Dr Matt Edwards explains why less is more when it comes to breathing in contemporary pop/rock musical theatre singing and shares a useful breathing exercise. When it comes to breath control in contemporary musical theatre singing, Dr Matt Edwards of Shenandoah… Read More »Could This Simple Breathing Exercise Help Your Musical Theatre Students Sing Better? ⏱ 2 mins
What does it take to win a coveted role on Broadway? Veteran vocal coach Bob Marks reveals how he helps singers prep for high-stakes musical theatre auditions. Bob Marks started vocal coaching in New York in the 1970s and has… Read More »Preparing for Musical Theatre Auditions – Tips from a Broadway Veteran ⏱ 2 mins
Can you sing with a cold? Are antihistamines bad? We put these questions and more to top ear, nose and throat surgeon Declan Costello. Here’s what he had to say. With the cold and flu season upon us, the Singing… Read More »Top ENT Answers Four Seasonal Singing Questions ⏱ 3 mins
What’s the best way to broach the tricky subject of vocal ill-health with a student? Kate Valentine explains how to deliver difficult news in a sensitive and professional manner. When Kate Valentine was diagnosed with a serious vocal pathology, her… Read More »The Right and Wrong Way to Tell a Singer They Need to See an ENT ⏱ 2 mins
Vocal coach Line Hilton reveals the do’s and don’ts of working with singers with allergies. In a perfect world, every singing student would be fighting fit and brimming with good health all year round. But unfortunately, things don’t always work… Read More »Singers with Allergies: Top Teaching Tips and an Important Warning ⏱ 3 mins
When artists like Justin Timberlake and Lizzo prepare for high-stakes gigs or stadium tours, they turn to vocal coach RAab Stevenson. Read on to learn how RAab keeps the voices of top artists in shape on the road. He may… Read More »Prepping Superstars on the Road: Vocal Coach Reveals His Backstage Voice Care Secrets ⏱ 3 mins
Vocal manual therapist Lydia Flock answers five frequently asked questions about vocal massage. Some singers swear by vocal massage as an essential maintenance tool to keep their voice in top shape. Others turn to it when experiencing vocal problems such… Read More »Vocal Massage: Does It Hurt? And Other Commonly Asked Questions⏱3 mins
Top vocal coach Line Hilton explains how to tailor vocal exercises to suit the needs of a student. With decades of vocal coaching experience under her belt, Line Hilton, the founder of BAST Training, knows a thing or two about teaching… Read More »Six Questions to Help Identify the Right Vocal Exercises ⏱3 mins
Singing voice specialist Kerrie Obert sets the record straight on the issue of ‘tongue tension’. Listen for a few minutes to Kerrie Obert speak about her research into the tongue, and two things quickly become apparent. Firstly, this is a woman… Read More »Should We Use the Term ‘Tongue Tension’?⏱3 mins
What is GRBAS, the voice diagnostic scale used by health professionals such as speech and language therapists? When it comes to analysing speaking voice, one of the tools widely used is GRBAS. To learn more about this useful diagnostic scale… Read More »The Simple Voice Diagnostic Tool Used by SLTs That Could Help You ⏱3 mins
Aliki Katriou, aka the ‘Duchess of Distortion’, reveals the three most common misconceptions about extreme vocals. When she isn’t fronting a metal band, classically trained Aliki Katriou specialises in teaching vocal distortion. If you want to learn how to scream, growl or… Read More »Three Myths About Extreme Vocals Debunked⏱ 3 mins
SOVTs are the Swiss Army knife of voice training – a versatile tool that can be used in all sorts of scenarios, says vocal coach Oren Boder. One is a favoured gadget of Boy Scouts and campers; the other is a… Read More »Why SOVTs are a Powerful Weapon in Vocal Training ⏱ 3 mins
Barbara Tanze explains why you should talk to your students about breathing, and how to get started. Former opera singer Barbara Tanze owes her career as a breathing coach to an excruciating incident that took place on stage in front… Read More »Breathing for singing: How much do your students really know? ⏱ 3 mins
How deep should you delve when taking a student’s history? Top vocal coach Line Hilton says everything from the pill to periods to lifestyle habits should be up for discussion. Contraception, menopause, mental health – none of these subjects should… Read More »History taking: What to ask your students and why ⏱ 4 mins
Read Alexa Terry’s guide to the most common words used in the world of singing, and you’ll never be intimidated by fancy vocal coaching terminology ever again. A is for Amygdala The amygdala comprises a cluster of nerve cells and is… Read More »The ABC of vocal coaching
Learn how to keep your voice hydrated in the second part of BAST Training’s hydration series. Line Hilton and Alexa Terry share some simple hydration tips and explain the external factors that can dehydrate the voice. In ‘The Truth About… Read More »Six easy ways to keep your voice hydrated
How does menstruation impact a singer’s voice? Alexa Terry and Line Hilton explore how monthly hormonal changes can influence vocal performance.
Don’t forget that it’s World Voice Day later this month, a chance for singing teachers and other voice specialists to spread the word about vocal care.
In our latest BAST case study, Alexa Terry looks at strategies for teaching elite singers and explains that even the most polished performer can benefit from singing lessons.
What is a Vocal Health First Aider (VHFA), and how can you become one? Alexa Terry, a proud VHFA herself, explains.