Voice Training: "Riffs, Runs, & Control - Part 1" 

Anyone after 10 years after this video got uploaded

As my acting teacher has said, we never graduate from the basics.

Even after 12 years...I’m still here😌😳

You were taught wrong. There needs to be energy - yes. There needs to be movement - certainly. But NOT tightening, locking, or any form of conscious contraction of the abdominal muscles. "Compression" involves much more than just abs. And I can tell you: Dr. William Riley, the man who helped Whitney reach her vocal prime, has never taught stomach tightening. The key is learning how to use your entire body as your instrument. Check out the link for my singing course in the info box ;)

I'm watching this video 8 years late... SHIT!

Fergie needs to watch this

I used to think I could sing good... Then I heard you sing. I'll just go back to my fresh lemonade stand in front of my house now.

I appreciate how you relate riffs to jewelry.

Don't fall into the trap of being overly concerned with maintaining a perfectly still larynx. It's much more important that you achieve a felt sense of release in the throat.

yo when he did mariah carey, he kinda sounded like her!!!! :X

No... I meant what I said. For you see, like many words in the English language, "unconsciously" has more than one meaning. I word of advice: Before you attempt to correct someone, make sure that YOU are correct ;) You can find the following definition of "unconsciously" in any dictionary. Enjoy... "4. Without conscious control; involuntary or unintended: an unconscious mannerism"

MARIAH IS A VERY VERY VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF USING RIFFS,RUNS, AND GREAT CONTROL :D

Friend: Dont practice this our teacher always says to keep your stomach tightened Me: Does she have 407,956 Hits & 537 Comments Friend: No Me: Okay then shhhhhhut it

I like this friendly style: very informal, but he doesn't makes it rude. Thumbs up!

2019?

You are a GENIUS. Your advice makes me be able to sing like ariana grande. Thanks soooooo much

2020🖐️🖐️🖐️

" you've got to let the stomach go " At this part I was like Cmon let it gooooooo just let it beeeeeeee (not from frozen)

The advanced videos are coming VERY soon. Hopefully, they will be available during the first week of February. You will be able to download them on my website for a fairly low price. My website flashes on the screen at the beginning and ending of this video that you're watching now.

2020?

Oh, how I agree, I'm always telling my own students "less is more". I'm going to recommend some of them listen to your presentation. It's amazing how they sit up and take notice when another teacher says the same thing:) I enjoyed your presentation very much.

Sir, you are a TRUE master! God Bless :-D

i just love the way you love Jesus

I agree yet disagree mariah carey - forever nearly every sentence ia riffed but it sounds amazing

@0FishBowls0 I have a video called "Belting Getting Rid of Nasality" on youtube

I cant stop singing through my throat

Tightening your stomach will make you sound crappy. Another view point; it will make you sound like you are going to the washroom, taking a crap.

Yes; Mentally stop yourself from tensing by consciously releasing your stomach muscles. Power in the voice comes from resonance and focus,not from pushing. I go further in depth on this concept in my new home study program.

You exercises have brought my singing to a whole new level; I'm 38 but I've never been a better singer. Major improvements in just a week or two - thank you Eric!

lol... That's me, actually. The song is called "Won't Be Afraid", from my first album "Audio Emotion". It's available on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, and CDbaby.

Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Let us learn how to do this in the time of trouble. Peace!!!!

Tensing the stomach muscles can definitely be a chronic habit for many. However, it is a habit that you can break. You have to be persistent. Yes, the stomach can move inward as you sing, but there is a huge difference between it gradually moving inward and contracting tightly. Tensing the stomach will surely tense your throat, and it will make finding a free mix coordination feel nearly impossible.

angel voiced is what you are

It's called "Won't Be Afraid", from my debut album "Audio Emotion". You can find it on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody and CDbaby

Eric Arcenaux is a class act. Period

Man you’re such an inspiration! Still here in 2020!

Fergie

My Gosh! 10 years! Thank you!!

Hey Eric, thanks so much for all these lessons, they've helped improve my technique and tone MASSIVELY. I also have a question. I sometimes have problems with riff's and run's because of the crack I sometimes get going in or out of my Falsetto. Any tips on smoothing it out?

"let the stomach go", that should be on every single beer bottle

im just trying to learn missing you by 2ne1

The stomach thing u said is too right!

Every since I was 14 years old, I've been watching your tutorials sir. It was veeeery helpfuuuul! I even recommend to some of my friends!

0:26 "for example " 😭😂

you gave me great advice! i sang ten times better than i did before by following these rules!

WHITNEY has the best Riffsand RUNS ever...

hi, how to identify if you are a tenor male??

mr eric help me to no how to sing better

There is no need to "support the diaphragm". It is the vocal folds that need "support". I really don't even like using that term - support. "Support" basically refers to controlling the release of air through the vocal folds. This action can actually happen at the vocal folds themselves. The diaphragm just needs to descend to allow the lungs to inflate and the throat to relax so that the vocal folds can do their job.

Has anyone ever told you that you look just like denzel Washington ..What a beautiful Chocolate man hahahahahaah

Me and my friends want to be singers, they say I have the best voice bc they weren’t born able to do riff and runs, but I was so they say how do you do that? I guess I just learned it from other singers I tell them, but secretly I’ve been able to do it all along... and yes 10 yr olds can do riffs and runs.

Thanks. You can check out my website and my myspace page. Both links are located in the "About This Video" section in the top right corner of the screen.

lol. right. Plus I'll have some truly advanced videos coming soon to my website, that will take technique and style to the next level. Unfortunately, they will not be free. I assure you, however, that they will NOT be expensive. Also, I will continue to offer free vocal advice on youtube as well. There are just certain "secrets" that will only be revealed in the priced videos.

@wonderboy4sho lol. Thanks. That's actually me. The song is called "Won't Be Afraid". It's available on iTunes

After 14 year 😅

You are phenomenal. Can't wait to register for your B. Studios classes.

I like his advice for singers of contemporary music. It helps his case that he has a very nice voice as well to demonstrate. Obviously, there's a lot of singers out there who need good advice. It would be better for him to clarify exactly who he's speaking to, as opposed to all singers of all music. This technique would not help singers be heard off stage over an orchestra or band without a mic. For this, you would need to do almost the exact opposite of what he advises.

Your right about tightening the stomach. Apparently, a hundred or so years ago, it was messed up in translation from an Italian to English, and where the Italian master said to relax it, it was translated in the exact opposite way.

All these videos are so good and so valuable. Thank you!

I totally agree on the stomach situation. Im about to try you're exercise. I gig 4 times a week.

I don't know if I sing with my diaphragm or my throat.. like my stomach moves in and out when I breathe but my throat gets soar really quickly and my friends are telling me its cause I sing with my throat..

OMG! Christina Aguilera needs to watch this video! She is the QUEEN of overdoing this! LMAO! Ya'll know I am right!

Am I the only seeing this in 2023 🥺

i already hear the difference in my voice after 2 days

you're right about te stomache thing!!!!!i triedit thanks. i dont want your online course i wanna meet u in person lol

Mariah!!!!!!

i notice my stomach always feel tight, especially when i'm getting ready to sing the first note, mentally i was like here i go, with big breathe and all, just notice how wrong i was..and it's so hard to change that since it's been a habit for a long time already

1:38 The hate that would come your way if this was released now, even though that's not what this video is about... 🤣🤣

Thank you for editing your vid and keeping it to the point.

i jus keep watching cuz he's cute...and has a nice voice... :D

Wassup folks! For NEW continued weekly vocal advice, make sure that you check out "The SINGERS' Show" on my channel every week! Ask questions, get answers, grow vocally... See y'all there!

omg.. your voice is absolutly amaaaaaaaaaaaaazingggggg!! PLUS ur an amaaaaaaazing teacher! I love to sing, but im too shy to sing in front of people. u make me more confident about my voice. hopefully, soon, i'll be able to actually sing infront of people. :P

MR. T pities the fool who think more jewellery is tacky hahaha, just kidding. Great advice!

I like the way you teach

this was soo helpful yah

Thank you Eric! This is the best singing advice I have ever heard!

I have always known something's wrong with my singing when I tighten up. thanks for mentioning the subconscious tightening action.

Wow you're really one of a kind! I'm a big fan, not only because you're ssssmoking hAWT and have a beautiful voice ;) but you do things that singers and celebrities never do, they never post videos on youtube to help us who want to learn how to control our voices or get rid of our voice problems. Thank you soo much!! I love you and dude you really are HAWT!

Eric what should i do to control my voice. I have so much power but control is a must. I'm taking vocal classes but control is something i struggle with every time.

I love all of your advice expecaily about the tightening of the abs I was taught to do this in chior and have since found that it just doesn't work you can litteraly feel it tighten your whole body up and the best singers I have heard are all relaxed. thanks and keep it commin! :)

I want to get better at this

You are phenomenal! Thanks for sharing with us - God bless you brother! You are correct in your approach and teaching...I trained once with a speech pathologist, and many of the exercises you are teaching is what she taught. You are definitely on point and legitimate. It also is proven in your ability to SANG!!!!

Hallelujah Jesus is Lord.... can I get an Eimeen somebody 👏👏👏👏👏👏

Hallelujah Jesus is Lord.... can I get an Eimeen somebody 👏👏👏👏👏👏

So...this was 10 years ago.

Thank you for explaining the correct way to sing proper I have had private lessons for classical music for about five years now I appreciate it !!! I also thank you for the tips i will use them..your amazing !

Great stuff again Eric, thanks heaps for the free lessons.....we all benefit from them almost everyday. Have been singing wrong for a while, time to change my bad singing habits.

hi, I'm an opera singer, but many if the things you say, help me indeed.And I,ve struggled with for so long, somehow became clear.Thank you and keep on working for the greater good!!

That advice hit home, “Don’t push up.”

I partially agree. I believe you can build up to a point (climax) of a song where you can really cut loose with run/riffs. I just don't think it's wise to start like that. If a singer goes all out in the first 1/3 of the way through the song, it doesn't leave much for the audience.

I partially agree. I believe you can build up to a point (climax) of a song where you can really cut loose with run/riffs. I just don't think it's wise to start like that. If a singer goes all out in the first 1/3 of the way through the song, it doesn't leave much for the audience.

+EricArceneaux my mom tells me I sing really good . I slightly disagree because I don't know how to sing from my diaghpram or control my voice . I would like to audition for H.S.P.A with a voice like mine but that'd be impossible if I can't even sing properly. Your advice would really help , thank you

You're right...about the coaches instructing that sound derives from abdominals(that's what I'm told.... Some great lesson!

I remember watching this video around three years ago, and i still havent forgot a thing. Now im back and it has become so much easier

I have difficulty somehow with riffs and runs. This is due to my classical type of voice. But I enjoy your video's. Though I would like to hear some more video's that would help me develop riffs and runs. But my questions is: are riffs and runs not common among R&B singers like Mariah Carey and Beyonce than Pop singers and theater?

Then hurry up and get famous! I want my money. LOL

Hello idol I’m from Philippines thanks for sharing Godbless...

It's true about the stomach. :O been there

Eric, what a blessings...to us.. this is such a great wisdom for us in singing..thanks for sharing and teaching us...

Indonesia