Hi Michael! My name is Emelie and I'm from Sweden. I'm a beginner singer since three years back who started out my singing journey straight off with taking voice lessons. It's been the best decision I ever made. I went from barely believing singing was for me, to unlocking a vocal instrument I never could have dreamed of having and lit the passion for singing along with it. I've really been enjoying exploring different genres along the way like musical theatre, jazz, old time R&B, old time rock and gospel - all of which my heart really has a soft spot for, especially the first two. Although I had went over elements of operatic technique with my voice teacher and how it can be used for efficient and sustainable singing in other genres, it wasn't until this year that I actually started learning operatic pieces and was completely enthralled with opera. I noticed that musical theatre and jazz, genres that I love, both seem to originate from opera. As I was more used to singing in more of a chest voice coordination, I started out with learning how to sing the gloriously beautiful Nessun Dorma in an operatic tenor kind of way, though in my soprano key, raising it a fifth. That was a fun and great challenge, being inspired by wonderful tenors like Franco Corelli, Mario Lanza, Mario del Monaco, Jan Kiepura and of course Jussi Björling. After having done that, I started to work on my operatic soprano, first on Nessun Dorma in the same key I had peviously practiced it in a tenor fashion. Among operatic sopranos, Birgit Nilsson has quickly become a huge inspiration for me along with Mirella Freni and Maria Callas. Lately after having watched the Tosca opera live at an annual Birgit Nilsson event this summer (my first ever opera show) I really was spellbound by Vissi D'Arte and have been trying to learn it lately, along with the song All I Ask Of You from Panthom Of the Opera. Your videos has helped me so much in getting a grasp on the correct operatic technique. Everything from conceps like leaning into the note to have proper breath support, stability and ease along with putting the weight on one leg, having a suitable appoggio, having a cheek lift go open up the sound and keep similar space between your teeth through all consonants has been super helpful. Your videos are so thorough and easy to understand, each new concept has been very interesting to experiment with as I've noticed big changes with. I think you're doing a wonder job with providing this gold mine of knowledge that you've gained through studying with some opera greats and that you're still passing the wisdom along to people even now when you're in your 80's - that is beyond admirable and speaks for the passion you have for vocal teaching and your will to keep helping students within it. For me, it would really be a pleasure to work with you and get some guidance in my operatic singing and other kinds of singing too. I wonder if it's possible for me to have some lessons with you? I'm glad to send you a video of my singing. Looking forward to hear from you.
Salut, Emelie! Write to Pamela@biwifi.com and see if she can get you on the schedule. I teach in 43 countries around the world and she is the only one who can handle the scheduling and the crazy time- zones.My history resembles yours, by the way. I could insert my name for yours and the stories would match perfectly. I sang opera for 45 years and have been a teacher, too, since I was 19. I'm now 85 years old and still singing all day and teaching all day! Send me a tape of yourself singing. I might mention that the greatest male singer I ever heard was Jussi Bjoerling! I actually had several lessons with him and they were fantastic! The greatest female singer was Zinka Milanov. All the best and I hope I get to hear your tape soon! Michael t
I’m confused about one aspect of breathing. You said to breathe deep down starting in your lower back, and your navel should automatically pull in. But for me my abdomen expands when I try to breathe deep, and if imagine my navel pulling in, I have to “try” to make it do it. And then it feels like it compresses my diaphragm upwards, and I thought it was supposed to expand down. Am I doing it wrong? Or does the pulling in feeling in the navel happen when you do the breath stop?
Breathing correctly is the most important thing. a singer can do. For now, pull the abdomen inward while. inhaling and read my book, Fundamentals of Great Vocal Technique, and read Caruso's book, Tetrazzini's book, and read Lilli Lehmann's book. Take some Yoga lessons and learn how to open the lower ribs in the back while breathing. Swim a lot and learn to play a clarinet or saxophone. if you really want to be a singer, learn to breathe deeply into the lower back. Caruso, Corelli, Joan Sutherland, Nellie Melba, and kirstin Flagstad were all ocean and competive swimmers. Gigli played saxophone for 30 years, Fritz Wunderlich played French Horn for 30 years, Martinelli played Calrinet, Ghiaurov played trombone and clarinet, etc. Every great singer I interviewed insisted that the breath must be inhaled into the lower back. Helge Rosvaenge did 3 hours of Yoga every day for 55 years, Robert Merrill did Yoga 2 hours per day for 65 years and sang until he was 88 years old! You get the idea, I hope. the throat must be totally free while singing or speaking and the support for the voice is low in the back. Caruso said the ribs open in the lower back when inhaling and squeeze together while singing. i hope you will not give up, but find a yoga clalss and learn to play a saxophone. then you will begin to sing beautifully! All the best, Michael T
IMO, you'll be fine with an outward expansion. Lots of other great singers sang with outward expansion and a downward lean, like Pavarotti, Dahlberg, Vinay, Vickers, Bastianini, ect. It's more about the correct use of the breath AFTER you breath in, to avoid being under/over pressured in the throat. Don't PUSH down on the breath, LEAN gently on it to great the power you need.
A demo I tried is to find a large room, turn on a loud gettoblaster, sing next to it and record in back of hall, and simultaneously right in front of your mouth. Then try the right and wrong ways of singing as maestro explained.
![BRASIL vs. PERÚ [4-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 10](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tbyOJKXfQnI/mqdefault.jpg)
Once again, thank you. I look forward to every video.
I am glad you posted a video again, I am glad to see you back here.
Wise words maestro
Excellent, excellent video. Thank you Maestro for your wisdom, work and art.
Hi Michael! My name is Emelie and I'm from Sweden. I'm a beginner singer since three years back who started out my singing journey straight off with taking voice lessons. It's been the best decision I ever made. I went from barely believing singing was for me, to unlocking a vocal instrument I never could have dreamed of having and lit the passion for singing along with it. I've really been enjoying exploring different genres along the way like musical theatre, jazz, old time R&B, old time rock and gospel - all of which my heart really has a soft spot for, especially the first two. Although I had went over elements of operatic technique with my voice teacher and how it can be used for efficient and sustainable singing in other genres, it wasn't until this year that I actually started learning operatic pieces and was completely enthralled with opera. I noticed that musical theatre and jazz, genres that I love, both seem to originate from opera.
As I was more used to singing in more of a chest voice coordination, I started out with learning how to sing the gloriously beautiful Nessun Dorma in an operatic tenor kind of way, though in my soprano key, raising it a fifth. That was a fun and great challenge, being inspired by wonderful tenors like Franco Corelli, Mario Lanza, Mario del Monaco, Jan Kiepura and of course Jussi Björling. After having done that, I started to work on my operatic soprano, first on Nessun Dorma in the same key I had peviously practiced it in a tenor fashion. Among operatic sopranos, Birgit Nilsson has quickly become a huge inspiration for me along with Mirella Freni and Maria Callas. Lately after having watched the Tosca opera live at an annual Birgit Nilsson event this summer (my first ever opera show) I really was spellbound by Vissi D'Arte and have been trying to learn it lately, along with the song All I Ask Of You from Panthom Of the Opera.
Your videos has helped me so much in getting a grasp on the correct operatic technique. Everything from conceps like leaning into the note to have proper breath support, stability and ease along with putting the weight on one leg, having a suitable appoggio, having a cheek lift go open up the sound and keep similar space between your teeth through all consonants has been super helpful. Your videos are so thorough and easy to understand, each new concept has been very interesting to experiment with as I've noticed big changes with. I think you're doing a wonder job with providing this gold mine of knowledge that you've gained through studying with some opera greats and that you're still passing the wisdom along to people even now when you're in your 80's - that is beyond admirable and speaks for the passion you have for vocal teaching and your will to keep helping students within it. For me, it would really be a pleasure to work with you and get some guidance in my operatic singing and other kinds of singing too. I wonder if it's possible for me to have some lessons with you? I'm glad to send you a video of my singing. Looking forward to hear from you.
Salut, Emelie! Write to Pamela@biwifi.com and see if she can get you on the schedule. I teach in 43 countries around the world and she is the only one who can handle the scheduling and the crazy time- zones.My history resembles yours, by the way. I could insert my name for yours and the stories would match perfectly. I sang opera for 45 years and have been a teacher, too, since I was 19. I'm now 85 years old and still singing all day and teaching all day! Send me a tape of yourself singing. I might mention that the greatest male singer I ever heard was Jussi Bjoerling! I actually had several lessons with him and they were fantastic! The greatest female singer was Zinka Milanov. All the best and I hope I get to hear your tape soon! Michael t
Thank you Mike
Really helpful, as always! Thanks a lot!
Amazing teacher
Great information here! Glad you didn't edit out the ending 😂
I’m confused about one aspect of breathing. You said to breathe deep down starting in your lower back, and your navel should automatically pull in. But for me my abdomen expands when I try to breathe deep, and if imagine my navel pulling in, I have to “try” to make it do it. And then it feels like it compresses my diaphragm upwards, and I thought it was supposed to expand down. Am I doing it wrong? Or does the pulling in feeling in the navel happen when you do the breath stop?
Breathing correctly is the most important thing. a singer can do. For now, pull the abdomen inward while. inhaling and read my book, Fundamentals of Great Vocal Technique, and read Caruso's book, Tetrazzini's book, and read Lilli Lehmann's book. Take some Yoga lessons and learn how to open the lower ribs in the back while breathing. Swim a lot and learn to play a clarinet or saxophone. if you really want to be a singer, learn to breathe deeply into the lower back. Caruso, Corelli, Joan Sutherland, Nellie Melba, and kirstin Flagstad were all ocean and competive swimmers. Gigli played saxophone for 30 years, Fritz Wunderlich played French Horn for 30 years, Martinelli played Calrinet, Ghiaurov played trombone and clarinet, etc. Every great singer I interviewed insisted that the breath must be inhaled into the lower back. Helge Rosvaenge did 3 hours of Yoga every day for 55 years, Robert Merrill did Yoga 2 hours per day for 65 years and sang until he was 88 years old! You get the idea, I hope. the throat must be totally free while singing or speaking and the support for the voice is low in the back. Caruso said the ribs open in the lower back when inhaling and squeeze together while singing. i hope you will not give up, but find a yoga clalss and learn to play a saxophone. then you will begin to sing beautifully! All the best, Michael T
IMO, you'll be fine with an outward expansion. Lots of other great singers sang with outward expansion and a downward lean, like Pavarotti, Dahlberg, Vinay, Vickers, Bastianini, ect. It's more about the correct use of the breath AFTER you breath in, to avoid being under/over pressured in the throat. Don't PUSH down on the breath, LEAN gently on it to great the power you need.
A demo I tried is to find a large room, turn on a loud gettoblaster, sing next to it and record in back of hall, and simultaneously right in front of your mouth. Then try the right and wrong ways of singing as maestro explained.
Genius😊
I love the ending hahaha.
Sería genial que sus vídeos tuvieran subtitulos en español. Y que su libro fuera traducido al español.
He has videos with spanish, his videos speak the same knowledge
Great information here! Glad you didn't edit out the ending 😂