Singing with a Cold, Flu or Sore Throat?
By Jeannie Deva Q: "I've heard that singers should not sing if they have a cold or a hoarse voice. Is this always true?" Flu or Cold Season A: This is a timely [...]
Singing Riffs
Fifth Harmony and their lesser known British counter-parts Little Mix were quite popular for good reason. Besides singing harmonies very well, looking fantastic, enamouring young men and making young women envious, they use riffs, [...]
How to Sing Riffs, Runs and Embellishments
By Jeannie Deva Here are five steps to help you learn a riff, run or embellishment: 1. First, learn the notes. Most riffs are short, two, three or four-note patterns. Longer riffs are [...]
Embellishments – Singing Riffs and Runs
By Jeannie Deva History of Riffing Most Pop R&B singers I have coached want to sing riffs, runs, and embellishments like Christina Aguilera, Beyonce or Mariah Carey. These divas and other Pop R&B [...]
Winning Vocal Competitions and Auditions
Vocal Competitions and Auditions. By Jeannie Deva. With Online video submission, auditions for shows such as American Idol, The Voice and America’s Got Talent run year-round. Even still thousands of singers stand in line [...]
Register Break – What Causes It?
Many singers lack the confidence to be fully expressive performers because of either: 1. A limited vocal range or 2. A "breaking point" that segments their range. Still, others have come to believe [...]
Singing Winning Songs
Sing the Winning Song. By Jeannie Deva. Do you want your audition performances to grab the judges’ attention? Wouldn’t you love to have your songs selected by music supervisors for movies or TV [...]
Reducing Vocal Strain Exercise
Nearly every singer I have coached has at one time or another experienced some degree of vocal strain. You can use the exercise
Foods for Singers
By Jeannie Deva. Question: "What are the best foods and beverages to drink before a performance or recording session?" Answer: Nutrition can get pretty complex, so my message to singers is: Keep [...]
Eliminating Stage Fright and Performance Anxiety
(Excerpted from "Singer's Guide to Powerful Performances" eBook by Jeannie Deva.) Do you get stage fright? Stage fright is often a performer's nightmare, and if obvious, an audience's let-down. The manifestations can vary [...]