Proper Singing Tech.

Hi Chris,

Whitney was an amazing singer IMO.  I did not buy any of her music and as she declined, I felt terrible for what she went through after having such an amazing career.  Here are some stats: (remember 170 million albums!)

This article is about the person. For her 1985 eponymous album, see Whitney Houston (album).

Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston performing at Good Morning America in Central Park on September 1, 2009 Background information Birth name Whitney Elizabeth Houston Born August 9, 1963(1963-08-09)
Newark, New Jersey, U.S. Died February 11, 2012(2012-02-11) (aged 48)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S. Genres R&B, soul, pop, dance, gospel Occupations Singer, actress, model, film producer, record producer, songwriter Instruments Vocals, piano Years active 1977–2012 Labels Arista, RCA Associated acts Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick, Dee Dee Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Jermaine Jackson, Mariah Carey, Enrique Iglesias, Bobby Brown Website Official website


Whitney Houston's autograph Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American recording artist, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, the Guinness World Records cited her as the most-awarded female act of all-time.[1] Houston was one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million albums, singles and videos worldwide.[2][3] She released seven studio albums and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have diamond, multi-platinum, platinum or gold certification. Houston's crossover appeal on the popular music charts, as well as her prominence on MTV, starting with her video for "How Will I Know",[4] influenced several African American female artists to follow in her footsteps.[5][6]
Houston is the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits.[7] She is the second artist behind Elton John and the only female artist to have two number-one Billboard 200 Album awards (formerly "Top Pop Album") on the Billboard magazine year-end charts.[8] Houston's 1985 debut album Whitney Houston became the best-selling debut album by a female act at the time of its release. The album was named Rolling Stone's best album of 1986, and was ranked at number 254 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[9] Her second studio album Whitney (1987) became the first album by a female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart.[9]
Houston's first acting role was as the star of the feature film The Bodyguard (1992). The film's original soundtrack won the 1994 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Its lead single "I Will Always Love You", became the best-selling single by a female artist in music history. With the album, Houston became the first act (solo or group, male or female) to sell more than a million copies of an album within a single week period under Nielsen SoundScan system.[9] The album makes her the top female act in the top 10 list of the best-selling albums of all time, at number four. Houston continued to star in movies and contribute to their soundtracks, including the films Waiting to Exhale (1995) and The Preacher's Wife (1996). The Preacher's Wife soundtrack became the best-selling gospel album in history.[10]

So I am not sure about her using an incorrect vocal technique for vibrato.  If is sounds good, use it.  However, a good vocal coach can listen to you and help with those technical issues based on your own style.  That's about the best I can offer.  By the way, I think you are an awesome singer!

Rimshot

The term "false vibrato" is not a derogatory term. It's a technique that even a singer with a natural vibrato can do. It's much more difficult to do the false one than a natural one IMO. Getting to a natural vibrato is something that's learned through proper technique. The false vibrato is something learned usually by young singers trying to imitate what they think they are hearing on recordings.

Randy

Whitney doesn't have a false vibrato.  Sometimes when singing high and intense - belting - more parts of the body get in involved with vibrato.  Like the solar plexus and even the abs.  Some people let the jaw get involved to.  But Whitney had incredible technique with a natural vibrato.  Her vibrato didn't eminate from manipulating her jaw, the jaw was a result.  That said, you really wouldn't see many operatic singers letting the jaw get involved.

Learning how to sing - with good technique - and to be able to sing with a wide range - without damaging your voice - takes a lot of hard work.  Getting a teacher is very helpful and almost necessary if you want to develop your range into and beyond your passagio (E4 and above).  

There are a number of exercises that can help develop your vibrato, but you need to first be able to get rid of tension first, and resonate the tones with open cavaties.  You need free coordination between your TA and CT muscles.   Vibrato, to me, is the best when it is natural and involuntary.  If I try to manipulate it - like I would on guitar - it just doesn't sound right.  If I'm singing without tension the vibrato is more or less automatic.

vibrato.... while many call it "natural" is a learned technique. 

The ability to control it is just as important as being able to hit the right note in a melody.  As a singer experiments on their own, or is taught  vibrato technique by an instructor, the learned behavior becomes ingrained and is assumed to be "natural" vibrato. 

The "natural" vibrato of an opera singer is quite different from the vibrato of a soul singer or the vibrato of a folk singer. 

I had the pleasure of working with and singing with a lady who was classically trained. What a voice. She could sing opera like nobody's business. And there I was with my totally untrained "Willie Nelson" country hick voice. I tried to help her unlearn a few things and she taught me a few learned things. But the topic of vibrato came up and she believed that there was only one way to do vibrato. By working with her, I showed her that she was in control and could do anything she wanted with the vibrato. 

A pleasing vibrato (to me) is a singer who can control it as well as they control pitch. Where they hit a note...... hold the note....and slowly introduce a vibrato to that held note.

Vibrato that is a direct multiple of the BPM of the tune is more "natural" sounding than one that is not. 

Guitarhacker


vibrato.... while many call it "natural" is a learned technique.  
 

I agree - for most people.  I learned how to do it.  I can turn it on an off at will, and control it.  But when I turn it on I do not try to subdivide it into the rhythm of the song.  I just "let it go".  Otherwise it starts to sound a little fake.  That's my personal opinion - to each his / her own.
 
However, I'm married to someone that has such a natural vibrato she actually had to learn to do a straight tone.  She can't remember ever learning vibrato.  So there are those where it comes very natually.  I don't know too many people like that.

It's what sounds good that's important... There are some fundamental rules about singing? And there's nothing "at all" against or wrong with using vibrato? Nothing. It's a tool, like compression, EQ, etc... And there's nothing wrong with reverb either. It's what sounds good? If it sounds good? Then it IS good. I knew a girl who used her diaphragm all the time? I miss that woman...
 
For the people who try to get me banned on a regular basis? I'm talking about singing. Now back to your normal attacks, thank you.

Julibee - you're one of the rare singers like my wife whom vibrato came instinctively and naturally. 

bandontherun19

There are best practices? And there are accepted standards? But there are not hard and fast "rules..." As Al Davis once said, "just win baby..."

+1
 
There are some awesome vocs ... some can even sing!  -- Hahahaha!
 
Egotistical singing is a complete turn-off for me, but many great songs are won that way.  Think Jethro Tull and Aqualung.  Sickening -- LOL!
 
Likewise, Emo singing in males ... not my cup -- LOL!
 
Personally, I know I've succeeded when 'the magic happens' ... the inward man resurrects new life and new joyful utterances (hopefully coherent ones) ... that is singing!