of the basics in a reviewable format. Sometimes we just forget the basics when trying new things, so I hope that'll help.
Thanks so much for the great comment and for sharing a little bit! Let me know how the Free Course helps you further! You'll get my email address there... you can just reply directly to the emails I send you with the free course!
ı cant stop my tears😢 thank you so much sharing this practise🙏🏻 ı wish you had more videos here
this is 100% my stuttering pattern! This exercise helped a ton with it too!
Very interesting, it's like you're 'bracketing' the trouble area physically and mentally to take the focus off the 'pink elephant' and strengthen the genuinely productive areas.
This is just what I needed. Thank you. ❤
Ok, I just did a humming vocal exercise and just wanted to say that this tip really changed the way I use my voice already. It’s insane.
I usually struggle to get the proper cord closure and resonance, but this just unlocked something instantly! I’m so excited! You’re the best! Seriously. The struggle was real lol
Chris, you're a Godsend. I've needed this exact video for so long. I'm involved in musical theatre, hoping to do it professionally- but my high range struggles a lot. This technique is going to help so much, I really appreciate it!!
You're not anti-throat, you're pro-abdomen. -Ghandi
nice
Ghandi was not who you think he was.
Who tf is ghandi? I only know Gandhi lol
@@callhimcurly7466 It's Gandhi's cousin
Gone-di
exactly what i needed today, actually took pain away from my neck, thank you
You're so welcome!
Great drill and explanation Chris. Indeed, tension is the enemy of the vocalist. For many, the biggest of foes
I had been struggling for a while with separating the feeling of my tongue and my throat, really good exercise for real.
The way you access these technique for the first time may look absurd but actually, this helps a lot for the muscle memory of this right technique...
Good Job Chris... 💪
This and Bohemian Vocal Studio's video on Vocal Fundamentals solved years of my vocal tension. Thank you Chris!
Chris is channeling Pete Murray’s sound in the intro demo. Love it! I’m grateful to watch your free to view tutorials as they really knock it out of the park. Thank you Chris!
I’m going to try out for a band tommorrow, they already love my voice but I have this problem so much , thanks for this video brother
This exercise WORKS! I struggle sometimes with tightness and tension. This video was amazingly helpful. THANK YOU!!! Caz x
You are a hero Chris! These videos you make are wonderful, so didactic and true. And you help and encourage people all around the world. Thank you for what you do, keep up!
I really do look at as much as I can on UA-cam for this. I swear I've seen nearly every video of yours and Ken (you know who I'm talking about ;) ) both of you offer equally important information in a different way. Although I will say I believe Ken has the experience and understanding on you, your content is sometimes easier to digest. Watching you both is such a good way to expand my singing ability. So thankful to have you both so readily available to learn from, even just hearing your words on the subject loosens my cords. Great stuff brother
Great lesson! I think my issue is from embarrassment mostly. I've never really sung, but have always wanted to. I've NEVER understood how people in bands, etc....just start singing! It's beyond my reasoning, because my voice is kinda Ethel Merman-y rather than Ann Wilson-y, so I'm always nervous and my throat clenches up. I can hold a tune, but only when singing softly. And I live in an apt. so...singing loudly is not so appreciated by my neighbors. 🙄 I may need to start taking a little drive now and then to let my voice out!
Such a helpful vid!
One thing that would be a great video (not sure if you've covered it) is covering/helping a weird unconscious tension when just about to track/record a vox part. Ex: Hit record a measure or two early to ready myself in front of the mic (recording at home alone), sing a couple of wonderfully relaxed notes just prior to the moment the real singing begins, feeling/sounding great and take a nice full relaxed breath - and BAM, tension as soon as you open your mouth and ruin the whole take. Knowing how to fix that would help A LOT! I've tried every iteration with no success (don't do any relaxing sounds before the first note, sing the first note/word relaxed before the real note and just hold it until the beat starts and let it out, etc).
BTW: anyone ever tell you that you sound a little like Ryan Seacrest? haha It just hit me with this video and now can't get it out of my head LOL
Glad this was helpful! Haven’t heard the seacrest one yet... but he’s got a nice voice. :) I’ll take it!
I'll be eager to try this. For context, I'm learning trombone, and have heard from others describe that playing trombone is a lot like singing. To the point that it is common for trombone students to be assigned vocal parts as exercises. So while the syllables of focus are different for us (more of T-Ohm sound), this same concept applies in trying to minimize throat tension.
Long story short, this is good stuff to think about as I try to break away from bad habits that create throat tension and inhibit my air flow/breath. Thank you for making this free.
So great! I already do an exercise for my every day mind/for overcoming trauma-
SBR-NT, stop, breathe, relax, & new thoughts (to replace the negative old ones from the past/abuse) so I’m rewiring my neurons and this is ironically very similar to what I’m doing for other reasons! Kinda cool 😎 and thanks for posting. I sing lead vocals in a band in NYC and we perform at a venue-it’s been one year now. I’m in my 50s & it’s what i dreamt of doing when I was 13/anyway I’m always looking to improve my vocals. Do a lot of Patti Smith/PJ Harvey/Stevie Nicks-anyway, I’m glad i found this and starting on in right away 🎉
I'm grateful to have found this while I was searching for: Why does my throat close up when I sing? Nodes? Bad breathing? I just enrolled in the course. . . and feel like I'm on the right track. Thanks, Chris.
Awesome brother! Thank you! I was singing today and noticed the tension coming in. I’ll try using this exercise - many thanks again!
I am going to record vocals today so this lesson came just at the right time hehe Chris, your videos have been a blessing to my progress as a vocalist, thank you.
Wonderful!
Those were some real "Freestyla" type of sounds haha! Other struggles I have and would love to see your take on this, is the oversqueeze syndrom.
In a nutshell, this is not only a neck tension problem but an inner muscle problem where the vocal chords have to learn to make smoother motions. The vocal cords themself coordinate and they do what they should be doing (being connected), but their motion is like taking a hammer to a glass it is not refined which results in an oversqueeze type of sound the chords are basically grinding on each other.
I find that to compensate for that, As I go higher in my mix I tend to focus the resonance in the phyrangal area more, which helps to reduce the oversqueeze but I want to learn to keep the resonance in the mouth while still be able to sing freely in mix voice.
Love to hear your comments or a deeper video on that Chris ✌
Take care
R.
You know, I see this all of the time and try to explain to people how to relax their throat. This seems like an excellent exercise to achieve it. Great work, Chris!
Thanks! That was so helpfull for me right now. I just interrupted a recording session after not having sung for over a month. I couldn't open up my vowls and felt tense all the time. This exercise made me reflect on that issue very well. I gonna dive intoe more of your exercises right now. :)
Rad tips dude!
Just AMAZING! Helped so much right away!
Chris, I learnt so much from your videos. Thank you so much!!!!!
My girlfriend came in at this moment 8:40 as I had forgot what I was listening to hahaha absolutely brilliant
Thanks for the video too! It's great stuff.
such a helpful video video and i LOVE the way you explain and show things, thank you so much chris !!!
Youre the man Chris!
Chris , you are the best teacher ever . Thank you very much !!!
though you have a disclaimer in the end of the video. for me, it worked instantly. I can sing G4 consistently without breaking. thank you so much! :)
You rock. Please help with this topic more! Allowing the overtones to reverberate opposed to clamping up
Chris, your channel, and your way of teaching is so honest and helpful. I want to say thank you for what you do. Just amazing. This is the some of the best teaching I have ever seen.
sir!!!!
that demonstration was CRAZY! 😮👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Can't wait to try this. I can barely speak without my throat feeling tight lol.
Tight throat is a problem for me too. Yawning really wide helps me when my throat is tight. I also notice it's tight when I am dehydrated. Hydration is hard for me to keep up with.
Great video Chris! I've been following your channel for a long time and you've really helped me grow as a vocalist. I keep hoping that one day you'll make video on the style of Toshi from X Japan!
Great stuff, Chris! This feels like a helpful exercise to get rid of throat tension. As for videos studying rock singers, would love to see some old school classic voices analyzed - John Lennon and Paul McCartney, for example, who could sing blistering rock when they chose to. Also, Brad Delp of Boston and Lou Graham of Foreigner, two guys who can can sing crazy high notes and make it sound effortless. What can us mere mortals learn from how these guys sing? Thanks, Chris!
I have been waiting for so long what an idea thank you so much Chris Lippe ❤️❤️
Amazing, Chris! This is very useful thank you so much
Yet another great practice and technique towards singing better Chris. 👍
Amazing voice in the intro 😊😊😊
Exactly what I needed 🙌🏼
Love your vocal tone.
the Psychologic from pink elephant is Gold💥💥💥💥thanks chris
You're always my go to for advice and vocal health. Thank you Chris!
Dude. You rule. I love you.
I can feel some Korn vibes in the intro song cool! Also thanks for the video :D it looks like they always get upload on the right time haha
How do you know exactly when I need this exact type of video? it's getting creepy at this point ahah
Same here :-)
hehe
@@chrisliepe if this is because of seeing your viewers on feedback Fridays, you are a genius!!!
I was thinking the exact same thing lol
Haha yeah I posted a question about this on Reddit yesterday and today UA-cam answers with this video recommendation. I guess I don't mind if Big Brother is watching me at this point because at least I get good content.
Hey Chris, thank you so much for all you give in your videos. They are fantastic.😀
Wish i found you a long time ago
loving the new intro!
Thanks!
YOU ARE THE BEST!
I absolutely agree with his choice not to shy away from comparing things to pooping 💩
Oh & the eyebrow thing
I totally get that 👌😂
I do want to say a lot of his content covers stuff I had been self teaching on and off for over a decade & that hit me hard, I really want to recommend to anyone stopping by to take this very seriously. It’s a weird vibe but you can see the importance of adjusting to that, but I digress. It’s crazy to hear terms for this stuff & relating to the vocal journey
Wish I could put my money where my mouth is but I’m not a great producer & a mediocre instrumentalist at best. Music is a hobby to me
I just wanted to say this is relatable content.
Thanks for the great comment and advocacy for what's on the channel!
excited for this one your videos are so helpful thank you
I would add something more... There are also TMJ issues that creates great tensions in the throat (i am struggling with it but i keep training safely until one day i'll be ok) and another point that can triggers tension in the throat'muscles is the neck... A disalignment of the first vertebraes C1 and C2 (wich i am expieriencing too)...
Chris you're really helpful
Essentially pooping 💩 😂😂 thank you Chris for giving this guitar guy hope he can sing well. Your stuff is so relatable, encouraging, and helpful. Cheers!!
Glad you're enjoying!