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Jeannie Deva By Jeannie Deva

© 2004-2006, Jeannie Deva. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

Note: Jeannie hasn't been able to write new columnst for quite some time now. We do wish her all the best and thank her very much for the articles she has generously contributed in the past.

As the writer of your songs, you have a unique perspective. No other singer will convey the nuances like you. Whether you demo your songs for others or perform them as the lead vocalist, expanding you vocal capabilities can broaden your writing horizons and breathe new life into your songs.

This monthly column will give you tips, tools, encouragement and exercises to help develop your vocals and bring out the singer in you.

A short bio

Articles:

  • Effective Lead Vocals, Part One - What makes one singer's voice "really do it to you" while another's leaves you feeling ho-hum? Is it just that some have it and some don't - Some indescribable and mysterious achievement of luck and lineage?
  • Are You Helping or Hindering Your Voice? - What kinds of thoughts do you have about singing? Do you think you have to reach up to sing high? Do you think you have to push or squeeze to sing loudly? Do you have any negative thoughts about yourself or your voice that spontaneously pop up when you sing? The voice is emotion and thought-sensitive. If you have any uncertainty about your singing, or what to do to get certain notes, you could be creating problems. Let's explore this and see what can be done about it.
  • Are You Helping or Hindering Your Voice? Part Two - In part one of this article, we took a look at how your thoughts can cause your body to react and cause a variety of difficulties when singing. Let’s take a closer look now at what some of these problems are and begin exploring their solutions!
  • Reaching The Breaking Point—Part Two, by Jeannie Deva - In Part Two, I'll reveal the truth behind the myths of breathing and breath support. Many singers have been confused by hazy directions and inadequate information about breathing. Ever wonder about the instructions to "sing from the diaphragm" or "breathe from the diaphragm" or "fill your stomach with air"? Could it be that incorrect information about breathing is actually holding back your range, throwing your voice off pitch or in fact the source of your register break? Read this article!
  • Reaching The Breaking Point—Part One - I did not even think it possible to expand my range. I, like so many others, believed that you were born with the voice you had and I would just have to learn to deal with what little range I had at my disposal. When I began to research the voice and create a new approach to voice training, I was my own first client. I was so sure that I could not expand my range and get past my "breaking point" that I did not include this as a goal for myself. I was truly surprised when I began to sing smoothly further and further into previously unknown vocal territory! This led me into additional research, to better understand this phenomenon and its solutions, some of which I will share with you in this article.

A short bio:

Author of The Contemporary Vocalist, Jeannie Deva is a versatile vocalist, master voice teacher, recording session vocal coach/producer and columnist. With a vocal range of over four octaves, she combines styles from R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Blues, Rock, Classical-Pop and Celtic. For over three decades she has headlined concerts in the US, Europe and South America.

Founder of The Deva Method®, A Non-Classical Approach for SingersTM and Jeannie Deva® Voice Studios, Jeannie trains and certifies teachers in her method. With a BA in Composition and Arranging from Berklee College of Music, Deva helped launch their vocal department in the mid ‘70’s. She has coached tens of thousands of singers around the world including recording artists on many major and indie labels. Clients include Grammy Award Winners, Nominees and celebrated singer-songwriters such as Harriet Schock, Patty Griffin and Dar Williams.

Jeannie Deva’s private voice studio is located in Los Angeles. Her popular voice instruction books and CDs sell around the world. http://www.JeannieDeva.com.

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