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| VOCAL TECHNIQUE: A GUIDE TO FINDING YOUR REAL VOICE
Reviewer: James Lugo, Master Vocal Coach/Record Producer
After receiving my copy of 'VOCAL TECHNIQUE - A Guide To Finding Your Real
Voice' by Dena Murray I grabbed the cd out of the book and put it in my
car for a long trip to Santa Barbara from Hollywood.
Dena Murray, head vocal instructor of the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood California, introduces a book dedicated to the art of vocal technique. As the name suggests, this is a guide to finding your real voice. The book sticks to the basics, in order to uncover your natural voice, and give the singer a foundation to work upon. In this 60 page book, Dena focuses on approaching vocal instruction from a standpoint of finding and eliminating 'trouble' in the voice. Her expertise lies in the area of taking a voice apart to train or re-train from scratch, in order to teach the singer to strengthen their weaknesses, and free his/her voice, as opposed to vocal manipulation. Vocal Technique covers such topics as the voice and how it works, correct vocal placement, vocal registers, and breathing. She states that correct breathing is accomplished when the air flows freely, not squeezed or pushed. Vocal Technique comes with two CDs. CD one is a series of lessons with guided exercises, illustrations, and tracks for practicing along with. CD two is specifically focused on four vocal exercises, designed to isolate and strengthen the separate registers. Although Dena uses more than 25 different vocal exercises in her practice, for the sake of the book, Dena purposely chose exercises to get the voice flowing. She wanted this book to be simple and easy to understand, as well as educate the beginner, and help each singer begin the path to vocal freedom. Although this book is excellent for beginners, any vocalist will benefit from Dena’s knowledge. If you are having trouble around your break points, Vocal Technique is an excellent book for strengthening the registers and break area. I recommend this book for all vocal enthusiasts. Dena Murray offers private instruction to beginners and advanced students who are interested in topics such as bridging the break points and developing individual style.
I CAN SING!, June 5, 2003 Thank you Dena Murray, You were a God Sent.
11/02/05 With your vocal book/course I have, and still am finding my real voice. It takes alot of hard work and stick to-itivness but it worked for me. I am anxiously waiting for your upcoming book with insight and exercises for articulation e.g., vibrato, lip trills, etc. I had previously looked at many books on vocals, but your approach of not using the diaphram really hit the spot, pun intended. I had sent you an e-mail this past spring, I believe. But I just wanted to say again how much your book helped, and it put to an end a long, fruitless search for the right vocal instructional book.
I can't thank you enough,
1/21/2007
I've been a professional guitarist for many years, these days mostly flamenco and classical. I finally decided to get my voice into real shape, which is why I got your course. I've always enjoyed a little singing, but as an instrumentalist, I've labored under the notion that I had no range, and no prospects of getting one. Boy, was I wrong! I've been at it now for about 6 months. The exercises are really working well - my range is much bigger, my sound is really getting nice, and my confidence is building. I've brought my wife to tears a few times... she's always been a singer, mainly in choirs, and she is highly musical. She loves my playing, but she always wanted me to sing, and 10 years into our relationship, I'm finally getting it together! You're right about needing to take the time to improve the voice - it's always slower than my guitar progress. But I'm now within just a whole-step of being able to handle the entire practice range with your main exercises, and the whole thing is in sight! As it is now, not only am I able to sing things I had written off before, but I surprise myself by sometimes being able to sing along with female singers by going into the head voice, and adding some air where needed (though I'm not quite up to Mariah Carey range just yet). I'm hoping that you enjoyed hearing about how much your lovely voice, delightful writing, and supportive personality have meant to me. I hope our paths cross sometime, and I feel like you're right there with me, encouraging me and bringing out the best in my voice.
Hugs, Best Wishes from one of your distant but Grateful and Admiring students!
From the Home Recording dot com BBS: Yonce N Mild: I was having real trouble hitting the high notes on some of our songs. I would just force myself to sing that high really letting it rip pretty soon I started hitting those notes every time........but it was still very difficult. I figured I know I can hit those notes and if I just force myself I'll get better and my voice will get stronger. NOT TRUE! It remained difficult and then after a little improvement it soon became impossible for me to hit those notes again and after practice my throat would hurt so bad that I could barely speak. So I started doing a little reading and I bought a book on vocal technique. Turns out the way I was singing was actually damaging my voice. I was squeezing too much and forcing the air out too hard straining to hit high notes. I started practicing scales with the cd that the book came with, corrected my breathing and relaxed a little bit. Now I can hit the high notes in our songs with ease. The thing is I still really don't like how my voice sounds but I figure I'm singing in key and I'm singing clear and loud my band mates like it so f*** it. If you are struggling with your voice and have never had any instruction at least do a little reading about proper technique it can make a world of difference. Canibus: what book did you buy?^^^^
Yonce N Mild: I just started by searching around the internet. There are some videos on youtube with some good vocal exercises and quite a few websites with good info as well. The book is decent though and comes with an audio cd with scales and such to practice to. |
The cd blew me away.
After only 10 minutes or so my voice was wide open and poppin'! When I
bought the book I didn't look at who the author was but when I was in the
car I was wondering who it was on the cd singing so high, clear and in tune.
Later I read that it was acclaimed Hollywood vocal coach Dena Murray
(actually my competition...lol). Dena's approach to singing was spot on
and her voice was inspiring. The book is concise and easy to understand
with everything a singer needs to know and none of the wordy bla bla bla.
Dena you rocked it! I highly recommend this book and cd instructional kit
to any singer, regardless of style or level. Thanks Dena for helping me
with my voice.