Raise Your Voice

by Jaime Vendera, Benoit Guerville (Illustrator), Molly Burnside (Director)

Raise Your Voice, by glass shattering vocal coach Jaime Vendera, is considered by many to be the "Singer's Bible." This groundbreaking vocal training manual features Jaime's truly unique approach to vocal technique and voice training which is keeping famous singers on the road, performing night after night. Through Jaime's Vocal Stress Release program and his the Isolation Method you too will discover how easy it is to extend your vocal range and increase your vocal power beyond what you have ever imagined possible. As well, you'll discover chapters covering vocal health, the singer's diet, physical and vocal exercises, stage & studio tips, as well as advanced rock singing techniques such as how to scream or add grit. Raise Your Voice contains over 150 pictures and illustrations, over 200 Useful Tips from the author, tips from over twenty of the world's top rock singers and vocal instructors, 72 audio examples and 10+ hours of audio/video instruction through the Raise Your Voice "Member's Section" though jaimevendera.com. Membership is included via password within the book. If you want to extend your vocal range, enhance your tone, improve vocal stamina, increase vocal power, boost vocal health, master advanced techniques like grit and the whistle register, conquer stage fright, and become a great performing/recording artist, Raise Your Voice is the answer!

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2000

Reviews

[Barry John Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly insightful book for anyone learning to sing whether a beginner or advanced. I finally decided that last year (2013) I wanted to learn to sing at the age of 22. I started having lessons with a singing teacher who recommended Jaime Vendera's books. It doesn't matter what genre of music you sing because this book WILL help you.

It's a book you keep coming back to as it provides excellent exercises and insight into the right techniques to use. I've found it very helpful and already I've gained 4 notes in the upper register following the exercises in this book going up to a soprano D in my screaming range which as a bass-baritone I'm pretty chuffed with. It's also helped me to sing better in my lower range too.

I would recommend this book as a must to anyone either wanting to learn to sing or an experienced singer who wants to get better!

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is very helpful, especially for beginners. There is a ton of solid, good information here. It is very important that the reader be careful though as there are a number of things in this book that I would not personally recommend (such as pouring hydrogen peroxide into your ear).

Additionally, many of the recommendations in this book are either anecdotal, or read like an advertisement. Some claims often lack scientific evidence, while others suggest a certain product that can help. Often, these products are tied in with products or supplements that the author is a part of. For example, one product recommended has accompanying audio tracks provided by the author. I understand that he is recommending products that he supports and endorses, but it often feels like products were included as ads rather than genuine use.

As I mentioned, much of this book is relayed through personal accounts and is very conversational. There often seemed to be a lack of evidence for many claims excluding the authors personal account. I'm not saying that all of the information was wrong. Much of it was accurate but the only evidence shown were through personal experience. There was an overall lack of scientific evidence and studies in the book.

I would recommend this to any singer looking to learn more and improve their voice, however be wary and take the advice here with some caution. Do your own research as well.

[Quinn W Buckland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of excellent advice in this book. It's actually scary how much good advice is in this book.
The writing is personal and funny.

Lost a couple points for upselling products. They're good products and they really work, it's just not something I'm used to seeing in a book. It's a personal hangup.

[Sarah Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good for singers I've learnt everything I need to know and it's packed with information. I always go back to the book if I need remind myself on something.

[Ralf · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a very mixed bag. To start with the negative, about a third of the text is made up of product placements for other vocal courses as well as mostly pointless gadgets and supplements. When I pay €30 for a book, I expect it to be free of advertisements. My second big complaint is that some of the explanations of vocal anatomy and acoustics are just plain wrong. The claim that the vocal folds "zip together" on high notes has been debunked for a long time, as has the belief that vibrations felt in the torso actually contribute to the vocal sound. And thirdly, I find Jaime Vendera's conversational tone, motivational babble, and awkward attempts at humour quite annoying.

On the upside, however, his vocal exercise suggestions are actually quite sensible. Slowly sliding back and forth between different pitches and timbres really is a very effective way of training coordination, and a much better starting point for practicing vocal technique than traditional scale exercises. So, basically, I recommend reading the chapter "Strengthening the Voice" and ignoring almost everything else.

[Filip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the books that I've read about singing, this book is the most comprehensive resource about being and becoming a vocalist.

You can always get something new from those 400+ pages, compiled from the many years of Jaime Vendera's glass shattering vocal journey. I believe that this symbolizes the never ending journey of being a singer - there are so many great coaches, singers and programs.

I will always be coming back to this book as I am now - for guidance, exercises, or upgrading my lifestyle as a vocalist, jumpstarting my dedication to another level and I can't wait to see new stuff in Jaime's store or to be privileged enough to be trained by him.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'm in the process of learning to sing, and this book has helped. i like how he's fairly explicit about how to sing - too many voice teachers give maddening advice like "just let go" and "breathe through your back" which to me, feels like someone explaining the sensation of how it already feels to sing well, as opposed to explaining how to change one's technique to get there. it's about the price of a single professional singing lesson, so it's worth it. i actually think it could be more useful to others than me (i'm the exact opposite of a natural singer).