Customer Reviews

Voice Power - Volume 1 - Performance Tools for Singers, Public Speakers & Communicators

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD has 3 parts - 1) an overview of Structural Breathing (13 min); 2) relaxation and affirmations (35 min), and 3) guided visualization (25 min).

Structural breathing is based on "apoggio" - breath control technique, used by Caruso and described in the book "Caruso and Tetrazzini on the art of singing" by Enrico Caruso and Luisa Tetrazzini edited by Dover Publications. I have found that the CD "Voice Lessons to Go", vol. 1, for example, contains breathing and vocalization exercises that make it easier to comprehend and practice this kind of breathing, even in the book "The 3 dimensional voice" has lovely graphic descriptions and numerous practical exercises for ehnacing the richness of the voice.

In this first part of the CD, there are few suggestions I have found inappropriate "Breathing through your nose weakens you", "Abdominal breathing weakens you", "Placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth weakens you" (the last may be meaningful to those who are practicing energy circulation). The author says that placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth "shuts off the switch" related the circulation of the energy. Nothing could be further from the truth - placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth connects two main meridians in the body and anyone who is actually actively engaged in working with energy circulation, through practices such as microcosmic orbit can attest to that from personal experience (the experience is very tangible, noticeable and empowering).

As jeannie Deva, the author of the "Contemporary Vocalist" improvement course mentioned - over the years of working and talking with many vocal teachers about the proper methods of breathing and singing and finding numerous discrepancies, she finally decided to pick up books on anatomy and find out for herself. I suggest you too do some more research and experimenting before taking for granted the information presented on this CD.

Just keep on repeating such suggestions for a while and notice what happens and since the author mentions kinesiology, you may as well repeat these kinds of suggestions and then do kinesiology when you are breathing through your nose (which I suppose most people do throughout the day) and notice what kind of suggestions are you impressing upon your subconscious mind.

The second part of this CD contains about 5 minutes of relaxation and 30 minutes of affirmations - mostly forgiveness affirmations that cover all possibilities - here are few examples:

I release and forgive myself for being good at singing.
I release and forgive myself for not being good at singing.
I release and forgive myself for liking the sound of my voice.
I release and forgive myself for not liking the sound of my voice.
I forgive myself for being nervous when I use my voice.
I forgive myself for not being nervous when I use my voice.
I release and forgive myself for being good at communication.
I release and forgive myself for not being good at communication.
I release and forgive myself for enjoying my voice.
I release and forgive myself for not enjoying my voice.

The third part is guided visualization (20 min) set to a music of Tranquil Harp designed to help you alter perception, set boundaries, enhance creativity, flexibility, and your ability to visualize.

This CD does not contain any voice training techniques - for that you should get either voice teacher or voice training CDs (or both). The main focus of this CD seems to be on helping you to summon the courage to express yourself.

I am a professional singer and voice teacher.  I have used Mr. Hanrahan's CD for several years now and I have found it to be VERY effective for increasing focus, releasing fear and tension that every singer encounters in varying degrees.  It is a wonderful tool for singers.  This CD is not meant to be a voice lesson or training tape. I don't believe you can learn how to sing from a CD or a book.  Of course, you can try.  The title describes how each singer can attain excellence, Voice Power, if they relax, center themselves, and get rid of negative tapes that hampers so many singers.  Mr. Hanrahan focuses on breathing, relaxation techniques and affirmations to replace the negative thoughts (tapes) that run through all performers heads (See also, The Inner Game of Music) and, of course, to attain deep relaxation, the primary focus of the CD is on BREATHING. I highly recommend this CD and I know from experience, IT WORKS!!  Try it for yourselves.  But if you are looking for voice lessons, please find a qualified professional to study with. 

William Hanrahan's CD is incredibly useful for the singer who is creatively inhibited because of fear. Voice Power helps one begin to understand and undo years of self-deprication, and works toward the development of a healthy ego (one with confidence, grace and openness). It was hard for me to sit still for 36 minutes of the first track, but the more I do it the easier it becomes. Confident breathing is the key to beautiful singing and/or confident public speaking, and structural breathing has changed the way I think about my voice. When used in conjunction with a supportive and like minded vocal coach, this CD can help you before you practice, before you perform, or if you're just having a bad day. I would recommend checking it out. The CD promotes a healthy psychological outlook, which is something that is useful for everyone. I've spent so much time beating myself up that I've forgotten how much I really love to sing. This CD is helping me to get back on track, and to start having healthy thoughts about myself, my singing, and my audience.

As a singer, I have tried a number of breathing techniques. William Hanrahan's techniques for structural breathing have been the most natural and easiest that I have ever used. Applying the structural breathing technique has increased the range at the top and bottom ends of my voice. William's suggestions have also improved my focus during rehearsal and made my overall performance and relation to my audience more genuine. I would defnitely recommend this CD to any who is looking to enhance their vocal performance in any capacity, whether they are singers or public speakers.

For those of us who get nervous and tense when we sing, and then lose concentration, Voice Power is very helpful. It's a kind of centering for singers and public speakers, and centering is what we need. I also like its broader understanding of our voice as the essence of our self-expression. Our voice is who we are, and must be free of psychological barriers in order to be powerful. I appreciate very much William Hanrahan's kind assistance in an important area of vocal training not usually addressed.

I have scripted meditations for myself before and they have been very powerful. It was with a lot of input on my part, but I used a book called Creating the Work You Love, by Rick Jarow. Excellent book to say the least. With this background, I got this Voice Power CD, the first time I listened to someone else's scripted meditation. He is a man of great character speaking to people with great character. Meaning people who really care and want to share and help. Very inspiring. I gave it a 4 because the first section on how to breathe didn't really speak to me all that well. I am into the power of breathing deeply and getting into a very healthy and relaxed and receptive state, and I believe in it highly, I'm probably just not open to someone telling me how. I had voice lessons and encountered the same problem. So essentially, the second two sections are what I plan to listen to over and over again. And I do believe it has and will make a difference in my life. Believe it or not, I was able to speak up about inequalities and injustices and made $100,000.00 in the process. It actually came out in the form of rage at the circumstances and from deep within, almost like an explosive force that I didn't even know was going to erupt so suddenly. So the voice cd here, is actually, more attuned to sweet and harmonious sounds, being balanced, being clear, being thoughtful and caring, and being able to say what you have to say with that kind of approach. And that it the type of person I normally and habitually am, but from my experience, it has helped me to speak up powerfully in an adverse and challenging type of situation as well, where other people refuse for the most part to see, and to demand that they see and even make resolution.

I am writing this review to highlight a surprising result I had from trusting the process contained in this CD. I had had a very good experience with Vocal Integration's CD "Ladder of the Soul," so when I was faced with performing in public for the first time in 25 years, I obtained their Voice Power CD. I did not know what to expect. I was hoping it would help with my performance jitters about singing in public (which is why I stopped singing 25 years ago), and it did that, but it also did much more. I followed the CD instructions implicitly, noting that it should be listened to once a day for 30 days. This does take discipline, but I did it. Later, during our first rehearsal I had no jitters, which made me very happy. But then, when I completely blanked out half-way through a critical solo spot, a miracle happened. Somewhere inside me I heard Mr. Hanrahan's voice and BOOM my body went physically right into position without any mental input or effort on my part. All my body parts just automatically went into place all on their own and I was able to continue on perfectly. I was stunned as I literally "watched" this happen. I had no idea an experience like this was possible. As a result, a whole new world has been opened to me. I am now aware that amazing things can happen when we trust the knowledge of our subconscious mind. The peace this process has given me is unparalleled in anything I have ever experienced. I note that there are some negative reviews for this CD. I also note that those reviews are by people who elected to not go through the entire process. My observation from having gone through the entire process myself is that the treasure in this CD is not and cannot be experienced in the mental realm. It programs us at a more profound, deeper, and subconscious level. Like others reviewing this CD I have had vocal training in my past. Used in conjunction with a competent teacher the results can only be defined as life altering.

Not what I thought. This is what I would call a "New Age relaxation cd" more so than a voice training cd. Perhaps it works for some people, but I was quite disapointed. I will say it is a good cd to listen to at night to relax and go to sleep. It was just a bit cheesy for me though.

The best review I can offer is from my experience. The more I listen actively to this CD--*doing* what is suggested, practicing in the moment, applying it and playing with it throughout the day--the more I experience changes in every area of my life. This work has touched to my speaking, singing, sleep, attention, spiritual exercises, posture, movement and more. I recently completed the Los Angeles Marathon, and using the tools in this CD literally helped carry me through the final miles of the route. I am discovering a range with my voice and how my body can support my vocal expression that surprises me. This material opens doors, and that is how I am inspired to share it with others. Please check it out for yourself. There is a lot of value and beauty here, and a real gift from a masterful heart. Many thanks to William.

I am a motivational speaker and trainer who is always looking for ways to improve my technique and this CD did just that after the first use!

The easy to use concepts and visualizations have already increased my ability to deliver presentations with power and punch. Thanks, William Hanrahan, your work is the best I have heard to date. The use of the Celtic harp as background music relaxed me and helped me practice the vocal concepts you introduced. I especially liked the visualization, followed by the focused breathing exercise. Thanks for a great product that does what it says it will do.