Prepare for your American Idol Audition! iChat, Skype, In Person (Oakland, CA.) - August 15, 2010
I'm a Certified Instructor of the Legendary Seth Riggs Speech Level Singing (SLS) Technique. American Idol officially endorses SLS as their recommended vocal technique, they also re-packaged the Seth Riggs Singers Advantage SLS training program and sell it as "American Idol Singers Advantage."
SLS is used by Kelly Clarkson, David Archuleta, as well as Michael Jackson (R.I.P) Stevie Wonder, Prince, Regina Spektor and over 120 Grammy Award Winners.
Student Testimonial - "I was introduced to the SLS method and with that Marzuki not only taught me how to use my gift in a better way, he made it incredibly easy for me to get better at singing. My first aid from him came in preparation for American Idol 2010 season (which I made Top 135 out of estimated 10,000 in Los Angeles) which I know wouldn't have been possible with out Marzuki. My success from the auditions is only what I hope to be the beginning of my progression as a vocalist. However I owe a tremendous deal of my progress to Marzuki, for his patience, positive feedback and support. I recommend his teachings to any singer that is serious about singing and wants to take their voice a step further." Jason Hunter -
Contact Marzuki Grinage @ (510) 866-3046 or email to schedule your lesson in person (Oakland, CA.) or online using iChat or Skype.
Marzuki Grinage offers Speech Level Singing lessons in the East Bay Area.
Seth Riggs interviewed about teaching Michael Jackson! - August 14, 2010
Michael Jackson's Voice Teacher Seth Riggs discusses his realationship with the King Of Pop! - July 21, 2010
Sound Of Souls - April 30, 2010
SOUND OF SOULS Members: Simon Russell-Vocals/Keys, Marzuki Grinage-Vocals/Guitar, Billy Johnson-Drums, Robert Watson-Bass, Dez Parker-Background Vocals.
Music from the soul created by musicians who have worked with legendary artists such as James Brown, Santana, Donny Hathaway, Maze, Joss Stone, members of Sly And The Family Stone, Graham Central Station and Prince, among others. *Check out the Videos to see performances with some of these amazing Artists*
*Join the Email List for Members Only FREE MP3 Downloads!
Haiti Relief Benefit Concert - Punk Funk Mob, Too Short, Tony, Toni, Tone and more! - January 26, 2010
Thursday January 28th 7:00 @ Historic Sweet's Ballroom in Oakland, CA.
All proceeds will go to the relief efforts in Haiti.
Speech Level Singing Vocal Intensive with Greg Enriquez Wednesday, November 04 - Monday, November 09, 2009 - October 22, 2009
TALENT SEARCH with legendary producer, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and Seth Riggs! - September 28, 2009
Seth Riggs is participating as a judge on a new talent search called, "Have You Got Talent". With legendary producer, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins and choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson.
We are extending this scholarship to singers who would love to participate in our program, but due to financial hardships, are not able to do so.
We are offering a full board scholarship, in honor of the late, Michael Jackson, As you may know, Michael Jackson had been a close friend of Seth Riggs and a dedicated student of Seth’s for 32 years.
In honor of Michael Jackson’s incredible talent and passion against all odds, Seth Riggs would like to extend a scholarship to all talented people of color, who fulfill the following requirements.
The requirements are; any African American, male or female, ages 13 – 25. Scholarship: Standard registration, to include full board, private lessons and open mic.
2) Must submit a video clip of a song of your choice. Must also submit full bio, and photos.
3) Also you must include a 250 word essay describing why you wish to be chosen, and explain your particular financial circumstances and how you would benefit from this opportunity. This will greatly determine our winner.
4) Must not already be registered for Seth Riggs Summer Program 2009
To apply, you must email a link to your Endoora page to: directors@speechlevelsinging.com. *Be sure to include ALL requirements*
Deadline to enter: 3:00pm, Wed, 7/22/2009. We will be announcing the winner, 5:00pm 7/22/2009. Please submit your links as soon as possible, as we will be announcing a winner very soon.
Good luck!
SLS Staff
MICHAEL JACKSON - A LOSS OF A LEGEND. SETH RIGG'S MICHAEL JACKSON STATEMENT - July 13, 2009
SF weekly Reviews Punk Funk Mob Yoshi's SF Performance! - June 20, 2009
Eric Arnold of SF Weekly wrote;
"The Punk Funk Mob delivered on its advance billing as "Funkadelic meets Betty Davis," and vocalist Femi was all that and a bag of chips, telling the crowd at one point, "I didn't say you could stop clapping." Thus chastened, the seated crowd resumed its soul clap with vigor."
ENDOORA officially launched in 2009 and is a subsidiary of Seth Riggs Worlwide Entertainment, LLC - April 6, 2009
ENDOORA officially launched in 2009 and is a subsidiary of Seth Riggs Worlwide Entertainment, LLC
ENDOORA is a searchable talent database of artists that Industry Professionals like Disney, Konami and more can find new talent for their upcoming projects. It is also a place where artists can interact and connect with one another, get more fans, sell their music and network together.
- ARTISTS - The best way to get noticed on ENDOORA is to spread the word and climb the charts! Have your fans and others rate your profile, songs, write reviews of your music, add your songs to their stations, and purchase your music. Your music is yours to keep and you retain all your rights when you join ENDOORA.
- FANS AND LISTENERS - Sign up free as a fan or listener.
* Create stations of your favorite songs.
* Receive updates from your favorite artists and friends on ENDOORA.
* Have your own profile on the site.
* Network and connect with others.
Sign up now for a free account!
Speech Level Singing Masterclass with Master Instructor Dave Stroud - November 1, 2008
Masterclass (Open to the Public)
"Introduction to Speech Level Singing" Sunday, November 16, 2008 : 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Heritage Inn Express 204 Harding Boulevard Roseville, CA 95678 (800) 228-4747 Price: $40 Click here for more info and to register! http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=665410
Femi Releases debut CD "Sweet Water Soul."(Talking House Records ) - September 23, 2008
Marzuki Grinage plays Guitar on the songs "Sweet Water (Rezo)" "Imported" "Crush" "If I Knew"(*the intro lead guitar only) and "Pages." Femi also studied Speech Level Singing with Marzuki Grinage during the pre-production stage of the project. For more info visit www.femimusic.com www.myspace.com/femi Available now in stores and on iTunes!
Learn Speech Level Singing - The Technique Of Legends! - August 9, 2008
Marzuki Grinage is a Certified Instructor of the Legendary Seth Riggs Speech Level Singing Technique and am currently the only Certified SLS teacher in Oakland and San Leandro CA.
Speech Level Singing is applicable to Pop, R&B, Jazz, Rock, Opera, everyday speech, and more. SLS is used by singers such as Stevie Wonder, David Archuleta (Top 2 on American Idol,) Prince, Luther Vandross, Ozzy Osbourne, Kelly Clarkson, Ray Charles, Amy Lee (Evanescence,) Julio Iglesias, Josh Groban, Phillip Webb (Opera Star, who recently replaced Luciano Pavorotti in the "The Three Tenors,") among many others. For more on Seth Riggs and Speech Level Singing please visit; www.sethriggs.com
Many people wonder what the term Speech Level Singing means. The term “Speech Level Singing” was first used by Seth Riggs, who discovered the technique, first in New York and later in Los Angeles, CA. In Seth’s words, Speech Level Singing is “an absolute refusal to reach for notes, (high or low), or to help the pitch in any way”.
Speech Level Singing does not mean “sing as you speak” many people speak incorrectly)- rather the term refers to the maintenance of a stable and relaxed laryngeal position during vocal production along with freedom from muscular tension along with adducted (approximated) vocal cords, which is the vocal production found in relaxed speech. SLS technique enables students to develop a healthy, strong voice with great high notes and no breaks or strain by a process of retraining the neuromuscular response in the student through a series of highly unique exercises.
SLS trains and certifies qualified teachers throughout the world. Only teachers that are currently SLS certified are allowed to teach the technique. The Speech Level Singing certification process requires that teachers demonstrate a correct understanding and execution of SLS through continual study including proficiency testing to be approved and certified by Seth Riggs. The Certification process was created to ensure that the purity and integrity of Speech Level Singing is maintained.
SLS is not a static technique, but a process of continual education. The certification process ensures all voice students that their teacher is on track and can therefore lead them into the education they desire. Teachers must re-certify each year in order to deepen their understanding of SLS, to learn the most effective tools and developments to better address student's needs. The Speech Level Singing organization provides a network of the most knowledgeable and gifted instructors for Speech Level Singing, a certification process that insures the quality of the instructors and informs the public of the instructor's expertise.
SLS emphasizes the development of the middle voice or "mix," which is a blend of your lower "chest voice" and upper "head" voice resonances. Having a mix allows you to sing without cracking, straining, or having to resort to a weak falsetto for middle or upper notes. Singing with a good mix is the way your voice is naturally set up to function and is a healthy way to extend range, build strength and improve the quality of your voice!
You shouldn't have to push and strain your voice as you sing higher OR flip over to falsetto (you know that weak airy voice,), which is not a true head voice. If your voice tires easily or gets hoarse you are singing in an abusive way. Singing too hard or singing too airy can both cause damage to your voice.
Many singers strain or have to sing in falsetto any higher than E flat, E, F, F# or G above middle C (for most males,) or a G#, A, A#, B or C above middle C (most females.) This is a specific problem that is very common among singers. When you're singing correctly the listener will hear one voice from the bottom to the top of your range. If you HAVE to sing louder as you move up through your range than you are forcing your voice. It can be important to sing loud but this should be for dynamics rather than a necessity for hitting higher notes!
Contact Marzuki Grinage to schedule a no commitment trial lesson. (At regular rate.) Expect to experience positive changes in the first lesson! You will learn safe and effective exercises that when practiced for as little as 15min per day will immediately begin improving the health and balance of your voice. Application of technique to songs is also offered (any style.) It is not uncommon for the first Speech Level Singing lesson to resolve difficulties that have been troubling a student for many years.
Students include Professional Singers, Actors, Teachers and Beginners.
LOCATION: Oakland Voice Studio @ 7th Ave & Park Blvd. *LESSONS ALSO AVAILABLE IN SAN LEANDRO
RATE: $35 Per Half Hour (includes your personalized lesson exercises and song application recorded on CD.) 24 hours notice required for cancellations. Beginners are welcome!
Speech Level Singing Vocal Masterclass with Master Instructor John Henny - April 22, 2008
Speech Level Singing Vocal Masterclass with Master Instructor John Henny. April 27 2008. Come learn the technique behind 120 Grammy Winners, American Idol Winners, Star Search Winners, Broadway Stars, Opera Stars, and more...Speech Level Singing. For more info and to register online visit: http://www.regonline.com/sls-sj
Sound Of Souls Video! - November 21, 2007
"Portrait Of Your Souls"
Simon Russell (Vocals/Keys) Marzuki Grinage (Guitar) Billy "Shoes" Johnson (Drums) Robert Watson (Bass) Dez Parker (Background Vocals.) Recorded @ Expression Center 2005. "Portrait Of Your Souls" Written by Simon Russell and Marzuki Grinage.
Video Clips! - September 30, 2007
THE PUNK FUNK MOB "AGENT 17" & "HOW R U?" Guitar solo by Marzuki Grinage. Quincy Ramone (bass) Erika Laurence (vocals) Brenden Chute (guitar)
Michael Williams (drums) Performed 9-21-07 @ The Rock Bar in Walnut Creek, CA.
Marzuki Grinage plays w/ The Punk Funk Mob! - September 18, 2007
Marzuki Grinage Certified to teach the Seth Riggs Speech Level Singing Technique! - June 17, 2007
Marzuki Grinage is now a Certified Instructor of the Legendary Seth Riggs Speech Level Singing Technique and is currently the only Certified SLS teacher in Oakland, CA.
Speech Level Singing is applicable to Pop, R&B, Jazz, Rock, Opera, everyday speech, and more. SLS is used by singers such as Stevie Wonder, Prince, Luther Vandross, Ozzy Osbourne, Kelly Clarkson, Tamia, Anita Baker, Ray Charles, Julio Iglesias, Josh Groban, among many others. For more on Seth Riggs and Speech Level Singing please visit; http://www.sethriggs.com
New Photos! - May 21, 2007
I just finished a photo shoot with Ruby Wara-Goss. You can check some of them out on the photo page! - Marzuki.
"I'm On Cloud 9" wins R&B Track of the Day - January 17, 2007
Marzuki Grinage's song, "I'm On Cloud 9" will be featured as GarageBand.com's
R&B Track of the Day on Wednesday, the 17th of January, 2007.
Marzuki Grinage Wins More Awards for "I'm On Cloud 9." - January 15, 2007
Marzuki Grinage won Awards for the second week in a row for Best Male Vocals in R&B & Best Production in R&B.
Marzuki Grinage was also given awards for Best Beat in R&B and Best Mood in R&B (week of Jan 15 2007,) on Gargageband.com!
"I'm On Cloud 9" Awards! Best Male Vocals, Guitars and Production in R&B. - January 8, 2007
Marzuki Grinage was given Awards for Best Male Vocals, Best Guitars and Best Production for his song "I'm On Cloud 9," for the week of Jan. 8, 2007 on Garageband.com!
Each week thousands of R&B tracks are reviewed by thousands of GarageBand.com members and picked out for special praise.
