Rock Your Voice Podcast

In this episode I’m joined by Meghan Patrick.

The Canadian born, Nashville resident is a Juno and CCMA winning singer & songwriter, who’s latest release is a song that prompted us to have a deep and meaningful conversation unlike any other I’ve had on the podcast.

Her song, ‘The Boy Who Cried Drunk’ is a very personal journey through Meghan’s experience with Domestic Violence. 

Having recently met Meghan at the CCMA’s, where she shared about her new song, I immediately wanted to have her on the podcast so that we could share our stories in the hopes that it can help anyone who may currently be in an abusive relationship.

We talk of our experiences, as well as how the journey is frequently very similar from case to case, and how you are not alone in this. The statistics are astounding. The one thing that shook me and really helped me to manage my situation was hearing that, on average it takes the victim, on average, 7 times to try to leave. For me this was entirely true, and helped to alleviate the shame and guilt I felt when I kept going back.

Today we also celebrate what Meghan refers to as Part 2 to ‘The Boy Who Cried Drunk’ with her follow up single ‘God and a Good Man’ her story of hope and the love and life that is waiting for you.

Although not overly graphic, this episode is a deeper topic that requires listener discretion and may contain triggers for some listeners, however, the biggest thing this episode does contain is hope. The fact Meghan and I are both now in happy and in loving, safe and healthy relationships we are here to show you that with the right support, your recovery and a very happy life is entirely possible.

If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to your local authorities, or use the links below to find the guidance and support you need.

If you are local to Calgary, Homefront is an incredible resource and they helped me hugely.

I was recently introduced to Noah's music through the Sirius XM Top Of The Country Competition, and although his vibe is a little more Americana / folk, I'm so thrilled he was part of that and I got to see him perform and in turn meet him for the podcast.

In this conversation Noah shares his unique views on the challenges we face as an artist coming up through the ranks and finding your connection with the audience in different rooms and countries.

Noah shares about his commitment to the journey and joy of not always knowing whats next. How trusting the process and working hard for what you believe in makes every moment more unique and worthwhile as a musician.

Some wonderful insights that can really help any up coming artist look at things from another perspective

Thank you for talking with me Noah!

In this Episode I'm joined by Alberta born, Nashville based artist Aaron Goodvin.

Some of his highlights include:

Over 80 million total streams

2 x #1 singles in Canada with “Boy Like Me” and “You Are”

6 Top 10 singles in Canada

Aaron is double-Platinum certified with his smash hit “Lonely Drum”

He is an 11-time CCMA nominee and the 2018 CCMA Winner/Songwriter of the Year for “Lonely Drum”.

His catalogue includes songwriter cuts by Luke Bryan, Jon Pardi, Cole Swindell, and Josh Gracin.

It was such a pleasure to catch up with Aaron on a long overdue conversation. We talk about what it takes to keep going in the industry when you just aren't sure if you are making the right choices, how sobriety has had an incredibly positive impact on moving forward and balancing life as a musician. I can't wait until the next time we talk!

Thank you Aaron for this inspirational conversation.

If you sing in a choir, here are 3 things that are SO important to maintain voice health, build strength and stamina for long singing sessions.

This also definitely applies if you are in a band that rehearses regularly for long periods of time.Here are the links to the vocal warm ups and cool downs I mention in the audio.

Do not drive while listening to this episode! Be sure that you are in a relaxed environment where you can stay still and focus only on your breath.

If you feel dizzy or in any way unwell while doing these, stop immediately.

In this episode we look at breathing techniques singers can use to relax your body as well as your mind and voice.

We look at a few different breathing techniques that can help you relax after being pumped up at a show or chill you out before stepping on stage.

My goal as a voice coach is to make sure that everyone who enjoys singing, has a healthy technique, a confident mindset and the understanding of how to get the best from your instrument.

There are so many amazing learning opportunities online, but sometimes it's really important to make sure you are singing correctly and in a healthy way that will get the most from your instrument.

Overthinking while singing can negatively impact your performance in several ways. Here's why you shouldn't overthink when singing:

1. Loss of Authenticity: Singing is an expressive art form that requires a certain level of emotional connection to the lyrics and the melody. Overthinking can lead to a loss of authenticity as you become more focused on technical aspects rather than conveying genuine emotions.

2. Stifled Creativity: Overthinking can hinder your creative flow. Singing is not just about hitting the right notes; it's also about adding your unique style and interpretation to a song. When you overthink, you might become overly cautious and limit your creative choices.

3. Tension and Strain: Overthinking can lead to physical tension and strain in your vocal cords and body. When you're constantly analyzing your performance, you might unconsciously tense up, which can negatively impact your vocal quality and range.

4. Interference with Muscle Memory: Singing involves muscle memory, where your body learns how to produce certain sounds through practice. Overthinking disrupts this natural process, causing you to second-guess the muscle memory you've developed through practice.

5. Diminished Performance: Overthinking can cause anxiety and nervousness, which are detrimental to a good singing performance. Anxiety can affect your breathing, pitch control, and overall vocal quality, leading to a diminished performance.

6. Focus on Imperfections: Overthinking tends to magnify perceived imperfections. Instead of enjoying the act of singing, you might become fixated on small mistakes, leading to a negative self-assessment and reduced self-confidence.

7. Rigid Vocal Technique: While technique is important, overthinking can lead to a rigid adherence to rules and guidelines. While you should aim for good technique, it's also important to let yourself experiment and adapt as you connect with the music.

8. Lack of Flow: Singing should feel fluid and natural. Overthinking can disrupt the flow of your performance, making it feel disjointed and disconnected.

9. Unnatural Phrasing: Overthinking can lead to unnatural phrasing as you try to analyze every nuance of the song. This can result in a performance that sounds robotic rather than emotive.

10. Loss of Enjoyment: One of the main reasons people sing is because it brings them joy. Overthinking can take away the enjoyment of the experience, turning something you love into a stressful endeavor.

To counter the negative effects of overthinking, it's important to practice mindfulness and stay present in the moment while singing. Focus on the emotions you want to convey and trust in your training and practice. Remember that singing is not just about technical perfection; it's about sharing emotions, connecting with your audience and most importantly, ENJOYING the act itself!

The third tip can be a tough one to take on board as often we don't realize we are even doing this.

As singers we fight a daily battle with our mind! We are always trying to do our best and work towards being better singers.

This gets tricky when we start to improve and our voices get stronger. This messes with your head because you no longer have to work as hard as you used to as singing becomes easier.

Like learning anything, you’ll improve as you practice, and its unnatural sometimes for certain things to feel easy.

Our first response with the singer brain is that if something feels really easy, we must be doing it wrong. Especially if it was really challenging to begin with.

This is where your approach to practice is really important as you can find yourself at a dangerous crossroad.

If you are a beginner singer and you are unaware that the voice is made of muscles that need to be trained and strengthened to create the sounds you want, you may think that pushing and reaching for a note will get you the result you want.

A lot of singers go for years just pushing at notes or using volume to reach a challenging point in a song. Over time the brain trains itself to accept that the pain, pinching and forcing is normal and that is what it feels like to sing challenging songs. This is WRONG and how you develop injuries from bad technique over time.

If you start with a correct foundation and use flexibility and movement through your range, you’ll be able to reach higher notes. They will be softer and weaker to start, but with the correct training you’ll build strength and stamina very safely and will be able to hit the notes with power and volume very quickly.

Practice Makes Permanent! Incorrect technique can very quickly get locked in place with regular incorrect practice.

Some indications that you may be doing it wrong are:

You save a certain song for the end of your set because it tires you out.

You have a scratch or a cough after working on a certain song or note.

You have to get loud to hit a note or line in a song.

Your voice feels tight and tired after singing.

You have trouble speaking or singing the day after using your voice.

If you are experiencing any of this you need to work with someone who can show you how to get the same sonic results, tones, volume and power without using your instrument incorrectly.

It will also help for you to develop a closer relationship with your instrument and understand how it works and start to trust the flexibility and movement in your range.

Don’t grip and push big notes. Allow for space, flexibility and movement.

In a very short time, you’ll have more power, add more notes to your range and be singing with ease. Controlling your voice, does not mean Locking things in place or holding them down.

When things start to feel easier, don’t panic! It just means you are getting better!

Email me with any questions or follow @rockitvocalstudios on social for more tips!

What A Weekend!

This is a question I'm asked all the time, is singing something you are born with, do people just have 'it', is singing a natural gift.

The opposite is worrying that you 'don't' have it, and not pursuing something you enjoy.

In this episode I talk about how anyone can learn to sing, and my theory that young singers perceived to have the It Factor are encouraged and exposed to music at a young age, more so than born with a 'talent'.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this and learn a little about your journey and musical upbringing, along with where you are listening from!

Here are the links I promised during the episode.

Hi There!

Welcome to the weekly vocal workout! This episode is going to be available as a free trial for a short time.

If you enjoyed the content and want more weekly training sessions, feel free to subscribe and get a new training session every week!

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rock-your-voice-podcast/subscribe

Next week we will be doing a strength and power session, adding more stamina to your voice so that you can consistently hit notes with power and confidence, and the following week we will dig into building your range and safely adding more notes.

Those will follow perfectly from this full voice warm up, so be sure to repeat this session before digging into the next two!

Singing is a brain sport!   

So many singers have performance anxiety or lack confidence in their voices. 

No matter what level of singer you are here are some tips to help you build your confidence whether you are just building the confidence to take a voice lesson or preparing for a large scale tour.  

In this episode we look at various ways to reframe your thinking and look at how to be a more confident singer by observing:  

The correlation between singing with confidence and competence in your singing skills.  

Competition 

Comparison 

Imposter Syndrome 

Finding your genuine sound 

What singing styles fit your voice  

Performance Anxiety 

Stage Fright 

What to wear on stage and how that can affect your performance 

Overthinking when singing 

Singing too hard  

Remember when you get better at something it becomes easier! Embrace it when what you are singing becomes easier to do! It's ok to be good at it!  

If you are just starting your vocal journey and want to learn more about singing and your voice, this episode is FOR YOU! 

PLUS if you have been singing for a while, but you are looking for some new techniques and approaches to get the best from your instrument, this is also going to help you a ton! 

Join me for this training where I talk about how to use your voice in a healthy way, how to think of your voice as your 'instrument', free your range and access higher notes without restriction pushing or forcing.   

We cover:

•  Breathing Technique 
• Placement 
• Accessing High Notes  
• Reaching Low Notes 
• Bridges and breaks 
• Managing pops and cracks 
• Confidently using your voice 
• How to practice challenging songs or build confidence with the easy ones like Happy Birthday!  
• Singer Mindset and what may be holding you back,   
• But most importantly, why ANYONE, AT ANY AGE - YES THAT'S YOU, can learn to sing, with the voice you want and deserve!   

DISCLAIMER! I cannot sing like Mariah! Only Mimi can sing like Mimi so please be kind, but I wanted to share some of the techniques that are used in this song that may help you get the best vocal delivery if you enjoy singing this song!

Musical Theatre Fun Time! 

99% of the time I'll tell you NOT TO SING IF YOU ARE SICK!

But this episode is for the rare occasions, (explained in the audio) when you may need to GENTLY work or rehab your voice. 

In this episode I run through a warm up and a bit of a vocal work out to prep your voice for either performing, rehearsing, jamming or writing. 

This afternoon I'm working on some songs for a performance as well as finishing off some songs I'm writing, so I want my instrument to be able to really dig in and have fun with the songs. 

This is NOT a lecture! As a previous smoker myself I understand the challenge of quitting. 

In this episode I go deep into my relationship with cigarettes and alcohol, the affects they both have on your voice and how to manage your voice as a smoker and what to expect if you are able to quit.

I include some vocal therapy exercises to use when you quit and experience a detox after smoking and share tips on how to rebuild your voice and accept your new and improved instrument! (See the weekly vocal workout subscription if you'd like more detailed exercises)

This episode definitely contains swears and is one of my more passionate and personal episodes. My goal is to support you through any transitions with smoking and encourage you to do whatever you choose, not to lecture anyone about their personal choices. 

If you are trying to quit here are a few resources that really helped me

A BIG thank you to Teigen Gayse for joining me on this episode! We dig deep into co-writing in Nashville, overcoming imposter syndrome when writing with big name artists as well as how she manifested her manager!

Yesterday a client and I decided that Dawsons Creek should be a musical genre! We worked on the song "Feels Like Home" By Chantal Kreviazuk which is featured in the show and the first of many DC vocal breakdowns that I plan on sharing here! 

In this episode I look at how to warm up to sing the song, ways to build the higher notes and really relax your genuine sound to sing this song the best way for your instrument. 

Let me know if there are other songs you'd like me to break down for you!

This story truly highlights the magic of music and how it connects people!

How a song that is over 50 years old, was revived to be part of something that literally connected generations from across the world.

It all started with a facebook message asking if I was Eddie Hardin's daughter! And I really wasn't sure what it could be about! But thankfully, the interaction lead to something quite special! 

In this episode I'm joined by Michele Vice-Maslin to talk all about sync licensing. We talk about her journey through the music business as well as how to pitch your songs and get placed in TV, Movies and more. 

Danielle has put together the Unstoppable Singer Summit, and I'm excited to also be a guest speaker too! The goal of the summit is to help all singers thrive in this changing world.

Justine is a Calgary, Alberta-based artist who is poised to make an indelible mark within the singer/songwriter world. Drawing inspiration from artists including Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette and Kacey Musgraves, Justine has developed her own distinctive sound rooted in her personal journey. “Save Myself” is the first taste of a new collection of songs chronicling the latest phase of that journey, during which she learned to take control of her destiny.

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​Justine has been profiled on CTV’s Marilyn Denis Show and was named Calgary’s representative in the Jim Beam Virtual National Talent Search, staged in conjunction with Canadian Music Week. Now with “Save Myself,” Justine Giles shows that she’s right where she is supposed to be at this point in her life—ready to fully embrace a career making music that is sure to have a deep and lasting positive impact on her audience.

This is a big one! 

In this episode, I talk with each participant of the "Write, Record, Release." Program and share their new music!

Jeff is an award winning singer, songwriter and producer and I just love everything about his approach to writing and working with artists.  His insights and stories are just so inspirational for any singer, songwriter or muscician, it truly was an honor to get to spend time talking with him.

As a private vocal coach and master class teacher, she trains performers across the US and throughout the world. Her career has taken her to the UK, Australia, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Portugal, and Austria, where she has taught for many institutions including the Institute for Vocal Advancement, National Association of Teachers of Singing, and Vocology in Practice.

In this episode I am joined by Tiffany Sparrow, a music therapist, counselling therapist, musician, yogi and healer. She offers music and body-centered healing therapy to transform trauma, anxiety, body shame and eating disorders.
As a teen and young adult, Tiffany struggled with eating disorders and debilitating low self-esteem myself. Music and mindful practice were a big part of her own healing journey when traditional therapies didn't work. 
The work she now offers is informed by her own experiences and fueled by my desire to help others use music and embodiment practices as powerful tools for healing, body confidence and mental health.

This conversation digs deep into how music and voice have played a huge part in this and WHY IT WORKED!

This is one of the most common questions I get. So many people who enjoy music and would really like to sing confidently, approach me and laugh, saying things like “I love to sing but no one needs to hear that”! Or “Oh I can’t hold a tune”, or assume they are “Tone Deaf”.

The fact is a very small population are actually tone deaf. It’s like saying you aren’t a mechanic, because you’ve never learned the parts of the car’s engine. How can you possibly fix the car if you don’t know how the parts work? Or just deciding you’ll never be able to swim well, because you’ve never jumped in the water! You have to LEARN to improve your singing voice. And no matter where you are at, it is definitely possible to improve your pitch, tone sound and most importantly your CONFIDENCE!

Training the voice is about training a group of muscles.

Healthy vocal technique relies on correct coordination of the muscles and airflow to create the desired sound.

If there’s too much pulling, pressure, pinching, you can get a strained sound and even damage your voice.  Imagine lifting heavy weights without the proper training or positioning. But with TINY muscles!

If you feel you have a weak voice there are ways to strengthen it gently with simple yet highly effective exercises that can build power and stamina very quickly.

Essentially there are different exercises to achieve any sound, tone, effect or level of power that you wish to achieve with your voice. Like learning to swim, or drive a car, or any other instrument for that matter, it takes some time to understand how it works and learn to control it the way you want.

I have a LOT of clients who are musicians but only play instruments. They often want to develop their voices to be able to enjoy singing with their guitars or join in confidently on backing vocals with their band. If you already have a musical mind you can totally do this very easily and quickly. A lot of it is based around confidence.

This goes especially for new singers with zero experience. If you ENJOY singing and want to use your voice more, the only way to really build confidence and improve is to learn how your instrument works and keep doing what you love! Sing the songs you enjoy with the right techniques and your voice and CONFIDENCE as well as your ear training and pitch control will develop quickly.

If you want to start your vocal journey, check out the online course Singing for Beginners that starts January 19th on Zoom!

The course runs for 6 weeks and will cover all the foundations to get you started confidently and will arm you with all the tools needed to develop your instrument and your sound.

6-7pm MST  $99 Cad   

In this episode I'm joined by Calgary raised singer Brayden Lowe. One of the few non country singers in Alberta, Brayden brings  soulful riffs, runs and melodies to all the tunes he sings, and we discuss his latest release, a collection of Christmas classics.

We talk about the journey to get to where he is now, how he worked on producing his EP and the exciting plans he has for the future!

On this episode I'm joined by Clayton Bellamy as we talk all about The Congregation and dig deep into Rock N Roll and how his journey has lead him to his latest project.

Audiences will know Bellamy from The Road Hammers, a SOCAN, JUNO and 5-time CCMA Award-winning act, and the highest selling Canadian country band of all time, and from his solo records (Everyone’s a Dreamer and Five Crow Silver), but today we are being taken to church!!

The congregation is exciting & exhilarating, what I call "dirty rock!" with the videos to match. We talk all about how the concept and music was created along with some amazing insights and inspiration that anyone wanting to step into the world of Rock N Roll NEEDS to hear! 

In this episode we look at some of our favourite (Non endorsed) natural products that we choose when our voices are run down from allergies, stress or sickness. 

We look at how to maintain your instrument from the inside out and support the hard work you put into your vocal training. 

If you are in a pinch and need some help to get you through a performance some of these tips can help you get on stage safely. 

DISCLAIMER: We are not medical doctors. We are sharing products that we have found useful for our voice health. Please consult a professional if you have undiagnosed or persistent issues with your voice.

Follow Shelby on social @shelbyrollinsmv

In this Episode I talk with the wonderful Devon Cole all about creating music, learning about audio production as a female artist and finding your dream team. 

We talk about her new single Nobody's Baby as well as making the switch from Calgary to Toronto to pursue her goals in the music industry. 

We laugh A LOT and dig deep into life as a singer and songwriter, the good parts, the tough parts and what makes it so amazing. 

It was such an honor to spend time talking with Jan Smith, one of the world’s premier vocal producers and instructors. She has over 30 years experience in the music industry as both an artist and a mentor. A Grammy nominated producer and a Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee, she KNOWS the industry!

This episode is vital for any aspiring artist or musician wanting to learn more about what it takes to succeed in the industry and for voice coaches to hear about the journey that has lead Mama Jan to where she is today. 

Her list of clients includes multi-platinum, Grammy winning and nominated artists Usher, The Band Perry, Rob Thomas, Matchbox Twenty, Justin Bieber, Drake, Keyshia Cole, Sugarland, Monica, Jill Scott, LaToya, Ciara, TLC, Omarion, India.Arie and Collective Soul, as well as industry CEOs such as Matt Serletic, Jermaine Dupri, LA Reid and Clive Davis.

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me Jan! It was a true pleasure. 

I am so happy that I approached this wonderful woman one afternoon when I saw her with her guitar waiting for a cab in Calgary! She looked like a star in the making and I'm going to stand by that!

This episode really is inspirational for any artist trying to make their way in the industry and grow as a musician. We talk about setting goals and reaching for your best. Taking opportunities when they arise and making the transition to music enthusiast to professional and stepping out onto stages in Nashville. 

On this episode I’m joined by Nicole Gill a voice coach who specializes in extreme singing techniques and distortion.

We talk about how to access the different types of vocal distortion used by different singers and how to use aryepiglottic distortion to sing like Christina Aguilera or Dave Grohl, as well as false fold distortion for heavier metal sounds.

In this episode we dig deep into the scientific benefits of proper breathing techniques used for singing as well as all of the extra elements that come into play when using your breath control properly. 
We look at the respiratory system and how it actually works so you get a thorough understanding of why correct breath control is required for getting the tones, volume and sound you want for your singing. 

We also lightly touch on the polyvagal theory and how singing affects your mental state.

In this episode I'm joined by Lyndsay Butler, country music artist, singer songwriter and performer. 

We talk about songwriting, creating opportunities as an artist, being confident enough to comfortably hear the word "NO", and being ready to jump whenever an opportunity presents itself whether its new or scary! 

We also talk manifestation and believing in your career so that you can start to create the opportunities you are looking for and begin to take your career to the next level. 

I created this work out for a client who is on tour and hitting the road HARD this summer. 

Lots of singers are in the same boat and performance expectations have gone from almost 0-100% really quickly. 
Even with the right preparation our voices can tire quickly and easily, so it's really important to add in some time to not just warm up but to rebuild and relax your voice with a little therapy. 

Gentle exercises can really help to restore your stamina and strength. Be kind to your instrument and please reach out if you have any questions! 

I also offer special rates for pro performers who NEED help right away and maybe don't have a budget for high level voice coaching! Don't be shy reach out and see if I can help you keep your voice in top shape while the demands on performance are increasing! My priority is to keep your voice healthy. Lets do this!

I wanted to provide some blank scales for practicing on the go! 

There are several different patterns or scales that you can use. 

Feel free to apply various exercises to whichever scale you like! 

I'll share my exact workout with these scales in an upcoming episode. 

As with all the technique episodes on the podcast, you must be aware of any strain or tension in your voice / throat. You should never feel any pushing, pinching or strain at all! These exercises should be easy and gentle. 

I've included quite a big range of notes. If it goes too high or too low just skip the notes that take you too far. Don't push to reach outside of your limitations. 

For lower voices you'll want to follow along but sing the octave down from the start note or jump in wherever feels most comfortable.