LAMP LIGHTS UP THE KNITTING FACTORY
by Jimi Yamagishi, Director, SongNet
On July 12th, 2003, LAMP brought
three of the most respected vocal coaches in the business together at The Knitting Factory for another historic and memorable event: Seth Riggs, Lis Lewis, and Elisabeth Howard.  Pictured from left to right: Seth Riggs, Lis
Lewis, Elisabeth Howard, and L*A*M*P leader Leslie Waller.
Lis Lewis, whose credits include Gwen Stefani,
Bobby McFerrin and members of Linkin Park, got the event started with a brief technical discussion on the mechanics of singing, then took it to another level by showing how it's not all about
what comes from your mouth, but rather the whole package. Every move, facial expression and nuance is all part of the presentation, something that every entertainer, not just singers, needs to know.
Lis then focused on finding your own personality, noting the possible pitfalls of identifying too closely with "name brand" artists and losing yourself.
Bringing audience members to the stage, she worked with several vocalists, ranging from Vegas Lounge to Janis
Joplin and everything in between. Looking out over the crowd, you could see heads nodding in agreement and hear
pens scribbling notes as each performer was evaluated by everyone present along with commentary from Lis herself.
Making a grand entrance in true diva style, to the tune of "It Don't' Mean A Thing If You Ain't Got That Swing",
Elisabeth Howard took charge of the next section, displaying her credentials through the PA system in no uncertain terms. "Yeah, I wanna sing like that!"
Demonstrating her Vocal Power technique, she touched on the roots of vocal style, explaining how blues and jazz
scales were an essential part of improvisation, and provided insight to how songs in any genre can be approached for
maximum impact. Following that, Elisabeth guided everyone there through a series of exercises. Even the bartenders
and security guards got into it! The differences were immediately apparent as each exercise was done.
Finishing off her presentation by running through an impressive array of vocal techniques, she provided a perfect balance of education and entertainment, showing why she's known as the "Vocal Chameleon."
The legenday Seth Riggs capped off the evening, with his anecdotal style describing how sometimes record labels
can be ruthless enough to drive a young artist's career into the ground for money, by pushing them beyond their physical capabilities before they've matured.
Diagramming out natural break points in vocal range, demonstrating how to mix head and chest to overcome falsetto
problems, he was very clear about the basics of his techniques. To bring everything to a close, Seth brought up a
12-year-old student of his techniques, and her amazing performance brought the whole place to their feet in a rousing standing ovation!
With giveaways, networking opportunities and tables full of useful information, VOCAL MECCA once again proved LAMP provides the tools to make an artists' wish come true!
****** Featured Instructors:
Seth Riggs (legendary "speech level singing" techniques; clients include Michael Jackeon, Michael Bolton,
Barbara Streisand, Luther Vandross and others too numerous to mention). A fifty-year vocal coach and
industry icon, Seth Riggs is the coach of choice for actors, directors, and more. Over 200 vocal coaches teach
Seth Riggs' speech-level singing method--a way of using your voice that allows you to sing freely and clearly anywhere in your range, with all your words clearly understood. Seth Riggs will discuss:
- Understanding bridges and creating a mix
- Understanding chest voice, head voice and eliminating breaks with a mix
Lis Lewis (No Doubt, Linkin Park, Steve Miller, Britney Spears, Bobby McFerrin, and more!) Lis Lewis is the
director of The Singers' Workshop, author of the book The Singer's First Aid Kit published by Hal Leonard A
twenty-five year veteran vocal coach, Lis has also collaborated with managers, record labels, producers and songwriters to get the best performances from their artists.
Lis Lewis will discuss:
- Developing your onstage character
- Making a stronger connection to your material and your audience
- Allowing spontaneity
- Projecting your personality through clothing, movement, speaking etc.
- Building charisma- your unique identity
Elisabeth Howard (founder of famous "vocal power" method with clients such as Priscilla Presley, Nobody's
Angel, and countless Broadway leads) A thirty-year veteran vocal coach, co-author of the BORN TO SING
book, audiotapes and CD's; ABC's of Vocal Harmony, book, audio cassettes and CD's; and the Sing Like a Pro video,
Elisabeth Howard will present Comparative Vocal Styles: Blues, R&B, Jazz, and Musical Theater
- Blues scale; Blues "licks"- Improvisation
- Power and Projection breath and vocal fold adduction
- The "belt mix" for "safe belting"
- Vibrato "on the breath" and "shimmer vibrato"
- R&B Style - including dynamics, colors, licks,vibrato
- Vocal coloration - using four basic colors of the voice
- Pentatonic scale "Pentatonic licks" "Pop coloratura"
- Jazz - syncopation, alliteration, phrasing, scatting, song work
Jimi Yamagishi heads up SongNet, a FREE songwriter's organization that meets the first &
third Wednesdays @ the Coffee Gallery in AltadenaMore info @ www.songnet.org
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