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Freddie Mercury technique. Good, bad or inconsistent
January 13, 2015
5:22 am
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Justin Chew
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I had email conversations with Phil before and he told me that Freddie had bad technique in terms of breath support. So i thought. Ok. But then, my vocal coach said that Freddie's technique was pretty good on some days and some when it was terrible. After that, i took a listen to the Innuendo album and his voice was obviously at his peak vocally so that begets the question, was Freddie's technique ok? I mean, his voice had an impressive vibrato and the Queen Montreal live DVD shows that Freddie could sing for 2 over hours

January 13, 2015
5:59 am
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Phil Moufarrege
Japan
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Actually what I said was Freddy destroyed his voice by blasting in live performances (excessive breathiness). This caused his vocal nodes in my opinion over time from too much abuse during tour.
Fantastic singer though - loved his tone. I actually preferred his voice when he started singing lower after the nodes (around Wembley 86)

The voice is very resilient and can take a beating but damage tends to occur when you hurt yourself and cannot take time to rest due to scheduling of tours, then each show you keep blasting more air to get the sound to come out. That's when people start getting nodes!

@PhilMoufarrege
Online Vocal Coach, Singer/Songwriter
Grow-The-Voice.com | PHILMOUFARREGE.com

January 13, 2015
9:44 am
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OwenKorzec
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I think I agree with Phil. His technique for high notes live wasn't very good, most of them are shouted or screamed

What's ridiculously amazing about Freddie Mercury is what he did DESPITE nodules. A true artist and performer, even if not a completely technically healthy singer.

January 13, 2015
1:31 pm
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daniel formica
San luis Obispo, Ca
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I would like to say that if you are an artist and sing and sail in the high ranges with power and travel and tour and live out of a suitcase no matter who you are you will most likely end up up with some voice problems.

From Stevie wonder to Chris Cornell and all in between have had some vocal problems in their careers.

Now I am not directing this at stay home singer songwriters or weekend gig performers or vocal students. I'm talking about being on the road non stop for a very long time and singers that really go for it.

Like any other high performance athlete when you over work you are bound to have overuse injuries.

On the other if you are having stuggles on your weekend gigs or in your home practicing you should be working on getting your voice in good shape with proper practice and principles

January 13, 2015
3:42 pm
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mystarryeyes
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Wise words, Very well said, Daniel! Having done my share of touring way back when, that was my experience also. The fact that I was pretty much clueless as far as good vocal technique is concerned during that time period, I'm amazed my voice held up as well as it did. That said, I suffered more issues than I should have, directly due to my poor technique.
Add in the lack of sleep, back to back shows, yada, yada, yada, and it's a recipe for vocal disaster!

As for Freddie, I always admired him, yet couldn't help but notice how Roger would cover for him at certain times during some performances. I realized then - that as you said, Daniel, the chances are, if you find yourself singing night after night at that kind of level, you're going to suffer vocal problems at some point, along the road.
Back in late '79, my band, The Records were recording at Virgin's Townhouse Studios at the same time Queen were also working there, so I had the honor and pleasure of meeting the guys'. We would have some very cool informal conversations about music, over meals in the dining area. Those were great times.

Pleased to be a part of this forum.
Happy New Year to one an' all !!

John

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