Performing on Another Dimension
Recently listening and watching the last Cold play concert, I realize that this performance and the artist is the exact embodiment of the Coachsingers philosophy; that a singer is much more than a good voice.
You become an artist not by just working on your voice and singing properly; this is the first part of your task as a singer. Working on your craft, your voice, and your instrument is an important and essential foundation for your singing.
However, we then have a second level that transcends your voice. These are the other skills to develop.
It is the soul and voice together that drive the artist to connect to a new inspirational feeling, to a new stage of his artistry. Training himself to achieve this memorable moment is his goal, his challenge. It is a mission;
to not only sing technically well but to transport the audience with a magical vibe and to deliver his message in a way that causes his musical spirit to unite with the human soul.
In the particular case of the lead singer, from a technical point, he doesn’t have a great voice; breathiness, falsetto sound in his top voice. But who cares? When the song begins, we are transported to the infinity.
This music that creates a vibe, this voice that, with his uniqueness, reaches the hearts of many people.
He is a true artist. Feeling the stage, loving the stage, and giving his best.
Of course there are cases of great singers that also deliver their best vocal performance, for example, Lara Fabian and many others, but there are others that not having the skill completely developed can be great artists .
The journey of the singer has many different variables.
Don’t limit your self to only one. Expand your potential and all your skills to the maximum level.
-Debora Lebendiker-
“Stopping Vs. Quitting”
How It Begins
There is a period in life all too common among singers; the moment when they start to think about giving up. As with every human being, artists also have to confront their own conflicts and struggles of daily life and balance them with their artistic goals.
Those who continue are individuals that have learned how to live with their fears and how to overcome them. On the other hand, when they don’t see the signs, no longer feel the inspiration, do not have the support of those that surround them, or when the daily routine kill their dreams; artists experience the feeling that they want to stop.
As artists, we have no guarantee that we will succeed, nor do we have a formula that protects us from failure. But there is an inner flame that prods us to ‘CONTINUE, CONTINUE, CONTINUE’.
A Necessary Pause
The truth is that sometimes singers do have to stop, to rethink their goals and remind themselves of their dream, their ‘Why’. This moment is the equivalent of a blank page for a songwriter, and could involve a decision to change to a better vocal technique, choose a new style or genre they want to sing. It can even be a total change in personal direction.
You can take this pause to build up the next idea. You can start over as many times as you deem necessary in order to be reborn as the artist you dream to be.
Quitting and Losing The ‘Why’
However, when the singer wants to quit he has lost the meaning of his singing and can not find it anymore. In the midst of his pursuit, all of the challenges have caused him to not just forget, but lose ‘the Why’. When he quits, it is forever and he doesn’t want to start again.
Unfortunately, the singer quits believing that it is not worth it to continue, and that it just will not happen for him. To quit is the death of the artistic desire.
Getting Back on Track To Reality
We sometimes view success as an ‘ideal place’ where we will arrive with no problems and no more strain of our previous efforts. This is not a realistic view. A singer is successful as long as he is doing what he loves-his art, and understanding the meaning of his journey. This process has ups and downs, but as long as he remains in the artistic way, improving his skills and believing in his project, sooner or later he will begin to see the results of his hard work. Passion and consistent belief must accompany this process.
Sometimes with the right help; a coach or some professional assistance, the singer could review this decision with a more realistic view and can be influenced to continue.
Are you feeling like you don’t know how to continue on your artistic path? Do you feel that things are happening to other singers but not for you? Are you thinking about quitting?
If this is your case, ask for help, share your music and review the next steps to continue….
1. Realize that you are not alone. Most artists and singers are going through exactly what you are in this very moment.
2. Never compare yourself to anyone! Everyone has their own journey and path. Focus on your own story and what you have to offer. Develop it and find the people who are waiting for it.
3. Look at the things you have accomplished. Remembering that you are not where you started is great affirmation of where you are going.
4. Define your own success and treat every step towards it as a milestone. Every day that you are still making music puts you closer to your dream.
-Debora Lebendiker-
The Only Thing That Counts Are The Results
Often, I see singers who come to my studio looking to fix different problems. They all have something in common though. They do not feel comfortable with their voices. It would be normal to see artists who want to improve their vocal technique, but what is interesting is that many of these students have already been studying with other vocal coaches.
That is where I start to emphasize the importance of obtaining results in the short-run. It is true that the vocal development takes some time, however working with a vocal coach should generate improvements within a month of vocalization exercises.
There have to be some improvement which creates a feeling of comfort with one’s voice. This will advance the progress. It would not be sensible to wait a whole year to see results. If within a month or two, results are not seen, then it might be time to seek another vocal coach.
The vocal coach has a great responsibility of taking a student and helping him/her to improve his/her voice each day. The harm is done when the coach does not let the student go because the coach cannot accept his or her own teaching limitations. On the other hand, the student continues taking classes because there is a good relationship with the coach, continuing with the classes without realizing the consequences this can have on his/her voice.
My advice is not to go just by nice words and compliments. Seek results that can lead you to achieve excellence as an artist.
-Debora Lebendiker-
You Are The Magic
Honing Your Instrument
When a person decides to begin the journey of learning an instrument, whether piano,
guitar, or any other, he usually understands that there will be a required amount of time
to invest into the matter. The student knows from the very beginning that it will take a
sacrifice of “real” time and dedication to understand, process, practice and ultimately
play the instrument.
The same would apply in the case of a dancer with the desire to learn choreography. She
knows that every day she will need to exercise her body and employ technique to one day
perform the dance.
However, this understanding is one that is lacking in some of the singers that come to my
studio and I see an entirely different approach from them. For some reason, rather than
viewing their voice as an instrument to be honed and crafted, they look for a magic
formula to start singing in the fastest way possible. Whether beginners or advanced, they
seek a prescribed method and date to know “how long it will take to be in good shape as
a singer to make an audition, a recording, or a live performance.
Reality Check vs. Pop Culture TV
Honestly, there is no a magic wand that the Vocal Coach will use on a singer to,
miraculously after a quick vocalization, make him ready for Madison Square Garden.
As a Vocal Coach I cannot predict the amount of time it will take a singer to control his
voice. The voice is an instrument that needs to be developed as any other, and each
singer is a world of his own that needs to be addressed personally with each of his vocal
attributes and all of his skills.
The current pop culture we live in feeds us an overnight success mentality. We watch all
of these TV Shows, where in 2-3 months singers are famous and successful, which lends
itself to the misguided thought that this is the “real world” and the true process. On the
contrary, in our real world singers have to practice long and hard to build up a strong
foundation of their Vocal Technique, and this is usually not a fast cook but one that takes
time. We enjoy the excitement of the overnight success stories, but most of the popular
artists did not have the quick rise to fame as it seems. When we see great performers on
stage, we must realize that the magic we see is a culmination of what they did in
rehearsal for many hours over time. They worked many years before they were ready.
Where The Magic Really Is
The truth is there are no tricks, or magical tips to becoming a good artist. The only
MAGIC that will happen is the one that comes from within you. YOU are the Magic:
Your Voice, Your Singing. This MAGIC will only come as a result of going through the
learning process of Singing and Vocal Technique and all the necessary skills a singer
needs. After much practice and dedication, things will come together seemingly as
magic to those around you. This transformation will occur in the singer’s life, not as a
fast receipt, but as a continual exploration of his artistic world with commitment,
discipline and practice.
To know you are on the right path of your artistic journey, implement these steps:
1. Practice, Practice, Practice! Every great musician practices no matter how skilled.
2. Avoid comparing yourself to others; another artist’s story will often look smoother,
easier from the outside. We are rarely accurate.
3. Trust your talent. Believe that you are great at what you do, at what you have to offer
the world with your voice.
4. Establish your own style and message in your performance, and believe that it is
powerful.
5. Above all: Don’t look for magic outside, The Magic is You!
-Debora Lebendiker-
Singing is a Balance of Repetition and Innovation
When you think about yourself as a singer, how do you imagine yourself?
Are you willing to take your voice to the maximum potential, studying for a long term goal of success? Or is your desire only to be a good performer or singer/ songwriter where you simply use your voice to accompany your originals with an instrument?
In whichever of these cases that apply, you have two important things to think about: Your “Vocal Technique” and your “Creativity.”
To develop control of your voice and your singing it is a requirement to have a good Vocal technique. Simply put, you must practice, practice and practice.
Singing is about “repetition.” It is about doing the same exercise, the same song over and over until it feels right. This is not merely practicing, but rather it is about vocalizing each time in the perfect way.
The goal is not only practicing what we do right, but to exercise what we do wrong. Additionally, it is important to practice with purpose, analyzing each exercise. You should be able to ask of your vocal teacher the purpose of the exercises he or she is addressing with you. This understanding will provide clarity in which areas of the voice you are working to improve and how these particular exercises are intended to help you accomplish results.
Creating daily habits centered around practice and your routine of repetition will help you to improve your skills as a singer. This training will also give you confidence as a singer. Whether you are a beginner or advanced you must work hard to develop and maintain your skills, and your craft: your voice.
In addition to honing your voice as an instrument, being creative is an important skill to develop in your singing as well. You have to be innovative in each performance, with each interpretation. This means not always singing only in your comfort zone, performing the same way as you have before. The main idea is challenging yourself with new ideas, phrasing, emotions; it is about exploring all you can deliver in every one of your performances. Asking yourself for more to reach your audience and going through the song on different channels.
This is not merely about virtuosity, but rather about putting your soul into each concert, and into each song, therefore creating a new reality every time you sing. Singing is about the perfect balance of repetition and innovation. Both must come together to develop the singer and artist you are within.
-Debora Lebendiker-
Your own way
It’s not fast, It’s not slow,
It’s just your rhythm,
The way you move, the way you sing
There is not another way,
There is only your way.
-Debora Lebendiker-
Say YES
When you decide to say YES, you are starting a new journey to conquer the universe.
You feel confident about your future, your projects, about your beliefs.
When you are committed to say Yes, you attract the right people that will start looking at you, accepting you and following you.
Because when you say YES to yourself you feel the power and motivation within you, you know that you are capable to make it, even with all the obstacles, you can see a light.
YES, I will try, I will meet new opportunities, Yes I will make my best.
When you say YES, solutions start to appear, because the magnitude of expansion is infinite.
Everything starts with a YES.
It’s just a change of attitude, one word: the key of a life changing.
You open the door to your faith, your desire, to the awakening.
Be humble to say YES, because it’s only then when you can learn from the past and be ready for the future, you can explore new ways to approach to your new reality.
The “YES” encourages you to take risks and to create new crazy ideas, to dance through your new music and to listen your new voice. A New year is beginning,
I want to welcome this 2015 with a YES .
Today is a New Day
Today is a new day to rethink your goals,
To look at yourself with a new perspective,
To create your new artistry, to explore a new direction if needed,
To write a new song and listen to your new melody,
Today will be a good day ,
To open your mind to new opportunities
To be reborn from your ashes and to feel the power of your singing,
To be thankful for all you have achieved so far and to see the light in your music path.
Today is a new day.
Small Steps, Big Steps
Never underestimate a tiny small step to move to your goal.
It could be a subtle move, but this can take you to a new place, to a new feeling or to an insight of awareness.
One word can start changing your perspective, your determination.
One action can help you to understand a new idea..
Just make it. I believe that starting with a small video brings to you a big movie.
You just need one word to start a new song
One step at a time, and another one and another one takes you to the right choice.
Dont wait for one BIG step,, move slowly but do it!
-Debora Lebendiker-
Life: The Bridge
Life: The Bridge
The feeling of transition from where you are to a different situation.
A place of exploration, of going deep into your doubts and fears, a momentum of self -discovery.
Sometimes is painful, uncomfortable because of the uncertain, of the unknown but It’s not a place to stay forever.
A LIGHT is waiting for you and opportunities are in the other side of the river,
But first you must learn to be on this bridge for a while understanding your why.. The meaning of your artistic path , the pure and genuine desire, and then and only then, the change and awakening will come.
-Debora Lebendiker-