Tips to Keep You Talkin’ (and Singin’) – #3 of 8 – Stress
Our next tip deals with STRESS! No. 3: Stress can lead to forceful voice production, resulting in possible tissue damage. Relaxation techniques can improve your voice and allow you to speak more effectively and longer. Try stretching shoulder, neck and facial muscles periodically; slow, deep breaths also may help.
Tips to Keep You Talkin’ (and Singin’) – #2 of 8 – Hoarseness
This week we look at hoarseness. No, not that kind of horse! No. 2: Hoarseness or breathiness may signal a voice disorder. If either symptom persists for more than two weeks, call a physician or speech-language pathologist.
Tips to Keep You Talkin’ (and Singin’) – #1 of 8 – Speaking Loudly
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing tips for healthy vocal production from the National Center of Voice and Speech. For those of you who have taken lessons with me, most of these will sound very familiar! Today we start with . . . No. 1: Speaking loudly or over long periods may lead […]
Practice Tip #2: Warm Up
2. Warm up – Stretch-Stand-Breathe-Sing. Singing is physical, and a warmup for body and voice is essential. It’s good to have 4-5 standard vocal warmups – the ones you like best – but make sure you engage your brain as you engage your body so you can be present in your practice! Amy MacKenzie suggests: […]
Essential Practice Tips – #1: Environment
Let’s face it. Even when we love making music, the discipline of practice can be hard! Here are a series of tips, inspired by Amy MacKenzie of ClassicFM radio, to help you keep going and keep growing! 1. Create the best environment. A) Get the right set-up for you and be consistent with your choice, […]
Practice Tip #3 of 7: Know Your Goals – Baby Steps Are Good!
3. Know Your Goals – Baby Steps Are Good! Even if you have limited time (e.g., 15 minutes, not 45), Know Your Goals for your practice session. They can be as simple as warm up and sing/play through one of the songs you’re working on, or more demanding, like memorize the first half of a […]
Practice Tip #4 of 7: Be Patient With Yourself
4. Be Patient With Yourself. A lot of things clamor for your attention, and sometimes the learning process is slow. That’s why smaller goals (see Tip #3) can be so helpful. If you’re a perfectionist, this can be tough! So hang in their, be patient with yourself, and congratulate yourself for every little goal you […]
Practice Tip #5 of 7: Woodshedding Required
5. Woodshedding? Instrumentalists may know this term better than singers. It means working out the kinks in a tough passage. This is how you do it:
Practice Tip #6 of 7: Practice Makes Permanent
6. Practice Makes Permanent means if you practice wrong notes, those notes will be harder to correct, and possibly become permanent. That’s why Tip #5. Woodshedding is so important. TAKE YOUR TIME to learn things correctly the first time. In the long run, it will save you time and you’ll feel a lot better about […]
Practice Tip #7 of 7: Give Yourself a Break
7. Give Yourself a Break in the learning process, and particularly if you’re preparing for something big. Yes, you need to learn your music inside & out so you can sing/play it by heart, but you also need to give your brain and emotions a break so you can enjoy what you’re doing and make […]
