Seth Riggs (1996)

Seth Riggs is the vocal coach to the stars and the creator of Speech Level Singing (SLS). Seth has worked with many Hollywood legends, such as: Natalie Cole, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Stevie Wonder.

[@danf141]

0:37 - introduction 1:50 - "speech level singing" 3:33 - falsetto versus head voice 5:00 - exercises 5:25 - lip bubble 6:23 - "guh" 6:50 - tongue trill 7:00 - castrati 7:43 - "nay nay nay" 8:10 - men usually use chest voice (not head voice) 8:42 - whendae sings 10:00 - other vocal teachers resist 12:30 - resume: teachers, grammies, students, contracts 14:03 - exercises for developing vibrato 14:28 - tongue trill for vibrato 14:40 - "she" for vibrato 15:50 - "oh" for vibrato 15:57 - "puh" for vibrato 16:53 - how to get feel. reading notes versus church. 18:54 - patti labelle. 20:00 - singing technique before notes. 21:20 - nodes/nodules 22:08 - "friendly compression" 22:38 - "pronounciation within the idiom" 23:37 - "singing is aggressive" 24:00 - "sustained speech" 24:30 - one thing to improve your singing 26:28 - "head voice is where the money is" 27:14 - outtro

[@ayushmanbhalla8737]

Dan F thanks you made it easy

[@MrFree-vj8qj]

THANK YOU HERO

[@BruceXuHasADream]

dude thanks SO much

[@Morning404]

Thank you 🙏🏿

[@jaimepiano1985]

Thank you!!!!

[@davecroston2914]

In 1986 I was working in a Vegas show band fronted by a talented female vocalist who threw money at several ineffectual vocal coaches. During a break in our schedule, her manager arranged for her to have some lessons from Seth Riggs. I was allowed to tag along and quietly observe the master at work. At that first lesson, I'd say he improved her singing by 25% in half an hour! It the years that followed, all of the many singers I've turned on to Seth Riggs swear by the integrity of the SLS program .

[@Self-taughtJay]

"White folks sing by note black folks sing by feeling" best explanation I've ever heard about soul singing.

[@edinshealtiel3754]

MIXED FOLKS SING BYE BOTH ...........MIC DROP

[@Self-taughtJay]

@@edinshealtiel3754 hahaha daym

[@counterpuncher01]

Yea but blacks still usually have better pitch:)

[@TheSubwaysurfer]

Even the great Michael Jackson trained with this master.

[@quotesbynanipbe]

For one of the biggest vocal coaches in the world to acknowledge that black music is the blueprint says a lot. Music would be nothing without the soul Black people have contributed to it!

[@globalcitizenn]

Blueprint for only American music.. y’all love to erase other cultures which is ironic coz you’re doing the same to others what was done to you when you should know better. I’m Indian and we have our own ancient musical tradition. So does China & the middle east. Music isn’t just American music.

[@FTW_666]

We also would not have Heavy Metal if it wasn’t for early Blues music.

[@indigoearthangel888]

❣️

[@MarilynFinland]

Really respect and admire Seth's incredible work and wisdom. The speech-level technique changed my life.

[@khappy1286]

Mine too!

[@ellis3455]

what a great interviewer, we need more professionalism like this

[@jesiwahl9043]

Something that helps me when singing in public is to remember that I am just there to tell a story by singing a song. I'm there to be intimate with the audience and then also often to push them and try to motivate them toward a greater good. Singing is bigger than we are folks! If you feel led to do it and if you put in the hours and hours and hours of work that requires to become a good vocalist and the discipline and the Finesse it takes to really tell a story, that's very empowering but it's also extremely humbling. I'm just there to tell a story that matter so much to me that I've come to live inside of the story.

[@JalenLedetSymbionic]

Beautifully put :)

[@WendyParrOfficial]

Wild to see little Wendy, lol! Grateful for the life and career I have coaching having apprenticed with Seth and created the SLS program training coaches all over the world. It's incredible to build on a foundation and develop a holistic approach to coach artists and a community of creators to support one another and create together!

[@007more7]

That's you in the video ?

[@ianwebster3489]

My teacher is using his SLS techniques. I'm 5 months down from my first lesson and I'm doing my first rehearsal in two days time. I hated my singing voice. Now I feel super confident with it, despite it being literally the same voice. We've strengthened it that much!

[@HumbleTrader001]

If that was in 1996, he was 65 years old, since he is 85 now. He looked young for 65, wouldn't you agree?

[@dannyschneidershowofmusic4834]

Yes he did look young...-D

[@khappy1286]

Yes!

[@riomonka]

I met him today actually and for his age wow he still looks young!

[@MaryBethMarvil]

yes Seth Riggs is the best vocal coach I've ever had. With his exercises I was able to stretch my voice to 3 e's above middle c and e below middle c. I have great admiration for him. Beth Marvil Corio

[@dannyschneidershowofmusic4834]

Yes, I do, too! -D

[@GaryCorben]

Re-watching this inspirational piece. When my producer showed me how he had learned to sing with SLS I took lessons and it completely changed my voice. If you ever thought you couldn't sing, just find one of Seth's disciples and go for it.

[@TruthSurge]

13:13 ? she did one album in the last 25 years. These "contracts" don't mean anything. even if they were great singers, it doesn't = success.

[@Stephan5916]

To be honest with you. This interview was done over 20 years ago genius.

[@denisgajdos9377]

girl reminds me of Paul McCartney

[@gauravpoudel7288]

haha

[@parati1309]

I just purchased Singing for the Stars. I can feel it will be good for me but the pace of the exercises is too fast for me. Is it ok to slow down?

[@deanbrooks1538]

Seth Riggs is the best singing teacher there is...knows everything about...I am greatful

[@dannyschneidershowofmusic4834]

I agree! -D

[@khappy1286]

He is amazing. Have his cd's to practice. Im singing w my choir at Carnegie Hall in Nov. Im so confident because I have his cd's to practice with.

[@susana_raposo]

Wonderful interview. Have been following his technique for two years and improving every week.

[@derrickpigatt5195]

I listened to your singing, it’s really nice.. very nice

[@susana_raposo]

Derrick Pigatt oh!, thank you SO much! Kindly appreciate your support.

[@menachemelkayam153]

Susana rapaso you mean to say that you followed his technique in this specific video? Or you actually got lessons?

[@susana_raposo]

@@menachemelkayam153 I got lessons. Now I’m following the Estill Method with Luke Steinhauer. Using different types of vocal technique improves your singing because only then you’ll be able to choose whichever is best for you.

[@menachemelkayam153]

@@susana_raposo I hear. You got from Seth himself or from someone who teaches his style?

[@ananda_miaoyin]

This is GOLD!

[@limyize]

POV: Your trying to be a singer and your watching a bunch of singing related videos.

[@jesiwahl9043]

I was blessed to study with someone I consider my friend and someone whom I pray for, Billy Purnell in Southern California. I did this years ago and even though I've been singing All of My Life I learn how to sing with the suppressed learns the relax throat and shoulders into just open it up and let it be. Not only do I enjoy singing so much more, I can hit those high notes and enjoy them! To me when I said the money note and I can just hit it with power if feels like soaring through a golden heaven. Billy gave me that and I will be forever thankful to him. He was teaching the Seth Riggs method. His students have racked up multiple Grammys and he sets us free to sing into sore the best of our ability.

[@catteadams]

I really like this video. The host asked very intelligent questions and very specifically they were addressed by Mr. Rigs. There's awful lot of ppl out there pushing garbage at young singers. This is real technique.

[@TotalSinging]

finally an actual interview with Riggs where he isn't just pontificating about himself or Michael Jackson. Ken Tamplin should watch this interview and then tell me again how SLS doesn't work.

[@andibiedermann7552]

you know. most of the media are just asking questions about michael jackson, stevie wonder and all the others. this is why you just see interviews him talking about that. he doesn't want to share videos of him teaching, because everyone thinks..ok this helps this girl. so it helps everyone...WRONG...he works with everyone individually...so they don't share videos of him teaching. he wants everyone to be taught correctly...so you don't find any teaching videos of him talking about the technique.....you should really visit an event with him. it's worth it. he is also a really nice human beeing...

[@TotalSinging]

Andi Biedermann there are videos of him teaching. unfortunately he spends way too much time talking and less about the method. I've been to an event - and he talked through most of it. Rip off.

[@andibiedermann7552]

Sad you had this experience :( But he is really worth it. I've been to many events where we could watch him teach throughout many days. This was really great. You should give him a second chance...everyone deserves that. Would like to stay in touch with you..

[@andibiedermann7552]

***** I'm sorry but you are wrong. We teach both versions. It depends on the singer and his habits. And if you do version 1 how seth shows it "vowel uh" and a little bit dopey your larynx goes down in a relaxed position which allows the vocal cords to work free.

[@andibiedermann7552]

***** It is absolutely great that you learned so much about your own voice. It is the best thing that can happen, if you learn how to use your voice with ease. Yes, many SLS teachers sadly don't show everything perfectly right. If you want to learn the real SLS work with Mr. Riggs. I guarantee you will be very satisfied.

[@counterpuncher01]

I Can't Get Enough Seth Riggs videos I've watched this one several times already and Revisited it to wonderful effect. I love his sense of humor I'd really love to meet him

[@c4binF3v3r]

3:00 'I started singing in 1937-38'. So this interview is 56 years later? WTF HOW OLD IS THIS GUY?

[@Anilove1]

c4binF3v3r Seth Riggs is 86yo

[@bobaboba6555]

He's 87 now

[@vegeta1885]

He was 65 in this interview

[@ritadighent]

I respectfully wish to clarify: what Mr. Riggs demonstrated was not a "tremolo". What he demonstrated was a "wobble" (slow version of vibrato that is considered a vocal fault). A tremolo is a fast version of vibrato, also considered a vocal fault as it's produced through tension in the throat.

[@doghouse010]

he said he began singing in New York in 1937-38?

[@ananda_miaoyin]

Right?! Is this guy a vampire?

[@TruthSurge]

of COURSE if you get a Munchkin to sing the high notes, she's gonna nail them easily! Get the HOST to sing those! PROVE this works!

[@SuperDaveOkie]

I had a voice teacher once comment on how poorly useful technical information is disseminated in almost every form of arts training, but especially in voice training. He said that if you got everyone who gets taxable income teaching others in a room and banned them from the practice of teaching songs (notes, words, etc.), most would be unable to offer their students enough material for a single semester of study. There is an enormous amount of practical technical information contained in this video, and I would never have appreciated it if I hadn't searched for years to find practical answers to even one of the vocal problems he covers. This is truly an amazing, amazing video from an instructional standpoint.

[@ancientpaths7]

educational, informative, straightforward funny and utterly delightful interview! I love how clearly Seth Riggs explains it--no wonder he is a master at it.

[@annavanrielmusic]

Fantastic! Great questions, great interview. So helpful

[@jesiwahl9043]

Oh my God! What Seth said about being authentic and not just singing the notes and that's what makes an artist rememberable it's so important! It's a great challenge to all of us who try to really tell the story to be able to do it in a way that touches people, deeply touches people. For me this is a challenge. I hear notes in my mind and I want to sing them but we also have to finish the song to tell the story properly. Then in the end we get to play with the notes and return to a more intimate type of singing. I believe that it's those who live inside of each song, quite literally as far as where their mind and soul go, are those who make a difference and it's another challenge to go ahead and sing those high notes go ahead and hit him and just blow the place out, to shake the floor and the ceiling is you saying and to know that you could reach the back of any Auditorium! What a thing! The resonance that you're able to create through open throat-singing, which is what Seth teaches, and the diaphragm support and so forth are what can help you to do that to reach the back of Auditorium and if you're singing about something that's really important to you, for me one of the things right now is climate change, then it's just the greatest feeling in the world to sing your point of view about something that everyone can be in touch with it some level

[@vascoambrosio7798]

just listened a lesson he lectured to michael jackson the other day, didn't know he is such a real deal.

[@eileenwray6151]

Seth Riggs reminds Me of Johnny cash love Johnny cash !

[@jesiwahl9043]

Open throat singing is the way to go!

[@brothergoodfoot]

If she sings like Patti LaBelle, let’s see her cut loose!

[@walidsoroor8619]

RESPECT TO SIR-SETH RIGGS. great interview. ✊

[@michaelchavez4673]

Ive watched 3 minutes and seth riggs is a cool guy as well as a studied guy!!!

[@Self-taughtJay]

Wooow I gotta say I actually do better on feeling the note rather than studying it.

[@voicecoachworld3479]

SLS took my voice to new heights many years ago and Riggs' knowledge and method continue to influence me both as a singer and teacher.

[@newworldhello]

I disagree with that approach of putting the fingers on the cheeks while doing the lip trills. Was the original without it? I had attended SLS training briefly with two teachers. This approach causes the voice and breath to feel constricted. I think that it might have ruined some singers' voices (they sound unnaturally weak). Even MJ was affected.

[@voicecoachworld3479]

@@newworldhello I don’t use fingers on the cheeks personally but it does seem to help some singers who trill too ‘wide’ and find their lips stop vibrating. I think the key is finding what works for individual singers: there’s never a one size fits all solution :)

[@voicecoachworld3479]

@@newworldhello I didn’t like the pyramid scheme feel of being an SLS teacher as I didn’t want to be restricted in what I taught/teach, but I did take some great things from it.

[@YawAnsongSnr]

Can Seth Rigg actually sing? Genuine question. All I always hear is vocal technique demonstrations.

[@crisgildagarcia993]

Speech level singing like MJ

[@juniors8745]

his comments were pretty racist

[@counterpuncher01]

Seth Riggs belongs with Gretzky, Jordan, Muhammed Ali, etc...undisputable #1 masters of their craft to the level that anyone who disputes it sounds foolish.

[@juandavila4534]

My Vocal teacher, Spencer Welch was taught by Seth Riggs. I am doing these lip trills and crying "guh's" lolol.

[@divagirl10]

I'm going to start singing in a band and the other member said I should follow him

[@counterpuncher01]

Loooooooooove this man!!!!!

[@moorz17]

He does have the time when he was young lol

[@mcblahflooper94]

The Dorothy Taubman of voice pedagogy

[@SilasKingMusic]

So who to believe Seth Riggs or Gary catona

[@andibiedermann7552]

Seth Riggs. But Gary Catona also has a similar idea behind singing. Low larynx, cord closure and so on...

[@peterteddy2370]

Sohyang

[@pilarzunigabernaola4882]

Alguien que me lo traduzca porfis

[@stevepethel6843]

Thanks for this interesting Seth Riggs interview...

[@Gabrielle4870]

So I wonder... Michael Jackson would speak at a higher pitch, rather than going to chest voice. I wonder if the real reason is because it makes it easier to sing at that pitch?

[@jarrodhall3686]

It’s certainly easier for his voice type. Also, I think he was looking to retain some of his youthful sound.

[@dougstenza8493]

Thank you for sharing , this is GOLD !

[@jesiwahl9043]

Singing is like all of history; you have to be very brave to be rememberable.

[@kenogihebe]

TREASURE. Thank you SO much.

[@paulinehutchinson5222]

who is the girl on the show?

[@juliahake6407]

I just found her, her name is Wendy Parr.

[@patony_1288]

I want to sing so freaking bad but I hate those lessons and warm ups ,coz it seems after the warm up, my voice is now tired with no more strength to sing strong.

[@tinaleeth2707]

As with athletes, you gotta practice you just dont win championships by walking on the field.. good luck.

[@pseudonymlifts2]

Get a lesson with a teacher to check you're doing it right.

[@miguelbarahona6636]

Doing warmups at very, very low volume at the beginning is the way, and don´t push. Search Good Morning Voice! (Singer's Warmup) by Mark Baxter. I had the same problem, but this warmup really helps me and doesn´t tire my voice. Do it everyday.

[@khappy1286]

Get his cd's. Will help you alot.

[@jefolson6989]

Start with breath and vowels. I had the same problem at first. I knew I was doing it right when my diaphram was tired but my voice was fresh. Soon you can sing for a long time without tiring - then tue more you sing the easier it is. A relaxed tone fully supported and placed correctly doesnt wear out . Your legs will give out before yout voice!

[@entropia34332]

Separated at birth from Marlon Brando

[@cuzimdizzy8448]

Ахахах, такой глупый ведущий. У него рядом стоит всезнающий мудрец, а он спрашивает как жарить яйца...

[@XxXxTwofirstnames69420xXxXx]

I’m black

[@starplatinum5290]

Seth Riggs is someone I admire deeply, I envy people like him so much.

[@maxsherritt8242]

Nice Video. GREAT Vocal Coach.

[@davidsnowTHEGREAT]

Here in October 12 2022

[@GameFunsTr]

I watch this program at 2021

[@Mcaden101]

Frodo Baggins??

[@altay4room]

Thank you very much for the video!

[@dannyschneidershowofmusic4834]

The pleasure was mine! -D

[@TheSubwaysurfer]

Singing is sustained speech. Genius.

[@aymebatista6636]

Este man es una onda.. a mi no me crean, solo miren mis resultados!!!!!!

[@edinshealtiel3754]

JUST FOUND THE HOLY GRAIL ................

[@billdemaineiii6979]

That was a great interview. Thank you for sharing.

[@ayyemoedc5533]

Great teacher, funny guy and very charismatic

[@gauravpoudel7288]

if u can sing well and see this video 4-5 times, u can become a vocal coach today by using what he teaches here :D . It's that simple haha

[@jcee6886]

That's what I did. With amazing results.

[@akamirage1213]

Most of students who studying SLS, they don't understand about SLS to right way or they so impetient for strong voice.

[@khappy1286]

Yes. Patience is key.

[@billdemaineiii6979]

That was a great interview. Thank you for sharing

[@KelvinLloydBennett]

thankyou

[@billyspiers5379]

ill have a strombolli

[@gillianomotoso328]

I’d like to find more of Wendae(?)!

[@soundslikecam]

Bro tell me you noticed that this girl has no Google search results as well!

[@gillianomotoso328]

Sounds Like Cam Right?? Also I’m a woman lol

[@soundslikecam]

@@gillianomotoso328 Yes! & Noted! My apologies have an awesome day :)

[@juliahake6407]

Look up Wendy Parr. I'm pretty sure that's her.

[@gillianomotoso328]

Julia Hake Thank you!

[@bernadettebailey5370]

Brilliant! Honor to have met him and trained by him and referred to him. I love his knowledge of the difference of blacks' versus whites' vocals. He mastered to scientifically to know how blacks sing and incorporated it into his teachings. He's a great teacher.

[@dannyschneidershowofmusic4834]

Yes, indeed! -D

[@toniseb5923]

All i needed... ❤

[@PianoGuitarVocal]

Seth Riggs showed me a lot with this video! OH... I wish I could take lessons with him! P.S. I have the world record of producing, performing, video of 52 original song/videos in 52 consecutive weeks on KZbin!

[@khappy1286]

Get his cd's. I got them 20 yrs ago and now am using them again to prepare to sing in the choir at Carnegie Hall in Nov. 2019. The exercises are easy and they work! I mean they really work!

[@hifive7366]

Damn, where is the download button when I need it...

[@khappy1286]

Order his speech level singing cd's. Amazing.

[@rodolfoperalta5180]

Oh the 90s

[@그래놀라-r1k]

8:38 15:15

[@bryanchichichi]

haha the girl kind looks like Jason Mraz

[@eclecticmuso]

I think she looks more like Wynona Ryder lol.

[@merwynj.betancourth4737]

muy util!

[@counterpuncher01]

Love this video....after studying Seth's style vibrato comes naturally

[@gelilawitasefa6247]

This is just incredible ❗️I hope he passed and taught this extraordinary talent to this generation

[@fabinhoss]

Yep, we are already here !

[@nailakamana763]

Seth is a great teacher. So he coached Madonna too? Well she didn't learn from him because her vocals are still weak. Always were. He couldn't help it.

[@dannyschneidershowofmusic4834]

Thanks for your comment, Naila! -D

[@MikeHammerForEver]

@DisneySwan1990 Well, if that is so, he couldn't get her to do a proper vibrato, not that I'm saying he's not good, but I guess the student has to do her part too.

[@catteadams]

@@MikeHammerForEver There's something about starting with a decent voice to begin with, and breaking bad habits. But what then, when you are known for your style with the bad habits? Oooops. Might be seriously Stuck in an old bag of tricks ppl come to expect...you can always improve on technique, but you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.. She has always sung very nasally. And her intonation leaves much to be desired. But then again, she doesn't claim to be a great singer. More of an entertainer. That' OK too.

[@MikeHammerForEver]

@@catteadams Agree about her voice to be too nasal. I personally can't stand that but, as you say, she's been massively succesful, so somehone she managed to sing in a way many people liked.

[@mavdanu]

hi guys, the best success that I have had was by following the Bens Singer Blog (i found it on google) definately the most helpful method i've followed.

[@denisgajdos9377]

so he was 66 here???

[@Anilove1]

Denis Česla probably, cuz he's 86 currently...

[@gustavomartinez9021]

He cant sing. He only explain techniques