nikki-vocal-coach

Vocal Health tips from Nikki

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 20:57:24 GMT

Discover some of Nikki's top tips for vocal health!

In recognition of World Voice Day, acclaimed Vocal Coach and singer song-writer Nikki Lamborn shares useful tips on maintaining a healthy voice when performing. Nikki has shared the International stage with the likes of Roger Daltry, Shirley Bassey, Alice Cooper and Bryan Adams to name a few and has been described by Roger Daltry as the best rock voice since Janis Joplin.

Never the Bride

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:48:38 GMT

PLEASED TO MEET YOU.

IN THE VERY HEART OF THE NOTORIOUS LONDON ROCK AND ROLL SCENE EXISTS A WHIRLWIND DUO OF FEMALE ENERGY AND ECSTASY, RECOGNISED AS THE TRUE QUEENS OF ROCK.

Their live performance is to be held in awe, purely in anticipation of the live operatic architecture they consistently unfurl upon their willing audiences.

Bristol born Nikki Lamborn carries the dynamo vocal lead, while Glaswegian, Catherine ‘Been’ Feeney asserts the ‘sonic art’ with keys and vocals. Their raw, unfettered talent is undeniably enough to justify the impression the girls have left on audiences during Never The Bride’s 30 years of global domination.

Roger Daltrey broadcast “Nikki Lamborn has the best female rock voice since Janis Joplin and I know what I’m talking about, I knew Janis”. The legendary Dame Shirley Bassey called the girls “inspirational”, they have performed private shows for Cher and Liza Minnelli. BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris referred to them as “one of the best live bands in Britain”; the ladies’ roll-call list is simply mind blowing – as are the stories they readily share.

Having invaded venues ranging from The Royal Albert Hall (on multiple occasions), playing alongside Elton John, The British Rock Symphony Orchestra and Blues festivals, Wembley Arena supporting The Who, The Viper Room in LA and Euro-fests galore – to intimate spaces like The Green Note in Camden, Never The Bride have amazed and floored audiences and peer groups alike – these ladies are rock n roll royalty.

Why are Monitors so important?

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 21:38:59 GMT

Floor monitors / In ear monitors...

I have had and believe it or not still have students saying to me, "I don’t use monitors I just stand in front of my / the PA… I can hear myself really well?"

It floors me every time!

Monitors are the number 1 piece of kit that are gonna save your voice.

When a monitor is set up correctly with front of house sound, it create’s a slip stream, it’s amazing and makes your job as a singer safer and easier.

Your gig will be enjoyable, fun, it should not be a struggle.

Having good monitors stops you from over singing and making sure you wake up the next day with a voice.

And other times sadly the “The Engineer” isn’t great, this happens a lot depending on the venue sadly, try to learn what EQ you sound best with…You can learn this asking a good engineer who’s actually managed to get you a great sound, what EQ’s he/she has set for you. Make a note, take that note wherever you play, it’ll save your life!

Not having monitors in place will cause you to over sing causing you to push your voice to a place that’s unsafe. Too much over singing leads to problems, including Nodules.

My advice to anyone is either get yourself an in ear monitor system or buy your own power monitor which you take around to gig with you, it's just like an extra suitcase.

The wedge itself will have its own power and controls, you’ll have your own kettle lead to plug in turn it on, you’ll need a jack to jack to or DI box to connect to the venue’s system (the venue engineer should be able to provide that) then bingo, you are in control and can set yourself a good sound. There’s tone control, bass, mid and treble controls all at your fingertips, its the cheaper option to in ears and if set up correctly will be you best friend.

In ears are more expensive but an amazing investment, you don’t have to pay thousands of pounds, get some advice, or better still go to a place where you can try them out. I use a company called 'Hand Held Audio’ they’re in Enfield just outside London, you can go there and try out equipment with the help of a qualified engineer. They’re great for advise over the phone too.

If your voice means anything to you, DO NOT SING WITHOUT MONITORS…

xx Nikki

How to set up for your Online Vocal Coaching

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 16:47:17 GMT

Make the most of your sessions by having the right equipment and set up!

I’ve always been a hands on kind of coach, then Covid hit!

It took a while to create the right system as there was always a problem with latency, I play live piano in my vocal sessions so I needed to find a system with no delay. I must say, I’m loving the freedom and fun I have with people from all over the world because of this.

Equipment you will need

When working with me online I ask that you invest in this equipment in order to have the best session experience - you may well already have something similar but if not this is the best mic, amazing quality audio for the cost.

Rode-Microphones-NT-USB-Microphone

You just plug in and play, I will hear you and you will hear me.

It’s both a mic and an audio interface that’s needed, this is ideal as all in one, it’s currently on sale on Amazon! 25% off - from £169 to £125 ��.

Other Items needed...

Headphones - so we can hear each other - computer speakers apart from not being great quality will cause echoes on the session

The Mic on a mic stand near to you.

A long mirror close to the mic and computer so you can see yourself singing, I need you to be able to see the problem if I have to correct you, or say how great you did because of the way you did it.

Your computer, mirror, and mic stand all in a situation where you can see me without needing to look up or down…Bending your head is not good - I need to be straight in front of you - mirror behind computer so that you can see yourself whilst talking to me, mic just off centre so that we can see and hear each other.

Ideally, you will connect your laptop or computer directly into your router with an ethernet cable, that way we get the best possible signal - direct instead of via wifi.

Here is a link to shop Ethernet cables so you can choose the appropriate length for your situation

Ethernet Cable

One end goes into your router and depending on your lap top connection there will be an adaptor that connects the other end to your laptop.

Once you have everything in place, contact me and we can make a plan for a run through ahead of your session to be sure everything is working perfectly.

We would be hearing each other via a website called cleanfeed and see each other on zoom. You don’t have to do anything other than open emails - I will send email invites to both on screen and zoom for a test then again on your session day…It’s so cool!

FYI - Online sessions cost the same as sessions in person.