Singing

You are probably reading this page because you would either like to learn to sing or improve a voice that already sings. The message from me is very clear. Finding or improving your singing is not difficult and if, as you sit there reading this, you are breathing, you already possess all the mechanical 'bits' to begin right now. In fact, why not begin right now? This little game is likely to improve every voice, however advanced is your skill. On a large piece of paper write out all the syllables in your name like this

E - liz - a - beth - Wor - thing - ton

If any of the syllables end in a consonant that closes your mouth, like 'liz', 'beth' or 'thing' move the end consonants onto the next syllable like this

E - li - za - be - thwor - thi - ngto -

Now sing a different pitch on each syllable, throwing the pitch all over the place but keeping the syllables joined up to complete the name (stick the last 'n' on the end of the line). When you've done it a couple of times try doing two different pitches on each syllable. With these syllables the mouth doesn't close at the end. The vowel can last as long as you like. Now break up other phrases like this and sing them.

That was your first singing lesson. Message: sing long vowels because the voice only does vowels. Consonants must only appear at the beginning of the syllable if they don't rewrite the text so that they do. VoiceGym is designed around simple approaches like this.

So what about people who think they cannot sing, or sing out of tune?

Some people have been positively cut off from singing. This includes those who sing out of tune, those who believe they cannot sing, those who believe they are too old too sing, those who have no support for this thing they love to do from family or friends because it sounds terrible and those who have never been given the opportunity to develop singing in their lives. Don't feel isolated- you make up the majority of the population of the Western World!

All of these beliefs are tragic because they are untrue and usually inflicted on children by people who know nothing about voice development. Once someone has told you you can't sing it is unlikely that you will try, but the nonsinger coming to VoiceGym actually has advantages. You begin with a clean sheet, picking up the threads of a voice and body system with the enthusiasm of discovering a long awaited opportunity. Voice Gym provides an opportunity for 'back to basics' and non-singers and singers alike both benefit from this fresh look at things about voice they may never have understood.

The student of singing, Professional Singer, or a singing teacher needs to note this

Even now, in the 21st Century, the training of singers, from graded examinations to advanced work in Colleges of Music, has no courses in functional anatomy or physiology, no physical fitness training, no requirement to study or understand the evolution and development of the voice and no supportive problem solving policy - you are not supposed to have problems1.  As long as the instrument already works, it is assumed that it will go on working. The Professional Voice Gym Course addresses all these gaps in voice training.

The one-to-one Professional VoiceGym Course for singers

After an initial consultation, the Course comprises eight one-to-one sessions of at least one hour with Angela Caine. The first four sessions introduce VoiceGym to develop the quality, resonance and range and understanding of your voice. Ideally the sessions are every two weeks, but the course needs to be flexible to allow for both the demands of your working life and the progress your voice makes. That is taken in to account in the planning and throughout the course. I do ask for reasonable notice to change the times of sessions - at least 24 hours

The content of the last two sessions will be determined by your personal and professional needs. They may be geared to repertoire, performance, teaching or lecturing, or a combination of all. A variety of additional material and exercises will be presented as required in response to your direction of application. You are also encouraged to bring you own singing repertoire The course is an opportunity to discuss the information in VoiceGym Book with the author.

This is the course recommended for professional voices as it teaches the application of VoiceGym to specific voice and performance skills, while also introducing voice maintenance as 'a voice for life' concept. The fundamental aim of the course is to put you in control of your own voice through knowledge and understanding. This is absolutely vital for the professional singer and would begin a regeneration in the teaching of singing.

The one-to-one professional course includes a complete VoiceGym Pack.

DIY with the VoiceGym Pack

The Voice Gym programme, tried and tested for success over ten years at the Voice and Body Centre, has finally been published as a course that you can work through by yourself at home to put singing into your life. You can buy the Package from the Voice and Body Centre, or over the Internet.

You buy the VoiceGym Pack at a two hour teaching session booked with Angela, who will use this time to discuss your aims, listen to your voice for any special considerations and then take you through Part 1. You book the next session when you are ready to move on and you feel you need some more motivation and encouragement. Individual sessions are booked by e-mail or telephone.

Consultancy for Professional Singers

Professional voices - already working in performance - can be introduced to networks of other disciplines working with Angela across the barriers of performance-related problems. The common approach in the UK for training a professional singer is to develop the voice by means of scales, vocal exercises, graded examinations and what is considered to be helpful 'training repertoire'. No account is taken in this system for physical development, except on a purely cosmetic level. If the singer looks attractive while singing, moves well and passes all musical and singing tests with flying colours, it is generally assumed that the transition from amateur student to professional musician is a matter of presentation and publicity. Thus it is often only when a singer takes on a professional work load that the extra physical demand of this life commitment is realised.

Singing requires the balance and co-ordination of an Olympic ice skater if it is to be successful as a career. Like all athletic systems voices require voice and body exercise maintenance. Many singers begin to sing extended repertoire without building the muscle systems to provide strength for this extra power or the staying power for running a life of marketing oneself, rehearsals and performance in parallel with home and family. Ideally anyone considering a professional musical career should be assessed for physical, musical and vocal integrity and efficiency before committing to an advanced course in performance, but this rarely happens..

The Voice and Body Centre belongs to a network of 'voice-aware' clinicians which covers most areas of the UK, so you can be referred to a dentist, cranial therapist, osteopath or chiropractor in your own area with the security of knowing that correction and maintenance of the important instrument you play are available to you for life. All of this information is also provided in the VoiceGym Book: part of the VoiceGym maintenance system for voice. Discover how to have a trouble free career.

Can I book Individual Singing Lessons?

Individual Singing Lessons with Angela Caine are only offered to those who have studied VoiceGym, either as part of the professional course in the Centre with Angela, or yourself at home. When the voice has been developed through VoiceGym, its mechanics are understood and maintained. This saves you both time and money and you are ready to be introduced to a great variety of singing repertoire. The classical repertoire extends the whole system of mind, body and voice, demanding precision of execution and style.  Pop, Jazz, Swing, Rap and the Music Theatre repertoire extend rhythm, words and imagination into different and interesting demands. You can only call yourself a singer when you can sing anything at will, in the appropriate style and well. Flexibility is the mark of a good voice. VoiceGym guarantees this flexibility.