VocalQuarters
… with renowned voice coach Diana Yampolsky
As much as it’s a shame when vocal talent goes unrecognised or untapped, it’s even worse when a vocalist becomes so conscious of their own abilities that in their self-absorption they forget about their audience.
As a world-renowned vocal coach, voice repair specialist, and author, there are few things Diana Yampolsky doesn’t know about the human voice and how to get it to perform at its peak.
Having helped a myriad of stars achieve their vocal potential, including Our Lady Peace singer Raine Maida (US Top 10, Canada No.1), Canadian Idol winner Brian Melo (Canada Gold), singer-songwriter Anjulie (US Dance No.1), and recent Interscope signee Cindy Gomez, she is on hand to help you too whatever your ability! According to Ms. Yampolsky, while 25% of a singer’s performance is grounded in talent, 75% relies on coaching.
Me, Myself … and my voice!
by Diana Yampolsky
“The egoistic approach is the worst approach to singing because it separates the singer from the audience rather than bringing the two together.”
Music is often called the world’s greatest communication tool. An effective piece of music crosses national boundaries and a good song transgresses any language barriers. However, I have found that many aspiring singer don’t realise this and fail to take advantage of its power.
Singing is a great vehicle for communication – ideas, emotions, lust, love, pain, frustrations etc. Through singing you can communicate them more efficiently and personally than with any other art form, be it film, writing or dance.
For those that unfamiliar with it, I would like to explain the meaning of the word narcissism. It comes from a Greek myth - Narcissus was a beautiful youth who refused the love of a nymph named Echo. In punishment the goddess Aphrodite condemns him to fall hopelessly in love with his own image. Narcissus sees his reflection in a clear pool, unaware it’s his own, and finds he can’t pull himself away. Eventually he dies as a result of this curse.
Throughout the 30 odd years I have been teaching quite a number of modern day Narcissuses have passed through my studio doors and they have been among my most difficult students. In being so self-absorbed in the sound of their own voice they forget the need to communicate something to the audience.
Not too long ago, one of the major record companies sent me a student who had a lot of natural singing talent that needed refining. It was clear from the moment he opened his mouth that he had a truly beautiful voice and it was also obvious that he had absolutely no idea how to use it. Although, in truth, it was only obvious to me, he was completely oblivious!
His singing was like a form of vocal self-satisfaction - he was satisfying himself but not his audience. What’s more it was clear he didn’t care.
The egoistic approach is the worst approach to singing because it separates the singer from the audience rather than bringing the two together. You could actually hear the conceit and arrogance in his singing and the lyrics all sounded insincere and unauthentic. In previous articles I have always stressed that the best singers are naturally willing to share part of themselves with the listeners. This student was the exact opposite - he was only concerned with his own needs and not with those of the audience.
The reason that he was difficult to teach was not because he was unintelligent or lacking in talented. He was actually very smart and musically gifted. Instead it was the same conceit and self-absorption that prevented him from sharing himself with the audience that also prevented him from receiving what I had to offer with ease. With my extensive experience - and having witnessed many other ‘vocal narcissists’ - I was able to get through and teach him everything I had to offer, but it was exhausting and took a lot out of me.
Vocal narcissism is very sad if it goes untreated because it is very much like a beautiful instrument that is being played by someone who doesn’t know how to do it justice.
I have a wonderful, unique piano in my studio that I brought with me from Russia over 30 years ago. By itself, it is only a piece of furniture. It takes a really good player to do it full justice. It takes two – the instrument and the player.
A naturally beautiful voice is a gift and an instrument for vocal communication from god and to waste it is a very sad thing indeed. You should always be aware that, as a singer, you are both the instrument and a player.
Vocal narcissism always results in singing that will leave the audience unsatisfied because although the singer may have a beautiful voice they are not an adequate player of their given instrument. Only one-way communication and one-way satisfaction takes place, and so it’s not love, lust, pain or frustration being broadcast to the audience but the overwhelming message, “Me, Myself and my voice!”
Besides writing a regular column for HitQuarters, Diana Yampolsky is available for a special Q&A session to answer any specialist questions you might have about vocal performance, technique, care etc. Please send any questions to Diana here
Read On ...
* Voice problems a positive occurrence for aspiring singers?
* How NOT to Become a Singer
… and work harder at doing it
* Vocal Parts – Vocal Assembly
… and how that contributes to total vocal performance
* Vocal Science - Flight to the Universe
* Vocal Insurance – Secure Your Investment!
* The Technical Elements of Vocal Style
* Psychology of Performance - Pavlovian Conditioning
* Vocal Speaking - The Cutting Edge
* Introductory Interview with Diana Yampolsky
