The Art of Singing on Stage and in the Studio: Understanding the Psychology, Relationships, and Technology in Performing and Rec

To be a great singer, talent and technique are obviously important, as are having excellent songs and being able to move an audience. But there’s more to it than that, including two critical skills that are rarely, if ever, addressed in vocal training: managing the technology on stage and in the studio, and interacting with the people who run it.

No matter how fantastic your voice is or how much money is behind you, if you don’t know how to work with performing and recording technology, you’re in for a tough ride. Countless phenomenal singers stagnate professionally and even leave the business because they can’t figure out how to deliver when using studio headphones and stage monitors, or how to communicate their needs to producers and engineers. And many less-capable singers get ahead because they can.

The Art of Singing on Stage and in the Studio is the only book that comprehensively addresses these critical issues in an easy-to-read, accessible style. Starting with a discussion of the evolution of technology and the voice in our culture, it also explores the root causes of anxiety-related performance issues and, more importantly, how to overcome them. Singers, performers, producers, and engineers will all come away from this book more knowledgeable about the origins of their fields, empowered in the tools of their trade, and clearer on how to best communicate with one another.

Jennifer Hamady (New York City) is a voice coach and board-certified therapist specializing in technical and emotional issues that interfere with self-expression. Her clients include Grammy, Country Music Award, and American Music Award winners, contestants on American Idol and The Voice, and performers in Emmy and Tony Award-winning productions, as well as corporate and creative clients across an array of industries. Hamady began her career singing and recording with artists including Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Patti LaBelle, Wyclef Jean, and Def Leppard, as well as performing as a lead singer with Cirque du Soleil and as a backup vocalist on American Idol. Her first book, The Art of Singing: Discovering and Developing Your True Voice, has been heralded as a breakthrough in the psychology of musical and personal performance and remains a top seller in the field. She frequently conducts master classes and workshops on creative expression, and writes for the Huffington Post and Psychology Today. Her website is www.JenniferHamady.com.