First and foremost… I’m a singer.
I’ve always been a performer, from playing Tiny Tim when I was eight years old, to the current day where I’m working on five different shows within the next two months.
I get it.
Trying to get confident is a little bit scary… when you walk out on that stage, you’re all alone.
-The lights are bright.
-You can’t see the back of the house.
- What if you forget the words.
- Maybe you’re worried you’ll crack
- What if people will laugh at you… not like you…whatever.
We have All. Been. There.
I can show how to overcome those fears.
I can give you a vocal technique that will teach you to sing with your true self, your true voice, and without any fear of cracking.
I’m not saying you’ll never be nervous again.
I’m not saying it will be easy, or you won’t have to work hard.
This vocal technique is life changing… and it makes you improve FAST.
You can sign up here: https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
Now, I’m located in Colorado. If you're within driving distance, that's great, let's meet in person. But if you're not, through the magic of the Internet we can still meet as often as you like.
If you have any questions about the process, I’m more than happy to discuss all of this with you. Drop me a line, or better yet, sign up for a lesson, and let's get started.
Talk soon,
Joshua South
Boulder Voice Lessons
21st Century Voice Lessons
The 21st-century Voice Teacher
Back in my day…
I’m not really that old, but I still went to college before things like smart phones, YouTube and Wikipedia.
I had one Voice Lesson per week, recorded the lesson on a tape player, and went to the library to listen to operas on CD and record player. (Hah Gawwwwwd I’m so old!)
Nowadays, if you want to learn how to do something like change headlight on the car, clean out your kitchen disposal, or flip on the light switch (seriously, that’s a thing), just check out YouTube.
The best thing about being a 21st-century Voice Teacher in Boulder, CO is that I can have my own YouTube channel that highlights my specific ideas of the technique, the actual warm-ups that we work on, and my rambling thoughts about how to learn a song.
For instance, if you want to take an Online Voice Lesson with me, all you really need to do is log on to my YouTube page and pick one of 20 lessons that you like to work on for the day and go to town!
The progression and advancement of the vocal technique is really up to the student, and the teacher is only as good as the student that’s willing to work for it.
So, step right up to https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule and sign up for an Online Voice Lesson. This vocal technique change my life, and I’m pretty sure it’ll open new doors for you.
Peace,
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
Microphone with Elvis Filter
There’s no denying – Elvis was the King.
Girls screamed.
Men wept.
If only we could click a button and sound like Elvis.
Yeah right…
This old friend of mine had an “easy way” idea, and bought a crazy expensive microphone - all the bells and whistles. He hired a professional guitarist to record for a few hours with him at his home studio.
He sent me the demo, and the only thing I could think of was that I wish that he had spent the $3000+ dollars on Singing Lessons and Musical Coachings rather than that microphone.
It made me realize that having the fancy microphone and recording set up will not an Elvis make, or be any better than using your iPhone Microphone, if you don’t sound good.
I showed him a few of my singing warm-ups and vocal techniques and we worked for few months together, and his voice improved. He started doing the work, started doing the techniques, started really concentrating on drilling those exercises.
Big difference.
Sign up here for a lesson and I’ll show you what we worked on (If you're not in the Boulder, CO area, we can still work on Skype/Facetime)
https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
Peace!
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
Force Choked by Darth Tension
Force Choked by Darth Tension:
I was watching Star Wars the other day with my kids, and something occurred to me when Darth Vader couldn't take any more insults from Admiral Motti (the Death Star commander who mustered the courage to confront Vader's "sorcerer's ways”). This of course resulted in Vader’s decision to force choke Motti’s sneering windpipe from 10 feet away.
Poor Vader... the guy needs to get his emotions in check.
But as singers, we also know what it’s like to be in Admiral Motti’s shoes/windpipe. While singing with tension is a far cry from literal choking, not being able to sing the notes you want, not being able to breathe freely, and most of all, feeling scared or unable to function while on stage, are all real issues.
Thankfully I have an antidote!
In my latest mini e-book, I teach you the fundamentals of How to Sing Without Tension. Admiral Motti only wishes he could’ve thought of these tension-reducing techniques whilst Darth Vader had his grippy force tentacles around his throat.
Get it while the Grippin’s Good!
https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/ebooks/howtosingwithouttension
There is also an audio download available with the eBook, so you can practice in your car, or a crowded subway!
Singing Lessons for JEDI masters - Right here:
https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule
Peace,
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
I can't stop starting at 'dat Class
The perks just keep on coming, my friends.
When you are in the studio here at www.BoulderVoiceLessons.com, we do an Old Skool thang that has been tested through time.
All the Singing Students in the studio, at the end of the semester, get together for a studio class.
We all gather to sing in front of each other, wall practice the same technique, and basically… we all sound awesome.
Bestable of all, we get to practice the songs we've been werkin' on in front of real life non-digital people!
This is where your skillz get put to the test.
Competition, my lovelies, is what makes the cream rise to the top…
"Anyone who imagines they can work alone winds up surrounded by nothing but rivals, without companions. The fact is, no one ascends alone."
- Lance Armstrong (The greatest, hardest working athlete that ever lived)
So, get on that bike/horse/eagle, fly over here to www.bouldervoicelessons.com, and sign up for your free eBook filled with great singing tips!
Singing Lessons live here in Boulder. Sign up here: https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule
Peace!
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
Video Voice Lessons - Boom or Bust?
Can you learn anything from a video lesson?
Video Lessons are mainly there to peak your interest… to start a fire within you to have the desire to work towards that goal.
Take a martial art like Jiu Jitsu… it’s easy to get caught up in YouTube videos about Jiu Jitsu moves (right???? Or am I the only one here... crickets... awkward....)
You spend 3 hours (that you should have spent sleeping) going down the YouTube rabbit hole of watching matches, watching instructional videos, only to roll into the gym, and you find that all of your digital learning doesn’t really work out for you as you get chocked out over and over again (at least that’s my experience!)
If you’ve got a willing partner, you could work on the things that you learned, but the moves that a true-to-life class will drill, stick far better in your toolbox of tactics than you could ever hope for with a YouTube video instructional video.
It’s the same with the voice! You need to be able to sing for the teacher. The teacher must hear your voice, especially in the beginning, to see if you are doing the exercises correctly.
The Chest Voice Exercise and the Falsetto Voice Exercises are integral, fundamental steps to your progression. You can’t move on to the next level, or belt, unless you have a working knowledge of the fundamentals.
So get in touch, and let’s get you started off right. I’m here to help.
Josh
Schedule your first voice lesson today!
https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule
By the way, I am a current student of JiuJitsu at Easton Training Center in Boulder, CO. I can't recommend it enough as an exercise regime, but it's especially helpful for singers. It's an amazing workout; you’ll learn to control your emotions, your fears, but mostly your breath.
How many times have we, as singers, felt nervous or scared of the stage? It's different for everyone, but there's nothing like perspective to make you not worry about stage fright, and a martial art, especially JiuJitsu, often puts you in uncomfortable physical and mental situations.
I've learned so much about the breath through these situations. It might not be for everyone, but if you're interested, and in the Denver/Boulder area, check out Easton (tell them I referred you!)
Peace!
Free Demo Recording? Sure, I'll take one...
How about a free demo recording with that?
Ok… get ready… this is what I am bringing to the table:
Expert vocal technique advice - $65/hour
20 years' experience of musical style vocal coaching advice – included.
20 years' experience in the singing industry, mainly in New York City - included.
A safe, fun, exciting learning environment – included.
Access to online video singing lessons that review the techniques you learned in your lessons – included.
Is anybody else offering these bonuses for being involved in their vocal studio? I’m honestly not sure...
But, Boulder voice lessons is!
Sign up for our email list and get your free eBook today!
Schedule your first Voice Lesson here: https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule
Peace!
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
How a child’s temper tantrum taught me to sing better
It was a simple mistake.... I should’ve known better.
I hope I didn’t mess this kid up for life, but…
I cut his pancake in half.
Cue the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown now.
This poor little snowflake son of mine tilted his head back and let out the most primal, and yet coordinated, chest voice and falsetto functional sound you have ever heard. I’m gonna have to cut his pancake tomorrow, just so I can record this for you.
My amazing teacher Franco Bertacci, talks about this sound as the natural sound of the Larynx.
With no vowel, lots of air, and a neutral sound, this is basically called - the function sound!
Try it...have somebody cut your pancake, and let out (dys)functional sound. It actually feels really good. It’s like a bombshell of emotion exploding, after seeing your sweet, beautiful chocolate-chip pancake being destroyed before your very eyes.
Don’t try this at home, kids. For real. Hit me up with the online session, and we’ll talk about it.
For those seeking a strong chest voice that you can take higher in your voice, this is an invaluable addition to your arsenal of vocal technique!
50% off your first Voice Lesson here:
https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule
Pancake Destroyer Josh
How to Increase Range and Size of Your Voice
Do you want to have a louder voice?
Would you like to have more textures and tones to work with?
It all begins by strengthening the muscles that control the falsetto.
Don't know how to strengthen those muscles? Have no fear - Here is a YouTube Lesson that will teach you how to do it:
Sing up for your Voice Lesson Here:
https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule
Peace!
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
Breath Support
Breath Support in singing seems like it should be obvious...
The more air that is flowing over the vocal cords, the louder the sound will be.
The muscles that hold the vocal cords together need to be strong enough to withstand the air pressure. That's where the Voice Building exercises come in (if you haven't seen the YouTube Singing Lesson, Click Here)
You want as much air as possible passing over the vocal cords...It's like the difference between a trickle of water slowly flowing out of a faucet, verses a fire hose that is consistently blowing water out of the opening.
You have to be willing to let the air out
You have to be willing to make a loud sound
You have to open the jaw, and let the breath pour out.
Take a breath, and sigh out loudly and quickly. The longer you can let the air flow out, the more "breath support" you have. Time yourself - work on making the air come out for a longer amount of time.
That's about as simple as it is.
Questions? Hit me up with an email, or Sign up for the email list, and you'll get a free eBook - 5 Tips to Sing Better
Thanks!
Josh
Chest Voice 101
Hey there,
So I just got busy and finished Singing Lesson #1 Video - The Chest Voice.
It's all ready for consumption!
Check it: