There are many ways to use the You Can Sing, Complete Vocal Techniques CD with Jessica Williams. As mentioned in the CD booklet, do not ever push or strain your voice when using this CD. These exercises were designed with the maximum range in mind, so they start low and end high. Only sing what is comfortable, stop mid-exercise if it is out of your range. You can cause harm to your vocal chords if you push beyond your ability. Progress will come with patience, not by force!*
* Jessica Williams, Musician2You, Musician2You Media and its affiliates are not liable for your use of this CD.
Now, how to use this CD most effectively and beneficially?
First, assess your level, your goals, your time per session and your session per week.
If you are a beginner, you may want to work with the CD 15 minutes at a time, 3 times per week. Intermediate singers may benefit from 25 minutes a time, 3 times per week. Advanced singers may choose to work for 40 minutes at a time, 4-6 times per week. During these sessions, alternate which area of vocal concentration you use.
| First 2 weeks: | Use the CD Monday through Friday and complete the pitch matching section only |
| Next 2 weeks: | Do pitch matching Mon/Fri and add low range on Tues/Thu |
| Next 2 weeks: | Do pitch matching and low range Mon/Wed/Fri, do pitch matching and mid range Tues/Thu |
| Next 2 weeks: | Do mid range and high voice Mon/Wed/Fri, do pitch matching and low range Tues/Thu |
| Week 1: | Pitch match, Low range, Middle range |
| Week 2: | Pitch match, Middle range, High range |
| Week 3: | Low range, Middle range, High range |
| Week 4: | Middle range, High range, Scales |
| Week 5: | Middle range, Scales, Jumps |
| Week 6: | Middle range, Scales, Minor key |
| You can stretch this whole program over a longer period of time (i.e. doing Week 1 as a Month 1, etc. It may take a long time to complete the entire CD, based on your level and rate of development. | |
| Week 1: | Pitch match, Low range, Middle range |
| Week 2: | Low range, Middle range, High range |
| Week 3: | Middle range, High range, Scales |
| Week 4: | Middle range, Scales, Jumps |
| Week 5: | Middle range, Scales, Minor Key |
| Week 6: | Minor Key, Belting, Scales |
| Mon/Wed/Fri: | Mid-Range, Jumps and Minor Key |
| Tues/Thu/Sat: | Low Range, Scales, Belt Range |
| Mon/Wed/Fri: | Long workout: 75 minutes of complete CD |
| Tues/Thu/Sat: | 10 minute sections: Tues-Scales, Thu-Jumps, Sat-Mid Range |
| Gain precision in you pitch: | Pitch match, Scales, Jumps |
| Expand your upper range: | High range, Scales, Jumps |
| Expand your lower range: | Pitch match, Low range, Scales, Jumps |
| Smooth your transition: | High range, Scales, Jumps |
| Strengthen your belting voice: | Low Range, Minor key, Belting range |
| Enrich your tone: | Pitch match, Minor key, Belting Range |
| Build vocal stamina: | Middle range, High range, Scales, Jumps, Belting range |
| Warm-up for stage or studio audition: | Scales, Jumps, Belting range |
| Extended vocal workout: | Entire CD (75 minutes) |
| Backup Singer: | Pitch match, Jumps, Scales |
| Conjunction with private lessons: | Ask you teacher which area of vocal concentration is your weakness; warm-up with Pitch match before your lesson |
If you have never had voice lessons or are new to study, go gently with yourself and think of the CD as a long-term projects; it might be 6 months to a year before you get through the whole CD.
When using the CD, stand tall with your shoulders back, your chest lifted and breathe through your abdomen. As you sing, keep your mouth open without tension, your tongue relaxed, your jaw loose, your eyebrows lifted, your eyes bright and your throat open. Keep your mind positive and picture your voice expanding and fulfilling its potential.
Enjoy your growth and development!