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 I have been learning singing and guitar on and off for many years. I am confused about breathing and am having trouble with pitch. Seth Riggs states that "Correct breathing is a byproduct of good technique", (I have his book). I have a local singing teacher and she is old school and suggests "panting" exercises etc. I am "swooping" up and down to notes.
Answer I am a student of Seth's, and although I agree with him about breathing, I also agree with your old school teacher who suggests the panting as an exercise, I would include swimming under water as another technique for increasing breath control, also, studying yoga. Remember that your body is your instrument and you need to be in as good shape as an athlete to use it effectively as a singer. For the swooping up and down to notes: you need to learn how to target pitch with your voice. You can do that by taking classes in ear training at the music dept. of your local college or you can get my Harmony Singing and Background Vocal Arranging CD's online at my website or CD Baby. and study pitch matching exercises on the CD's. www.pennynichols.com or cdbaby.com
