Do you know how to choose the right song for your voice? Many singers choose a song based on the fact that they like it. But they do not consider other factors. THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS:
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SONG? There may not be such thing as "a perfect song". But good song choice can determine your success. VOCAL ABILITIES Choose a song that highlights your vocal abilities, such as vocal range., preferred vocal range, vocal strengths etc. THE KEY Change the key of a song to better suit your vocal range abilities and choose a song that will showoff your talent, not your limitations. If a song is too low for you, you will not impress audience. There is a possibility of damaging your vocal injury if you are going out of your range. A song should come across as part of your personality. Sing songs that tell your story, share your ideas or communicate feelings. Consider a melodic song that will highlight your singing voice. A song with dull and monotonous melody will make voice seem dull too. Let the melody do the job or complimenting your range and dynamics. THE LYRICS Choose a song with lyrics that you and your audience can relate to THE MELODY Choose a song with melody that emotionally resonates in your audience and leave them inspired. WHEN CHOOSING A SONG, ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
From: how2mprovesinging
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What does it mean to sing with an Open Throat? To sing with an open throat means to shape the vocal tract in order to achieve a maximal resonating space to create sound. To open one's throat also means to release tension from the vocal mechanism in order to create space free of any obstacles. What Body Parts Are Included? The soft palate lift, the pharynx widens, the larynx lowers, the articulators are positioned well. How Do You Sing With an Open Throat? - Proper Posture The prerequisite for a free and open throat is a proper posture for singing. Develop a habit of aligning your body in a way that creates ideal conditions for singing. - Inner Smile Creating a pleasant look on your face is one of the techniques that helps to create a resonating space. A pleasant look involves lifting of the zygomatic muscles. - Inhalation When you inhale, your soft palate raises and your larynx lowers. This elongation of the vocal tract creates a resonating space. Myths About an open Throat Wide Open Mouth: To sing with an open throat does not mean to open the mouth excessively. A very low jaw position creates undesirable tension in the vocal mechanism. Yawning: Yawning can lead to an overextended jaw opening and retracted tongue that pushes down on the larynx. This posture actually creates an unnatural sounding voice. Tongue Placement: Moving tongue backwards in order to create space in the mouth does not achieve an open throat. Quite the opposite: the tongue base pushes down on the larynx and creates an obstacle in the vocal tract. Exaggerated Facial Expressions: Trying to create an open throat through exaggerated facial expressions (such as a "surprised face') is not a good technique. You don't want to practice facial expressions that you would not use in public.
From: how2mprovesinging
Like more of such tips or looking for a online vocal coach? Check out my review of the online singing program that I'm using right now.
POP If music is food, then pop is candy. Fun, but not funny. Romantic, but not overly sentimental. And With dance and rhythm at its heart. TIPS FOR POP SINGERS
COUNTRY An overly simple way to think of country is fancy folk, read: glossy folk pop. The genre evolved from Appalachian mountain music, Southern blues, Country-western, and what's called "honky-tonk." TIPS FOR COUNTRY SINGERS
JAZZ/BLUES Jazz singing is characterized by clear, "speech level" singing and distinct consonants, while blues singing has a rough or rootsy edge to it, sometimes with a natural Southern accent. TIPS FOR BLUES/JAZZ SINGERS
ROCK Rock has grown from a purely rough and edgy style to a diverse genre with maw different voices. However, that rougher and edgier part is a defining characteristic; otherwise, it might be confuse with adult contemporary or pop. TIPS FOR ROCK SINGERS Try out different vocal stylings, like a little growling or vocal fry at the end of song sections, but don't overdo it. • Get comfortable singing a huge range of dynamics, from whispers (used sparingly for the health Of voice) to healthy, • Don't be afraid of your Vibrato. Listen to: Freddie Mercury, John Fogerty OPERA/CLASSICAL SINGERS Often the most formal and restrictive of all genres of singing, classical and opera singing actually allows for the greatest amount of freedom. Much of it is sung with uncontrolled vibrato and total emotional release. TIPS FOR OPERA/CLASSICAL SINGERS
Hip hop Hip hop, the heavily rhythmic and rhyming singing that often accompanies rapping and beatboxing, in the 1970s, and has grown steadily in popularity since then. Singers of hip hop are diverse, but the singing generally takes on an edgy, sometimes nasal quality. TIPS FOR HIP HOP SINGERS • Know hip hop’s musical ancestry. Listen to a lot of funk, disco, reggae, soul, Gospel, the and Old-school hip • You have to become a rapper, but get comfortable between singing and speaking to help your versatility. Don't be afraid to experiment with different vocal sounds, like nasality and wordplay, to create your own signature style. Listen to: Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé, Cee Lo Green
ADULT CONTEMPORARY Adult contemporary is essentially pop singing, but the lyrics are decidedly grown-up or 'adult." It has been called "vanilla,' bland, and boring, but some of the most magnificent songs are forever embedded in its charts TIPS FOR ADULT CONTEMPORARY SINGERS Learn to sing consistently with a well -supported sound and will come naturally. • Get into the habit of speaking the lyrics of the song loud before singing them. • Don't add too many effects toy your voice. With you in its truest form, is adult CONTEMPORARY. Listen Bruce Hornsby, Amy Grant
From: takelessons
Like more of such tips or looking for a online vocal coach? Check out my review of the online singing program that I'm using right now.
From: how2mprovesinging Like more of such tips or looking for a online vocal coach? Check out my review of the online singing program that I'm using right now. Singing: a common past time, maybe the most common form of participation in the performing arts. But is singing also good for you? Numerous research studies confirmed that singing has boot physical and psychological benefits. PHYSICAL BENEFITS 1) Singing Releases Feel-Good Hormones Singing releases endorphins and oxytocin. Endorphin is a hormone associated with the feeling of pleasure. Oxytocin is a hormone considered to decrease anxiety and stress as well as increase the feelings of trust and bonding. 2) Singing Boosts Immunity Singing boosts immunity by promoting a healthy lymphatic system. Singing also helps fight diseases. 3) Singing Lowers Blood Pressure A case study showed that singing can reduce blood pressure given its calming effect. 4) Singing Improves Breathing The act of singing requires breathing. As a result, the body has improved blood circulation and oxygen flow. 5) Singing Improves Overall Health and Well-Being People who sing require less visits to the doctor and don’t need as much medication. They are also less likely to be depressed. PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS 6) Singing Lowers Anxiety and Stress Singing is associated with decreased levels of anxiety due to the release of oxytocin. 7) Singing Promotes Social Bonding Singing and especially choral singing creates opportunities for cooperation and social bonding. 8) Singing Improves Happiness Singers reported feeling happier and better connected. Singing reduces feelings of depression and loneliness. 9) Singing Improves Cognition Some studies found that musicians and singers have generally higher IQs than non-musicians. Many successful people are also good musicians. 10) Singing Leads To Longer Life One report concluded that singing promoted bot better health and mental state, which led to higher life expectancy. BENEFITS OF SINGING FOR CHILDREN Singing Improves:
BENEFITS OF SINGING FOR THE ELDERLY Singing Improves:
HAPPY SINGING!
From: how2mprovesinging
Like more of such tips or looking for a online vocal coach? Check out my review of the online singing program that I'm using right now. Lifting your larynx Your larynx should stay relatively stable when producing high notes. Lifting your larynx when you sing high notes (or moving it down when you sing low notes) means that you are engaging superficial muscles of larynx. Lifting your head, looking up, tilting your head upward or changing your body posture may be another mistake associated with moving your larynx to a hi position. Body Tension If there is muscle tension anywhere in your body, the chances are that your larynx is also affected. If your shoulders are tense, your larynx is probably squeezed even before you start singing. If your belly is tensed up and not moving fluidly, your breath will also not move freely through the vocal cords. If your jaw locked, your face muscles will push on the larynx. Everything in our bodies is connected. Squeezing from the throat Squeezing from your throat is not good for you whether you sing low or high notes. If you squeeze your throat, you are causing strain to your vocal cords, which can be very damaging. Singing low or high notes should never hurt. Inexperienced singers often squeeze because they associate singing of high notes with sins loud, shouting or screaming. Power is created by allowing tie sound to resonate in an open throat. If you squeeze, there is no space for the sound to resonate. Not Warming Up Many beginner singers just go for it — they try to sing high notes without any preparation of vocal cords, not realizing that singing high notes is a demanding activity. High notes are often at the top of your comfortable range so singing high notes represents an intensive work out for vocal cords. Warm-up routine for is a must in order to prepare the vocal mechanism for Sin". Fear Your previous negative experience with high notes, will play tricks on you and affect your singing negatively. You anticipate that something will go wrong — maybe your voice will break, maybe you will not hit the note exactly as it should be, or maybe your voice will be weak- And you know what? It is very likely that one of these "things" will happen. But this kind of thinking will not get you closer to your goal of singing high notes. If your mind is programmed to fall, you will fall. Do you make any of these mistakes? Even if you don’t make any of these mistakes, you need to practice this skill. You need to learn to isolate the deep muscles of the larynx to produce high pitches and at the same time to relax the superficial muscles of the larynx that interfere with the production of high pitches. From: how2mprovesinging Like more of such tips or looking for a online vocal coach? Check out my review of the online singing program that I'm using right now. CAN ANYONE SING? Singing is perceived as something that you either can or cannot do. But is it true? Current research confirms that singing is a learned skill. TONE DEAFNESS: Inability to distinguish pitches. 95% are NOT tone deaf - Can distinguish pitches, enjoy music, recognize melodies, have musical potential, and can learn to sing. Only 5% ARE tone deaf. WHY CAN I NOT SING? MINDSET People feel discouraged when labelled as "bad* singers. They do not try to sing, therefore they cannot get better. Mental boundaries deter people from singing more than physical imitations. MUSICAL TRAINING 'Bad" singers lack musical training. Of people don't have good motor control of their vocal muscles. 35% have difficulties matching their OWN voice to the desired note, but can match pitches on an instrument GENETICS There are individual differences in biology . Some people are physically better equipped to sing. The structure of the vocal chords and larynx, and the size of the skull determine how a person sounds. These people may find it easier to sing well. ENVIRONMENT The ability to make sense of music is present in early life and can be developed simply by being exposed to music in the environment. Being exposed to music or playing Instruments can help a person learn to sing well. INTERESTING FACTS: STOP TELLING THEM THEY CANNOT SING! According to a study, telling children that they are tone deaf can have a negative effect on their self- Image. Children who are told they cannot sing well are less likely to participate in music in the future. BLAME THE SKULL A study finds that the shape of a person's skull is responsible for the shape and size of the pharynx (throat) and the nasal cavities, which are natural resonators. LISTEN TO MUSIC One study showed that growing up in a musical environment strongly influences whether someone sings well and confidently. TALENT OR NOT? Research confirms that singing on key isn't as much of a talent as many people think. SOLUTIONS: #1 Singing is a learned skill through practice, people can learn to Sing on key. #2 Learn to use the right muscles. Improve motor control over your voice. #3 Look for "low- stakes" opportunities for singing without feeling judged. #4 Find opportunities to sing. Find a good singing teacher to guide you through the process. #5 Slow down. Take one step at a time and be patient. From: how2improvesinging Like more of such tips or looking for a online vocal coach? Check out my review of the online singing program that I'm using right now. What is Vibrato? Vibrato is a change in a singer's pitch that is warmth and depth to a singer's tone of voice and is often used for stylistic purposes. Why Vibrato? Vibrato is a personal choice. Some singers use it often, others use vibrato only occasionally to enhance parts of songs. The amount of vibrato will also depend on the music genre and the particular song you are singing. Different Types of False Vibrato Diaphragmatic vibrato - pushing on one's chest quickly and rhythmically. Jaw vibrato - visible jaw oscillations. Laryngeal vibrato - shaking one’s larynx. Questions #4 Learned or Natural? Two main approaches: Natural - Vibrato is not taught directly because it is believed that vibrato will appear in a singer's voice providing there is a solid foundation in place, such as healthy vocal techniques and tension free sound production. Learned - Vibrato is taught directly using different methods for the vibrato to merge and control. Types of Vibrato Involuntary (natural) vibrato is warm and resonant. It emerges naturally in a singer's voice as a result of interactions between breath energy and vocal cord closure. Voluntary (applied vibrato is created manipulating the actions o a singer's vocal mechanism to produce and control oscillations. Prerequisites for Vibrato Start to develop healthy vocal techniques which will create ideal conditions or emerging vibrato. Healthy vocal techniques include developing breath control, phonation with connected vocal cords, open throat, singing without any tension and with good resonance. Don't jump ahead and work on skills that you are not ready for. Development and Control Develop vibrato with vocal exercises such as: - sustaining a note on a vowel. For example sing 5 notes (legato), then hold the last note, - agility vocal exercises with short patterns leading to a sustained note. Then, develop control over your vibrato. An appropriate and leasing rate per second is an obvious goal to strive for. What impedes Vibrato? - Poor breath control - Lack of vocal fold approximation and closure - Too much pressure at the level of the vocal cords - Tension in the jaw or tongue - Imbalanced tone or too much weight in voice - Incorrect vocal techniques From: how2improvesinging Like more of such tips or looking for a online vocal coach? Check out my review of the online singing program that I'm using right now.
From: takelessons Like more of such tips or looking for a online vocal coach? Check out my review of the online singing program that I'm using right now. As singers, our bodies are our instruments, so we need to make sure that all of our muscles, including the vocal chords, are ready to meet the demands of singing. Let’s get STARTED! 1. GET AND STAY HYDRATED Water lubricates the vocal folds and eliminates toxins that make you sick. Excessive alcohol. Caffeine, and nicotine — these substances dehydrate the body. Also, try to avoid any dairy foods and salty foods before singing, as they can cause excessive phlegm and 2. SIRENS A vocal siren is one of the quickest and easiest ways to wake up your voice. On a rounded "ooh" vowel. Begin at the lowest point in your voice and gradually slide up to the top. Then make your way back down. Imagine you are imitating the sound of an ambulance siren, or imagine you are taking your voice on a roller coaster ride. Be sure to open your mouth wider as you go higher. 3. LIP TRILLS Take a nice breath and release it so that your lips like a motor boat. The make a "bbbbb" sound — airflow needed to produce this sound is the same as the airflow needed for singing, so lip trills are an excellent, gentle warm-up. Try doing them as a siren, or on scales going up and back. 4. WARM UP YOUR VOWELS Find an easy note in the middle of your comfort zone. Sing that note on “A”, “E”, “O”, “I”. It should sound and feel as easy and natural as speaking — once it does, move up the scale chromatically by half-steps and repeat. 4. SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS Begin on an open neutral vowel, such as Ah. Ooh, Oh. Ee. You can get creative with the melodic pattern, as long as it increases by half steps to take you to the top or bottom of your range. A basic simple way to do this would be to sing a S note scale up and back, or a simple 3 step arpeggio (Do Mi sol Mi DO) 5. SING SOME SONGS! Sing some songs from your repertoire, starting with some easy ones and working towards your show-stoppers. Always remember that everyone's voice is different, and not every song will fit every singer. Find something that you are comfortable singing, that doesn't force you to push too hard vocally, and fits your personal style! 6. CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF You’re not really done with your warm-up until you feel 100% ready to sing. How does your body feel! How does your voice sound? How confident are you? If you need. Redo Steps I -7. If you feel good, go knock 'em dead! From: musicademy Like more of such tips or looking for a online vocal coach? Check out my review of the online singing program that I'm using right now. |
AuthorHello fellow singers! My name is Damien. I am a singer - not a professional one who loves to write and perform whenever I can. I created this site with the intent to helping those who share my passion of singing. Archives
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