Ask Ian
Update 17/05/2012
Hi Everyone. Due to my wife giving birth to our first child in the next two weeks I am closing the comment section temporarily until we settle into parenthood. In the meantime I will be catching up with all of the comments that I haven’t answered yet. Enjoy all of the free stuff on the website and I will get back to answering questions soon. Ian
308 Responses to “Ask Ian”
Hi Rhyad. Don’t worry, most people have problems with connecting their voice. I’m going to be creating more videos soon that will help you with your problem.
Hi Nathaniel. Good to hear from you again. Sorry about the late reply. Try dropping your jaw more when singing in your mix and opening the back of your throat. This will create more throat resonance to balance your natural nasality. Ian
Thank you Ian. No problem at all. I’ll give that a try!
Ian, I found you on the internet. Your lessons are excellent and very well stated.
Years ago, I took voice. I was told that I am a tenor. While, I normally do not have a problem with G above
middle C, I find A and above a challenge. Your video, “how to sing in head voice” is helpful but I still have difficulty
in adding “resonance” to the sound. When I do, the tendency is for my throat to tighten and/or my voice to crack. Do you
have any suggestions. I am frustrated. I want to break through this wall. I have a video of a song I recently put on youtube with me singing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osaJwmck5a0
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Please keep up the great work.
Regards, Ore
Reply from Ian: Hi Ore. First of all you have a great voice and sorry I haven’t replied til now. I think if you apply a little more nasality to your voice it will give it more of a “ping” and help with the transfer into your higher head voice. Try sounds like nay, nya, meow on vocal slides and arpeggios.
Another thing which may help is a sob or crying sound as you sing higher. If you listen to the great tenor singers they often have a crying sound in their tone. Thus helps to shift resonance to the nasal and head cavities.
Hi Ian I like the sound of these free video on singing but how safe is your site nigel
Hi. I’m from Romania. I saw your clips on youtube and i got more frustrated day by day because i can’t sing above C2. I know all the theory..i know i have to switch to mix voice, i know i do not have to strain my vocal cords. The result: a breathy voice when i try to sing with my “head voice”.
Reply from Ian: Hi Marius. Without hearing you sing it is hard for me to give you advice but I suggest checking out my videos on vocal cord connection. This will help with your breathy voice. You can find the videos in both my normal channel playlist and advanced singing lessons playlist on youtube.
Ian-
Can you listen to the song “Cowboys from Hell” by Pantera and tell me how he does that inhale scream towards the end of the song?
Thanks, AndrewCC
Ian- I may have accidentally put this post more than once because
I couldn’t find it on the list after i typed it, but can you listen
to the song “Cowboys from Hell” by Pantera for me and tell me how
he does the inhale scream towards the end of the song?
-Thanks, AndrewCC
Reply from Ian: Hi Andrew. I’m sorry I really don’t know how answer your question. Screaming is not really one of my skills. Check out my vocal fry videos. Metal singers use vocal fry to achieve those screaming notes.
Hey Ian,
I have a good grip on my chest and head voice but I can’t seem to get rid of the vocal fry tone especially in the mix. I sound tired when I sing. I can sing high C and D but as I descend it gets raspy. I hate it. I have had a throat check by a doctor and all is well. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Reply from Ian: Hi Hall. Try using more breath support and airflow when singing down through your mix. Project your mix voice and see if it makes a difference.
Ok, thank you on my cousin….do u happen to have a video that can help her and BTW she is 7 so not something to hard thanks and if u make one tell me! Thanks…..Izzy!
Hey Ian…………Ok, thank you on my cousin….do u happen to have a video that can help her and BTW she is 7 so not something to hard thanks and if u make one tell me! Thanks…..Izzy!
Reply from Ian: I have a few younger students and I basically use the same exercises and techniques just with a smaller range. I have been meaning to record a video for kids. I’ll let you know when I get around to it
YOU GAVE NO ANSWER TO MY QUESTION!
Reply from Ian…….Patience my friend. I actually have a very busy life outside of this website and it is not always possible to reply quickly. Yes my site is safe. Over 100,000 people have visited the site and I have never had a complaint about viruses or hackers ect.
Hello Ian, I have a question about placement when singing throughout one’s range. I’ve heard many theories on the subject of placement, most of which involve singing in the mask. My question is, does placement move throughout your range or does it remain fixed in a certain area? For instance, when singing in chest voice, should I feel the vibrations/resonance only in my chest or should I strive to place my tone forward in the mask area of the pharyngeal spot and the nasal cavity? If singing in the mask is required, should I be singing in the mask area throughout my range? I find that singing with focusing my sound to the pharyngeal NG spot of my throat gives me the best sound, but it is hard to maintain the higher I sing, at which point I begin to add a bit of nasality and/or head resonance. Thanks for any help or advice you can offer. I enjoy your videos and they have helped me greatly.
Reply from Ian: Hi Jeremiah. You should certainly try to maintain a forward vocal tone (singing in your mask) throughout your range. You have a good understanding of your voice and yes the NG sound will be the sweet spot for most of your range. There is nothing else I can think of to add to your current technique without hearing you sing.
Jeremiah W.
Hi Ian from Istanbul!
Can you suggest to me any of your tecniques for a concert with my band? I really want to know which video is useful before the concert. By the way, thank you for your courses and i wish my language was English to understand you exactly. I’m still doing liproll!
Thank you.
Reply from Ian: Hi Yudum. I suggest doing my quick vocal warm up before you perform with your band. This will get your voice ready to perform at it’s best.
Hi!
I have recorded 4 songs of my album paat August-September, recording more soon. I heard some people said I have a bit of a nasal voice in these songs (especially first 2), yet others said it’s completely fine. So I’m wondering, do I really have a nasal voice in these? Also, is that something to worry about, would a professional musician redo the vocals or leave them as it is in this case? I head Bob Dylan had a nasal voice which wasn’t bad, then should I keep it as long as it sounds good or does it have to be re-recorded for sure?
Thanks a million
Yusif
Here are the links:
http://media.lovelylivtyler.net/p/COME_TO_AN_END_mix_3.mp3
http://media.lovelylivtyler.net/p/VALENTINES_DAY_new_drums.mp3
http://media.lovelylivtyler.net/p/MY_PATH_mix_1.mp3
http://media.lovelylivtyler.net/p/IT_WONT_BE_A_DREAM_mix.mp3
Reply From Ian: Hi Yusif. Your tone is slightly nasal but that may just be your natural tone. There are many singers who have a nasal tone and do just fine. If you are worried about it try opening your mouth more when you sing. This should help to balance out your sound. I don’t want to give you advice on re-doing vocals because I am unsure whether it would make much difference.
Hi Ian,
first of all, I love your videos. They have really helped me alot!
Recently I´ve added a few tunes from Jill Scott to my bands repertoire. I´m still not able to achieve the high powerfull notes with as much ease as I´d like. On somedays I just tense up completely, making me strain my voice to hit those notes.
Any advice? Would really appreciate it.
Thanks!
Reply from Ian: Hi Gwen. Try lip rolling the exact phrases or notes that you have to sing (three times in a row) then sing it with the words. This usually helps to relax the throat and increase air flow.
Hey Ian,
I am a big fan of your video and I have learned so much watching them. I even was so inspired that I started taking vocal lessons. However, I wanted to ask you: I am technically classified as a bass/baritone singer, which means I have no trouble hitting lower notes. My problem is with the high notes. As I start to go higher into my range I start to strain and my larynx shoots up. The only way I can hit some higher notes is if I go in to this raspy, detached head voice that doesn’t sound very good. Is there any hope for me? Can bases even sing high notes? What am I doing wrong?
Thanks
Mark
Hey Mark. Your vocal range depends on your voice type. You need to make sure that the notes you are trying to sing are actually in your natural range. As a rough guide a bass/baritone will usually max out at about a top G. You also need to be patient as your voice wont reach its full potential until your 30′s as a guy. At your age you shouldn’t be trying to sing at the top end of your range, instead you should be developing confidence and technique in your lower range first. Your teacher will guide you into the higher range when the time is right.
It might also help to know that I am a 15 year old boy
Mark
Hey Ian!
I’m taking singing classes in Singapore now, and I’m having major problems with the Mix. Your Youtube videos are great, and I’m really going to try the exercises with my keyboard. I’ve been stretching my chest WAY too far, and it’s at the point I don’t even feel what a mix is, it’s either I belt the chest, or use a weak head voice. Do you have any small tips to give to feel the head voice better? I feel like I’m trying to find an alien over here!
Reply from Ian: Hi Nicholas. Forget about your chest voice for a while. It sounds like you are working from low to high too much. Switch it around and work from high to low for a while. To “find” your proper head voice you need to get your vocal cords connecting. Try making some short high sounds on the sound “GOOG”. The G will help to connect your cords. Have you watched my videos on how to find head voice?
Hey there,
I’m writing about a problem I’m having with my higher register that I don’t seem to be able to find an answer about anywhere else. My chest voice range and falsetto range are in all practicality the same thing. My top note is a high G in falsetto and sometimes head voice, but my chest range goes all the way up to around a high D. I can’t seem to push past this barrier, it feels like I get to the note and it just hits a wall, where I’m doing it quite comfortably but then something isn’t allowing it to go past those notes. Any advice/ help would be greatly appreciated.
Thankyou
Reply from Ian: Hi Kyle. You are probably taking your chest voice up too high. You need to be mixing your tone around a B flat to transfer into a proper mix voice (then head voice). If you wait until to the top of chest voice to try and switch gears you will (as you have stated) hit a wall or ceiling in your voice. Add some nasality to your voice (try an NG sound) around B flat and see if it helps.
So im 18, with 0 singing talent if i start practicing singing today, do you think i can sing as well as pop stars in 15-20 years? if not, can you give me some advice you havent mention on your utube videos?
Reply from Ian: Hi Ana. That’s a really hard question for me to answer because everyone is different. Some people learn to sing fast while others take longer. My advice is watch my mini course videos as they will get you started in the right direction and find yourself a singing teacher if you are serious about wanting to improve quickly.
do you give vocal lessons? if yes please let me know! thanks…
Reply from Ian. Hi Jacob. Yes I do give one on one vocal lessons.
Hi Ian, I am a fifth-teen year old singer. My problem is I do not know how to mix my head and chest voice. Also, I would like to know how to hit high notes without being breathy and weak. My head voice is breathy when I try to hit low notes. My head voice is weak,out of tone, an sounds comical. Is there any tips you can give me to help me sing without sounding comical with power?
Reply from Ian: Hi Matthew. I suggest you check out my videos on “vocal cord connection” and “how to sing high notes”. I have quite a few lessons on youtube (and on this site) that deal with your issues.
Hi Ian, I am recording the songs I wrote next Tuesday. I should’ve received vocal training first, but there’s really not much I can do about that now! I was just wondering if you might be able to take a look at one of my songs and tell me what I need to work on. I already know I need to work on breathing and vowel sound consistency. What excercizes are the best for that–considering the short amount of time I have? I will be regularly performing after I record, so I am going to check out a lot of your stuff. Thanks!
Reply from Ian: Hi Jessica. I have listened to (and watched) your song. Nice work! I think some flexibility exercises would be of benefit to you. Here’s a link to a lesson:
http://www.aussievocalcoach.com/premium/bonuslesson.html
As far as vowel sound consistency, try to incorporate the vowels I,E,A,O,U over short and long exercises (5 note scales and arpeggios). You can also vary your speed on these exercises.
One more thing, check out an old friend of mine named Kate Miller Heidke. She has a similar style and voice to you. You may be able to pick up on some of her vocal tricks.
Oh the link to my song is, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHlEa8q322Y&feature=g-upl&context=G241d057AUAAAAAAAAAA
I have been trying to develop a mix voice for over 2 months now by doing the exercises, but I am still not able to sing in mix. My upper registers are almost pure head. What should I do?
Reply from Ian: Hi Rajat. Sounds like you need to add some resonance or nasality to your head voice tone. Try doing this silly exercise: Do a slide from head back to chest voice on the sound MEOW, yes just like a cat! Over-do your mouth movements when you make the sound. This exercise will add resonance and blend your registers.
I have no singing experience whatsoever, but would like to give it a try. Where should I start from?
Reply from Ian: Hi Luci. A good place to start is my mini course. You will learn a good technique and get access to some practice mp3 tracks.
Luci, Ian’s mini course is great, as are all his courses. Just under two years ago, I couldn’t sing a note, and I’m lucky enough to go to Ian as a private student, and with his help, now have a range of two octaves.
As well as using Ian’s courses, see if you can find a good vocal coach. There is a video on Ian’s site how to find a good one.
Hi, Ian, first thank you for your very helpful mini course, I thought I would never be able to sing with swollen turbinates (nose) but I am doing things now I never thought possible. My question is, once I have reached the level where I can sing a song from beginning to end with all the right notes, do I still need to continue with the voice exercises, and if so, how often? I was using the mini course.
Thanks!
Hi Ian! I am an experienced singer who still has difficulty going comfortably into higher notes. Once the concept of singing in a mixed voice vs trying to sing high notes strictly from the chest entered the picture a whole new world of possibilities has come into play for me… My question to ensure I am doing this correctly.. When singing in mixed voice I understand feeling it the larynx and making sure the larynx remains low as I move to the higher notes, however, even though it is a blend of both head and chest is it correct that I should no longer expect to it feel it when touching my chest?
Hi Ian,
I love your videos. I haven’t sung regularly in several years and have never taken lessons. I’ve just started doing some warm-ups and practicing some songs and after only about 15 or 20 minutes my voice gets hoarse. Why does this happen? I drink plenty of water. I read somewhere online that it’s because of not using proper tongue technique, that “overdoing singing” is a myth, that if you have proper technique, you can sing for hours without issues. Is this true? What can I do to stop the hoarseness? Am I forcing the volume and high notes perhaps too much too soon and need to give my vocal muscles time to strengthen? Thank you!
Hi, Ian, how should the tongue stay while singing?
I’ve been practicing some exercises to keep it low, making a kind of a curve.
So, what you think?
hi there.. just discovered your lessons on youtube and found them very helpful, although i’m only participating in the beginners right now, still helped me a lot, what i’m wondering is.. how do you know what vocal range you sing in? i believe myself to be contralto, how do i confirm which range i fit in to?
Hi,I am a bass baritone but my speaking voice is high…I want a lower,deeper speaking voice…My speaking voice is coming from throat and my face…I want chest voice for speaking….after doing some chest voice exercises my speaking voice gets deeper and low but 1-2 hours later my voice gets back its normal high,breathy tone…What am I missing ? What do you suggest ?
Hi Ian,Long time…
A think a year ago,I have sended you and e-mail with me singing and playing.Since then i did practice sometimes,Lately,since 2 month with an daily 15 minutes warm up plus some bonus exercises,from your website,I decided to just keep going better.But I have a question,please tell me If I feel some sensations in my head,but I try to sing in mix voice (dont know if im doing it corretly) Is it possible to feel also sensations in my Chest? And what is the secret of low larynx and high larynx?…. Probably U dont remember me,I have not done huge progress,but still,thanks to some off your videos im trying
Please,Listen to the Video,Its a song in my langugage,just tell me what should I practice,like a year ago 
Feel free to diss me 
http://w952.wrzuta.pl/film/0LyrMIuYP5q/skrywane_mysl
The end whas for me really cool to feel that sound.A year ago I did not Even Dream about it. Sorry for the mistakes in writing.Im from Poland.Cheers
How do you sing Bruno Mars it will rain? Like what kind of vocal exercise should I practice?
Hi I Can’t Sing But Im following you youtube videos Will this be able to help me sing?
hi ian, erm just wandering does the mini course help warm ur voice up.
i can sing amazing grace very well but i cannot sing rolling in the deep by adele i am good at low notes but not a high notes i do not feel sensations in my head what do i do ?
hi Ian, Im a girl, and i have trouble when i try to go up to hit high notes. These days i get tired very easily singing in my chest voice. I simply am unable to understand how to sing in a mixed voice. When i sing in chest and go up to head ther is a great distinction of heavy chesty tone in to suddnely light and airy tone. What do i do?
Thanks Tara
Uhmm is that falsetto when The Platters Sing the very high and kinda airy “Only You” chorus?
Adele uses it in her rolling in the deep chorus too.
I’m confused and i just started learning how to sing
Hello Ian
I wanna thank you very much for all you’re help and videos on YouTube
But I have some questions..
There are so many videos and exercises, do I have to do them all everyday to improve my voice?
or can I just pick the once that match my voice?
For how many minutes is it best to practice everyday ?
what about the warmups ? Do I have to do them all before I sing ?
What videos the most important among the rest ?
This is very important, please reply me!!
Thank you so much for you’re help!!
hi
thx 4 u’re mini course
its awsome
I live in iran
my problem is icant buy anything overseas
my government wont let me
i realy like u’re videos especialy courses
I dont know what to do.
at the end u r the best teacher that ive ever seen 4 singing.
thx
plz answer me
im waiting
Ciao Ian, i found your video only a couple of days ago, but fall totally in love with your way to explain! Thank you!
I also have a few questions for you: one concerns the whistle register, how can i find it? I try and try, but i don’t know if i’m doing right. I know i don’t have to push or strain. Somerimes i think i got it but then i can’t find it anymore.. so i know i’m wrong.
And, do you have any exercises concerning the position of the tongue. I explain: it happens that sometimes i inconsciously ”close” a little bit the throat with the initial portion of my tongue, it’s like i would touch my soft palat. Normally i lift very good the soft palat, and keep my tongue down, (like yawning), but some other times i find myself closing the way of resonance of my voice. Could you suggest some exercises to avoid this stupid habit?
And also exercises to extend the vocal range.
And last question, please keep doing videos with fast runs, vocalizing exercises (how to learn). The way you did it with low medium and fast version, was really great.
Ian, sorry for all these questions, but you are a fantastic teacher. I thank you again and wish you a great day.
Sincerely
Jocelyne
Hi i’m Andre i get great results with your videos but, when I get a cold I feel like it puts me back to stage 1. I wanted to know if you have any tips that I can use to take care of my voice while i’m ill.
Good Day Sir,
Im asking if could you help me how to control my voice cracks?
its because Im struggling from singing every time it happens..
maybe you can explain more about it so that I can understand it better.
And also..about my whistle register, I actually found it already,
but I need to learn how to take control and how to use it properly…
thank you…
Hello Ian
1. the mouth can get more air in a short time than the nose. is that Ok to breathe through the mouth
or you recommend through the nose? and why?
2. when adding nasality to the voice how can we avoid not to avoid the production of an obnoxious sound that few people like to hear.
3. what really differentiate a singer that causes excitement and “convey feeling” as oppose to one that does not is that a result of a technique or a gift from GOD in other words” is that a skill that can be acquired or not?
Thanks you for response.
How can i increase my range in my chest voice, and in my falsetto voice?
I’m 14 years old & i’m absoltely terrible at singing!!! Do you think its possible for me to become a good singer, in not way to much time??
Hi Ian,
I want to sing better, but the problem is that I do not have that sort of vibration sound that singers do. I just sing like a normal person, but not an actual singer. I have a good voice, but how can I develop that certain singing voice?