With all of the statements made about Ms. Houston since the late 1990’s regarding drug and alcohol abuse, I believe the MOST foul of ALL plays came when those pictures of her bathroom and home surfaced in the tabloids, exposing a real mess of leftover beer and soda cans, ashes, lighters, trash, (possible) drug paraphernalia, and other horrific items of garbage surrounding (yet fading out) the gold faucets and top-of-the-line construction of her bathroom. What an invasion of privacy. What gets me most is that the statements regarding those horribly embarrassing photographs suggested, over and over and over again, that this was how Whitney Houston “lived,” and this is “who she was.” Is it at all possible that this was just an unfortunately embarrassing stint of photos to snap after an unusually wild, over-the-top and, yes, messy party, ultimately “violating Ms. Houston’s privacy?” Is the home not still “sacred” and “untouchable?” Bottom line; the most embarrassing revelation that Whitney Houston had to carry with her was the fact that various press were saying: “This is how Whitney lives. This is her life everyday. She is so badly on drugs and alcohol that she lives like a slob.” That is some pretty heavy stuff to have to carry around. The most important consequence is that this truly “flawless legend” (in her own right), who added depth, precise timing, and a theatrical emotion to each song she performed (not to mention an earth-shatteringly powerful and spiritually uplifting set of pipes she was so-very-blessed to have been born with), was hit with a CHEAP-SHOT in the form of an invasion of privacy in her home that put an undeserved “dent” in the image of a physically and vocally beautiful woman of class, demeanor, and poise during a personal time of struggle with substance abuse in her life. It also likely put a “dent” in her psyche. I would want to ask those involved in this, regardless of whether Ms. Houston was ready to get well or not, do you believe that when it actually became her time and her calling to attempt to “get well,” that living with the lasting stigma of those photographs would actually “help her?” Were you trying to help her or harm her?

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Given the amount of struggles that Whitney Houston went through, music fans should actually be grateful and (a tad inspired) that she was able to make (at least) a brief comeback in 2009, while having the gumption and the guts to appear with Oprah Winfrey in an interview that same year (appearing “in-control” and, visually, like the legend she ALWAYS had been) to talk about her substance abuse issues, her rehab attempt(s), and the problems of her (by then, former marriage). Whitney Houston talked in-depth and detail about her uncompromising love for her daughter, and it is clear by pictures alone that the daughter TRULY loved her mother. Amen.

Still, I think that photo stint of her home was too much for her or anyone else to bare. Whitney, I don’t believe you advocated living that way, and I don’t believe that’s what you ever stood for. Your home (or one bad night “or several nights” of partying) was NO ONE’S business (especially the public’s). It was a low blow to you, my dear.

Whitney Houston’s interview in 2009 with Oprah Winfrey (I have seen, I believe, the majority of it) revealed a spiritually wise, “connected” side of Whitney Houston’s psyche (that could only be developed through her history as a young Choir singer at a Church that was surrounded with spiritual energy). Add music and singing to the prayer and, bam, you have a level of uplifting spiritual energy the likes of which you might never be fortunate enough to know of. Whitney knew of and felt this energy from her earliest history. How or why she disconnected with it, time (and an autopsy) will certainly reveal. Those photos of her home were a lynch-mob, regardless of whether or not Whitney Houston was in the process of trying to get well or not. Jealousy is oh-so-often the hidden motive in peoples’ behaviors. Even in the VERY late 1990’s when I was singing, performing, and winning video and publishing awards (myself) in New York, I was present for the filming of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey’s triumphant song: “When You Believe.” This was supposedly during the peak of Whitney’s drug issues, though nobody knew this yet. With the exception of a questionable scar on her face, her voice was MAGNIFICENT (and, of course, so was Mariah’s). They both had to perform that song over and over again (15 times?) in front of a hugely “live crowd” in order to get the “visuals” correct for the music video. Ms. Houston did not falter once, and neither did her voice. When the rumors kicked in about Whitney Houston and that invasion of privacy, she took a fall from dignity and grace. If people criticize her for singing spiritual songs of personal human idealism, despite her own turbulent and troubled life, the one thing I can say in her defense is that we “sing” and/or “teach” what we MOST want to learn.

In an effort to try and create some “good” for present and future Independent Solo Artists and Independent Bands (I’m sure Ms. Houston would want this; she publicly praised multiple Artists who possessed not even half of her own vocal abilities, and had a deep love for other Artists and people in general), I’d like to provide a useful insight that was (perhaps) unintentionally revealed by Whitney Houston herself during her 2009 interview with Oprah Winfrey. Then, I want to talk about your VOCALS and your future as a performer.

Whitney Houston mentioned to Oprah that she didn’t even know what an Icon was when she first started singing in a Church choir. This was despite her famous relatives. She “did her thing” without any expectation (or perhaps PREPARATION) of what was to come (career-wise) and what would result from her genuine talent and gift. It appears that she simply did what came naturally to her (argue if you must). The reality is, she started modeling in her teens to start a career, and was not pushing the singing. This is an exceptionally important lesson for Artists who have been following my advice throughout this blog as well as my book: The Musician’s Companion: Everything you need for a successful music career.

I have ALWAYS stated that your success should be automated, formulaic, and above all, ON YOUR OWN TERMS. Whitney Houston’s numerous industry followers wanted dibs on her amazing talent (perhaps a bit too much and too soon for her). This might have spun her out of control after she got FAR, FAR more than the original “brass ring she earned,” though more accurately in her case, “a multi-platinum ring.” A bad marriage didn’t help matters either, and many people (somewhat) suggest that it was the “nail in the coffin;” no comment here, I was not present for her marriage. This is an ideal time to REEMPHASIZE the importance of creating a music career “on your own terms” and “not biting off more than you can chew.”

Now let’s move on to VOCALS (specifically YOURS’), but with a brief further explanation on how various press unfairly tried to permanently DAMAGE the vocal reputation of Whitney Houston based on her problems with substance abuse. This is useful if you want to learn to sing, “relearn” to sing, or how to sing properly. Here we go, and I hope I don’t sound corny. There’s a daring bit of humor and sarcasm to drive my point across. In Whitney’s own highly validated words: “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.” With this said, I also believe in my OWN words that “adults are our present, so teach yourself well despite errors in judgment, and lead the way for the children, regardless.” Why am I saying this? I want to talk about possible substance abuse issues with Independent Solo Artists and Independent Bands.

In addition to Whitney Houston’s embarrassing photos and the permanent label she was given as a drug addict, she was ALSO labeled as somebody who permanently ruined her voice. This is arguably NOT true. In reality, years and years of cigarette smoking, smoking other dangerous substances, and drinking alcohol WILL ruin your voice. However, if you’ve been down this road, but still believe in your music and your vision, it’s not going to do you ANY good to think that you are permanently damaged goods or, more specifically, that your voice is. Coming from a family of many physicians, I happen to know that the general “creed” is that “the body heals.” If I sound idealistic, it’s because I’m a Visionary when I write. When I’m not writing, I’m a practical Realist. If you want to start singing again, quit smoking and start drinking PLENTY of water, ideally with lemon (which amazingly helps to “clean” the vocal chords of toxic build-up), drink herbal teas, do breathing exercises as your lungs clean themselves, and constantly strive to keep those vocal chords moist. Take out the mp3 player and download some (GOOD) vocal warm-ups for singers, and do them daily. Your vocal chords are moist flesh, and like any other part of the body, they can heal (especially if the psychology of the brain directing those vocal chords is ALSO cleaner, happier, and more confident due to self-discipline). Your spirit will provide a better performance. Most importantly, do not become fixated on the idea that if you’re not doing 30-minutes of exercise daily (as is so often recommended), then it’s pointless to do any exercise at all. You MUST raise the pulse and keep it going. The “big thing” here (ESPECIALLY for your lungs) is to do at least 15 minutes of cardio. Do it daily, or every other day, if that’s all you can handle. Use a treadmill, get some running shoes and go jogging or power-walking, take a bike ride, and raise your pulse for as many minutes as you can to feel a difference. Do NOT be fooled by the highly published “expectations” regarding what “constitutes” a complete workout. A 110-pound woman’s body is different than the needs of a 175-pound man’s. Yet, either sex can do the same if it means raising the pulse. Does 15 minutes sound too difficult to start out with? Fine; you can handle at least 12 minutes. Just make sure you are exercising. Put the headphones on, and listen to some MUSIC.

Unlike the tragic story that befell Whitney Houston, you don’t have the stigmatized notion from the public that your voice is “ruined” before you even arrive on the stage. That would be some serious pressure to have to live with. We’d all be a bit foolish to believe that Ms. Houston did not have to live under this pressure. The GREATEST gift you can give a deceased legend is to follow your own dream and sing with your own voice on behalf of those who NO LONGER CAN. In short, keep going, keep going, keep going.

RIP Whitney Houston. You are loved.

(C) 2012 – Paul Alexander for: www.MusiciansCompanion.net – All Rights Reserved. Paul Alexander Music: http://www.PaulAlexanderMusic.com – The Official Home of Paul Alexander Music.

The most important thing you can do for yourself as a singer, especially if you want to improve your pitch and learn how to sing properly, is to practice solid daily habits of taking care of your throat.  This is the very first step when you want to learn to sing.  You must start doing this for a few days first, before you even attempt to learn how to sing properly. For starters, you should be keeping your vocal chords moist everyday by drinking plenty of fluids. Stay away from alcohol, colas, and even mouthwash that contains alcohol, as this can have an effect on the quality of any singing performance you hope to make. Drinking green tea with a bit of lemon or honey (instead of your daily java) will cleanse your vocal chords of any daily debree from the environment, from sickness, smoking, or from your diet. Drinking filtered water with a bit of lemon in it will encourage your taste buds to drink more of the water. It is far less expensive to buy a filtered water pitcher to refill than it is to buy expensive bottles of spring water. Buy one bottle of spring water, drink it, then keep and clean the empty bottle to fill with filtered water from a pitcher. When you want to promote your music online or get on the radio, the absolute BEST way to stand out from the crowd and SELL your songs is to assure your recordings contain a TRULY POWERFUL vocal performance that will make you stand out from the crowd, no holds barred. You must go easy on your vocal chords and learn how to sing properly instead of (possibly) damaging your vocal chords by using them incorrectly.

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Singers who smoke need to ask themselves some very serious questions; not only should they be asking themselves how important their general health is, but in terms of their “performance dreams,” they need to ask themselves what is more important; that one little itch for a cigarette, or becoming a “singing superstar?” If you smoke, do whatever it is that you can to quit (including the possibility of going on a medication approved by a doctor to help you quit smoking). The idea held my many musicians and singers (“in denial”) that smoking improves your pitch and range is a MYTH because, ultimately, it will not only completely destroy your voice, but it will also destroy your health.

Downloading a vocal exercise program is often the most convenient way to work on improving your pitch in your spare time. But none of these things will work if you don’t practice daily rules of good vocal (and physical) health. Keep those vocal chords MOIST. Drinking coffee is a “vice” for many, myself included, but it is not the ideal fluid to drink if you are a singer (although alcohol, cola, and other fizzy drinks are FAR worse if you must choose coffee as the alternative). Still, drinking coffee is not the greatest choice if you really want to learn how to sing properly. Herbal teas with lemon and honey, filtered water (with lemon if you need to clean your vocal chords and inspire more “thirst”) are pre-requisites you must always consider for a squeaky-clean performance. Think about it: if you don’t take care of your vocal chords, there is no way that you will improve your pitch and learn to sing like a pro. The choice is your’s, and when you consider your dream of becoming a world-class singer, you will likely make the CORRECT choice.

Finally, make sure you are doing a minimum of 15-30 minutes per day of pulse-raising exercise, such as jogging, using a treadmill, or using a rowing machine. You need to increase the oxygen supply in your brain, your body, and your lungs. Keeping some type of cardio routine will help improve your range. If you are working on improving your diet or poor lifestyle habits, this should not deter you from exercising anyway and raising your pulse, even if you haven’t quite mastered your daily health regimen. You can accomplish all of these things, regardless of your age.

More to come.

© 2010 – Paul Alexander for: www.MusiciansCompanion.net – All Rights Reserved. Paul Alexander Music: http://www.PaulAlexanderMusic.com – The Official Home of Paul Alexander Music.