Once upon a time…
There was a caped little boy that danced about his family home, singing at the top of his lungs.
No vocal technique to speak of, but it was fun.
Meanwhile across town, there was a little girl singing in her church choir, belting out tunes with the rest of the choir in unabashed, unrestrained, yet beautiful and harmonious singing tone.
In another land, a mother spoke in her dulcet Julia Child like - falsetto toned voice. She urged her fidgety red-headed children to eat their eggs before school. She had been talking like this for as long as anyone could remember.
The little boy and the little girl spoke and sang in a chest voice dominant way and started studying Voice Lessons, but quickly realized there was a (w)hole part of their voice they had forgotten about... The falsetto.
The mother of the redheaded children took Voice Lessons and quickly realized that she had absolutely no chest voice.
Only a voice teacher that could recognize this type of beginning was able to diagnose and prescribe a course of action to further complete training for an entire vocal production...
Their voices grew and grew, and they sung happily ever after.
Thankfully, their teacher is also available to you, here in Boulder, and across the world (via the magical inter-webs)!
Joshua South, lead teacher at Boulder Voice Lessons has sung with some of the world’s most famous singers at the world’s most prestigious venues. The vocal technique he teaches is the real deal.
Jump on the singing lesson train at the following link, and get 50% off your first lesson:
www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule
What is YOUR end game?
What are the tools YOU need to get there?
Don’t know?
Sign up for a voice lesson and begin your Singing Lesson Journey today.
Peace!
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
Jump in with the sharks and get 50% off these skillz
Do something every day that scares you…
Them’s some good words to live by.
I don’t know why, but public speaking has always been my public enemy number one.
Give me a script, or give me something to sing, and I’ll do it in front of 1 million people.
I like to be well rehearsed and I like to be prepared, but if it’s talking off-the-cuff or trying to charm an audience, that is something I’m usually not well equipped to do.
So, in the thrill of doing something every day that scares you, I jumped at the chance to emcee a local opera highlights production in Boulder.
Oh technique, how I love thee, let me count the waves.
Technique is magic. Whether you are learning to tie your shoes or play a Bach fugue on the piano, if you work on it today, you will have visible improvement tomorrow. This is why parents want their kids in piano lessons.
Back to me being scared… So just like learning an opera role, I sunk my teeth into this emcee thing and pulled it off, I daresay, with Doogie Houser-like fashion!
If you or your little one want to conquer the world, start your piano lesson or singing lesson journey with Boulder Voice Lessons right now.
Just think of all the great things will be able to do with your new skillz.
Sign up here: https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
First Lesson is 50% off!!! Returning students first lesson is 50% off!
Josh
(Josh has sung with 50 Cent, Paul McCartney, Kelli O’Hara, Kelsey Grammar, Brian Dennehy, and many other world class singers, conductors, at many world class venues like Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center… if you want the real deal with voice lessons – work with Boulder Voice Lessons!)
Don't give up those Singing Lessons
How do you get to Radio City Music Hall?
Just don’t give up.
This seems like a simple concept…. lots of people have been around longer than I have, and a lot of people have quit before me.
Competition is a funny thing. There are sprints, and there are marathons. One has to do with flat out skill and talent, and one of them has to do with patience. Sure, it’s great to be the fastest/strongest/most talented, but long-standing patience is even more powerful.
A flood can wipe out a town or structure, but a river can groove out a Grand Canyon. Constant and steady winds can shape mountains, and a volcano that waits patiently for 100 million years can explode with earth shattering force.
What is your career? Are you a sprinter? Are you going to last three years and give it your all and then quit and move on? This life is not for everybody! But, it might just be for you if you can stay on the path and create your groove and put in the time, effort, and be patient.
Just outlast the person next to you, and they’ll be one less person in the race…
Sprinter or Marathoner, you’ll need a technique. The best technique is right here at Boulder Voice Lessons. Work with me in person, or online.
First lesson 50% off.
Sign up here: https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
Hit me up with any questions,
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
50 CENT at Radio City Music Hall
I did a thing last night... Sang back up for 50 Cent at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. What an experience! More info to come, but check the video here!
How to Stop your Voice from Cracking
Have you ever cracked while singing???
This video will help you to NEVER crack again.
Peace,
Josh at Boulder Voice Lessons
How to Breathe While Singing
We've gone over breathing exercises.
We've found our True Voice.
Now, let's tie it all together in this latest Video:
How to Find Your True Voice
Have you ever wondered what you would sound like with a “million dollar voice “?
Did you know that someone can judge your voice within one second of you singing?
The person listening could be an audience member, an audition panel, and it could make or break your ability to succeed in that one instant. But, if by chance you make it past that first second and the audience is still listening to you, there is still the rest of the song to get through.
Your vocal technique can make or break you!
For more than 1000 years, all the way from the Middle Ages troubadours, to John Legend, singers have been enchanting audiences. But, every single singer also knew when an audience was lost...
Command an audience with your True Voice.
Find your True Voice with this Free Online Voice Lesson: https://youtu.be/iPBtswJlEFk
Peace!
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
The (not so) secret way to breathe for singing.
I have taught hundreds of singing lessons over the past few months, and there is a recurring theme in almost all the new students that walk through the Boulder Voice Lesson studio door.
People take in a big breath, puff up the chest, and I expect to hear a huge loud roaring sound, but sometimes it just comes out more like the sound of a mouse.
By the way…. We teach the Lion sound here at Boulder Voice Lessons… Not so much the mouse sound.
The secret to breathing isn’t so much breathing in (but that is a big part of it) as it is allowing the breath to flow out with a constant and steady flow.
The faster that flow of air, the louder and more powerful your sound can be.
Now this isn’t the only aspect of singing, but it’s a pretty important one.
Want to know more? I just published a YouTube lesson on How to Breathe for Singing here: https://youtu.be/AwuG6Zcx-0w
If you want to learn more about how to create your best sound, schedule a lesson with me at the following link: https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
We are running a sale on Voice Lessons in May – Online only - $30 for 30 minutes… Use the link above to schedule.
Drop me an email with any questions, and please subscribe to the YouTube page!
Peace,
Josh
How to find your Unique Voice
Here’s a great quote found in the 1991 biography Martha: the life and work of Martha Graham by dancer and choreographer Agnes de Mille:
“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.
No artist is pleased. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”
Martha Graham is saying that you have to work your sass off. Everyday. Give the world your art (voice) and make it uniquely yours. Never give up. Keep marching and stay alive and free.
Do you still need inspiration to find your voice? Don’t know where to start?
Start with my free singing lessons on YouTube. The techniques there will help you strengthen your voice and give you a lasting technique: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF4FlnRG4vFLKqm-7zboKqQ
You can also check out my daily voice lesson podcast here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bouldervoicelessons-com/id1359467675?mt=2
(All of this information that I’m posting on YouTube and on the Podcast is free!)
Online singing lessons are great – but there is no substitute for real, in-the-flesh (or skype) voice lessons. The teacher can hear your sounds, make suggestions for changes in real time, and get you the progress you want.
During the month of May, we are offering a special sale. Skype/Facetime/Messenger lessons are $30 for 30 minutes. We can work on specific exercises that will help you find your true Voice.
Sign up for a lesson here: https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
You can be a great singer… Stop waiting around… I’ll show you how.
Peace,
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
How to sing louder in your middle voice
"Hey Josh, I can sing the high notes, but my middle range, where most of the music lies in my songs, it is not as strong. What can I do?”
I’ve been asked this question throughout my whole teaching career. The answer is always the same. The singer must retain the structure that we talk about here at Boulder Voice Lessons throughout the middle range.
The middle range must also be exercised and given attention in daily practice. The middle range, which is dominantly the chest voice is the foundation for your whole sound. Without it, you will be sadly lacking in the “excitability meter” that the audience feels.
As singers and performers, we want to keep the audience on the edge of their seat. And with a huge chest voice they are always wondering, “my goodness, are they going to make it to the high note?“
In this studio, the answer is always a resounding, yes!
Check out my daily podcast for exercises on how to do middle range and chest voice warm-ups.
And if you want to be the best singer you can be, there’s no substitute for working with me privately. Sign up for a lesson here: https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
I’m offering free 15 minute online lessons, as a one-time offer. If you’ve never taken a lesson with me before, you’re eligible! Sign up on the website, and just click the free 15 minute option.
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
Podcast link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bouldervoicelessons-com/id1359467675?mt=2
How to Sing With Confidence
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
Don’t listen to yourself while you sing.
That comes straight out of the Voice Teacher “Guru” handbook.
Mmmmm, OK, but how in the world are you supposed to change your sound if you don’t listen to yourself?
“Stop listening to yourself,” I always used to hear. I guess in hindsight, I can understand what a teacher would mean by that. If you are overdoing the technique, and by changing the structure of your sound, I suppose you could “listen” to yourself in a bad way.
However, we need to be able to help ourselves when we sing. That’s the only way we can more effectively go for that wider, deeper, Boulder Voice Lessons Technique sound!
Still others say that a microphone is the best teacher, and instead of going whole hog and not agreeing with anyone, how about we take a little bit of advice from everybody.
Here at Boulder Voice Lessons, we record a song or aria during the last part of the lesson. I’m wearing headphones, you’re wearing headphones, and you are listening to your voice. Want to sing like Norah Jones? Well, Norah Jones always sings into a microphone, and so does Adele, and so does every pop-star.
They also sing with great microphones, just like the one that we use here at Boulder Voice Lessons.
So step right on up, and work with some professional equipment while we on your professional vocal technique.
Yet another perk, and yet another reason to trust Boulder Voice Lessons for all your Vocal Technique Lessons!
Start listening to yourself here:
Peace!
Josh
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
Climate Change Eyes
One of the great things about teaching so many people is that I am constantly exposed to new and exciting artists.
One such artist is Billie Eilish who sings the epic song, Ocean Eyes.
I just posted a new video on YouTube that explains the techniques of how to sing Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish. Now, you may be thinking, who the heck is Billie Eilish, and why should I care, but I assure you all of the techniques that I discuss can be implemented to your favorite tunes, as well!
Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/tGcmghPZSqA
Please take a second and subscribe to the Boulder Voice Lessons YouTube Page...
Oh, and if an eight minute video on YouTube doesn’t get you the desired results, feel free to schedule an appointment with me at the following link: https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
Peace!
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
From Timbuktu to Boulder... Online Singing Lessons
The Digital Revolution is here.
First came the Agricultural Revolution, then the Industrial Revolution.
And now, Boulder Voice Lessons is taking the Internet by Storm.
Announcing Online Singing Lessons!
You live 1,000 miles away but you want to take world-class vocal technique instruction? Skype me!
Winter Storm Snowflake got you buried in 6 feet of snow? Let’s have a Voice Lesson without the hassle of driving!
$65 for 60 minutes gets you some of the greatest vocal technique instruction available.
You don’t even have to leave home.
But, try to change out of your comfy pajamas.
Thank you, Digital Revolution.
Book a session here: https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
Voice Lesson Antifreeze for your frozen musical inspiration
Hello Friends!
While watching the newest edition of Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, I came to a few conclusions…
This planet is insane! There are animals defying what we perceive as the laws of the physical world!
Check the caterpillar that tries to turn into a moth every short summer in the Arctic. He doesn't eat enough before the winter comes, so he crawls under a rock and literally freezes solid, only to thaw out again when the spring comes the following year. He follows this strategy for 14 years until he spreads his mothy wings.
Now. that. is. survival.
That’s Dedication!
Well..... has your musical inspiration and vocal technique frozen solid?
Do you need some creative and musical thawing??
I'm here to tell you that Boulder Voice Lessons is the sun that will thaw your frozen musical state.
Learn the singing technique to learn how to sing high notes.
Learn the technique to sing like you’ve always wanted to.
Get on over to https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/ and book your voice lesson now. Studio size is limited, so reserve your weekly spot soon!
All Voice Types, All Ages welcome. Love of singing is a must!
Peace,
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
How to Sing Better - A Voice Lesson involving Fergie
Poor Fergie... The National Anthem is one of the hardest songs to sing, with truly little reward for the performer. Generally, you volunteer your time to sing the National Anthem in front of a large crowd, everyone judges you, and apart from the emotional fulfillment that you get while singing it, there isn’t much that the performer gets back.
But, God help you if you mess it up. If you forget a word, if you sing out of tune, if you start too high and can’t sing the the last phrase... you know the drill. People love a controversy. You will get roasted.
Then somebody this week posted a clip of Whitney Houston singing the national anthem (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_lCmBvYMRs) . Her beaming face, beautiful smile, and seemingly effortless, yet virtuosic rendition of the national anthem is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard.
We talk a lot about vocabulary here at Boulder Voice Lessons.
Chest voice
Falsetto
Coordination
Chest Pull
Function tone
Ah Breath
Pharynx
Larynx
The list goes on and on...
Whitney knew how to use her chest voice and falsetto, and expertly coordinated them to provide the listener with goosebumps and tears for days, years, and even a lifetime.
This is the technique we are teaching here at Boulder Voice Lessons.
Sign up for a lesson and get after it…
Sign up here: https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
Josh
Boulder Voice Lessons
Vocal Technique Lessons from down in the dirt!
I was taking my jujitsu class the other day, and the teacher told us to walk down the line and get partners.
I went to the beginning of the line to shake hands with my next best friend for the hour, and even though I am a pretty tall dude of 6’2”, I got to my partner, shook hands, and continue to gaze up, and up, and up at the face of the 6’8” giant in front of me.
Turns out the dude was an ex-marine, easily had 100 pounds on me, and pretty much laughed with me (in a friendly way) as I tried to wrap him up for the whole hour. It was like a 5-year-old wrestling with his 40-year-old father.
He rolled me up pretty hard, and I walked away with multiple bruises and tweaks to just about everywhere on my fragile frame. Great times!
Point is, I was working out and trying to better myself, and even though there was some pain, I kept at it and finished the work out with this huge sweaty dude...
That’s how you improve.
You have to put in the time on anything, especially your voice, and especially your singing technique.
So, whether you want to get better at performing, technique, singing in tune, or memorization, it’s not that different than drilling wrestling moves with an ex-Marine, taking a yoga class, or summiting a 14er peak (that’s a mountain in Colorado talky). Get down in the dirt, roll your sleeves up, and get to work!
Do you want to have the best instruction on how to improve your singing techniques? Sign up for a voice lesson here:
https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
(Online Skype/Facetime/Facebook Messenger voice lessons available to the whole world!)
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
Patiently Waiting for Patience:
Hey Josh, soooo…. When am I going to get better at singing?
JOSH: I get this question often... The answer is generally the same for everybody. You will be a better singer when you know how to do the techniques. Do you want to learn the proper singing techniques? Set up a voice lesson with me... I’m more than happy to show you! (also check out my YouTube page)
Hey Josh, I know you sing opera, but I want to sing rock ‘n’ roll....Are you gonna make me sound like Opera Man from Saturday Night Live?
Josh: So you want to sing like Axl Rose? Yeah, me too... how about we work on your voice, and you can sound like your best you. You are unique and so is your voice. Let’s get to work on it and see what we can do! By the way, I also sing Jazz, Musical Theatre, Pop, Gospel - anything I can get deep on!
And.....How can I get better at performing?
Josh: confidence, confidence, confidence.... get’cha confidence here. Nothing says confidence like being a master at what you are doing. Bruce Lee had confidence – Jim Morrison had confidence…
Do you want to learn how to sing the high notes, do you want to learn how to sing the low notes, do you want to control an audience with your voice?
The answers are all right here at Boulder Voice Lessons... sign up for a voice lesson here (it's soooooo easy!): https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/schedule/
If you haven’t signed up for my email list, do so here, and get my free e-book on Five Tips to Sing Better. Check it!
https://www.bouldervoicelessons.com/
Peace!
Josh at Boulder Voice Lessons