How to Sing using Speech Level Singing: Pros and Cons June 17, 2014 by Chuck R. Gilmore 8 Comments
How to Sing Using Speech Level Singing: Pros and Cons I teach how to sing using the Speech Level Singing technique. I’m going to talk about the pros and cons of the technique so you’ll know whether it’s right or not for your voice.
What is Speech Level Singing? How to sing using Speech Level Singing (SLS) is a way to sing that’s natural and easy…like speaking. Your singing sounds like your voice, without stress or strain, with easy to understand words and beautiful tone quality. When we speak we don’t worry about pitch or loudness and softness so SLS doesn’t mean we sing exactly like we speak. But it does mean that our singing is as relaxed and easy as our speaking is…or should be.
Seth Riggs Seth Riggs of Los Angeles, CA created Speech Level Singing. As of 1985 Seth’s students had won over 120 Grammys. His students include singing greats Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, Josh Groban (first album), Ray Charles, and 100’s more. In addition to pop stars Seth has had 4 Metropolitan Opera Regional Winners and multiple students performing on Broadway and in film, including Bernadette Peters, Robert Guillaume, Carol Burnett and Ann Margret to name a few.
What are the “Cons” of Speech Level Singing?
After the quick, positive results, progress though steady, slows down
Breath control and diaphragmatic breathing has not been a primary focus
Vocal style coaching is considered separate from the SLS technique and is not a primary focus in lessons
Teacher knowledge of Classical/Opera repertoire is inadequate
What are other criticisms of Speech Level Singing? I’m separating the “Cons” from “Criticisms” because sometimes criticisms are motivated by anger or jealousy, which cause rumors and misunderstandings of SLS. Criticisms are:
SLS is inadequate for a singer who wants to sing classical music or opera
SLS teachers are too expensive
SLS destroys the voice
SLS is too slow in developing a powerful voice
SLS teachers think it’s the answer to everything
SLS is a cult
I’m sure there are more.
2012 SLS Teachers Conference
Answers to “Cons”
All of these “Con’s” and criticisms may have some merit for the following reason: There are literally 100’s if not 1000’s of people who studied with a teacher who studied with another teacher, who studied with another teacher who said they teach the SLS technique. The result is at best a watered down version of SLS and at worst a technique that is not even close to SLS. As a singer the negative of Speech Level Singing has been that after my initial rapid and lifechanging progress (increasing my range by an octave and getting vibrato), my progress seemed to slow. This may not be so much the fault of SLS but of my own dedication to my own progress and learning. Frankly, I was so amazed by getting vibrato and increasing my range I didn’t realize there was still much more to develop in my voice. SLS has not emphasized diaphragmatic breathing and control in the past. Seth recently told me he’s giving this more attention in his teaching now and I’ve begun doing more of this in my teaching as well. However, it’s never going to be front and center as with some techniques. Good breathing is more a result than a cause of good singing. SLS is not about style. Rather it is about singing correctly. You can have great style, but still not be able to hit the high notes. SLS gives you the singing technique to be able to hit the high notes. I teach you how to sing not what to sing. If your main objective is to get a knowledge of repertoire I can make recommendations to teachers who can help you with repertoire. I will teach you how to sing opera or any other genre of music.
Answers to Criticism Because there have been so many world famous pop stars succeed using SLS, it goes largely unnoticed that Seth Riggs came from the classical/opera and Broadway world of performing and teaching. Speech Level Singing had its birth in the opera and classical genre. Every principle in the SLS technique taught to Seth’s opera singers are also taught to his pop/rock singers. Generally speaking a teacher can’t make a living just teaching opera. So to support a large family, Seth started teaching pop, gospel, rock, jazz, Broadway and other genres in addition to his opera students. The technique applies successfully to each. I’m probably more expensive than some teachers and less than others. In my experience as a student, I get what I pay for. If I don’t, I change teachers.
Chuck Gilmore and Seth Riggs SLS has revolutionized my voice. My students and many others who’ve studied SLS have amazing stories they freely share about the transformation of their voices. After being very involved in SLS since 1996, I’ve only had one person say that SLS ruined his voice. I couldn’t get a clear understanding of how. At the time we were both in lead singing roles of a Broadway Musical in a local theater in our community. It’s my belief as an SLS teacher that a strong voice is developed after the coordination of your internal vocal muscles has been established. Other techniques may get loudness using external muscles. It’s not worth it if it causes longterm vocal problems. SLS develops the internal vocal cord strength, which produces vocal power. Sometimes this takes longer. I don’t think SLS is the answer to everything and I don’t have all the answers. I’m a practitioner. I’m continually learning and hopefully improving…always an apprentice, never a master. I understand why some people belief SLS is a cult. It’s largely due to the amazing results it’s provided for so many singers and when we’ve experienced such a positive change in our voices, we tend to get rather “fervent”. This sometimes annoys other people. Sorry!
What are the “Pros” of Speech Level Singing?
Proven successful in the world of professional singing
It’s a simple approach to singing
Your voice will be healthy and strong into old age
You can sing any genre of music
The exercises strengthen your voice, increase your range, eliminate breaks, enhance vibrato and beautify your tone
It helps you understand your voice
Your confidence grows
Certified teachers are trained to assess your voice and give exercises that benefit you quickly
There’s no age requirement, the very young to the very old benefit
Students typically experience early and rapid progress
My personal experience with Speech Level Singing as a singer, student and teacher has been tremendously positive and successful. It increased my range over an octave, enabled me to get vibrato, renewed my confidence in my voice and improved the beauty and power of my voice.
I love it and I’m grateful to Seth Riggs who pioneered this amazing technique. It is a privilege to be one of his certified teachers.
