Ryan has actively been using the KTVA technique for just over a year now, what started out as a “let’s try this” has blossomed into a full-fledged monster! Way to go, Ryan!

Here are Ken Tamplin and Sara Loera demonstrating how to sing Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger” – this is an advanced singing lesson. If you are in Volume 3 of our How To Sing – Better Than Anyone Else singing course, you will be able to take this information and make it yours.

GOB SMACKED @ How my voice has COMPLETELY changed TODAY !!!!!!!

Ok guy’s and girls I’m gonna try explain this as best I can…

After last weeks gigs and the vocal strain I went through as I was not 100%

I’ve had complete vocal rest Sunday and Monday.

I decided to start reading the ENTIRE forum yesterday… Yep that’s right – EVERY POST and EVERY PAGE.

Lying in bed last night I had a Million thoughts running through my head, so much so that I couldn’t sleep.  After a few hours of just lying there I got dressed about 5am and started reading more of the forum posts.

About 11am I decided to start my volume 2 workout – half way through it I just didn’t feel I was getting it right probably because of no sleep and my concentration level was low (I’m also just about rid of a head cold too)

I then logged onto YouTube played a few songs and was singing along – very lightly I might add, usually I put a lot into singing and could never sing softly.  I thought that sounds ok – kept singing and I couldn’t believe what was happening.

Any song I put on I was able to sing almost effortlessly ….. Everything from The Script to Michael Jackson to Bon Jovi

I went for a drive in my car – hit the random button and I was singing along to everything with ease and shock !!!!!!!

I’ve just got home writing this my throat still feels naturally open – then again I’ve been singing for 4 hrs straight, vowel mods were automatic breathing was auto pilot and this is hard to convey in words but its like something magic has happened today, keeping in mind I abandoned my workout today (first time ever) it’s just the strangest thing.

I’ve definitely had a massive “a ha” moment.

I’m on such a high right now that I don’t even know if this will make any sense to you guys….

Has anyone had anything like this happen to them?  Although I’ve read the entire forum now and didn’t come across anything

I’m almost afraid to sleep tonight in case I “lose” whatever it is that’s happened

New KTVA vocalists often times come to us thinking they can only sing one particular style or have to stay within a limited range. It doesn’t take long for students to discover that they can pretty much sing anything!

If you are thinking about following your dream of becoming a great singer, please join us at Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy, we’d love to rock your voice beyond anything you can imagine.

Take a peek in the KTVA forum, we have almost 600 amazing singers, sharing their experiences, ideas and songs.

Amazing Singer/Songwriters “The Real Deal” for TV Pilot

CASTING SINGER/SONGWRITERS (PLEASE READ AND PASS ON)18-35 FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR TV DOCUMENTARY ON PEOPLE WHO ARE THE REAL DEAL AND MAKE THEIR LIVING PLAYING AT VENUES SUCH AS THIRD STREET PROMENADE,OC COLLEGES,VENICE BEACH,HUNTINGTON BEACH,HERMOSA BEACH…

I AM LOOKING FOR ORGANIC TALENT WITH A GREAT JOURNEY TO TELL ME ABOUT!!!

PLEASE SUBMIT ASAP to kat.agtcasting@gmail.com

Name
Age
Link
Contact
Where you perform

Thanks

Ken Tamplin:

Yes, much of what I teach is an advanced for of Bel Canto. But instead of “covering” the vowel sounds like traditional Bel Canto, we use a similar technique but open the face into mask (like smiling when we sing) and soften consonant sounds. This requires a different approach to the vowel modifications taught in Bel Canto which I cover in our How To Sing Better Than Anyone Else singing course.

Q1: Open throat?

When doing the scales should I be concerned about keeping the back of my throat open?
Or do i just keep my tongue on the base of mouth and not think about keeping my throat open?
Do we need to constantly look at ourselves in the mirror while doing the scales to check if our throats are opening or uvulas raising?

Answer 1:
keeping the throat open is the key to working the scales.  when i am going through the workout i do watch the back of my throat in a mirror.  I also practise without in order to get the “feel” in the back of the throat.  It’s all about muscle memory.  When i began the series, i focused more on the vowel mods, because they really seemed to free me up immediately.  The tongue position was not a huge concern, just keep it to the base of the mouth.  I have been working series 3 for a few months, and have brought my focus back to the tongue position, experimenting with dropping it slightly as i sing higher.  It does open up the sound even more.  i hope this helps.  Keep on rockin.

Answer 2:
Yes, be concerned. The tongue on the base of the mouth is part of keeping the throat open, just like opening the mouth really wide, not moving the jaw and keeping a bright sound through the whole scale.

Most definately, use the mirror, specially if you’re new to the technique! Gradually, as you get used to the feeling of the open throat, you won’t need it anymore. I feel pretty confident about it now, but once in a while I still use the mirror, just in case.

Followup 1:
Tnx a lot you guys
Awesomely quick response and pretty darn dead on my question
That will be a really big help thank you!

Followup 2:
Not a problem.  we’re all learning, and helping each other out.  Ken is one of the best instructors/singers that i’ve seen.  Just do what he says, and you’ll be fine!:)  good luck on your singing adventure

Q2: Allergy Tricks?
Hi Ken (Happy Easter!), I always dread allergy season (April through June for me) as I get congestion, nasal drip, mucus etc.  I have historically had to make set lists easier during this time, and with the pollens now unleashed I am taking longer to warm up with some initial “gravel” around the vowel mods.  By the end of workout I am usually very close to or at “normal”, it’s just taking longer.  Would you have any suggestions/ exercises to help clean off the chords, etc.?  Thanks!

Answer by Ken Tamplin:
I wish I could give you an easy answer to this but the very best thing you can do is take longer and warm up lighter prior to singing. Post nasal causes the cords to get “thick”.
You DON’T want to continuously “clear” your throat as this will create a viscious cycle of the cords allowing more mucous (to protect themselves thinking they need to stay moist) and you clearing out the Gack.
Warm up gently and easily.
Unfortunately sometimes your warm-ups can take up to twice as long (because you find you need to wait for a couple seconds between certain scales) but the good news is that you will find when you do this you will be at 90+ percent.
I know it sounds crazy to tell someone singing longer is better, but it actually is in this situation.

We can get you started with our 50 Tips To Prepare For And Win Singing Competitions. Here is the final part of this popular 5 part series.

50 Tips To Prepare For And Win Singing Competitions – Part 5:

#41  IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, 2 things: Don’t beat yourself up in front of the judges.  It will show immaturity.  Instead find a funny or light hearted way to either a “re-start” OR it is what it is and “I would be happy to do this again” with confidence.  They know you are a bit nervous and believe it or not do have a heart and some grace.  OR make fun of it “during” and shrug it off and wow them with the rest. Don’t paralyze yourself with a mistake.  AGAIN: NO ONE is perfect.

#42 (#2 of “2 things) In the same spirit of “IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE” even if you totally “blow it” and don’t make the audition it’s not the end of the world. DON’T BEAT YOURSELF UP OVER IT!  Stop whining.  Pick yourself up, learn from your mistakes and move on.  THIS is what makes a great performer.

#43  Know your limitations. Don’t try to be something you are not.  If you are not good at soul and blues licks, don’t let yourself be judged against the soul brutha next to you that will out do you.  Stay within the realm of what you are good at. Pick things that make you shine.

#44  IF YOU DON’T KAKE THE CUT: DON’T ASSUME IT’S BECAUSE YOU DID POORLY. Often times producers are just “looking for something different”. Often times they have already picked out in their mind the ”the winner” is going to be let’s say… a country artist.  So don’t assume it’s because you walked out thinking you did well, weren’t picked and you blame it on yourself. I can’t tell you how many times I have had students leave one audition and not make the cut, and go to another audition SINGING THE EXTACT SAME SAME WITH THE SAME PERFORMANCE LEVEL and make it all the way…because that happened to be the flavor the producer was looking for.

#45  Use your imagination. Don’t do the same things everyone else is doing. There is a big world with LOTS of ways of presenting yourself.  Prove to them YOU ARE AN ARTIST.  And what do artists do? They create.  Create not only greatness, but create uniqueness. THIS is what they are looking for.

#46  Spend time on your instrument (voice). Get good technique.  Spend the time.  Spend the money.  It’s your most precious asset.  Work on it hard. Integrate it so much that it is second nature. THIS will help you rise above the rest.

#47  Congratulate those who have done well. Celebrate their hard work and their success.

#48  Be a gracious “loser”.  You can never really be a loser if you are gracious because they will welcome your coming back and trying again.

#49  Stay true to yourself. Don’t sing things and lyrics you don’t believe in. Sing about things you are passionate about.

#50  Pray before you go on and ask that God will give you the strength to be all you can be. Not for your own glory which is very unsatisfying. But for HIS glory. To use your talent for something beyond yourself and to the inspiration of others to do the same.

Previous Singing Competition Tips:

Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4

The Ken Tamplin Singing Method is a very unique blend of advanced Bel Canto (Operatic style modified for pop and rock) with the Ron Anderson method (premier vocal coach to American Idol and personal touring coach to Chris Cornell, Alicia Keys, Adam Lambert, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, Christian Aguilera, Joss Stone, Barbara Streisand and more).  Ken combines this with years of live touring and recording experience to streamline you onto the fast track toward great singing.

Ken Tamplin’s (almost) complete bio can be found here and Ken Tamplin on IMDb can be found here.

Singing WELL is a physical sensation that has to be experienced in order to properly comprehend. You probably hear your favorite vocalists refer to “being in the pocket” or “I was spot on tonight” or “I blew out on the 5th song argh…” they sing a great (or poor) show.

It is important for your vocal coach to relate to those experiences in order to get you there and to know exactly how to correct them from tried and true experience.

What do you think? What are your experiences?