The Art of Singing Onstage and in the Studio: Understanding the Psychology, Relationships and Technology in Performing and Recording

by Jennifer Hamady

Overview

(Book). To be a great singer, talent and technique are obviously important, as are having excellent songs and being able to move an audience. But there's more to it than that, including two critical skills that are rarely, if ever, addressed in vocal training: managing the technology on stage and in the studio, and interacting with the people who run it. No matter how fantastic your voice is or how much money is behind you, if you don't know how to work with performing and recording technology, you're in for a tough ride. Countless phenomenal singers stagnate professionally and even leave the business because they can't figure out how to deliver when using studio headphones and stage monitors, or how to communicate their needs to producers and engineers. And many less-capable singers get ahead because they can. The Art of Singing on Stage and in the Studio is the only book that comprehensively addresses these critical issues in an easy-to-read, accessible style. Starting with a discussion of the evolution of technology and the voice in our culture, it also explores the root causes of anxiety-related performance issues and, more importantly, how to overcome them. Singers, performers, producers, and engineers will all come away from this book more knowledgeable about the origins of their fields, empowered in the tools of their trade, and clearer on how to best communicate with one another.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781495050268
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/01/2016
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	697,836
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Jennifer Hamady (New York City) is a voice coach and board-certified therapist specializing in technical and emotional issues that interfere with self-expression. Her clients include Grammy, Country Music Award, and American Music Award winners, contestants on American Idol and The Voice, and performers in Emmy and Tony Award-winning productions, as well as corporate and creative clients across an array of industries. Hamady began her career singing and recording with artists including Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Patti LaBelle, Wyclef Jean, and Def Leppard, as well as performing as a lead singer with Cirque du Soleil and as a backup vocalist on American Idol. Her first book, The Art of Singing: Discovering and Developing Your True Voice, has been heralded as a breakthrough in the psychology of musical and personal performance and remains a top seller in the field. She frequently conducts master classes and workshops on creative expression, and writes for the Huffington Post and Psychology Today. Her website is www.JenniferHamady.com.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Part 1 Setting the Stage

Introduction 3

The Journey Continues 3

The Voice, Performance, and Performance Anxiety 4

Stage and Studio Technology 5

Relationships: Singers, Producers, and Engineers 5

Bringing It All Together 7

A Few Things to Consider 8

Chapter 1 The Emergence of Technology 11

A Different World 11

Technology in Music 11

A Bit of Perspective 12

The Implications of Technology 13

Chapter 2 A History of the Voice 16

Communion and Community 16

Safety and Invitation 16

The Journey of the Voice 17

Melody and Memory 18

The Role of the Voice 21

Chapter 3 The Rise of the New Voice 22

Musicality: From Song to Speech 22

Meaning: From Communal to Individual Experience 23

Manageability: From Confidence to Caution 24

The Three Changes 25

Chapter 4 The Birth of Performance and Performance Anxiety 27

Singing 27

Performing 27

Performance Anxiety 30

A New Beginning 38

Part 2 Enter the Cast

Chapter 5 Singers, Producers, and Engineers 43

Are You Ready? 43

Some Common Problems 44

Producers and Engineers 44

Singers 48

Chapter 6 Communication 53

Common Communication Issues 53

The Communication Choice Point 59

Chapter 7 Intentions and Expectations 64

A Look at the Differences 64

Additional Intention-Related and Expectation-Related Challenges 69

Dealing with Intentions and Expectations 70

The Birth of Partnership 74

Chapter 8 Responsibility 77

The Blame Game 77

Another Look at Singers, Producers, and Engineers 77

The Fundamental Cause of Blame 78

The True Nature of Responsibility 80

Radical Responsibility 82

The Fulfillment of Partnership 83

Partnership Onstage and in the Studio 84

Equality and Leadership 86

Chapter 9 Personality 89

Habits, Patterns, and Moods 89

The Personality Principle 90

Part 3 Mastering the Tools

Chapter 10 An Overview of the Recording Process and Pre-Production 97

Why Singers Need to Know About Technology 97

Process, Equipment, Tools, and Concepts 98

Expanding Your Experience 98

Pre-Production 99

Chapter 11 Production: Hardware and Software, Recording Logistics and Microphones 108

The Basics 108

Recording a Session 109

Microphones 112

Voice Production in the Studio 116

Chapter 12 Headphones, Plug-Ins, and Post-Production 119

Challenges with Headphones 119

Working with Plug-Ins 121

Troubleshooting Plug-In Issues 128

Translation Guide for Singers 129

A Word of Advice for New Singers 131

Post-Production 131

Chapter 13 Live Sound and Performance 133

The Studio versus the Stage 133

A Look at the Live Arena 134

Hearing through Feeling 138

Mic Technique 141

Television and Touring 142

A Final Word About Performing and Performance Anxiety 145

Chapter 14 The "Other" Tools 147

The Business of Music 147

The Art of the Contract 148

When No Means Yes and Yes Means No 150

Saying Yes to (Almost) Everything 152

Finding Your Trusted Five 152

Three Golden Rules 153

The Casting Couch 155

Getting Screwed with Your Clothes On 157

When to Say No 158

Embracing Plan B 159

Part 4 Beginning the Show

Chapter 15 A Brave New World 163

Passion 163

Relationships 164

Lifelong Learning 164

Notes 167

Index 175