American Idol Fans.... you can go to my website for notes on tonight's show, http://www.dotsvoicestudios.com but this video will share 4 Integrative Vocal Steps All Empowered Singers Must Know!
Then you can Win at American Idol or do whatever you want with the knowledge! Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Los Angeles Vocal Coach Dot Todman Will Teach You how to Build Your C.O.R.E. Power!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Dot's American Idol Recap: Top 5 with Jamie Foxx - Free Vocal Tips 4/28/09
To buy Dot's Warm up CD, visit http://dotsvoicestudios.com/index.php...
Los Angeles Vocal Coach Dot Todman advises the Top 5 American Idol Contestants and provides secrets to singing with an empowered voice. For more notes and advice to Idol Contestants, visit http://www.dotsidolvlog.com.
Kris Allen: The Way You Look Tonight
Allison Iraheta: Someone to Watch Over Me
Matt Giraud: My Funny Valentine
Danny Gokey: Come Rain or Shine
Adam Lambert: Feelin Good
Want to read what Hollywood Vocal Empowerment Coach Dot Todman Said about each of the performances? Login at http://www.dotsidolvlog.com
How Artists Step Up Their Game
(Every week of American Idol Season 8, Dot has been taking notes, giving written advice to each contestant and filming instructional vlogs!
We said goodbye to Matt G this week, who was just beginning to tap into this.
The great lesson of this week had to do with everything we have been talking about since day one of my Idol Vlogs and Blogs! Poor Randy just calls it "singing," but at the end of the day, he too is looking for the whole authentic picture. This week, in my humble opinion,
American Idol had the BEST MENTOR of the season - because Jamie Foxx challenged every singer to get the singers to find a connection to the words, because obviously they can all "sing."
In addition, all five performers already have the first TWO of my Artist Awareness Components figured out. They all know their best vocal QUALITIES (for the most part) and they all know how to EMBODY what they have to offer in the right song choice. So the last component I've been mentioning all along, is SUBTEXT: commit to what the song means to you, and tell a story. Remember, the audience cares about how you make them feel when you sing!
Did you notice how Jamie Foxx focused on SUBTEXT the entire evening with every singer, and did you see how much each singer grew in their performance from last week?
Actors know about subtext, because they have to bring so much more to their words than just the word written in the script, and they have to do this from a real place. They learn to tap in to the ENERGY of the meaning of that word. Jamie Foxx is not only an extraordinary actor, but an award winning singer. Now, does it make even more sense as to why? He knows the secret behind how to Connect Authentically to a song!
Again, it's called SUBTEXT and in order to do it at the deepest, most powerful level you have to know who you are first. The deeper your connection to yourself and your
feelings, the more powerful you can convey what you are feeling to others.
Jamie Foxx challenged each singer to get in touch with what they were feeling.
With Allison, he told her to think of her family while singing "Someone to Watch Over Me."
Kris, was already present during his performance with Jamie, and Jamie told him so.
He told Matt "My Funny Valentine is a big song, so have a thought for each part." That was great advice!
With Danny, Jamie got right in his face and showed him his walls and made him deal with them to bring out his vulnerability. And the key to EMPOWERMENT is VULNERABILITY. He described Danny as channeling and embodying what he felt! Hey - has he been on my site cuz those are totally Dot words already!
With Adam, they were both on the same page, and he tapped in and knew Adam was committed all the way through. That's it.
So, from here on out, the competition gets more interesting now, because we're dealing more with how well each artist is committed to the message of the song they choose, than anything (assuming that they have figured out how to choose the right song!
The great lesson of this week had to do with everything we have been talking about since day one of my Idol Vlogs and Blogs! Poor Randy just calls it "singing," but at the end of the day, he too is looking for the whole authentic picture. This week, in my humble opinion,
American Idol had the BEST MENTOR of the season - because Jamie Foxx challenged every singer to get the singers to find a connection to the words, because obviously they can all "sing."
In addition, all five performers already have the first TWO of my Artist Awareness Components figured out. They all know their best vocal QUALITIES (for the most part) and they all know how to EMBODY what they have to offer in the right song choice. So the last component I've been mentioning all along, is SUBTEXT: commit to what the song means to you, and tell a story. Remember, the audience cares about how you make them feel when you sing!
Did you notice how Jamie Foxx focused on SUBTEXT the entire evening with every singer, and did you see how much each singer grew in their performance from last week?
Actors know about subtext, because they have to bring so much more to their words than just the word written in the script, and they have to do this from a real place. They learn to tap in to the ENERGY of the meaning of that word. Jamie Foxx is not only an extraordinary actor, but an award winning singer. Now, does it make even more sense as to why? He knows the secret behind how to Connect Authentically to a song!
Again, it's called SUBTEXT and in order to do it at the deepest, most powerful level you have to know who you are first. The deeper your connection to yourself and your
feelings, the more powerful you can convey what you are feeling to others.
Jamie Foxx challenged each singer to get in touch with what they were feeling.
With Allison, he told her to think of her family while singing "Someone to Watch Over Me."
Kris, was already present during his performance with Jamie, and Jamie told him so.
He told Matt "My Funny Valentine is a big song, so have a thought for each part." That was great advice!
With Danny, Jamie got right in his face and showed him his walls and made him deal with them to bring out his vulnerability. And the key to EMPOWERMENT is VULNERABILITY. He described Danny as channeling and embodying what he felt! Hey - has he been on my site cuz those are totally Dot words already!
With Adam, they were both on the same page, and he tapped in and knew Adam was committed all the way through. That's it.
So, from here on out, the competition gets more interesting now, because we're dealing more with how well each artist is committed to the message of the song they choose, than anything (assuming that they have figured out how to choose the right song!
WANT TO READ MORE?
LOGIN at http://www.dotsidolvlog.com and CLICK HERE to read more of Dot's reactions to Wednesday night's show, featuring Jamie Foxx!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Dot's American Idol Advice 4/21/09
Los Angeles Vocal Coach Dot Todman highlights her top 3 and honorable mentions from Disco Night. Dot's C.O.R.E. Power Video download Coming Soon at http://www.dotsvoicestudios.com
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
How To Empower Yourself As A Singer
(Want to read Dot's Latest Idol notes from April 21st? Click Here)
Have you been watching American Idol? Many people are upset about 24-year old Lil Rounds, who obviously has an amazing voice; a thick, rich, deep, full, velvety voice, able to powerhouse when desired. She started off the competition strong, belting out songs like Mary J Blige’s "Be Without You," but from there it just seemed to go downhill for her—according to the judges.
Is it true that lately she has even been wavering in pitch as well as her song choice? Why has she been receiving such harsh criticism for a lady who can obviously sing, but just can’t seem to figure out songs that suit her? Finally, last night, she made a wiser choice, but was it enough to save her?
For over twenty years as a pro singer and Vocal Coach, having gone through my own vocal journey and witnessing many as well, I can honestly say that Lil is no different than most people, whether they are professional artists, or just your average person who likes to sing. Being an empowered singer boils down to one thing: OBJECTIVITY, and most people struggle with this very thing.
In order to understand your own vocal journey, it’s important to look at why people make the choices they do. Before pointing our fingers at Lil, let’s see if we are guilty of making the same mistakes.
For example, notice how you answer any of the following questions:
1. When was the last time you accepted at the heart level, a complement about your voice without trying to downplay it?
2. Can you personally identify what is unique and amazing about your voice and be 100% sure about that?
3. Can you remember the last time you tried to make an excuse about your voice, just before you sang?
4. Do the songs you enjoy singing or writing, bring out the best in your voice?
A trap I see many artists fall into is that of self-indulgence. You ask them, “What kind of music do you like to sing?”
Common response: “EVERYTHING! I like to sing all kinds of music.”
Result for Artists: A lack of success.
Why? Not because they didn’t pigeon-hole themselves into a category—it’s beyond that. The truth is, they really do love every kind of music, but what they don’t realize is what they have to offer as a singer.
For example, a very, very thin person may like to wear many styles of clothing, but generally speaking, not everything is going to look “good” on them. If a thin person were to wear vertical pin-stripes, they tend to accentuate the thin-ness, which could essentially backfire. We would see a very thin person looking even thinner for no good reason, and just ask, “Why?”
On the other hand, if that same person wore big, bulky, baggy clothes, then she’s hiding what she has, and it’s not even clear what might be under all of that bulk. People become suspicious, “What is she trying to hide?” She also loses touch with her own figure over time and forgets that she has access to other choices of clothing.
Why not just get something that fits?
A good fit won’t be obnoxious and screaming for attention, and it won’t be under-rating itself. It will just be WHAT IT IS. We have to know our size in order to know what fits. We must be wiling to look in the mirror and see the naked truth of what we are, because everybody else can see their version of us anyway.
Empowered singers are just being what they are and accepting it, every step of the way.
FIGURING IT ALL OUT...
The good news is “There is NOTHING to figure out... only to realize.”
Most singers tend to think they should be very critical about their voice.
“The only way I can improve is if I can find out what’s wrong with it and fix it!”
When singers “Realize” what they have to offer, and how the actual process by which a voice evolves and gets better, they stop fighting that old losing battle of trying to fix themselves. They begin to recognize that there is no “battle” anymore, except the one that used to go on in their own head.
Empowered Artists who make the fastest growth do the following:
1. Take an honest look at your beliefs about your voice and see if there are limiting ones. If there are, make the choice to change that. Need help? Click Here.
2. Start noticing what is great about your voice. If you don’t know, then do the following:
a) Record yourself when you’re just goofing around singing, not “trying” to sing.
b) Listen with an open heart
c) Notice how it FEELS to sing
d) Ask people whom you trust (except your mother and most family members).
e) Use my Integrative Vocal Empowerment System that will help you experience the great power and qualities of your voice in a deep way. It begins with purchasing my Practicing with CORE Power CD, or studying privately with me by calling 310-497-6193, or over the phone, or online via Skype.
(*Note: If we need to notice what is right about our voice in order to choose the right song to bring out more of those great qualities, then how is picking our voice apart going to help it grow? Picking it apart has the exact opposite effect. It stops our voice from growing and makes us rigid, unsure, cautious and too mechanical. Sound familiar?)
The most empowering thing an artist can do is to know and love their voice.
Believe it or not, in 20 years of teaching hundreds of thousands of people, I have never met a person whose voice did not have something great about it. If you are still struggling with your “inner critic,” then click here to read about How to overcome the Inner Critic.
3. Find songs that allow you to EMBODY your great vocal qualities. For example, if I have a low, rich, full, exciting voice, then I would want to find songs that I could pour my energy into and that suited my exciting personality. I wouldn’t pick a song in a high key that was slow and operatic in nature, because that’s not my personality or gift. As your voice evolves, so do your choices, but start with what you know. This process is something that needs to be explored with each individual artist.
4. When you sing a song, do it with COMMITMENT to what it’s message means to you. (Subtext).
So, this coming week, if you do watch American Idol, let’s see if Lil has finally figured out what makes her great as an artist, and if she picks a song that does this. If she does the four things I listed above, she will remain in the competition. If not, this could very well be her last week on the show.... but life does not end after American Idol! It’s just a show already. Thank goodness we have our entire lives to evolve and realize our greatest gifts that are already within. Keep singing and shining like a Superstar!
To Read Dot’s latest Vocal Advice for Lil Rounds and the Idol Contestants, Login and click HERE
Have you been watching American Idol? Many people are upset about 24-year old Lil Rounds, who obviously has an amazing voice; a thick, rich, deep, full, velvety voice, able to powerhouse when desired. She started off the competition strong, belting out songs like Mary J Blige’s "Be Without You," but from there it just seemed to go downhill for her—according to the judges.
Is it true that lately she has even been wavering in pitch as well as her song choice? Why has she been receiving such harsh criticism for a lady who can obviously sing, but just can’t seem to figure out songs that suit her? Finally, last night, she made a wiser choice, but was it enough to save her?
For over twenty years as a pro singer and Vocal Coach, having gone through my own vocal journey and witnessing many as well, I can honestly say that Lil is no different than most people, whether they are professional artists, or just your average person who likes to sing. Being an empowered singer boils down to one thing: OBJECTIVITY, and most people struggle with this very thing.
In order to understand your own vocal journey, it’s important to look at why people make the choices they do. Before pointing our fingers at Lil, let’s see if we are guilty of making the same mistakes.
For example, notice how you answer any of the following questions:
1. When was the last time you accepted at the heart level, a complement about your voice without trying to downplay it?
2. Can you personally identify what is unique and amazing about your voice and be 100% sure about that?
3. Can you remember the last time you tried to make an excuse about your voice, just before you sang?
4. Do the songs you enjoy singing or writing, bring out the best in your voice?
A trap I see many artists fall into is that of self-indulgence. You ask them, “What kind of music do you like to sing?”
Common response: “EVERYTHING! I like to sing all kinds of music.”
Result for Artists: A lack of success.
Why? Not because they didn’t pigeon-hole themselves into a category—it’s beyond that. The truth is, they really do love every kind of music, but what they don’t realize is what they have to offer as a singer.
For example, a very, very thin person may like to wear many styles of clothing, but generally speaking, not everything is going to look “good” on them. If a thin person were to wear vertical pin-stripes, they tend to accentuate the thin-ness, which could essentially backfire. We would see a very thin person looking even thinner for no good reason, and just ask, “Why?”
On the other hand, if that same person wore big, bulky, baggy clothes, then she’s hiding what she has, and it’s not even clear what might be under all of that bulk. People become suspicious, “What is she trying to hide?” She also loses touch with her own figure over time and forgets that she has access to other choices of clothing.
Why not just get something that fits?
A good fit won’t be obnoxious and screaming for attention, and it won’t be under-rating itself. It will just be WHAT IT IS. We have to know our size in order to know what fits. We must be wiling to look in the mirror and see the naked truth of what we are, because everybody else can see their version of us anyway.
Empowered singers are just being what they are and accepting it, every step of the way.
FIGURING IT ALL OUT...
The good news is “There is NOTHING to figure out... only to realize.”
Most singers tend to think they should be very critical about their voice.
“The only way I can improve is if I can find out what’s wrong with it and fix it!”
When singers “Realize” what they have to offer, and how the actual process by which a voice evolves and gets better, they stop fighting that old losing battle of trying to fix themselves. They begin to recognize that there is no “battle” anymore, except the one that used to go on in their own head.
Empowered Artists who make the fastest growth do the following:
1. Take an honest look at your beliefs about your voice and see if there are limiting ones. If there are, make the choice to change that. Need help? Click Here.
2. Start noticing what is great about your voice. If you don’t know, then do the following:
a) Record yourself when you’re just goofing around singing, not “trying” to sing.
b) Listen with an open heart
c) Notice how it FEELS to sing
d) Ask people whom you trust (except your mother and most family members).
e) Use my Integrative Vocal Empowerment System that will help you experience the great power and qualities of your voice in a deep way. It begins with purchasing my Practicing with CORE Power CD, or studying privately with me by calling 310-497-6193, or over the phone, or online via Skype.
(*Note: If we need to notice what is right about our voice in order to choose the right song to bring out more of those great qualities, then how is picking our voice apart going to help it grow? Picking it apart has the exact opposite effect. It stops our voice from growing and makes us rigid, unsure, cautious and too mechanical. Sound familiar?)
The most empowering thing an artist can do is to know and love their voice.
Believe it or not, in 20 years of teaching hundreds of thousands of people, I have never met a person whose voice did not have something great about it. If you are still struggling with your “inner critic,” then click here to read about How to overcome the Inner Critic.
3. Find songs that allow you to EMBODY your great vocal qualities. For example, if I have a low, rich, full, exciting voice, then I would want to find songs that I could pour my energy into and that suited my exciting personality. I wouldn’t pick a song in a high key that was slow and operatic in nature, because that’s not my personality or gift. As your voice evolves, so do your choices, but start with what you know. This process is something that needs to be explored with each individual artist.
4. When you sing a song, do it with COMMITMENT to what it’s message means to you. (Subtext).
So, this coming week, if you do watch American Idol, let’s see if Lil has finally figured out what makes her great as an artist, and if she picks a song that does this. If she does the four things I listed above, she will remain in the competition. If not, this could very well be her last week on the show.... but life does not end after American Idol! It’s just a show already. Thank goodness we have our entire lives to evolve and realize our greatest gifts that are already within. Keep singing and shining like a Superstar!
To Read Dot’s latest Vocal Advice for Lil Rounds and the Idol Contestants, Login and click HERE
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
American Idol Recap 4/14/09
To read Vocal Coach Dot Todman's notes on each performance, visit http://www.dotsidolvlog.com
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Dot's American Idol Advice 3/31/09 Top 100, Free Vocal Tips
Adam Lambert, Anoop Desai Lil Rounds, Kris, Allen, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Scott McIntyre.
Judges:
Paula Abdul Randy Randy Jackson Ryan Seacrest Simon Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi
Get singing lessons and free vocal tips from Dot Todman by visiting http://www.dotsidolvlog.com
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