FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - SLS VOCAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROCESS:

Q: How did the Speech Level Singing Technique evolve?
A: Speech Level Singing (SLS) is a vocal technique designed by famed vocal instructor Seth Riggs. Seth is credited with instructing more Grammy award winning legends than any other vocal instructor. Among his most celebrated students are: Ray Charles, Bernadette Peters, Natalie Cole, Anita Baker, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Julio Iglesias and Opera Star Phillip Webb. To Learn More

Q: How will I benefit from learning the Speech Level Singing Technique?
A: The SLS technique seamlessly blends a singer’s various vocal registers [chest, middle and head] voices into one voice, without breaks and with better tone. By learning to “mix” all of your vocal registers into one voice, you will acquire mastery of this skill in descending from the bottom and ascending to the top of your voice and back again which makes singing easier, allowing for your style to be supported by solid technique.

Q: What do successful artists say about the Speech Level Singing Technique?
A: “I first met Seth Riggs after corrective surgery. My bad vocal habits had caught up with me and I was forced to find a more correct way to sing. That was 1967. Today I still experiment with many vocal styles and the muscular freedom to do that is the result of my work with Seth. I slip occasionally, but Seth is always there to rebalance my voice. Seth has been my only voice teacher.” Stevie Wonder
And Opera Star, Phillip Webb, who replaced Luciano Pavarotti in “The Three Tenors” stated “Without Seth and SLS helping me to develop my middle voice, I would never have this opportunity.”

Q: Do I need to learn the SLS technique before getting help in songs?
A: No, applying the SLS Technique to songs can be done right away. However, often it is better to learn the SLS technique prior to singing songs and then apply the technique to songs, particularly when a student has vocal bad habits. To Learn More

Q: If I am a beginner or one who has bad habits, what can I expect from my first voice lesson and continual private lessons?
A: I will conduct an initial analysis to determine what your vocal habits are. Based on what I find determines where we will begin. I will work with each person’s individual tendencies and move along as quickly as possible. For beginners, those new to SLS, and those who need to correct unwanted habits and issues, I will introduce the SLS technique in an easy and simple manner to acquaint you with your chest, middle and head voices and begin to blend all the vocal registers as one voice. This will establish the technique as a natural part of your vocal instrument’s process. Once this is established, we will work on strengthening, agility, balancing and vibrato to move you towards applying the technique into songs as quickly as possible.

Q: If I have good habits and or I am an intermediate or advanced student, what can I expect from my first voice lesson and continual private lessons?
A: To restate from above, I will conduct an initial analysis to determine what your vocal habits are. Based on what I find determines where we will begin. I work with each person’s tendencies to move him or her along as quickly as possible. However, for intermediate and advanced students who already have good habits, I will strengthen those (where necessary) and educate them (from an SLS perspective) on what they are doing that is good and why it is important to maintain what they already do naturally. I will build upon those good habits, correct any bad habits and strengthen their voices where necessary and move them into songs quickly as possible. Or if they are performing or desire to sing right away, we will apply the technique to songs while continually working on balancing the voice through technique simultaneously.

Q: Are voice lessons recorded?
A: Yes, every lesson is recorded.

Q: How will I improve after the voice lesson?
A: You will receive an audio CD of each lesson to practice with. Daily practice is recommended.

Q: What is the process of learning the SLS technique?
A: In nutshell, SLS pedagogic exercises will be assigned to intimately establish the method with your vocal instrument. This teaches your neurological and mental processes (connection) between all of your voices, unifying them into one connected whole. In SLS language, you will learn to “mix” all of your voices as one. Exercises are also assigned to keep the larynx down and relaxed, (i.e., in a speech level position). And we will work on creating strength, control, agility, and balance within the “mix” while applying sustains, vibrato and dynamics. During the learning process and after the voice has shown improvement, application of the technique to songs is taught as it relates to style and specific genre.

Q: How long will it take me to learn the SLS Technique?
A: This process will take some singers longer than others. Much depends on what your natural tendencies are, how often you practice, how adaptable you are to accepting the SLS way of vocalizing, how well you are at feeling the SLS technique working inside the body, your vocal instrument, how easily you allow it to become second nature, and the teacher’s ability to guide you there, by allowing you to experience the technique through cause and effect.