Frequently Asked Questions
We get a lot of similar questions about our Ken Tamplin Vocal Acadamy singing courses, so we compiled a list of the question we get asked most. If your question isn’t listed here, please leave a comment at the bottom of this page and we will answer it here.
*** Please note: We are moving our FAQ over to our brand new Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy Forums – if you have new questions, please ask them here. LINK TO FORUMS ***
How do I know when it’s time to move on from Volume one to Volume 2?
When:
You have good posture
You understand and are using correct support
Your tongue is dropped to the base of your jaw
You keep you jaw wide open
You are consistently monitoring stress away from the chest neck and throat
You have a strong understanding of the Ah vowel
You are keeping the ah vowel nice and bright at all times
You are starting to understand vowel modificationsYou would then apply the video content to the audio workout (ideally) 5-6 days per week.
After about 2-3 weeks of this kind of training (some people take longer and that’s ok), it would be time to move on to Volume 2.
How To Know When It Is Time To Move On To Volume 3?
Your diaphragmatic support is working well and you use it every time you start a scale and relaxing it between phrases maximizing diaphragmatic strength with release.
You are monitoring your tension in the chest neck and throat and You are shaking off any and all tension when ascending and descending a scale
Your tongue is dropped to the base of the jaw. (use a mirror to monitor this)
Your jaw/mouth is open as wide as you can make it and your jaw doesn’t move (shift) during an exercise. (use a mirror to monitor this)
You are singing your Ah, Oh and EE Vowels nice and bright not “covering” the sound
You are using your vowel modifications in all of your exercises on your audio workout AND you make sure that the modifications are the same going up as they are coming down (they will happen in the same place on the scale going up as coming down. Also remember to “re-open” the vowel on the way down. This is a common mistake to forget and “hang on” to the vowel modification and “drag” it on the way back down)
You are now connecting your chest register with your head voice without hearing the register break (the yodel or as I refer to…the “Speed Bump”). You are slowly starting to “lean” into this “passagio” or “break” area without hearing the Speed Bump adding only as much “weight” into the sound before hearing the break.
You are slowly and lightly “stretching” your chest register waiting as long as possible before “handing it off” into your head register AND you are re-connecting back into your chest register as soon as possible from the head voice not “dragging” the head voice down into the chest register.
You are not “favoring” the break area but are consistent with the volume (loudness) of your voice only singing as “loud” as you can connect.
Most people move on to Volume 3 on about 3-4 weeks of working this course, though again everyone’s voice is different and so times will vary.
How do I do Volume 1?
How do I do Volume 2?
How do I do Volume 3?
All the ‘How To’s’ are included with the respective singing lessons.
Singing When “Older”
I get this question all the time. I’ve lost my Mo Jo and much of my range because I’m now ….years old.
Remember, your voice is a muscle. And like any muscle in your body, if trained properly, can be built back up. Obviously not as quick and robust as in your 20′s, but very doable just the same.It will require a bit more dedication and a little more patience. If you are consistent with it, you will see substantial gains and ultimately find yourself very close to where you were if you are willing to put in the time and energy.
Guys, you will get out of this what you put into it. It’s just that simple!
I really want to buy the bundle of course, is it really worth it?
The bundle is an insane value.
The regular bundle not only gives you all 3 Volumes, but also includes the original stages AND a TON of killer bonus material like:
The Secret To Live Singing
Licks & Trick DVD
How To Write A Song
Guitar Chords
a complete guide to singing for a living
a list of band manages and a ton more!The Gold Bundle includes all of this PLUS a killer price break for 3 online and (or) in studio lessons
How do I improve my vibrato?
Though many think that vibrato is something you are born with, this is not true. Vibrato is learned. I had to learn it, and you can too.
Start by singing a note and holding it. Let’s say the note you are singing is an “E”, slowly toggle between the E you are holding and one half step down (Eb).
Then as you feel more comfortable, try to pick up the speed of this toggling between E and Eb.Try not to get discouraged. It will seem awkward at first but as you develop this, it will become easier and easier until you will land that vibrato that works best for your voice.
Ultimately, this will be the last “release valve” and “reasonance” builder I cover in my Volumes.
Can you teach me how to sing really high notes?
Yes I can.
The first and most important thing is to sing correctly. Then is is extremely important to build the mid voice first BEFORE worrying so much about high notes.
Why?
Because if you don’t build the mid voice first and make it strong, over time, only singing high notes will break down you mid voice and you WILL lose your vocal range. Then the next thing to go will be those high notes you were so worried about. However, if you build the mid voice as I lay out in my Volumes, not only will the high notes come along for the ride, but your voice will last a lifetime.
Is your course only for professional singers?
My course ranges from people just getting started all the way to the most professional singers.
No it is not only for professional singers. And ironically, even some of the most “advanced” professional singers are still missing some of the most basic elements that it takes to maintain a healthy voice.
Can you teach me how sing like Axel Rose?
Axel uses a technique called “Mask.”
It is the idea of “smiling” into your phrases while singing. This provides a very “bright timbre” in the voice. I teach this in my How To Sing DVDs. I also add several important elements that go far beyond only using this technique.
*** Please note: We are moving our FAQ over to our brand new Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy Forums – if you have new questions, please ask them here. LINK TO FORUMS ***