Are there other ways to get there? No doubt. Is he first and only instructor to speak of this sort of thing? Of course not, but he's the VERY FIRST who managed to reach ME despite myself. Does that mean he will reach you as well? Who knows, but I'd say it's a pretty safe gamble you will take away something from this book and cd in short order if you approach it openly and with a good sense of humor.

His simple device of using the 'cry' and whatnot have proved invaluable to me in 'remembering' how to find that sweet spot instead of shouting myself hoarse with vocal groping and frustration. Think Robert Smith or Danny Elfman to get an idea of how the 'cry' can sound. It's kind of a vocal 'shoe-horn' to get you into middle voice. Once you start to get a feel for this, the goofy images like 'think of your voice as a purple mist flowing--blah de blah de blah' start to actually become useful as you start to feel and hear when you're going from chest voice to head voice and/or somewhere in between.

Good luck and have fun with the book. Really accentuate the cry when you get to that part. Let yourself be a goofy cartoon character for a bit and laugh and have fun, and you may suddenly realize that your voice is ringing more clearly and purely than ever before. If you've never experienced it before, you'll probaly freak a bit and think "What the shrieking f* was that?!" It will feel very 'unusual' and perhaps even 'un-safe' as in "I don't sound like THAT! OTHER people who really know how to sing sound like that!" Surrender a bit and let yourself continue to explore, and get a pocket recorder so you can record yourself on the fly, even while driving.

Experiment. Laugh. Have fun.

Good Luck!

86 of 92 found the following review helpful:


Help For Spasmodic Dysphonia  Dec 03, 1999 By Raymond Housteau
About a year ago, after a severe cold, I started experiencing problems with my voice. I am a stockbroker who gives many investment seminars, and use my voice continually to make a living. Needless to say I was panicked.

I was diagnosed with a condition called Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD) and was told there was no cure. The only treatment is to have injections of Botox (a poison) into my vocal cords several times a year.

There is a school of thought that believes that SD is a mechanical problem and that it is indeed curable. I have had some relief with techniques that improve the way I speak. I purchased "Set Your Voice Free" in the hopes that I would find a little more information that would help me regain more of my voice.

To my astonishment, in only two weeks of practicing his techniques I realized very significant improvement. At times I was actually speaking better than I ever have before SD.

I strongly believe that, aside from improving almost anybody's singing or speaking voice, this book could also be a powerful tool for those who may need to rehabilitate a troubled voice.

The book is easy to read, yet very informative. I was impressed with the information relating to the mechanics of voice. When you understand how things work, you have a better idea of where your problems may be.

The accompanying disc is in my car constantly and I try to do the exercises daily.

If you are looking for a way to quickly improve your vocal capabilities, order this book!

101 of 110 found the following review helpful:


Make yourself heard  Jul 13, 2003 By FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick"
The book 'Set Your Voice Free', by Roger Love, one of most famous and most in-demand vocal coaches in America, is a real godsend to those who rely on their voice for professional purposes (hmmm, why would a preacher need that?). Co-authored by Donna Frasier, this book explores techniques for preserving, strengthening, and extending the vocal power and range of the reader/practitioner.

There is a forward by Dr. Laura Schlessinger--whether or not you agree with her opinions, you must admit she has vocal presence on the radio. This book will not turn you into Dr. Laura (in any respect!) but it will help you achieve the voice that you are capable of having, but simply did not gain the instruction to unleash.

Why is speaking important? While this many seem a question with an obvious answer, it is usually an unexamined one. The right voice can make a business presentation or sales pitch more dynamic, and make the difference between closing the deal and walking away empty-handed. The right voice can win the man or woman of your dreams over to a first date. Even if you just want to sound better on your answering machine, this is book that will help.

Think you can't carry a tune in a bucket, and that this is because you don't have musical training? Guess again. With simple exercises in this book, you will be singing along in no time with much less self-consciousness and more self-confidence, which in-and-of itself can make a difference in how you sound.

It comes with an instructional CD with vocal exercises to follow. From simple breathing exercises (yes, there is a right way to breathe) to more specific practice routine, you will have material to follow to help you unlock the hidden potential of your voice. The sound you make will be richer, more fully rounded and developed.

Roger Love includes extra helps for those who are primarily interested in singing (such a vibrato, riffs, and even stage presence), and those who are more interested in speaking (such as pacing, varying the tone, volume, even what to do with your hands).

The final chapter takes on aspects of the healing power of the voice. Remember how wonderful you felt when, as a child, your mother would read softly or sing to you, how the sound of her voice alone was a great healing comfort? There is a reason for this, not simply due to the emotional bond with mother. The voice can reach parts of the brain that the language itself cannot reach. Learn to tap into that.

Make a joyous sound! Read this book, and set your voice free!

48 of 51 found the following review helpful:


A Great Place to Start  May 09, 2005 By John Noodles
I have played guitar for years, and always wanted to sing along with my playing, but the best I could ever manage was tight, off-pitch croaking. It was pretty grim, and I was convinced that I was one of those people who was born damned with a horrible voice.

I might be damned, or I might not be, but after working with this book for a month-and-a-half or so, I am definitely improving. I can't say I'm a *good* singer, but I'm certainly a better singer.
I have two other books on singing (the "...for Complete Idiots" guide, and the "Rock-n-Roll Singers Survival Manual") and this is easily the best of the lot, at least for me. The exercises on the accompanying CD are great, and start to help almost immediately. I have not seen these exercises in either of the other two books I own, or anywhere on the web.

The writing is clear and direct. Love doesn't waste page after page discussing the most minor details of anatomy, the way, say, the "Survival Manual" does. The information is organized clearly and sensibly, and the book presents exercises that help undo bad habits. You might feel funny making some of these bizarre sounds at first, but they work; I practice them on the 25-minute drive to and from work. It's time better spent than listening to the radio.

My biggest problem was--and still is--a rising larynx. Both the other books I have identify this as a common problem, but give virtually no instruction on how to keep the larynx low, and no indication of how difficult a problem this is to lick. Love does. No, I haven't licked the problem, but at least now I know HOW to lick it, and that it isn't going to happen overnight.

This book doesn't contain instruction on sight reading, but that doesn't bother me, since I have no interest in it--I just want to get to a point at which I will not embarrass myself singing along with guitar, and I feel that this book has set me going in that direction.

41 of 43 found the following review helpful:


A great book to learn by!  Dec 04, 2003 By Prisca Molotsi
I am a professional jazz/blues and gospel singer here in Japan. I am currently singing at a 5-star international hotel here and also have contracts in many jazz clubs and concert halls. For For jazz aficionadoes, my second CD was produced by Hugh Masekela. Aware of my own weaknesses, I am constanly looking for ways to improve my singing and be the best I possibly can. There are two books that I highly recommend, one is "Singing for the Stars", by Seth Riggs, and the other is this one, "Set Your Voice Free".

The exercises are fantastic and very easy to understand. I also enjoyed his commentary on the strength and weaknesses of singers we admire. It's so easy to think that just because one is famous and making millions that one must be perfect...not so, and Robert Love explains it. Some of his lessons are similar to Seth Riggs, but then he studied with Seth Riggs (lucky thing), so it's understandable.

My voice has certainly gotten better since employing some of the exercises described in this wonderful book. I am booked to sing spirituals(in a semi-classical style...something I thought I would never do...)in a large concert hall next year in March. I thank Mr Love because after reading his book I realized that I have many 'voices' and can develop all of them in a rich manner. My resonance has improved incredibly! I also teach scores of students and I can proudly attest thatmost of them have advanced greatly, and it is many thanks to some of the exercises in this book. The trill exercises are wondeful, don't sneer at them, an I always do the "goog" and "gug" exercises, great way to smoothen the bridge.

I highly recommend this book for pros and for aspiring singers!

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