The Bristow Voice Method Blog

Sing With Freedom – DVD course: More questions answered

Posted on 22. Jun, 2008 by Per Bristow in Singing

With the launch of my new home study singing DVD program Sing With Freedom which includes membership in The Singing Zone, I am here answering some more reader questions in regards to the course.  Post your question (if you have one) at the end of the post

Q: I’m a 16-year-old bass who just started singing in choir in February of this year.  My range goes from the 3rd B flat below middle C to the F# above middle C.  Now, my main issue is that, whenever I sing those high notes, I get all tense, which has bad consequences on my voice. 

However, recently, I found your method online and I read your report and watched your video.  Ever since, I’ve been practising that "roller coaster" voice slide that you showed in your video.  Anyways, I was wondering how long it would take to get some results from this.  I was also wondering if I’m doing it correct.

A:  Sounds like you’re describing me when I was your age, except I didn’t have that kind of depth. As you probably realize, it is impossible for me to answer how fast or if you’re doing it correctly without seeing or hearing you.  However, just the fact that you are experimenting and making discoveries is terrific. That is more important than correct versus incorrect.

The key is to develop the kinesthetic awareness and the skill to be able to effectively get more strength, flexibility and freedom. In my DVD course, range is lesson 3 because after you have freed and strengthened your voice in lesson 1 and 2 range becomes so much easier.  Your greatness as a singer comes from this freedom that you develop, so your unique bass sound and personality becomes truly compelling.

Q: Are licks trills and runs something that can be developed in the voice?  Because when i sing, I can never get my voice to do any of that.

A; Absolutely!  First of all, most people who try to do runs create a lot of tension while doing it (because the mind is on trying to hit notes), so even if they sing some cool licks, the overall impression is  a singer that is far from free and compelling.  That is why the freedom and the flexibility to go from note to note becomes so easy after the 4 DVDs.  In on of the follow-up lessons in The Singing Zone we specialize in developing licks and runs, and that will become easy because of the exercises you have done from the DVDs.  The ear training, rhythm and music theory lessons that are part of The Singing Zone, will also be tremendously helpful to get good at this.

Q: Can I get the DVDs without being part of The Singing Zone?

A: Of course. The billing system is set up so you will automatically be set up with a membership in The Singing Zone.  Just make sure to cancel your membership within 30 days and you won’t be charged any membership fees – i.e. you will just have the DVDs (which are great by themselves).

Q:  My voice is very breathy and I can’t get much volume.  Does your DVD course help this condition

A:  Yes, in lesson 1. In fact, I absolutely guarantee that you will have a profound new understanding and you’ll get more volume with less effort already after lesson 1.  (That could be tomorrow, since I am letting you watch lesson 1 immediately  as an extra bonus).

Q: I see you address breathing in lesson 4 rather than lesson 1 like everybody else does.  It makes me very curious.

A:  Great. And your curiosity will be richly rewarded as you realize exactly why breathing is lesson 4, and also why your breathing has seemingly magically improved already after lesson 1 without us having talked about it.

Q: I wanted to know if the new course is for singers only or will it help people who just want to improve the overall sound and resonance of their speaking voice. I’m very soft spoken and I subscribed to your newsletter wondering if the new method would have info to help just the speaking voice.

A: Your soft spokeness will be helped already in lesson 1. The work we do there applies both to singers and speakers.  Although this course is designed for singing, it is very interesting to note the results a speaker gets when I work with them and have them engage in “singing” exercises. You open up a newfound awareness of your voice – to strengthen it and make it more resonant, for example. And you also experience a newfound freedom and confidence to express – i.e. to release both your physical and inner voice.  This is exceptionally beneficial for speakers.

Test the course and experience it for yourself. If it doesn’t do everything you expect, you may send it back for a full refund.  Go the www.TheSingingZone.com

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!