Create 411 Article:
A Few Tips for Singers
Article by Tony Koretz
http://www.koretzmusic.com/tony.html
Here I will present a few ideas to help out the singers amongst you. These are things I have learned from experience as much as anything over the years, and apply equally well to both recording sessions and live performances. If I know I have a recording session or a gig coming up, on the day in question, I go through a couple of routines which I will outline for you here.
Firstly, early on in the day, I begin by drinking water, and continue to do so regularly throughout the day. Drink copious amounts of the stuff until you are really well hydrated. This is very important, because if your throat dries out during a performance it is too late by then to "stop the rot", as it takes too long to get it lubricated again. Keep your fluid intake levels up during the performance for sure, but it's too late to start at that point, it should be a continuation of what you have been doing during the preceding hours.
Warm water is better than cold water by the way. Also try to relax as much as possible during the lead up period. Next I like to begin the warm up of my vocal chords slowly in the lead up hours. I start by humming, as this begins to get the voice going, but is very easy on the throat. From there I try to start singing lightly and gently, to get the face muscles moving, singing within an easy range at first, and then gradually extending to the notes on the outer range of my voice. Singing scales is a good warm up if you can do this.
After a while I sing a bit louder but never too hard out as there is no point in being tired before you start the performance. Okay, so now comes the performance time. Try to begin singing slightly within yourself, don't strain or you will be exhausted too quickly. If you can, start off with some easy material and build up from there. Try to sing from within your chest rather than your throat if you can. I try to envision myself singing from about my lower rib cage or diaphragm area. Using the throat can be used for effects at times but try to avoid over doing this at you can do some serious damage. Get a good monitor mix set up, so that you can hear yourself clearly, as this can help you not to over-extend. I sing hard and loud, but always try to hold back just a smidge to save myself for the long haul.
Think about using your diaphragm properly when you have a particularly low or high note to sing, lift your diaper for these, and learn how to control your breathing so you don't run out of breath on the long notes.
Probably one of the most important but often overlooked parts of this whole experience is that you MUST go into it with confidence. Tell yourself you are going to really nail this performance, and begin to believe it. If you can do this you will sing much better than if you are timid or unsure. You would be amazed how much difference it makes to your performance when you believe in yourself. Don't get hung up on concentrating too hard, as you need to be relaxed to sing at your best, but always keep an ear out as to whether you are pitching your notes correctly, and remember to sing from within your body if you can, or for a certain feel try to think of singing from within your face, but don't concentrate on your throat, as this will tend to tighten up if you do.
If you follow these few simple rules you should find you can sing well, and for long periods without breaking down or losing your range and tonal qualities. Remember, tone is just as important as pitch. So, grab your favorite microphone and go to it!
Copyright 2004 - 2007
http://www.koretzmusic.com/tony.html http://www.cddvdnow.com http://www.indieartistsalliance.com
Related News and Articles From For-Immediate-release
Thanks for anniversary well wishes; Jack O'Dwyer interview coming up; Steve Lubetkin podcast features interview with Israeli Media Consul; Asia Report with Michael Netzley; Media Monitoring Minute; David Phillips reports; News That Fits: The 13 skills of the PR pro of the future, Phishing comes to Twitter; Sallie Goetsch reports; listener comments; music from Maria Daines; and more.
Happy new year; FIR's fourth anniversary; please vote for FIR at Podcast Alley; death of podcasting panel on Talkshoe; Dan York reports; Media Monitoring Minute; News That Fits: Demotix reinvents the photo wire, Israel employs social media, 10 reasons journalism schools should drop PR, Consumerist blog acquired by Consumers Union; listener comments; music from Grace Potter and the Nocturnals; and more.
Get well wishes to Chip Griffin and Jason Falls; Shorty Awards; Michael Netzley's Asia report; Media Monitoring Minute; News that Fits: State of the Twittersphere, an authority feature for Twitter, FedEx's internal communication on its external blog; listener comments; the music; and more.
Shel Holtz chats with Network Solutions Social Media Swami Shashi Bellamkonda about the evolution of social media and its impact on the reputation of the former holder of the domain registration monopoly.
Mike Cherenson interview and FIR Live recordings are up; FIR recognized by Wiggly Wigglers' Heather Goringe and Read-Write Web; Asia report from Michael Netzley; Media Monitoring Minute; News That Fits: academic journal requires Wikipedia entry, Canada's National Post employs CoverItLive for weather reporting; listener comments, including a discussion on media embargoes; music from The Living End; and more.
All-star panel discusses Forrester report on corporate blogging: Josh Bernoff of Forrester; Max Kalehoff of Clickable; Rick Murray of Edelman Digital; Steve Baker of BusinessWeek; Lionel Menchaca of Dell; and author/consultant John Cass.
