Set Your Voice Free: How To Get The Singing Or Speaking Voice You Want [Paperback]

Roger Love (Author), Donna Frazier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2003

With innovative techniques and enjoyable exercises that have worked wonders with his professional clients, the internationally acclaimed vocal coach demonstrates how to carry a tune, expand vocal range, and speak with ease, confidence, and effectiveness. Illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Roger Love has found a way to train the voice and free the heart, mind and voice' - John Gray, author of Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus

About the Author

Roger Love is the president of an interactive media company that specialises in vocal-related content for educational and entertainment properties. Love's clients include leading actors, celebrity speakers, and musicians. Amongst them: Motley Crue; Earth Wind & Fire; Billy Idol; the Jacksons; Martin Landau; Def Leppard; Phish; Iggy Pop; and Anthony Robbins.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (August 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316441589
• ISBN-13: 978-0316441582
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Instruments & Performers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent and Inspiring Guide..., August 18, 2003

By 

**SkipKent** (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Set Your Voice Free (Hardcover)

I'm one of those who honestly felt that I had got my $... worth and then some in the first five minutes of working with this book. I've sung in bands and theatre with moderate success but always been frustrated at the entirely hit-or-miss nature of my grasp on 'how to sing'. It's never been something I 'do', but rather something I can 'usually get away with'. Love's book helped guide me in short order to a part of my voice that I've found on occasion on my own (usually in the car, or occasionally an inspired moment on stage, but almost never simply 'on demand') which I now realize is the middle voice he refers to in his book.

Are there other ways to get there? No doubt. Is he first and only instructor to speak of this sort of thing? Of course not, but he's the VERY FIRST who managed to reach ME despite myself. Does that mean he will reach you as well? Who knows, but I'd say it's a pretty safe gamble you will take away something from this book and cd in short order if you approach it openly and with a good sense of humor.

His simple device of using the 'cry' and whatnot have proved invaluable to me in 'remembering' how to find that sweet spot instead of shouting myself hoarse with vocal groping and frustration. Think Robert Smith or Danny Elfman to get an idea of how the 'cry' can sound. It's kind of a vocal 'shoe-horn' to get you into middle voice. Once you start to get a feel for this, the goofy images like 'think of your voice as a purple mist flowing--blah de blah de blah' start to actually become useful as you start to feel and hear when you're going from chest voice to head voice and/or somewhere in between.

Good luck and have fun with the book. Really accentuate the cry when you get to that part. Let yourself be a goofy cartoon character for a bit and laugh and have fun, and you may suddenly realize that your voice is ringing more clearly and purely than ever before. If you've never experienced it before, you'll probaly freak a bit and think "What the shrieking f* was that?!" It will feel very 'unusual' and perhaps even 'un-safe' as in "I don't sound like THAT! OTHER people who really know how to sing sound like that!" Surrender a bit and let yourself continue to explore, and get a pocket recorder so you can record yourself on the fly, even while driving.

Experiment. Laugh. Have fun.

Good Luck!

82 of 87 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Help For Spasmodic Dysphonia, December 3, 1999

By 

Raymond Housteau (Ohio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Set Your Voice Free (Hardcover)

About a year ago, after a severe cold, I started experiencing problems with my voice. I am a stockbroker who gives many investment seminars, and use my voice continually to make a living. Needless to say I was panicked.

I was diagnosed with a condition called Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD) and was told there was no cure. The only treatment is to have injections of Botox (a poison) into my vocal cords several times a year.

There is a school of thought that believes that SD is a mechanical problem and that it is indeed curable. I have had some relief with techniques that improve the way I speak. I purchased "Set Your Voice Free" in the hopes that I would find a little more information that would help me regain more of my voice.

To my astonishment, in only two weeks of practicing his techniques I realized very significant improvement. At times I was actually speaking better than I ever have before SD.

I strongly believe that, aside from improving almost anybody's singing or speaking voice, this book could also be a powerful tool for those who may need to rehabilitate a troubled voice.

The book is easy to read, yet very informative. I was impressed with the information relating to the mechanics of voice. When you understand how things work, you have a better idea of where your problems may be.

The accompanying disc is in my car constantly and I try to do the exercises daily.

If you are looking for a way to quickly improve your vocal capabilities, order this book!

98 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make yourself heard, July 12, 2003

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Set Your Voice Free (Hardcover)

The book 'Set Your Voice Free', by Roger Love, one of most famous and most in-demand vocal coaches in America, is a real godsend to those who rely on their voice for professional purposes (hmmm, why would a preacher need that?). Co-authored by Donna Frasier, this book explores techniques for preserving, strengthening, and extending the vocal power and range of the reader/practitioner.

There is a forward by Dr. Laura Schlessinger--whether or not you agree with her opinions, you must admit she has vocal presence on the radio. This book will not turn you into Dr. Laura (in any respect!) but it will help you achieve the voice that you are capable of having, but simply did not gain the instruction to unleash.

Why is speaking important? While this many seem a question with an obvious answer, it is usually an unexamined one. The right voice can make a business presentation or sales pitch more dynamic, and make the difference between closing the deal and walking away empty-handed. The right voice can win the man or woman of your dreams over to a first date. Even if you just want to sound better on your answering machine, this is book that will help.

Think you can't carry a tune in a bucket, and that this is because you don't have musical training? Guess again. With simple exercises in this book, you will be singing along in no time with much less self-consciousness and more self-confidence, which in-and-of itself can make a difference in how you sound.

It comes with an instructional CD with vocal exercises to follow. From simple breathing exercises (yes, there is a right way to breathe) to more specific practice routine, you will have material to follow to help you unlock the hidden potential of your voice. The sound you make will be richer, more fully rounded and developed.

Roger Love includes extra helps for those who are primarily interested in singing (such a vibrato, riffs, and even stage presence), and those who are more interested in speaking (such as pacing, varying the tone, volume, even what to do with your hands).

The final chapter takes on aspects of the healing power of the voice. Remember how wonderful you felt when, as a child, your mother would read softly or sing to you, how the sound of her voice alone was a great healing comfort? There is a reason for this, not simply due to the emotional bond with mother. The voice can reach parts of the brain that the language itself cannot reach. Learn to tap into that.

Make a joyous sound! Read this book, and set your voice free!