The Rock-N-Roll Singer's Survival Manual (Book)

-

THE

•

,

WRITIEN ANO ILLUSTRATEO BY MARKBAXTBI

lT77 west fJJuemoood RoIIJ P.O. 8nr 13819 Milwúee. WI S32/J

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The only thing that meant more to me than linishing this book was the support I received lrom lriends and lamily when I needed it most. Vou are only as goOO as the people around Vou and I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by the best. ,'d like to acknowledge: Katie Agresta, my lirst voice teacher, who took me under her wing and illed the confidence that enables me to !ly on my own. Her lave 01 the voice is pirational. My mother, who acted as editor, lar being gentle with the red ink and big on support and encouragement.

My lather, who has always set an example lar me to

challenge the ·Iimits 01 my understanding. I lave Vou both. laurence Sax, lar making the task 01 producing this book his own, and lar acting as creative consultant and riding shot-gun on the quality kontrol. I can't imagine the book without his input. I'm going to miss the ali night computer sessions ... well, not really. My wile Stacie, lar making my dreams hers. Vour lave has always been my strength . . . . and to my son Travis, lar being the coolest kid in the world.

r

This book is dedicated to ali my students, past and present. I value the trust you 've placed in me . Your dedication to better yourselves is what inspires me to teach .

ALL ABOUT THIS BOOK

Singing involves a variety oi elements combined together to create a single action. Vou can't ignore a single aspect, and expect to have lull control, 50 every angle is covered in this book.

At lirst, the amount oi inlormation may seem

overwhelming, especially lor a Rock 'n' RolI book, but there is no need to read the book Irem cover to cover in one sitting. Read the sections you need, as you need them. There are lour main sections regarding the health, maintenance, strength and flexibility oi your voice. At the end oi each quarter is a tip sheet lor a "review-at-aglance."

If there is a specific question you need answered, lum to the back of the

book (Questions Anyone?, page 217). AI the end oi each answer, Ihere is a page number where more delail can be found. Vou can approach Ihis book backwards, forwards, or inside oul, any way is fine. I'm sure the ratio between male and female singers is equal. To keep Ihings sim pie th ough, I chose lo use "he" as my pronoun instead of "he/she". I could have used "she" exclusively, bul "he" won lhe coin toss. I hope no one is oflended. Above ali, you musl realize the power for change comes from within.

Use

this book as a mirror. 11 you recognize a trouble spol, it's up to you lo address i1. Rock-n-RolI singing is as demanding as any olher, bul the rock singer needs to appreach his craft diflerently.

No other singer will face such adverse conditions

while performing. So, arm yourself with the facts contained in these pages and get out there and leI the wor1d hear the singer inside you.

g

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ALL ABOUT VOUR WORLD Vour Instrument is Vou r Body . ... . ........ ... .. . . . ... . • .. . .... Environmental Factors Whieh Affect Vour Voiee .. . .. . ...• . .•..... . . . Working 9 to 5 .... .. .... . .. .. ... . ..•.. . ... . . . ... Smoking . . ... .. ..... . .. . ........ . •.. . . ..• ..•.. Drugs in General .. .. ...•.. .. ....••.. • .. . . . • .. • . .. Smoking Pot ......• . . • . . • . . •• .. . ..• . .•.. • ..•.. .. Cocaine. Aleohol ... . • ..• . . •. . • •. .• . . •. . •. .• ..•... Coffee . . .. . . ...... . . •. .. . . . •.. ... .. . . .... . .... Mental Altitude ... . ...•.. . .. .•. . • . .• . . •. .• . .. .... Stress ..... . ... . ... . . . .. .. . .... . . . .•.. ...•... . Vou Sing Like Vou Eat . .... . .. . . . . .• . . . . .. •.. .. . ...•..•.. . . Sugar . . . .. . .... . .• . .•.... . ...... . •. . . .. . ... .. Dairy ... . .. .. . . ..• ..... . •... . . • ........ . . . . . .. Fluids . . ...... . ...... . . . • ..• .. .• . .•.....•. . •.. Physical Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . ... . ... . ....... . . . •.... Swimming, Rebounder . .... . .. .. ... . . ... . •. .•..•.. . Aerobics, Jumping Rope, Martial Arts. Jogging . . . . . . . . . .. . . Calisthenics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . ....... . ... . . Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball, Voga, Weight Training .. Stretch, Streteh, Streteh .. . ..... . .. . . . . . . ....... . .. . Obey the Laws ( ... the laws of sound that is) ..... . ... . . .. ..... . ... . What is Sound? .......... . ... .. .. . . . . .. .. .. • .... Sound Has Waves . ........ ... .. . ... . .. . •. . .. . . . .. Separating Noise From Tones, Piteh, Intensity . . .... .. • .. . .. Duration, Timbre . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ... . .. .... . . ..•... . Resonance . . .... . .. .. ..... . ... .. .........• . . ... Absorption & Reflection, Sonanee ... . ... • .. •. .• . . •..... A Living Instrument . ..... . .. . .. ... ....... •. . • .. •.. Training Vour Voice . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . .• . . . .. . .. • ..• .. . . Do I Have to Practice? . . . ...... . .... .. . .... • ..• . .... .. . .. ... How Long? . .... . ........• . .. .. •.. •. . • . . ..... . .. What Should I Vocalize? . .. . ..•.. . ...•..• . . •. .•. . ... ALL ABOUT VOUR WORLD Tip Sheet .. . ... . . .. .... .. ..... .•. ... ALL ABOUT VOU R BREATH How Breathing Affects Vou r Voice .... . .. ..... ... .. .. . ......• .. . Every Breath Vou Take ... .. ... . . ....... . ... . ........• . .•... The Path of a Breath .. .•. .• . .•.. •. . . • .. •.. . .... . .. 8leathing Exercises . .. . . ...... . . . . . . . .• .. . . . .... .. •... . . . .. Posture Affects Vour Voiee ... .. . ...... . • . . .. ....• .. .. . •. . .. .. Posture Check . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • . . . . . . • .. 'Iha! Singer's Should Know About Colds ... . . •. . .. .•..• . .•.. . . . ... Stress & Emotions . .. . . . . . . . . • . . • . . • . . • . . • . . • . . . .. Change in Seasons. Dry Air ... • .....•. . • . . • . . • . . • . . .. Change in Diet, Allergies .. .. .. •. .•..•.... . . .. ... •...

1 5 8

10 14 15 16

18

20 23 24 27

29 30 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 38 39 40 41

43 44

45 46 49 50 51 53 57 60 60 65 79 82 84 85 86 87

Sleep, Time to Clean House, What to do During a Cold .. . ... . Sore Throats (To Sing or Not to Sing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALL ABOUT VOUR BREATH Tip Sheet .. ... ... .. ..... .. ..... .. ..

88 92 95

ALL ASOUT YOUR INSTRUMENT The Big Picture, What Happens When Vou Sing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... The Jobs of the Larynx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . How to Control Vour Voice ........ .. • . .• . . .. ........ How a Sound is Created ......••..•.. , ..•...... . .... Watch the Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. • ..•..•..•...... Pitch Change ... .. .. .... .. ..... .... • ........•... Where's the Volume Knob? .. . ..... ... . . . . . . . . . .• .... Vocal Registers • Why So Many Voices? .... ... . .. . . ..... Most Breaks Caused by Avoiding Next Register .. . . . . . . . . .. The Jobs of the Vocal Tract ...... .... .. . .......... ... ... . .... Vour Voice Has a Built in E.O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Imitating Reduces Freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Resonance Projects Emotion, How to Encourage Resonance .... Vowels . ..... ..... ... ... ... ......... ..... ..... Consonants - Just a Bunch of Noise. "H" is a Workout ..... .. . How Do Vou Lose Vour Voice? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Where Trouble Begins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. How To Avoid Trouble . ... •. . ... • .. • •.. •.. • . . • .. • .. Diagnosing Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • . . • . . . . Chronic Hoarseness ....... . .. • . . .• . . •.......•.. • .. Exercises For Strength and Flexibility ......... •..• ..•. . •. .• ..•... Warming Up and Down ........ .. .......• .. • . . • . . .. . . . . .. ... ALL ABOUT VOUR INSTRUMENT Tip Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .

99 105 106 108 109 110 112 113 115 118 119 120 122 123 125 126 127 133 136 137 140 154 158

ALL ABOUT YOURSELF Who Are Vou? . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ...... .. .... • ..•.... 161 Emotional Singer, Technical Singer ... ..... ... .......... . 162 Who's on Top? ... ... .. .. ... ... ..... ... .....•. ... 163 Mind Games (Who Are Vou Talking to When Vou Talk to Vourself?) ...•... 165 Resisting Success, Build Vour Own Mountain .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . ... 168 Feelings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... ....... . ..... . ......... . ..... 173 Rx for Stagefright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . ..•.. . ..... 179 Perfect Pitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • ..•.... . 181 Make the Song Fit ....... ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... . • ... . 188 Welcome to the Jungle (Survival TIps for the Real World) ... . .. . . .. . . ... 193 ALL ABOUT VOURSELF Tip Sheet .. ... ... .... ......... . .. .. . .. 205 Watch Vour Language ..... ...... . ... • . .. ..... • . . . . . . . . • . . . . 206 Glossary of Words and Phrases ...• . .•. . ... • •. ... ... • . . . . . . . . . . 208 Ouestions Anyone? ...... ...... . ..... . .• .. .. ....•.. • ....... 217 Ali About Mark Baxter . .......... . ...•..•. . .. . . . .... ... . .. .. 231

ALL ABOUT VOUR WORLD

Ali Aboul Your World

VOUR INSTRUMENT IS VOUR BODV Sing.

In arder to recognize any changes that will occur as a result of this

book, Vou need to sing a simple scale on "ah". Just relax and feel comfortable and notice what happens with your body when vou sing. If Vou don't understand scales, just sing anything that you'd like. I want vou to feel what's going on inside. Notice what you're doing to sing.

Let your body relax, unfold, just let the tensions go.

Notice what's going on as vou sing higher, if your body adjusts itself, make a mental note of the feeling. The main theme throughout this book will be THE SINGER IS THE INSTRUMENT. body,

Vou are the trumpet, the cello, the guitar, the keyboard.

your entire body becomes the

instrument.

Singers

have

Your

a double

responsibility with their bodies as well as with their minds. Any instrumentalist has a mental "prep" ar attitude which he brings to the instrument. His ability as a "player' is the only variable facto r between him and his instrument. always ready.

The instrument itself is

I know there are plenty of preparations that are needed before Vou

play any instrument, but my point is that once this maintenance is dane, it will be consistent.

If a musician doesn't like the sound of his piano ar guitar, he can pick

up another one. The more advanced a player becomes, the more demanding he is about the quality of his instnument. Vocalists are given an instrument at birth, like it ar not. No refund, no returno If a singer is not happy with the way his voice sounds, he can't walk over to another larynx.

Vou have to work with what vou are given.

instrument and the player.

Singers are both the

Vou are always with your instrument every moment of

every day. Imagine if vou were never allowed to be without your guitar (ar any instrument Vou play).

Picture yourself going to work with it, riding the bus with it,

Iying at the beach with it. Vou would always have half a thought on its safety. On

1

Your lnstrument is Your Body

r TIu Rock In' Roll Singer )s SUrJlival Manual

a rainy day your firsl Ihoughl mighl be, "How will I gel lo work wilh my guilar?" Vou know lhe effecls of moislure on wood, and you'd probably allernale your daily rouline lo avoid gelting il wet.

No malter how careful you mighl be, you could

imagine whal a wreck Ihal guilar would be after Iwo years?

lhe inlonalion would

be oul, lhe neck would be warped and lhe slrings would be nusly. respond lo lhe same lechnique.

Il would nol

No mauer how lalenled a musician you are, your

playing would suffer because your inslnumenl is a mess. Ali lhe guilar players I know lake belter care of Iheir inslnumenls Ihan singers care for Iheir bodies.

Faced wilh a warped neck on your guilar, you'd gel il fi xed.

As a singer, if your neck is oul of alignmenl, you mighl choose lo ignore it. When you Ihink aboul il, a half dozen visils lo a chiropraclor would cosI lhe same as lhe repairs on your guilar.

Singers have a habil of ignoring Iheir inslnumenl until Ihey

begin lo sing. lhey wonder why il doesn'l sound like il did yeslerday, or lasl year. lhere is a 101 of exlra slress placed on lhe vocalisl because of Ihis unknown faclor. Let's say you have a recording session booked in Iwo weeks.

How are you going

lO feel? WiII you be lired? Will you be in good condition lo sing? Whal if you have a cold? lhese Ihings will affect every musician in lhe Sludio bul il won'l louch Iheir inslnument. Every lime you open your moulh lo sing, lhe sum lolal of ali lhe evenls of lhe pasl weeks will be known. crying or lalking or whispering?

Were you laughing or

Were you in ali kinds of

lemperalures, from dry heal lo winler chills, or hOI muggy wealher lO ice cold air-conditioned rooms?

Were Ihere any bumps or

bnuises or broken bones? Did you eal a 101 of fruils and vegelables or did you eal pizza?

Did you drink waler and juice or did you

drink soda and beer? Ali Ihese Ihings, and many more, conlribule lo lhe heallh and condilion of your inslrument.

2

Ali About Your World

Once

you

responsibilily

lake

\

lor lhe round lhe clock care 01 your

\

\

\

\ \

\

\

\

\

\\ ~ \\

body, Ihere will be a dramalic change in your vaiee.

Jusl

01

your

vaiee

be

100%

every

lime

opened

your

moulh.

\

Once you

begin singing,

\

\ \

having

Ihink

you

\ \

t

"How will I gel to work wilh my guitar?"

\

\\ \ \ \

\,-

it's

100 lale lo correcl any damage Ihat's been done. Vou crealed il, now you have lo live wilh il lor a day or two.

II you sing Iwo hours a day, lhe remaining Iwenly-Iwo

are jusl as crilical lo lhe qualily, conlrol and accuracy 01 your voice. I know whal you're Ihinking righl aboul now. greal voice and doesn'l do a Ihing lo help it. damage it.

Vou have a lriend who has a

As a matler 01 lact, he does lols lo

He smokes, drinks, never warms up; in short, he breaks more rules

Ihan anyone you know and slill sounds great. How come he doesn'l have lo be so responsible and slill can sound good? queslion.

I'm going lo answer Ihal wilh anolher

Which guy would you pick lo be on your baskelball leam, lhe five 1001

one or lhe seven looler? player seems like a nalural.

Wilhoul knowing eilher player's abilily, lhe seven 1001 He mighl be uncoordinaled, bul il you wanl lo play

baskelball, il sure helps being seven leel lall.

This does nol mean you should

lorgel aboul lhe sport il you're live leel lall; you'lI jusl have lo make up lor il in olher ways. There are certain physical elemenls Ihal conlribule lo lhe sound 01 your

3

Your lnstrument is Your Body

The Rock 'n' Roll Singer's Survival Manual

voiee.

The size and Ihiekness 01 your vocal lolds, ccmbined wilh lhe size and

shape 01 your moulh, nasal and pharyngeal cavities (the pharynx is the tube-like section 01 lhe throat just above your larynx, see : The Big Picture, page 99), ereate the blueprint 01 your sound.

When these lactors ccmplement eaeh other and the

person wants to sing, they are a "gifted" singer. Many people may have been bom with great vocal instruments but will never know it beeause they have no desire to sing.

The rest 01 us have to take what we were given at birth , and build it into a

betler instrument. Ali you need is the desire. Other Ihan structure, the sound is a1so shaped by the operation 01 the instrument. Here's where the hard work pays off. The operation 01 the voiee is just like any other instrument.

A sound is produeed by a ccordinated eflort 01 museles

and cartilages and this is the one adjustable lactor.

Vou ean ehange what mother

nature gave you by developing and strengthening the way the museles perlorm. This is the only hope lor those 01 us who were not bom with the perlect voiee. Training the vocal museles, whether you ligure it out yoursell or study with someone, is needed to enhanee the sound ereated by a larynx that laeks the right proportions. Just because the gifted singer ean get away with more, doesn't mean they wouldn't benefit Irom being responsible about it.

The ccmbination 01 being seven leet tall and

dedicated to the sport makes you a winner.

,(

Later in this book I will explain how the larynx works. Some 01 you might want to read Ihat section lirst in order to appreeiate how important the physieal lactors are. Vou only need a sim pie working knowledge 01 the body to understand the relationship between good health and your daily living habits.

Remember you are the

instrument, so what's right lor your body is right lor your voiee.

4

Ali Aboul Your World

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS WHICH AFFECT THE VOICE WARNING - Belore you read Ihis section I musI warn you it's going lo gel

ugly.

I will attack every vice you've ever had; nolhing is sacred.

I'm armed with

lacts and I give ali lhe grim details. Reading this section is like pushing Ihrough the crowd lo see an accidenl, only to gel sick aI lhe sight 01 il. The worst part is that my molhe r already warned me about Ihese things, and I didn't believe her.

I only

hope that this will be lhe lurning poinl lor you lo own your voice, or aI leasl see where you give it away. Somelime during Ihis chapter you're bound to say, "OK, so everything leal is no good and ruins my voice. What can I eat?" Believe me I didn'l like linding oul this stuft mysel'.

I was investigaling Ihings Ihal harm lhe larynx, and by the time I

was hall way through I had already ruled oul my enlire diel.

Ali my lavorite vices

were exposed as I discovered lifty percent 01 my vocal problems where relaled lo my lilestyle. As you read this inlormation, remember everyone's body metabolizes lood dillerently.

It is neariy impossible lo creale one diel Ihal will work perfectly lor

everyone. Diel and nulrition books se em to conlradict themselves as much as vocal technique books. Whal you're left wilh after piles 01 research is lhe knowledge 01 choice.

Educate yoursell on lhe worikings 01 lhe body so you can do what's righl

lor you. The one lail-sale guide through ali 01 this is your intuition.

In the mile a

minule worid we live in we've ali but shut oul every internai signal in lavor 01 outside stimuli.

We are told whal lo eat, when and where.

importanl than the energy we gel lrom our lood. good or bad.

Taste becomes more

Fashion lells us when we look

And we're ali programmed about what is accepted as lunny, sad,

rude, polite and on and on.

Fortunalely, musicians havealways been at the

lorelront 01 changing rules and lollowing their gul. The same gul instinct that helps

5

E"viroll11U!lItaI Factors

Ip

riu Rock 'n' Roll Singers Survival Manual

you create can also lead you to a healthier, more responsive voice. There is nothing more accurate than the information that is constantly given off inside you.

There are plenty of examples around our daily lives of the way we

stifle our intuition. The dependency on outside stimulation keeps wearing away your life energy. To develop your inner ear you need to tnust yourself. If you feel thirsty, take a drink.

When you are hungry, take a moment and ask yourself what you

need bafore you opan the refrigerator to see what's available. sleeping patterns?

How about your

I know I've been fooled into feeling awake because my clock

was showing the wrong time.

The funny thing is, I really was awake until I

discovered the actual time and immediately felt robbed of sleep. listening to your body takes time to develop. It's important to learn about the affects of the foOO you are eating so you can make goOO choices. As you begin to live cleaner, you'lI feel more alive. Once you get an idea of what's available to you, it will be easier to break down harmful habits.

Vou'lI automatically be drawn

towards a better lifestyle. At first it's easy to confuse your intuition with your habits. good example of this is cigarette smoking. Q

A

It feels as if your

intuition is screaming at you to have another cigarette.

Addictions

like this, including chocolate, are emotionally and psychologically rooted - not instinctive.

What I'm talking about is a much deeper

sense of what is right.

Part of the addictive personality is knowing

that it's bad for you, and doing it anyway.

Rationalization becomes

a great blanket that we ali use to cover our instincts.

Another

popular method is pretending not to know better just because we have no idea how to stop. Education is always the first step on the road to recovery.

In

researching this book I found enormous amounts of information regarding every aspect of our bodies and health. It's out there ; ali

6

Ali About Your World

you need is the desire to learn.

I can't stress enough that the sound of your voice

mirrors the condition of your body.

If you're serious about singing, you should be

serious about your health. With ali this talk about clean living and inner awareness, I know it sounds like I'm asking you to live like a monk on a hilltop. lhe old days of sex, drugs and rock and roll are over. Why? It was too destructive. I'm sure there are still people who live under that creed, but I doubt many of them are musicians (or at least successful).

Vou don't see too many of the old stereotype rock stars of the late

sixties anymore.

Vou know, the guy who's comatose in the back of a limo only to

be poured onto the stage for ajam session in front of an audience on hallucinogens. lhat went out with the A&R guy who scouts local clubs for talent! lhe demand now on pertormers is intense.

More and more I see a

turn around of life style.

lhe externai

image may be the same, but a trip

1, 'Xhe demand on perfonners now is intense... lt doesn't even allow for a cold.'

backstage these days will more than likely show a different story. Chiropractors or a masseuse, humidifiers, nautilus equipment, gourmet meals with lots of vegetables and fruit juices have replaced the drug dealer and the orgies.

Why?

Because

these artists are serious about their careers, and they treat themselves like athletes. Look at the tour schedule of any successful act.

Finances don't allow any time off.

Some tours leap Irog two stage sets 01 equipment in order to pertorm a show a night.

lhat doesn't allow much burnout time for the singer.

It doesn't even allow

for a cald. lhe relationship batween good health and being in good voice is why singers are noted hypochondriacs, but l've never known a goOO musician that wasn't finicky about the care 01 their instrument. inside lor preventive maintenance.

I want you to realize the power we ali have Ali it takes is a little knowledge about how the

body operates. Develop your instincts to recognize the warning signs.

7

Envirollllumtal FlJCtors

The Rock 4n' Roll Singer's Survival Manual

I have listed in the lollowing pages the elements that most often get in the way 01 vocalizing. As you read through, keep asking yourself il this is true for you. Everyone reacts differently, and this book is about your voice, and everyone elses. Be honest with yourself about your involvement with each subject. information you already know, but I wanted to provide the "why." though ali 01 it may not pertain.

Most of this

Read it ali even

Vou may be a great help to someone someday,

who is conlused about their health. lhis section is first so we can clear the body and prepare it lor strength. Without a healthy larynx, no amount of technique will provide the Ireedom your looking for in singing. lhe instrument never destroys the singer, it's the singer who destroys the voice. WORKING 9 lO 5.

I'm not kiddingl Unless you're a rich and successful rock star, we ali have to do something to pay the rent. Whatever you end up doing, whether it's a stock boy in a grocery store or singing in the local club circuit, you must be aware of how this is allecting your voice.

Remember the example

of always having a guitar with you?

/

'\

If t \

lhe most effective advice is also the simplest. Vou need to shift the underlying structure 01 your thinking. Vour mental attitude while you work creates the overall physical wear and tear.

lhink of

yourself as a singer who works in a grocery store instead of a grocery clerk who sings at night. Simply be a singer. Vou've been spending ali this time at work waiting till you can get out and sing. Why wait?

Even though you can't sing at work, always think of

yourself as a singer lirst. A singer will speak differently than a nonsinger. A singer will lift things dillerently, sit, eat, walk or just about anything you can think 01.

8

lhe difference is a subtle one, it's a

All Aboul Your World

different frame of mind. If you speak on the phone at work you should be aware of the adverse

eftects this causes your larynx.

When you speak you're listening to your voice

through the tiny ear piece which has a small electronic sound. Subconsciously, you adjust your voice to make the

sound

more

intense.

This situation over a period of time will aggravate the larynx,

due

to

over

Always on the phone? Be sure to breathe deeply, and keep your; voiceanimated by changing the pitch frequently,

energizing the point where the two vocal folds meet.

When you speak on the

phone, remember to keep your voice very melodic. As you change pitch the larynx stretches and moves about. This is less strenuous than grinding out one monotone pitch.

It takes time to develop melody in your speech because it goes against the

automatic habit of speaking low.

Males will find it takes a constant eftort to keep

the voice animated ... so lose that Sylvester Stallone act. We ali have a habit of speaking in a pitch that's lower than it should be and with very little air support from the lungs (see: Ali About Vour Breath, page 55). Think about the amount of time you spend speaking versus the amount 01 time vocalizing. Vou use the same instrument for both so it pays to speak in a way that won't cause trouble when you start to sing. Most 01 the complaints I hear about peoples' jobs are posture ar muscle related. People who sit at a word processar ar at a desk beco me under-developed aerobically, while physical laborers sulfer from over-worked muscles. both situations will inter/ere with your voice.

Obviously,

Any activity can be thought 01 in one

of two ways : how a singer would do it, and how a non-singer would do it. Vou can get the same job dane with less inter/erence to your singing il you simply live out 01 a singer's mind.

It is important not to let the shoulders become stilf ar to let a

lower back ache continue. An awareness 01 the condition 01 your muscles will 9

Environmental Factors

The Rock ''I' Roll Singers Survival Manual

alerl vou before Ihings beco me bigger problems. Are Vou using your knees?

Look ai lhe way Vou bend over.

Are Vou holding your brealh?

Simple changes in lhe

way vou carry yourself will make a big difference in lhe way your job affects vou. Don'l forgel, Ihis body you're working wilh is lhe same body Ihal needs lo deliver a voice laler, it's your inslrumenl. This is lrue for ali your activilies, and is especially importanl ai work , where Vou spend mosl of your lime. No matter whal Vou do for a living, il doesn'l have lo compromise your abilily lO sing. There's no reward in blaming your boss, your job, or lhe people Vou work wilh for lhe sound of your voice. It's nol their voice. There's no need lo quil before you're ready lo commil lo a life as a musician. professionai singer in order lo sing professionally.

Vou don'l have lo become a Se responsible aboul crealing a

work environmenl Ihal allows vou lo do your job and have a singing career. Address yourself as a singer firsl. SMOKING

1'11 bel Ihis one is no surprise, even if you're a smoker.

Vou

don'l have lo be a genius lO see lhe harm Ihal drawing hol smoke over delicale membranes causes, bul slill vou conlinue.

Here are

lhe facts as Ihey relale lo singers. The larynx is made of mucous membranes and needs conslant prolection from drying oul.

Cigarette smoke burns away lhe

prolective lubricalion Ihal coais lhe larynx.

This also includes lhe

air in a smoke filled club. We've ali heard Ihal second hand smoke is actually more harmful Ihan lhe smoke drawn Ihrough lhe fiIIer. While singing in a club, you're inhaling Iwice as much smoke as lhe olher non-smokers. Even Ihough lhe aerobic action of singing does help lo cleanse lhe lungs, Vou should lake extra precaulions lo insure Vou don'l suffer any repercussions. Any aero bic exercise lhe

la

Ali About Your World

next day will help expel what the singing missed.

lots 01 water is needed to help

cleanse the chemicals that made their way into your blood stream. The body is an incredible machine when it comes to getting rid 01 toxins. Some people are more sensitive to smoke than others, but we ali are aware when the smoke in the room gets to the point where your eyes burn.

The inner

walls 01 the si nus cavities in most people are also allected. When the lining 01 the sinus cavity is stimulated, it sets 011 a discharge 01 extra mucus so the smoke won't dry out the membranes.

This means your instrument will have an extra thick

blanket 01 mucus covering it, dampening its ability to vibrate. When you sing, you 'lI leel this as a lack 01 response or Ilexibility, causing you to push harder than you should.

Attempting to sing with a coated larynx is like trying to play piano with mittens on. Attempting to sing with a coated larynx is like trying to play piano with mittens on. Vou'lI be able to create some sound but at a great disadvantage.

It seems

crazy that such a sensitive instrument should lind the most available audience in the

worst possible conditions. The protective mucus is there lor a reason but that sure doesn't help the singer.

II you sing hard enough, you'll blow the mucus away

leaving the larynx vulnerable to the drying nature 01 smoke. Either way you lose. Society seems to be getting more concerned with the quality 01 air that nonsmokers have to breathe. However, beginning vocalists will be the last ones saved by this public awareness.

I can't imagine the day when the small little local bar

bans smoking. II you are a smoker, the cilia that line the walls 01 the throat are burned away.

These little hairs are there to lift phlegm and mucus up and away Irem the

lungs. Without them the only method left is to cough. This is what is known as a 11

Environmental Facrors

p.

The Rock In' Roll Singers Survival Manual

smoker's cough, and it's no oplion lor a singer. Coughing is a violenl spasm which is Iriggered by an involunlary conlrol. The Iwo lolds smash logelher, combining wilh a blasl 01 air lrom lhe lungs lo dislodge anything Ihal could possibly block your Ilow 01 air.

As you can imagine, Ihis does

nol exactly improve your vocal abililies. The body has an inleresling way 01 placing mosl lile supporting actions on lhe involunlary nervous syslem.

Your heart beal,

brealhing, lhe coordinaled action 01 swalloYling, coughing and sneezing, are ali involunlary.

Your lile support syslem doesn'l care aboul your voice.

II you have

somelhing in your Ihroal, you'lI cough. Now let's painl lhe whole picture,

I!

You're a smoker, and you have

successfully burned ali lhe cilia Irom lhe walls 01 your Ihroat.

The smoke has

caused an exlra amounl 01 Ihick prolective mucus lo be secreled around lhe larynx. Due lo lhe blow-drying effect singing has on Ihis covenng, your vocal lolds now sil in a very vulnerable posilion. They are burned and brittle. Now you have lo cough . The action 01 coughing closely resembles your hands being clapped logelher wilh your arms slarting as lar apart as you can gel Ihem and moving in as lasl as you cano Bang! And Ihat's jusl one cough. You 'lI need lols more lo gel ali lhe junk oul 01 your lungs. Bang, bang, bang. The conslant explosion 01 lhe cough causes lhe Iwo vocal lolds lo swell.

The voice relies on lhe lolds' abilily lo make a nice clean

seal lo resisl air. The swollen membranes resemble balloons and makes a very poor resislor. Ihis creales a brealhy sound.

This sloppy seal leis air leak by and When you Iry lo correct lhe sound,

you lorce lhe Iwo lolds logelher which causes damage tO Iheir edges.

The more you lorce Ihese membranes, lhe more heal is

generaled due lo lhe Inction 01 lhe vibraling muscles. Heal means lhe lolds will swell more and you lind yoursell in a degeneraling cycle - lhe harder you Iry, lhe more damage you cause.

12

All Aboul Your World

lhe voice runs on wind power and smoking obviously impedes the lungs' ability.

It also leeches many vitamins out of your system to lower your overall

immunity against illness. Add this information to ali the claims from the Am erican Cancer Society and smoking for singers just doesn't seem like a good idea. I! Vou want to quit, there are lots of ways. One of the best ones l've heard

is changing brands every time Vou buy a pack. being a brand smoker. exactly one minute.

lhus vou break th'e first habit;

Next is to have a cigarette any time vou desire but wait

Waiting changes the action from impulse to choice.

I! Vou

choose to smoke the cigarette after the minute, go ahead. After a week make that a five minute required waiting period, and so on.

lhe point is to break the

unconsciousness of the act. Vou will feel lots of changes in your bcdy once Vou stop smoking heavily. lhe body will take the opportunity to clean house.

Every smoker I've seen quit

smoking has caught a cold. (see: What A Singer Should Know About Colds, page 84)

Most companies cure their tobacco in a sugar solution.

Sugar is more

addictive than the nicotine, that's why fast food chains put it in their meat and rolls. Have Vou ever seen a smoker who is quitti ng binge on sweets? More than the oral fi xation is the body's craving for another fix of sugar. Fruits will help lower the sugar jones as well as replace the lost vitamins. Lots of showers will help cleanse the pores when the body begins to expel the tars and nicotine. After a shower, take orange peels and rub them on your skin while it's still wet. lhe vitamin C will be absorbed through the skin. Drink plenty of water to help the cleansing process along . Generally speaking, it takes two months to rid yourself of the body pollution caused by smoking .

Any permanent damage

sustained to the organs will depend on the extent of your habit.

13

E"virolllMlltal Factors

The Rock In' Roll Singers Survival Manual

DRUGS IN GENERAL

Another obvious one, I know. Drugs are everywhere. I have to laugh when I meet people who still think musicians are the only ones on drugs.

Business men,

sports heros, I.V. stars, politicians, blue collar workers, moms and dads have ali been exposed as druggies. voice.

Now this is not a book about morality; it's about the

Vour body couldn't care less what is legal and what is iIIegal. A drug is a

drug. Ali the body reacts to is abuse. I've known a few musicians who were badly addicted to one substance or another. lwo of them have died and the rest are still wandering alcoholics.

It's a

very disturbing sight to see someone being controlled by an addiction, whether it's heroin or chocolate. lhe number one addictive substance in this country is nicotine, number two is alcohol.

What ever the product, an abuse r will systematically break

down his body by the overload. Ali internai awareness is lost and the actions seem more robotic than humano don't pretend to have the answer for addictive behavior.

I think it's

important for everyone to realize, for the addictive personality, virtually anything is a source lor dependency. It's not the substance it's the personality, the lack of rationale to see the damage being done.

If you feel you are beyond your own control with any

substance, you should seek assistance. Vou are not alone. lhere are groups of every kind for people who need help in breaking a habit. Aside from the heavy abusers, there are the rest of us moderate users. Since I'm not drawing any line between legal or illegal, this inciudes ali of us, except for that monk on the hill.

Vou may not

consider yourself dependent on drugs; well then who made the aspirin market a billion dollar business? ar even antacids? t4

How about cold remedies

Ali Aboul Your World

A singer should always weigh the consequences before consuming a dose of Bufferin or Dristan.

Please realize that a drug is not the only alternative.

Your

body has alarm systems throughout that keep you in check. These products rarely handle the source of the problem but more routinely relieve the symptoms. This is yet another way we break down that intuitive ability to listen to our bodies.

The

congested nose is not the cold; it's a reaction to one. Your pounding headache is probably caused by muscles in the neck preventing blood to flow freely to the brain. Aspirin thins the blood, enabling it to slip by the tight area and reach the brain, but it also eats away at the stomach lining. Laying down in a warm bath would also be just as effective with no cost to the stomach. Your instinct knows that's just what you should do, but your mind says there isn't enough time. This is probably why you have a headache in the first place. Every time you ingest a drug there is a side effect. There are no exceptions. Some are obvious but most lay low and build up un-noticed until they create a problem of their own. The body has to deal with it sooner or later. When aspiri n thins your blood, it thins ali your blood. nose, your foot gets an equal dose. and you'lI avoid future discomfort. my iIIness than how to get rid of it.

When you take a decongestant for your

Be responsible about your methods of relief,

I'm always more concerned about what caused Whatever ails you , your body is trying to tell

you something and you should listen, the sooner the better.

SMOKING POT I've placed this separate because it's actually worse. apply to pot as with cigarettes, and more.

Ali the same things

Smoking one joint equals twenty

cigarettes. The smoke is heavy with resins and hotter because it's unfiltered. The vocal folds are burned and dried quicker in addition to the effect of the THC on your brain.

Singing is a physical activity and requires lots of coordination.

15

Usually

ElIrirorunenlQl F «/o...

The Rock ',.' Roll Singer's Survival Manual

singers smoke a little pcl lo gel loose and uninhibiled.

I Ihink Ihere is a much

better way lo deal wilh your nerves Ihan placing such a burden on lhe larynx, Ihis is explained in lhe lasl section of Ihis book. COCAINE

Cocaine is used by doctors lo numb an area Ihal is in pain. When you snort lhe coke il gels absorbed by lhe Ih in lining of lhe nasal cavily and enlers lhe blood slream. The body will reject Ihis by secreling mucus lo flush il away. The mucus begins lo drip down your Ihroal and on lo your vocal folds, numbing everything in ils palh . The walls of lhe Ihroal become aggravaled and swell.

Vou are now lolally

oul of louch wilh your inslrument. The size and shape has changed because of lhe inflammalion and il is complelely numb. Have you ever bitten your longue after lhe denlisl has shol you full of novocaine? Since you can'l see lhe larynx as you sing, you conlrol il by sound or feel. By using cocaine you sublract lhe feeling , which is lhe more reliable conlrol. Wilhoul sensalion, you're unaware of lhe damage you are causing. Afler one or Iwo songs, lhe dripping slarts, and it's ali down hill from Ihere.

,~t

The only mornings I couldn'l even speak after singing,

were after lhe nighls I was hitting on someone's coke. I didn'l do il often. I gol lhe message pretty fasl Ihal il wasn'l worth losing my voice for one quick high. ALCOHOL

Alcohol is a drying agenl, you can pul il on your skin lo absorb excess oil. ,

When you drink il, il dries lhe lining of lhe Ihroat.

II

doesn'l matter whal kind of alcohol il is, lhe nalure of alcohol is lo dry.

DD

The sensalion of drinking lells lhe brain Ihal your Ihirsl has

been quenched and lo shul off Ihal Ihirsly feeling.

Mosl drinks

conlain waler bul it's nol enough lo flush lhe alcohol from your

16

Ali Aboul Your World

body.

Vou end up using more waler Ihan Vou received, so wilh each drink Vou

become more dehydraled.

Ever nolice how often vou go lO lhe balhroom when

you've been putting 'em away? How aboul Ihal greal feeling lhe moming after, do Vou feel like your syslem has waler lo spare? Remember lhe larynx requires conslant lubricalion lo slay flexible. When Vou become dehydraled, lhe Ihroal is one of lhe firsl areas lo sufler.

The body, or

should I say your support syslem, doesn'l care Ihal you're a singer.

Vou need lo

lake care of your bcdy firsl in order lo have heallhy vocal membranes. There are Iwo reasons I can Ihink of for having a drink before Vou sing. The firsl is you're Ihirsly.

When Vou sing and lense lhe walls of lhe Ihroal lhe saliva

ducts are reslricted.

Very soon you 'lI feel Vou need lo lake a drink of somelhing

between every song, or somelimes during lhe song. It's lhe lension Ihal makes Vou feel Ihirsly nol lhe lack of body fluids. When Vou drink waler, il lakes abcul fifteen lo Iwenly minules for il lo Iravel Ihrough lhe syslem lo wel your Ihroal.

11 Ihere is

anything in lhe waler, like alcohol, il will require more digesling lime. The drink vou look while vou were singing won'l gel lo your larynx lill you're on your way home . Learning lo relax lhe walls of lhe Ihroal will allow lhe fluids lo flow freely and keep your larynx wel. The second reason lo drink is lo relax. To gel rid of Ihose jitters, or lo gel lO lhe frame of mind vou were in lasl nighl when everything wenl so good. A pre-gig drink is widely accepled practice from rockers lo opera singers; jusl remember anything in moderalion works bener wilh lhe body.

Mosl doctors will agree, your

syslem can handle a little alcohol. The problem comes from lhe dumb logic, "11 I

Rememblrti~)J'

'.

Your bOdydoesn't use from abuse.

and

17

just

E"vüonmental Factors

I

The Rock 'n' Roll Singer's Survival Manual

leel OK after one drink, 1'11 be amazing after sixl"

Drinking for confidence actually

feeds insecurity. Like I said before, your body doesn't care what's legal or not, so don't leel you're off the hook because ali you drink are beers.

You'lI lind a more

permanent way to relieve your inhibitions in the last chapter. Most 01 us use both these excuses.

You're a IiUle uptight about performing

and have a drink 01 something. Vou relax and leel a liUle braver. This lalse sense 01 security is comlorting so you have another.

Belore you begin to sing you may

notice your throat is a little dry; why not have another? you've already had lour drinks or so. blocks, but your throat is still dry.

Now you're on stage and

The alcohol lets you pass by your mental Let's have another.

I've had my share of

performances where I can't tell you how they ended. Once you're in this routine, it's hard to see your way oul.

When I listen back to the recordings made on those

nights, it made even less sense to drink. It's important to realize that logic plays no role in any kind 01 habit. are prime candidates lor lalling into addictive traps.

Singers

They care so much about

geUing results that the short lix always seems inviting.

l've seen

just abo':'t every dependency you can think 01 Irom coke, booze & o

pot, to decongestants without a cold, to the coffee ritual. Whatever your pleasure, the habit makes a statement that says your ability lies in the substance.

With every gulp, sniff, pull and swallow you

give away your power. Listen to your instincts, they know better. COFFEE

Just when you thought you were clean, right? wouldn't be fun.

I told you this

Coffee, as well as being a drug, is an acid and

that's the biggest problem lor singers.

Your blood is slightiy

alkaline, and your system will do whatever it takes to keep things that way. When coffee or tea enters your body, water is needed in

18

Ali Aboul Your World

order lO neulralize lhe acidily. Waler will be laken lrom lhe mucus membranes and leave lhe larynx unlubricaled. Like I said belore, your body doesn'l care aboul your voice, so Vou have lo. One cup oI colfee lakes twenly-Iour hours lo pass Ihrough lhe kidneys and will leech a greal deal oI waler in lhe processo Add on two, Ihree or more cups and Vou simply don'l have enough hours in lhe day lo gel rid oI i\.

Vou beco me

dehydraled due lo lhe conslant demand lor waler in lhe digeslive Iracl, leaving lhe larynx lo lend lor ilsel!. Jusl like alcohol, it lools Vou into thinking you've quenched your thirs\. When lhe lolds are dry, Ihey create more lriclion when they mee\. lhe heat generated Irom Ihis lriclion causes swelling. lry playing guilar wilh swollen lingers and you'lI see the same resul\.

Vour ability is compromised because the muscles

are a dilferent size. In the Tip Sheet at lhe end oI this chapter, it simply says, "Always maintain a high water levei in your body."

NOlice this does not mean to drink somelhing while

you're singing, more like keep your body Irom dehydrating.

Remember it lakes at

least twenty minutes lor water to circulate through your system lO get to the throat, so plan ahead. lhe other well known lacl aboul colfee and tea is the calfeine.

I'm sure

you're aware oI its alfect on your energy, but I Ihink it's important to take a look at what that costs your body.

Calfeine disturbs lhe central nervous system, blood

sugar levei, digestion, and your blood pressure to name a lew.

Whenever your

body is in a tailspin, vou will sulfer as a singer. Non-ealfeinated teas are better Ihan decalfeinated colfee because they are not acid lorming. So il Vou enjoy a hot drink try herbal teas or lemon juice in hot water. When vou are drinking any hol liquid, be aware oI the laws oI nature. Heal expands and cold conlracls. A hot drink will draw blood to the area and cause a little swelling.

This will thin out the membranes oI the larynx and leave them

19

r The Rock 'n' Roll Singer's Survival Manual

vulnerable.

A cold drink will make the vocal lolds rigid and tight, requiring more

pressure to activate a vibration.

The best drink lor singers is room temperature

water... and make it good water. To get that start up leeling lrom another source, you 'lI have to detox yourself Irom colfee lirst. Fruit in the morroing will give you a much better litt because it gets absorbed very quickly and provides natural sugar without the crash atterwards.

It

lakes time to leel the alfects 01 the lruit simply because your system has beco me numb Irom a chemical dependency. Colfee takes a toll on your body and singers can't allord to pay lhe price. MENTAL ATTITUDE

THERE'S IS NOTHING MORE POWERFUL THAN YOUR OPINION OF YOURSELF.

In lhe end that slatement makes or breaks every singer.

Keep in

mind when I say "make" a singer I don't necessarily mean a lamous singer; I mean lhe ability lO sing what you leel.

Although this may sound like a subject that

belongs under the psychological heading; it also belongs here. There is a direct connection between lhe way we think and our physical movements. The way we talk, walk, sit, our poslure, shape and size 01 our bodies, and especially the way we sing, rellects the

II

wor1d inside our minds. II you think 01 yoursell as a singer, you are one.

II you think 01

yoursell as someone who sings, than that's who you are.

I know

this sounds conlusing, but there is actually a big dilference in the two types 01 singers I just mentioned. There is no such thing as a bad singer, when the person is a singer.

Vou may not like the

sound 01 the voice, or the style, or the music they sing, but that's just your opinion 01 the singer.

II lhe singer does not rely on your

approval to sing, there is no problem. The two 01 you will go your

20

Ali About Your World

separale ways and lorgel each olher. lhis is lhe altilude 01 a successlul singer. Someone who sings will be affected by lhe opinions 01 olhers and Iry lo aller Iheir voice in order lo please.

lhis creales lhe endless game 01 Irying lo please

everyone and bealing yoursel! up in lhe processo Many lamous singers lall inlo Ihis Irap, Ihinking Ihal Iheir popularily is due lo Iheir abilily lo sing. lhis could be lrue, excepl when lhe singer buys inlo Ihis lhe reverse can be harmlul. When lhe public opinion lurns away Irom Ihem, Iheir abilily lo sing suflers greatly. lhe diflerence is inlernal versus externaI. It's incredible how many singers I lalk lo have a hard lime lelling me whal Ihey like aboul Iheir voice. lhey're only ready wilh lhe lisl 01 Ihings Ihal need lo be lixed.

Everyone's lisl is diflerenl, bul il ali comes Irom lhe same need lo make

singing somelhing Ihat's dilficull or dislan!.

I always gel a disappoinled look when I

tell people lhe ability lo sing has always been in them, but il was 100 simple lo see. I! you have a beliel Ihat something should be a certain way, it will be. Are you goOO wilh geomelry? I! you're not, Ihen you've gOl a beliel Ihal says geomelry is hard, and so il will always be lor you unlil you break down the beliel. important, whal are your beliels aboul singing? first Ihoughl Ihal comes lo mind.

More

Answer Ihese questions wilh the

"I Ihink a good singer should .. ,"

"lhe most

important Ihing aboul singing is .. ," I doubt Ihat you are lhe singer you described in your beliels and Ihat's why you're reading Ihis book. Vou leel Ihere's somelhing oul there you're missing and once you get it, then you toa can be a great singer. Well my Iriend, you're hall righ!. lhere maybe something missing bul it's not "out Ihere"; it's inside. Your beliel can, and will, stop you cold Irom improving your voice.

Every

tension in your body slems Irom a beliel Ihal lhe tension is necessary. lhis subject is discussed in delail in lhe lasl chapler so il you're not buying this, it might be a good idea lo read Ihat chapler now.

My painl is simple, the mind leeds lhe

tensions which reslrict lhe voice. II you Ihink singing is hard, it will be. II you Ihink 21

Ellriroramenlal Factors

The Rock In' RoU Singers Survival Manual

you have a pileh problem, Ihen you do. There is Iremendous power available lo you if your belief syslem agrees wilh whal you are doing. The body beeomes f1exible and slrong, and you brealhe mueh differently when your feelings a1low. Don'l forgel Ihal lhe reverse of any equalion is Irue.

If fear ar doubl equal lension ar reslriction, Ihen a relaxed body ean ereale

eonfidenee. I Ihink of myself as an average guy full of paranoia and anxiely.

And

whenever I feel uplighl I noliee my body is sliff, almosl as if I'm braeing for somelhing lo happen.

I don'l Ihink lhe mind is very good ai separaling real from

imaginary, so lhe reason for Ihis lo happen doesn'l have lo be a real one. noliee Ihal my body ean lell lhe mind whal lo Ihink. physieai reason, my Ihinking ean beco me inseeure.

I also

If I beeome sliff for some

II doesn'l malter whieh end

slarted lhe eyele, beeause lhe lruth is whal I'm going Ihrough has nolhing lo do wilh realily. Nolhing's wrong, bul Iry lelling Ihal lO my mind ar my body. Exereising is a greal way lo bring you down lo earth. ~-----~

II elears your Ihinking

by breaking lhe eonneelion belween lhe body and mind. Whenever I have problems, I slart lo exereise before I have lime lo be langled up in Ihoughls.

Also, whenever I feel run down ar weak, I Iry lo

exereise before I slart Ihinking Ihal way. Remember il's greal lo wanl a belter voiee, bul don'l wail until you have il lO sing.

The sooner you aeknowledge yourself as a

singer, lhe easier il is lo grow. There's nolhing more powerful Ihan Iislening lo a singer Ihal is ai ease wilh his voiee, ar for Ihal malte r an actor who is ai ease wilh his body.

Some of lhe mosl popular

singers don'l have very good voiees leehnieally; as long as Ihey aeeepl Ihal, il will be fine for lhe resl of us.

22

Ali Aboul Your World

STRESS

last but not least. The daily pressures in our lives have a way of driving into ali the bad habits discussed in this section. react to it.

Stress isn't the problem, it's how we

Vour body's reaction to pressure, can undermine every positive thing

you've done to belter yourself. It's important to remember stress is an internai pressure, not externaI. It only occurs when you care. interest you .

No one can pressure you about something that doesn't

50, a good first step towards

managing

stress would be

acknowledging the fact that you care about whatever has got you crazy. Regardless of what causes the stress, the results in the body are fatigue, loss of vitamins, upset digestion , restless sleep, and weakened muscular strength. As a singer, you can't afford to give any of these away. Here are three sim pie reminders fo r lowering the levei of stress in your life:

1. Learn to ~ay "No". Over-committing yourself only compromlses your talents.

2. Look for opportunities to double your time. Bring things 10. work on (Iearnirg Iyrics or writing a bio) when ndlng a bus or traln. 3. Write down a schedule, and live by it. Make sure to include time for exercise, rest, and sleep.

23

EnvironmenltJl Factors

The Rock 'n' Roll Singer's Survival Manual

VOU SING LlKE VOU EAT DIET IN GENERAL

I learned lhe inlormalion in Ihis section Irom lhe book, "Fil For Ule," writlen

by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond.

1I you knew how Ihin Iam, you'd laugh ai lhe

Ihoughl 01 me reading adiei book. The lhe me 01 Ihis book however, is lo combine lhe lood groups in a meal so Ihey complemenl each olher in your slomach, ralher than in your moulh. tt explains how the typical square meal that we always thought was healthy, robs us 01 energy.

The diel described in Ihis book is an excellent

routine lor singers; it's worth read ing. In order lo survive lhe body musl be replenished with a conslant source 01

energy Irom lhe lood we eal.

Digeslion is a high priorily and lhe body will spend

any amount 01 energy needed lo absorb what is consumed.

Somelimes Ihere is

more energy spenl Ihan gained in the process and lhe body is ai a loss. There are Ihree cycles to the digestive process which need lo complete themselves in order lor the body lo run elliciently. consumpti on , or eating.

The lirst is

Next would be absorption, which is the

decomposilion 01 lood inlo usable malerials lor lhe cells.

cycle is elimination 01 the waste.

The final

Since Ihere is a priorily lor

digeslion in order to survive, this eliminalion 01 wasle often gels cut of! belore complelion 01 ils cycle . Ealing brings lhe process back lo lhe beginning no matler whal

your body was doing. Ali lhe energy in lhe body will be used lor digesting and absorbing; this is why you leel lired or cold after a large meal.

The blood has been redirected away Irom the skin

surface and brain lo the digeslive organs.

Cutling of! lhe

elimination cycle meal after meal, day after day, creates an overload 01 loxic malerial in your cells.

24

Ali Aboul Your World

Some 01 lhe signs Ihal your body is overloaded wilh wasle are lhe inability to lose weighl, a lired leeling when vou wake or a lack 01 energy in general, congesled sinuses, poor skin, dehydralion or calching colds often. lhese conditions directly allect your ability lo sing and wili counleract ali lhe good Ihings you've done lor yoursell.

We need lo approach ealing Irom lhe body's view ralher Ihan our

desires. lhis means ealing and aliowing each phase 01 digestion lo complele ilsell daily. While Vou sleep, lhe body does a greal deal 01 cleansing.

It's lhe longest

period 01 lime spenl wilhoul ealing and Ihere's very lillle energy used elsewhere. Breaklasl does nol have lo inlerrupl Ihis cycle il Vou plan your meals properly. Fruils are a pre-digesled lood thal provides an excelienl source 01 energy. Pre-digesled means il can go righl Ihrough lhe slomach inlo lhe smali inteslines where ali lhe nulrienls are absorbed. lhe body can continue cleaning oul when Vou eal lruil because il does nol require energy lo break il down la somelhing simpler. Eal as much as vou like, bul as soon as Vou combine il wilh something else Vou will dislurb lhe eliminalion processo

'You'll get more out of a hamburger without lhe bun, and more from the bun without the burger! lhe resl 01 your meals wili serve Vou beller il Vou remember one sim pie rule, the digeslive syslem can only handle one concenlraled lood aI a time. concenlrated lood is anything Ihal is nol a lruil ar vegelable.

A

lhere is a lack 01

waler in every concentraled lood which makes il more dillicull lo diges!. Fruils and vegelables conlain a large amounl 01 waler in Iheir composilion; Ihis is one 01 lhe many benelils they provide. A palalo is a vegelable, and il becomes concenlraled when cooked because lhe waler escapes.

Dillerenl lood groups require dillerent

25

You Sing Like You EaJ

The Rock 'n' Roll Singer's Survival Manual

acids and enzymes lor digestion and that includes different proteins, tOO.

It just

doesn't work to combine them ali in one meal. Meat is digested by acids in the stomach, a starch (potatoes included) requires an alkaline to be broken aown. When the two loods meet in your stomach, they neutralize each other.

lhe body senses this and adds more digestive juices,

and one continues to negate the other. lo put it simply, you'lI get more out 01 a hamburger without the bun and more Irom the bun without the burger. Proteins are separated and broken down one at a time, and while this is going on everything else has to wait.

Some meats can take eight hours belore

they're ready to move into the small intestines, so the other loods sit rotting in the 98 degree acid 01 the stomach losing vilamins by the minute.

By the time they're

allowed to pass through the intestines to be absorbed, there's is very little nutritional value to be had. Ali this improper combining places a stress on your digestive system.

In

order to speed up the process, mucus is created and used as a vehicle lor ,---------,

undigested pieces 01 lood to be rejected. lhis excess waste ends

")

up blockin'g arteries, pores and mucus membranes causing a

(

,

~ t

backup. lhe constant drip 01 mucus around the larynx irritates and swells the lining 01 the throat and vocal lolds, making singing dilficult.

No vocal exercise can lix this problem because it's not a

vocal problem, it is a diet issue. I hope now it's easier to see how everything is related. It's your responsibility to lind a diet that works lor you.

II you

can't afford to have a nutritional analysis done then begin by subtracting different loods Irom your diet and look lor a reaction. II you notice less mucus, you've hit upon something lor which you

:00

lack tolerance. Your instrument will respond much better il it's not burdened with inefficiency.

26

Ali About Your World

SUGAR

lhis one is my lavorile addiction.

I don'l know 100

Females:

many people who aren'l hooked on sugar, whelher Ihey know il or nol.

I'm lalking abouI while processed sugar, corn syrup

Your vocal folds swell along with the rest of your body during menstru-

or dextrose, so slar! reading lhe ingredienls 01 lhe lood you're ealing. Jusl like cigarettes, lhe addiction can be broken down by wailing one minute belore you have Ihal piece 01 candy. lhis makes lhe action a choice ralher Ihan an unconscious habil. Singers are alhleles. Sugar leeches vilamins Irom your syslem. lhe Iwo previous slalemenls illuslrale lhe problem wilh relying on sugar lor energy. need your vilamins!

Your momma was righl, you

ation. To

Vocalizing demands lols 01 slamina and

sugar does nol supply lhe lasling energy needed. II you recall lrom lhe inlro, I slaled we eal Irom lhe desires 01 lasle ralher Ihan lhe requiremenls 01 lhe body.

Sugar becomes lhe

biggesl culpril 01 ali in upsetting lhe balance. Sugar requires Iremendous amounls 01 energy lo digesl. lha!'s lhe reason lor lhe lull in your energy aboul an hour after you've ealen.

Your body jusl gol ripped 011.

lhe inilial

charge comes Irom a quick release 01 insulin in your bloodslream.

Since il look more energy lO digesl Ihan il

provided, you're left leeling low.

11 you remedy Ihis leeling

wilh anolher blasl 01 sugar, you'lI jusl repeal lhe cycle.

A

rouline like Ihis breaks down lhe body's abilily lo release glucose (lhe Iype sugar you need) in an even manner. lhe pallern begins innocently enough.

27

avoül a loss of range and control, use lhe Exercises for Flexibility and Range section, found later in this book.

Mosl 01 us are You Sing Like You Eat

The Rock 'n' RoU Singers SUflIival Manual

fond of the taste 01 sugar.

Alter a large meal your digestive system is working

furiously. lhe blood flow to the stomach, and related organs, is increased, causing a drop in circulation around the brain.

Vou still have things to do, so to avoid the

drowsy leeling vou eat something sweet.

Now you've complicated matters in the

stomach, and the efficiency 01 the digestive system is lost. Later that day you're feeling weak and hungry because the meal Vou ate didn't provide a lasting source of energy.

It's not time to eat again even though

your instincts tell Vou that vou should. lhe brain feeds on the body's natural sugar, glucose.

When it's starving, your emotions can run wild.

Wide mood swings,

depression, anxiety and headaches are common signals 01 a hungry brain. longe r vou wait the worse Vou leel.

lhe

Now it's a Milky Way bar to the rescue! Of

course now Vou can see a pattem developing, and realize the sugar lrom the candy bar will only give short term reliel. 11 Vou ride this rollercoaster long enough, there is a chance vou may develop hyper/hypoglycemia, which is a misunderstood condition due to a breakdown in the body's ability to release blood sugar evenly.

People who suffer

lrom this require a strict diet of complex carbohydrates (nuts, pasta etc.) to restare order to the metabolism. It's the same effect as any chemical addiction; the body simply loses its ability to operate without a lix. Since sugar is a necessary part 01 your diet, Vou need a good source, and lruit is the best.

lhe acid in Iruit changes to alkaline

upcn entering the stomach and contains vitamins and liber which processed sugar does not. lhe biggest problem with white sugar is the stripping processo It is void 01 any nutritional value, has no liber and does not provide bulk.

lhis means no matter how much vou

eat, you're not satisfied. Sugar ruins the digestive process of other loods.

28

Ali Aboul Your World

Again, don'l make any changes in your diel because I said so. lislen lo your body inslead 01 your mind.

Learn lo

II will lake time to clean up the way you

eat, and permanent changes come Irom a shift in your awareness, not just Irom knowledge. A reduction 01 anything is a step in the right direction. Vou get to leel a little better and that will inspire you to reduce more.

It's heroic to think you're

goi ng to quit smoking, drinking and sugar tomorrow, but small steps are just as good, and more apt to lasl. DAIRY This is another subject that broke my heart to lind out aboul. Dairy products produce huge amounts 01 mucus in the body.

But wait, it gets worse.

There is a

very good section in "Fit For Ule" about dairy products and it makes this poinl. Mothers' milk is pertect lood lor inlants. milk, it is no longer the pertect lood.

After the baby is weaned lrom mother's

No other animal on the planet continues to

dri nk milk after inlancy; no other animal consumes another species' milk. Cows milk contains enzymes and nutrients that are well balanced lor calves. The digestive system 01 a cow is much diflerent Irom ours (three stomachs lor starters), and the additional elements in milk disturb our digestion.

Anything that

labors or slows the digestive process will create mucus. There are plenty 01 sources 01 calcium around uso

Dark green leafy

vegetables, kelp, raw nuts, concentrated lruits, and the best source on earth is raw sesame seeds. Keep this in mind .. . il milk is such a good source 01 calcium, why don't cows drink it? Another problem with milk is Ihat it is acidic.

Because the body needs to

maintain a slightly aikaline pH, a diet that is heavy with dairy products will tilt the scales to the acid side. The funny thing is the body will use calcium, among other things, to neutralize acidity, 50 the calcium in milk is absorbed to balance lhe acid in milk. Looks like it's time to lind another way.

29

You Sing l.iIu You Eat

.~--------------------------The Rock 4n' Roll Singer's SUrl'ival Manual

A signal for dairy overload would show up as a layer of mucus Ihal has lo be coughed up or grunled oul in lhe morning. If Vou find yourself clearing your Ihroal a 101 or are constanlly congesled, chances are very high Ihal vou can'l deal with lhe amounl of dairy you're consuming. Ali Ihal blockage in lhe resonaling chambers of your inslrument will absorb sound and make vou work hard aI mainlaining pilch. FLUIDS

Water is a necessity of life.

lhe flexibility and vibrancy of your inslrumenl

depend upon lhe water levei in your syslem. waler of any food.

Fruits have lhe highesl conlent of

Your bOOy absorbs and uses lhe water in fruils just as fasl as

when Vou drink il, bul remember fruits have lo be ealen on an empty stomach in order to enjoy Iheir benefils.

It's nol a goOO idea lO drink anything while eating

because lhe digeslive juices become diluled and digeslion slows down.

II lakes

Iwenty minutes for clear water to be absorbed in your syslem, so it's besl lo wail Ihat amount of lime before vou eal.

n o

If Vou feel a strong desire lo drink with your

meal, Vou are probably combining 100 many concentrated foods. Of course, everything Vou drink conlains water, bul lhe olher conlenls of lhe drink will decide if waler is gained or losl in lhe digesling processo

Remember lhe problems with coffee and

alcohol? More waler is used lo break Ihese Iiquids down Ihan lhe drink provided, and soda creales lhe same siluation. Fruils, natural fruil juice, and spring waler provide the besl source of water. Cells f1ush some of Iheir waste away via the water in your syslem.

lhe more waler in your body, the more opportunily Ihere

is to clean oul.

Sweat and urine are lhe Iwo best garbage dumps

Vou have and they both require water. When Vou are dehydraled, lhe body loses ils c1eansing ability, and lhe loxicily levei in your cells will rise.

lhe body will channel the water in your system lo

30

Ali Aboul Your World

where it is needed mos!. This is why your throat and lips become so dry when you have a cold. Be carelul 01 non-vocal activities that drain your body's water reserves.

A

day at the beach, an active physical workout or just perspiring on a hot day will dehydrate you quickly.

There's no need to avoid these activities il you take the

necessary precautions.

Bring plenty 01 water to the beach, remember soda does

not replenish your body's fluids, and take plenty 01 breaks when exercising to allow your body to stabilize. I drink lots 01 water and I notice the advantage this gives my larynx by keeping it lubricated.

Smokey clubs and loud hard singing will dry the vocal tract

and leave it vulnerable to damage.

The mucous membranes (Iarynx, nose and

Ihroat) are lhe lirsl areas to be short changed when lhe body needs waler elsewhere to flush out an impurily.

I1 never hurts lo overcompensale the protection

waler provides, and it's such a simple Ihing lo do.

Keep Your L,aaru: Wet:

Remember to bring plelllJ of waU T, if JOu 80 to the beach. Onu ddydraled, from too much sun or eurcising. your vocal folds wjfl be (mel and unusponsive.

31

You Sing Uh You Ea/

The Rock 'n' Roll Singer's Survival Manu.aJ

PHYSICAL FlTNESS NON-VOCAL WORKOUTS FOR SINGERS

A singer is an alhlele in every way.

Vou need slamina, brealh capacily,

muscle slrenglh, fle xibilily, dexterily and a sharp menlal focus.

If vou don'l possess

ali of Ihese abililies, join lhe club, I don'l know anyone who has il alI.

lhe fact

remains Ihal your body needs lo be in lhe besl possible condilion. A workout rouline for singers should address ali lhe aspects of singing. lhal means aerobic, anaerobic, slrelching and flexing.

Building yourself in jusl one of

Ihese areas will be betler Ihan nane, bul your abilily in one may expose weaknesses in lhe olhers. Below are some ideas if you're nol already in some kind of exercise rouline.

As wilh ali exercise advice, use your judgemenl as lo whelher

an exercise is appropriale for vou. Don'l aggravale old injuries ar already weakened areas wilh a sudden load of exercise. li you're nol sure, gel a physical firsl. lhe area lo largel is upper body slrenglh: lhe pectoral muscles are

r-----------,

particularly important for slabilily of lhe larynx. lhe lower abdominal and back muscles support lhe pelvis and are needed for brealh compression.

Anaerobic exercises (weighls, naulilus) lesl lhe

slrenglh of muscles and use oxygen slored in lhe muscle lissue. lhe overall body loning is helpful in correcting poslure and releasing lension.

Aerobic exercises are good for increasing your

lung capacily and circulalion. Don'l forgel lhe warm up. can cause injuries.

Shocking your body inlo an activily

Slart slowly if you're nol already working oul.

No one said Vou have lo be Hercules lo be a singer. Vou can gel discouraged if vou jump in and expect Iremendous resulls 100 soon; lols of people gel fruslraled early and quil. Remember as a singer you're more concerned wilh how Vou feel Ihan how Vou look.

32

Ali About Your World

SWIMMING lhis gels my vole as lhe besl exercise lor singers.

II combines every

desirable benefit (aerobic, anaerobic, slrelch and Ilex) wilhoul any jolting, bumping or shocks. lhe waler provides a greal neulral environmenl lor Iree-Iorm movement. It's as il you can dely gravily and floal, dive, and lurn any way you want.

lhe

buoyancy is good Iherapy lor lighl muscies and will build strenglh ai a slow, even pace. I know 10lS 01 vocal leachers disregard lhe benelils because 01 lhe drying elfects 01 chlorine and lhe possibilily 01 ear inlections.

I say, wear Ihose nose and

ear plugs, and as a singer it's your duly lo be drinking plenly 01 waler anyway. lhe only Ihing I leel Ihal can inlerfere wilh singing is drowning, and il you Ihink Ihat's a possibilily, maybe you should slay oul 01 lhe waler. lhe breasl slroke and Auslralian crawl would be besl lor slarters; you can do Ihem

poo~y

and slill gain some benefit. lhe upper body (pectoral muscles) gel a

good work out doing lhe breasl slroke as well as lhe back and legs Irom kicking. l he Auslralian Crawl combines slrelch wilh flex as you allernale your arms.

It's

stimulating lor lhe brain when you coordinale lhe separale arm movemenls with your legs. Swimming under waler lor an extended l ime is greal lor building endurance in your lungs.

Even Ihough you release a small amounl 01 air when you sing, lhe

body is lorced to use lhe reserve oxygen in lhe body l issue.

lhe same

ci rcumslance happens when you hold your brealh and are physically active. REBOUNDER lhose little Ihree 1001 Irampolines give you a good workout.

lhe aerobic

benelils become obvious after a short while. As you 're jumping , Iwisl and lurn your body and swing your arms around lo incorporale as many muscles as you can o lhe leel gel a good massage while you jump and Ihal slimulales lhe glands throughoul your body.

33

Physiall Filuss

The Rock 'n' Roll Singers Survi."aJ Manual

AEROBICS

VOU know the exercises.

As a matter 01 lact, you probably have a video 01

veR.

The combination 01 movement and brealhing is a

them hiding under your greal vocal builder.

To gain lhe benelils lrom aerobic exercises Ihey have lo be

done long enough lo challenge your lungs.

Any heallh club or cable show can

steer you in lhe righl direction, and believe il or nOl, lhe designer lighls aren'l actually required equipment. JUMPING ROPE

This is an excellenl upper body and brealh builder; just walch Ihal you don'l shock your knees (always wear sneakers). I like Ihis exercise because you can do il anywhere.

II you don'l Ihink you have lime to worl