Hello Singers and aspiring singers in the house, it's 
WHAT IS THE YODEL?
The yodel is a form of singing marked by a rapid movement between a normal voice and falsetto. It is a vocal expression that merges the chest voice to the head voice in one flawless motion. It is traditionally employed by country singers but in recent times it has been discovered to be helpful in vocal situations where a full voice (almost shouting) could be avoided, it software 's the proceeding octave and also adds a soft emotion to a vocal piece. It's also a foundation to our contemporary #riffs, #runs and #licks.
HOW TO MAKE THE YODEL HAPPEN?
Find and understand the break between the chest voice and the head/falsetto voice. You can try howling like a wolf, the break is created by the epiglottis, and this gives it a "switch over" effect.
One of the most effective ways of practising a #yodel is to choose a moderately high key and sing from the lower "doh" to the higher "doh"(through ray, mi, fa...). You can also start an "oh" on a mid-key and flow high, while imitating the sound of a jet at take off, till it reaches a height. Repeating the start "oh" and the high "oh" swiftly, will give you a clear vocal "picture" of the yodel.
A perfect example is found in the SOUND OF MUSIC movie, where Maria (Julie Andrews) and the children preformed a #yodel song while puppeteering.
If you don't get it at first attempt, don't give up keep trying it will come through.
Here is an audio example to give you an idea of what the yodel is...
HOW TO DETERMINE AND STRETCH YOUR VOICE RANGE
Alright so before you desire to expand your range, you have to know the present range (where you stand in the game of keys) To know your range, I always suggest you work with a pianist or download a piano app. Start from the middle C, downward, where ever your voice stops is your lowest range, then you take it up where ever you stop is your current highest range. (the KEYS AND PARTS CHART will be given enough on Tuesday). Once you have established that, you must know that your range can be increased or stretched. But note this, no matter how you stretch it, you cannot switch from your natural part, e.g Donnie Maclurkins, who can sings in the soprano range can never be called a "soprano" singer. Simply put you can sing it doesn't mean you can permanently be it. If you constantly sing in a range that is not yours you stand the risk of damaging your voice.
SILLY TIPS TO HELP YOUR VOICE TAKE SHAPE
Here are some silly rituals to follow to help your voice take shape and be inform for range extension or expansion (I call them silly, because they are very childish and at the same time,very effective).
Stretch your neck by rolling your head around in a circle. Move your jaw around, loosening your facial muscles by smiling comically /exaggerated and filling your mouth with water.
Massage your neck and face with your hands. The point is to release tension and get to a state of relaxation.
Stretching other body muscles with shoulder rolls, back stretching and bending over also aid in relaxation.
Gently stretch your tongue, either with your fingers or simply sticking it out, to relax your tongue and open your vocal path. Then sing(on one note) from number 1-20 without taking in breath following the second ticking of the clock or phone timer.
The Factors that makes a Musician Outstanding
(Discussing from the perspective of a singer)
Transforming from just a musician to a good singer will require you to have extensive knowledge of music/ singing theory.
There are theories that are general in music regardless of the part of music you are in. There are theories that are also narrowed down to singing. Both theories are related.
Singers are expected to have basic knowledge of both the music and Vocal theory. There is always a limitation to the height you can get to as a singer if you don't play the Piano or other musical instrument
I have met Musicians who are good in demonstration and can't explain what they do and those that can teach but not too good with the act. Don't settle down for any, make sure you are 100% at both.
LEARN HOW TO PLAY THE PIANO
Most outstanding singer plays the piano or has a knowledge of it. The one who plays the Piano or has some knowledge will alway be 7 times ahead of you not matter how good your voice is. This point alone can take 1 hour of explanation.
The Drum advantage
Every singer should have a drum lecture in their phones or laptop. Drum lecture , drum concerts, drum festivals, drum clinic etc. The purpose of this is not necessarily to make you become a drummer but build a DNA of drums and percussion in your Musical life. By listening to these drum stuffs you get to enter the drum world a bit and it has a positive effect on your singing. You are not just singing as a singer you are carrying the characteristics of a drummer with you. Your approach and arrangement of music Would be stunning and simply outstanding
LISTEN AND SCORE JAZZ
Jazz musicians are always wired in a Separate way and so their approach to music is always different from the regular. While everyone is coping riffs and runs, etc the inbuilt of Jazz in your music system make you to be a Manufacturer not a copier.
GO FOR REGULAR VOCAL CHECK UP
Most international stars, and few in Nigeria have
Vocal coaches who help them out with vocal check up, and also help them keep fit Vocally. How do you know if you have dropped or impoving?
Your vocal coach has and keeps records of your last check up and can tell you if you are making progress or dropping.
You don't evaluate yourself by the praises of people. Go for a professional vocal check up
How do you think these international stars always get better or keeps fit? Check up ! Check up!! Check up!!!
EAR TRAINING
This is a general course for both singers and instrumentalist.
For singers it is very important that your ears for music is developed to full Capacity, if not you will always have some limitations.
Sometimes i hear notes and sounds distinctively that other people don't hear. This is has personally become one of my musical strength. You need to develop you ears to the capacity of hearing something and everything.
In church I'm sitting on my Piano and I'm listening to like 6 back up singers, snare drum, bass drum, talking drum, Bass guitarist. One of the greatest things any musician or singer can have ,is an excellent ear for sound and music. It's simply priceless!!!.
NEVER GET TO THE TOP
When you get to the top, the only way to go is down.
So never get to a point when you see yourself as you have arrived and known too much.
The secret of great and ever green/relevant singers are those who Burns hrs looking for new things and trying to improve on old ones.
Keep rehearsing like it is your first 6 months of learning how to sing.
The day you get to the top, and think the silly simple vocal warm ups are for learners,that's the day you start coming down. The above writeup is actually a summary it will take days to really talk extensively on them.
(Thanks to my mentor Jazz Asari for such wonderful knowledge which i am now passing unto you.)
Till the next class, see ya!.
Dee-y cares ®
