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 Hello! I'm a student in high school and I would like to join chours next year. I have two main problems though. One is that I have been told my voice to airy. I also have problem singing chords, which is my main concern. Every time I sing my voice either goes up or down to match the person nearest to me, and not my own tenor part. Can you please help me with advice for these two problems?
Answer Hi Grant:
You need to take singing lessons to deal with the problem of your voice being too airy. Look for a singing teacher local to where you live or through the music department of a nearby college. If that doesn't work or is too expensive for you, you can get my set of singing lessons on Homespun Tapes www.homespuntapes.com, and study with them for 3 years. Work on one CD at a time for 6 months, then move to the next CD. They are also available on my website at www.pennynichols.com. As for the problem of not being able to hold your part when you are singing with others in harmony, I also have a set of harmony singing lessons that you can get on CD Baby or at my website; www.pennynichols.com that would help you learn how to stay on your part. It just takes practice. Good luck!
