AboutPenny Nichols Expertise I can answer all kinds of questions regarding singing techniques, practice, performance, vocal recording technique and harmony vocal arranging.
Experience I have been a professional singer/songwriter and vocal arranger and teacher in the music business since 1965.
Organizations BMI, Folk Alliance, SummerSongs, Inc. (I am the founding director)
Publications Singer Magazine
Education/Credentials I have a doctorate in Music Education from Harvard.
Awards and Honors Platinum record for my vocals on Jimmy Buffett's Son of a Son of a Sailor, 3 times nominated for a Grammy in the background singing category, MVP in the motivational singing category of the Assoc. of Multi-image Assoc. Annual awards two years in a row.
Past/Present Clients I have sung with, recorded with or opened shows for Mort Sahl, The Byrds, The Dillards, Dillard and Clark Expedition, John Kay
(Steppenwolf), The Association and Big Brother and the Holding Co. (Janis Joplin), Steve Miller, Quicksilver Messenger Service, 13th Floor Elevator, Chocolate Watchband, Jefferson Airplane, Dan Hicks & his Hot Licks, Cream (the Santa Monica Civic auditorium 1968),
Little Feat in concert. I wrote and performed commercials for Toyota's campaign to plant a tree for every car bought, Carnation Dairies, and produced a public service announcement for the
Navajo Nation called "Black Mesa" to protest the misuse of the land around the Four Corners power stations in Arizona.
In 1977, while working with Emitt Rhodes on a record for Elektra, I joined Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefers. I appeared in the movie FM with the band, toured the U.S. and earned a Platinum Record for my singing on Son of a Son of a Sailor. Also, I've recorded with Art Garfunkle (Fate for Breakfast) Suzi Quatro, Danny O'Keefe, Yvonne Elliman, Jennifer Warnes, Albert Brooks, The Credibility Gap, Steve Gillette and earned a Grammy nomination for my work on Arlo Guthrie's album The Power of Love. In addition, I have recorded a series of singing lessons which have been sold world-wide by Homespun Tapes since 1985.
Question QUESTION: Hi there- I have browsed your answers (you seem very helpful!) and I hope you can assist me. I took lessons years ago (classical) and am now getting back into singing. I am auditioning for a musical and have been practicing quite a bit. My question is, would you be willing to listen to an MP3 of me singing my audition piece? I *think* I am singing properly (not straining) and I am fairly pleased with what I hear when I record myself, but it's been so long since I had a lesson, that I want to make sure I'm not pushing my voice improperly. Also advice on keeping my larynx down at the high end of my range would be appreciated...do you think the SLS program is any good? Thanks! Lisa
ANSWER: You can send an Mp3 to pensongs@aol.com and I will listen to it and respond to you. Be sure and include your email address and a phone number. What is the SLS program?
Best wishes,Penny
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Penny- thanks so much! The SLS program is "speech level singing",
popularized by Seth Riggs. Thanks again, Liss
Answer Hi Lisa:
I should know that! I studied mostly with Seth's ex-wife Florence Riggs, whom I have great respect for. Seth's program is great from a theoretical POV but I have had a lesson from him and worked with his vocal recordings and I would not push the voice in the upper range as hard as he does. I have my own set of vocal lessons available on Homespun Tapes. My work is based on what I learned from Florence and Seth plus what I learned at Harvard studying music and voice and doing research in the field of pitch perception at the Grad. school of Education. You can find my lessons on my website at www.pennynichols.com or at Homespun Tapes. I look forward to hearing you sing!
