Singing tips and articles

Singing in performance is a completely different experience to singing when you practise.  Nerves, the environment, acoustics and other variables can get in the way. In fact, when you perform, it’s thought you lose 20% of the skill, zing and focus you have when practising. So, using a studio singer’s […]

Consonants in singing can be tricky, but learning how to position them is necessary for clear and precise singing. While much emphasis is placed on sounding vowels in singing, consonants shape the words you sing so they are understood. This is part 1 of two blogs exploring consonants. Why it’s […]

During my singing training, I recorded every lesson, using a heavy old cassette recorder. Later, I’d listen back and mostly, it drove me nuts, itching to fix this sound, fix that move, change that vowel, get that consonant out of the way, and oh! That weak breath control! It made […]

As a new year approaches, it’s helpful to reflect on your singing achievements and plan your goals for the coming year. First, be sure to celebrate your achievements! As a singer, you’re taking risks others don’t. Putting yourself out there with your voice and performance takes courage, so do acknowledge […]

In last month’s article, I introduced Accent Method Breathing (AMB), an efficient way to quickly take in breath to support singing and increase your versatility as a singer. The article included a few beginner AMB exercises, which you can try here. This month, I introduce some advanced breathing exercises for […]

Whether you’re an aspiring, beginner or advanced singer, you know that sustainable breathing is crucial to singing. The science of breathing and the voice has seen many developments over the decades, and recently, I’ve introduced a technique called Accent Breathing Method (AMB) into training my studio singers. Over the next […]

We humans are creatures of habit, and convenience can be key to forming good habits. This is especially true for singing training. Regular lessons and singing practice are essential to developing your vocal skills and technique, and anything that makes this easier is a good thing. This is one reason […]

There’s nothing like working towards a live concert to develop your singing and performance skills. And last month, 12 of our talented, committed singers showcased their work at our annual concert, held at The Flute Tree in Sydney’s Leichhardt, performing 24 songs to 50 appreciative guests. The concert offers a […]

How often do you see a singer performing with a sheet of song lyrics in front of them? Rarely, I’d guess. Performing singers memorise song lyrics to free themselves to be in the moment, to better interpret a song and its character, and to engage with their audience. Many of […]

Choosing repertoire, i.e. the songs you sing, requires a range of decision making, based on a singer’s ability and various other reasons, such as cultural and technical appropriateness. Here, I’ll explore some songs currently being sung in the studio, and why I have selected them for singers. Sometimes, singers come […]

Singing in or out of tune can make or break your development as a singer. Here, we’ll learn how interval training helps. What are intervals in music? When you sing a song, you are technically singing a group of pitches, i.e. notes. Those pitches are formed using intervals. An interval […]

Belt and mixed voice singing are popular styles, featuring in many contemporary genres. And while they are challenging to learn, you’re rewarded with a greater versatility in repertoire. Let’s look at developing these skills, using songs two of my singers are working on to demonstrate some techniques. Belt singing usually […]

In life, we’re always learning. As we age, though, we might let go of some goals, thinking we’re too old. But adages like ‘It’s never too late’ and ‘You’re only as old as you feel’ ring true with learning a new skill later in life – like singing. Sometimes we […]

Learning to sing, as with most other types of learning, has been greatly enhanced by digital technology. Online singing training, in particular, gained in popularity during the pandemic’s lockdowns, with singing teachers delivering lessons via video platforms such as Zoom. While video singing training doesn’t allow in-depth tuition, it fulfilled […]

Your jaw plays an important role when you sing. A tense or overactive jaw can limit your articulation and vocal resonance, which detracts from your sound. Jaw issues need patience and persistence to rectify. Let’s look at how your jaw works in singing and ways to free up tension there. […]

In last month’s blog, we looked at how to improve your vocal expression when singing in performance. We briefly touched on some forms of physical expression, too, and in this article, we’ll look more closely at using gesture and movement in singing. Our bodies not only house our vocal instrument, […]

How do you bring a song to life as a singer? It takes more than strong vocal technique. Expert singing teacher, Kathleen Connell shares her tips.

Talking about singing is crucial to learning vocal technique, as it helps your brain focus and remember. Expert singing teacher, Kathleen Connell explains how.

Is singing training different for singer-songwriters? In some ways, yes. Experienced vocal coach, Kathleen Connell shares her tips on how to improve your craft.

Anyone can learn to sing! It takes training more than talent, as well as a commitment to your singing goals. Vocal coach Kathleen Connell explains how.

Mastering mixed voice singing is an essential skill for accomplished, versatile singers. Expert singing teacher Kathleen Connell explains how to achieve it.

Recovering from Covid 19 and upper respiratory illness needs a paced approach as you return to practice and performances. These tips from Kathleen Connell Singing, will assist you to heal and renew your passion for singing.

Taking a targeted approach to your singing goals and practice routine sets you up for more success. Try these singing practice tips from Kathleen Connell.

Vocal agility in singing lets you sing a wider repertoire and improves your voice quality. These tips from expert singing coach Kathleen Connell will help.

Vocal agility in singing lets you sing a wider repertoire and improves your voice quality. These tips from expert singing coach Kathleen Connell will help.

Learning which muscles to use is an important part of efficient breathing for singing. Here, expert singing teacher Kathleen Connell looks at exhalation.

Lockdowns don’t mean an end to learning to sing. Kathleen Connell’s thorough, creative approach to online singing lessons helps her student’s power through their goals.

Expressive singing starts with a strong beat. Our guide to using Tempo Apps which suits your singing needs.