The Naked Vocalist | Advice and Lessons on Singing Technique, Voice Care and Style - Chris Johnson and Steve Giles

Episode 17 - Essential Skills For Todays Vocalist | Joshua Alamu

Today's show is with Josh Alamu. 

Josh is a brilliant coach who’s popularity is growing to astronomical levels across the globe with every year that passes. He started out life as a backing vocalist working with artists like Joss Stone, and was helped on that journey as a young singer by two industry giants; David and Carrie Grant. 

During the earlier part of his career, Josh became familiar with legendary technique Speech Level Singing (SLS) and eventually certified as an instructor. That is how we all became aware of each other, as we too were part of SLS for a while.

Over recent years, Josh has worked as a coach on Pop Idol, The Voice series 1 & 2, choir talent show Don’t Stop Believing.

Currently he has a rock school in Malta which he visits regularly, a busy studio in Hampstead, London, and he has just written the first in a series of books called Mad About Vocal Style: http://www.joshuaalamu.com/mad-about-vocal-style-ebook-series-1/

We talk all about essential skills for a singer in this episode including technique, style and work ethic. It's a valuable hour so please join us! Also, jump on over to our website for more wonderful content:
http://www.thenakedvocalist.com/

Episode 16 - Scott Alan Interview | Songwriting | Self-Funding Albums

We were very lucky to attend Scotts show at the Hippodrome in London in May. We were even luckier to be able to interview him the next evening before his next show. 

If you're in to songwriting, the business and musical theatre style then you'll love this episode. If anything, it will be great that you can be introduced to Scotts music through the episode. Presuming you haven't already that is! He is such a great writer and genuine guy.

Join us at www.thenakedvocalist.com/shownotes for more episodes!

Episode 15 - Vocalzone

We are lucky to have on Vocalzone: legendary pastille makers over the past one hundred years.

Their product has been amazingly popular with singers ever since they began production, and they are still now. Today, Vocalzone is a common addition to the rider of many top names, from Rihanna and Jay-Z to Tom Jones and Metallica.

Join us for some awesome stories from George and Luke, some info on the active ingredients, and a few tips on voice care.

Episode 14 - Tips For A Beginner | Ageing Voices | A Strained Speaking Voice

Todays show is a wide and varied Q&A session! We help out with advice for Earl, who is, as he describes, 'not a singer really'. Also we talk about what happens to the singing voice as we age, and how to recover from, and offset, a tired voice from speaking all day.

Lots of useful information will be flying around, so please join us for a listen. There's also a little bit of larking around... standard.

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Episode 13 - Singing Athletes With Line Hilton | The Demands On The Modern Singers Voice | Practice Strategies

Today we have the one and only Line Hilton on the show. Line is a very experienced vocal coach, a registered nurse, the chief editor of iSing magazine, a teacher trainer and the Education Director for the Vocology In Practice teacher network. Phew! That’s a heck of a list.

She talks a bunch of sense around looking after the voice holistically, the challenges on a voice day to day, and practice strategies. All things that keep a singer singing for their whole career! 

Also, tune in for a special offer on the iSing magazine! 

Episode 12 - Ben Maitland-Lewis Talks Success In Todays Music Industry | How To Present Yourself | Digital Business Cards

Todays episode has the pleasure of advice from the well informed Ben Maitland-Lewis. Ben is a graduate of Berkeley College of Music, a past director at SonyBMG Music Entertainment, an artist manager and the CEO of Presskit.to.

He gives some valuable advice on how to succeed in todays industry, how to present yourself to your fans and the to the business, and where music distribution is headed. He also talks about his products at Presskit... clean and functional Electronic Press Kits (EPKs) for the modern artist.

Episode 11 - Technique Isn't Everything | The Learning Domains | Be Ready!! | The Retreat

Todays episode is packed with advice and content that was picked up by us at the VocalizeU Winter Retreat in February 2014.

There's great information and inspirational stories in this show that will definitely boost you if you're a singer, teacher or aspiring artist. Everyone on their way to success has to go through the mill and figure things out, and the beauty of this podcast is that we can hopefully makes sure you don't make the same mistakes. Tune in!

Join us at www.thenakedvocalist.com for more great episodes and blog posts.

Episode 10 - Interview With Katie Holmes | Touring With Jessie J | Technique | Getting Into The Session Industry

We are very lucky to have the beautiful and talented Katie Holmes chatting to us about her wonderful career. Katie has featured on Craig Davids’ 3rd album, toured with Cee-Lo Green, Leona Lewis, Professor Green, Adele and Jessie J. She has also had some great success with her vocal group, Band Of Voices, after they made it through to the semi-finals of Britains Got Talent 2013.

Still an in-demand backing vocalist and vocal coach, Katie gives her take on the backing vocal world and how to break into it, technique, and how to get your name out there.

Episode 9 - A slightly less boring podcast about breathing and breath management

In todays episode we explore breathing exercises, including how to take the correct breath and making last. We also delve into the issue of breath management, which is how the vocal cords resist the air and allow it through. This approach is often the most common resolution for breathing problems so stick around and listen to the brilliantly useful tips for this common singing ailment.

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Episode 8 - The Song Workshop | Beyonce | Robbie Williams

Todays episode is all about improving the tough notes in popular songs with practical advice on vowel adjustment.

Todays songs are:

Beyonce - If I Were A Boy

Robbie Williams - Angels

Beyonce - Love On Top

Big songs and commonly found difficult by our listeners. Check out the podcast as these principles can apply on so many other tunes.

Episode 7 - How To Build Strength In Head Voice | Recovering From Strain

Today we discuss techniques for building strength into head voice and the upper range to help you try and develop that intense sound needed for many contemporary genres.

Also, a singer had found that they overdone it over the past month and was suffering from a strained voice. Resting the voice was one part of the discussion, but changing ongoing vocal behaviours became the more pertinent point.

Episode 6 - Creating A Reliable Voice | What To Expect From Singing Lessons | How Often To Practice

In Episode 6 we look at just a few of the reasons why people experience inconsistency in their singing from one day to the next... it's such a massive subject it could fill it's own podcast!

We also check out singing lessons and what to expect from them. From the format and teaching styles to your approach as a student and how to make the most out of each session.

Lastly we look at when to practice. There is no optimum for this... it really depends on the singers needs, desires or issues.

For more helpful stuff listen to us, and chip in at our social media sites:

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Episode 5 - Musical Theatre - An Interview With US Vocal Coach Rachel Lawrence

This episode is a must for anyone into Musical Theatre, as amazing coach Rachel gives us the hints and tips to succeed in the industry. Rachel has worked on Glee, Greys Anatomy and countless Broadway shows so she is more than qualified to help.

She talks about the heavy schedule of a MT singer, how to deal with character roles and the voices needed and also helps out with auditions and how to choose a song. Aside from giving all of this great advice she is also a lovely person so be sure to tune in!

Episode 4 - 3 Killer Tips To Quickly Fix Those High Notes

In this episode we talk about the different registers of the voice, how they work resonantly and muscularly, and how that can relate to voice training.

With that background in mind we look at 3 awesome techniques that you can use to take the edge of those tricky notes by adjusting lyrics, and hit them with more ease and better tone. Todays example songs: Set Fire To The Rain - Adele and Lately - Stevie Wonder.

Episode 3 - Interview with top vocal coach Dave Stroud

In Episode 3 of The Naked Vocalist we are super lucky to have an amazing guests with us - Dave Stroud. Dave is a vocal coach in LA who works with some of the music industry's top artists as well as being a busy entrepreneur. Dave speaks to us about his life, succeeding as an artist today, the importance of technique and how he helps his clients with their crazy schedules. A must listen for any artist and business minded singer or coach.

Episode 2 - Using Key Changes To Improve | Making Money From Singing

Welcome back! In this episode we look firstly at the use of key changing lines UP to experience lifting away from tension. Sounds mad but it's an often used tool in the vocal studio.

With two related questions about making money from your voice we discuss ways of getting gigs, both for a hobbyist and a professional.

Please join us for this episode and check out the show notes at www.thenakedvocalist.com for supporting information. Don't forget to subscribe on iTunes to keep up with us automatically.

Episode 1 - Warm Ups | Vocal Compression

In todays episode of The Naked Vocalist we introduce ourselves to you for the first time and give you a little insight into what will be coming up in future episodes, and a little about our history as singing teachers.

We get in to some Q&A from followers around the areas of vocal warm ups and stage compression which had some valuable information to take away.

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