Hi Creative Explorers,
In a world filled with noise, it's easy to feel drowned out, to feel like your voice doesn't matter. But let me assure you, it does. Your voice is more than just the sound that emanates from your vocal cords; it's your unique perspective, your experiences, your truth. And it's incredibly important. Having a voice means having the courage to speak up, even when it's difficult. It means advocating for yourself and for others who may not have the same opportunity. Your voice has the power to inspire change, to challenge injustice, and to spark meaningful conversations. But perhaps even more importantly, your voice is a reflection of your humanity. It's a reminder that you exist, that you matter, and that your thoughts and feelings are valid. In a world that often tries to silence marginalized voices, asserting your own is an act of resistance, of self-affirmation. When you speak your truth, you give others permission to do the same. You create space for empathy, understanding, and connection. Your voice has the ability to bridge divides, to build community, and to foster a sense of belonging. So, don't underestimate the power of your voice. Embrace it, cherish it, and use it to make a difference in the world. Whether you're speaking out against injustice, sharing your art, or simply expressing your feelings, know that your voice has value, and it deserves to be heard. In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, your voice is a beacon of light, guiding us toward a brighter, more compassionate future. So, speak up, speak out, and never forget the profound impact your voice can have. Are you ready to transform your voice and express your soul? Book a FREE 25-min Vocal Discovery Call today!
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Hi Creative Explorers,
“Scientists have recently determined that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain- unless it is done with play, in which case, it takes between 10-20 repetitions.”- Dr. Karyn Purvis In the pursuit of mastering the art of singing, structured lessons and technique drills often take center stage. However, the role of play in vocal development cannot be overstated. Embracing a playful mindset can unlock new dimensions of creativity, joy, and skill in your singing journey. THE POWER OF PLAY
This is in large part why I enjoy making my Holistic Zoom Voice Lessons FUN and MAGICAL! They call me “Karey Poppins” for a reason! TESTIMONIAL "It is my great pleasure to write this testimonial for Karen Lyu. She is - beyond all the details that follow - an inspirational and passionately dedicated spirit. Her depth of knowledge, attention to detail, and breadth of resources, esp. relating to body practices, make all of her teaching invaluable and practical. And beyond that, her lessons are FUN!" ~ Carl Phillips - English Teacher/Singer Are you curious? Would you like a FREE 25-min Vocal Discovery Call? CLICK BELOW! Hi Creative Explorers,
I'm about to reveal something sad, but true. In a 2019 study, 70.8% of voice teachers with bachelors degrees - and 82.4% of voice teachers with some graduate school - preferred not to work with a student who has poor pitch. A recent study by Erica Waxer, MA of 6 popular vocal pedagogy textbooks found that 4 out of 6 had ZERO solutions for teaching how to sing on pitch - The Functional Unity of the Singing Voice by Barbara M. Doscher (I had this in college) had 1 page of solutions and Teaching Kids to Sing by Kenneth Philips (published in 2013) had 12 pages of solutions. This is why many voice teachers and voice coaches out there often SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW much about how to teach good intonation aka singing on pitch. Sadly, these old-fashioned, uninformed voice instructors tend to tell students with poor pitch that they are a) just not trying hard enough, or b) they are tone-deaf and hopeless. Unfortunately, in my experience with over 1,000 voice students, I have literally worked with hundreds of voice students who were traumatized by past voice instructors like this. This is why I am so passionate and have taken the time to find and write about 25 different reasons for poor pitch - and 110 solutions for these issues. These 25 pitch problems can be grouped into 7 main causes. 7 MAIN CAUSES OF POOR PITCH 1. Hearing loss 2. Lack of feedback 3. Lack of mental focus 4. Physical issues 5. Insufficient warm-up 6. Lack of ear training 7. Issues with monitor equipment If you would like read about my 110 solutions for 25 pitch problems - which address ALL 7 main causes of poor pitch, please check out my new book: Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems. PS. It has a WONDERFUL foreword by Brian Witkowski, DMA, who earned 3 music degress while 100% deaf in one ear. Hi Creative Explorers, Last month, I was an official speaker for the Barbara Sher Dare to Soar Telesummit and below is the recording for The Origin Story of the New Choice Game audio recording is online - with my personal story! https://barbarasclub.com/telesummitworkshops/#lyu Here is the first part of my speech: MY STORY When I was 2 years-old, I would bravely sing for anyone. My Dad was the founder of the first low-income middle school in South Korea then, and my Mom helped him. But, things changed. We immigrated to the US when I was 4 - and my Mom, who had studied English, became a registered nurse. However, my Dad struggled ~ and actually sold oranges in the street, at one point. As for me, Growing up in California, bullies at school harrassed me for 8 years, saying hateful things to me ~ that I was a poor, ugly, stupid, clumsy, chinky, "4-eyes." These words cut deep, and they would make me cry. Also, for 8 years, I auditioned every year, but never got one solo in choir. At one point, when I had laryngitis, I was helpless while bullies surrounded me and forced me to eat an eraser. I couldn't even cry out. It was extremely traumatic - and I become obsessed with my voice. Thankfully, board games, books and music helped me to get through. But, by 8th grade after 8 failed auditions, I had a meltdown in the cafeteria: “I will never be a musician! I have NO talent!” Thank God, my family moved to Texas, where I attended an awesome school with an incredible choir director. I got my very first solo, and I had to sing in front of 400 people! I remember that I was so anxious, I got up on stage sideways, like a crab. And, I was too scared to look at all 400 people, so I looked at the clock on the wall behind them. I sang my heart out: “Have yourself a merry, little Christmas,” and EVERYBODY clapped and cheered! It was one of the MOST AMAZING experiences of my life. It completely changed me, because I knew my worth. Now, I am a Holistic Voice Coach and I’ve been lucky enough to multiple encores and accolades as a performer, over the past 31 years. And, it’s a joy that I get to help my voice students - and now book readers - to transform their voices, transform their lives, and have similar amazing experiences. #1 ON GOOGLE My new book, Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems, is now #1 ON GOOGLE! Have you gotten your copy? Hi Creative Explorers, Whether you're a seasoned performer or just starting out on your musical journey, there's one essential element that can elevate your singing in an abundance of ways: body alignment. It's not just about hitting the high notes or honing your vocal technique; it's about how you align your body to release the full potential of your voice. 10 BENEFITS OF GOOD BODY ALIGNMENT 1. Powerful Vocal Projection 2. Easier Breath Control 3. Increased Vocal Range 4. Enhanced Vocal Stability 5. Beautiful Tone Quality 6. Long-Term Vocal Health 7. Reduced Performance Anxiety 8. Enhanced Stage Presence 9. Clearer Articulation 10. More Emotional Expressiveness To summarize, good body alignment is the cornerstone of vocal excellence. Whether you're belting out powerful funk or crooning soulful melodies, aligning your body properly can unlock your true vocal potential. So stand tall, breathe deeply, and let your voice soar – the world is waiting to be enchanted by your voice! Here is a fun and easy physical warm-up that will improve your body alignment, which I have game players do before playing my New Choice Game, in addition to voice students! SQUEEZE/STRETCH/SHAKE-OUT
If you would like 6 more solutions to improve your body alignment, check out my new book: Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems - with a WONDERFUL foreword by Brian Witkowski, DMA, who is 100% deaf in one ear. Hi Creative Explorers, Meet Bill Harris. Bill had a lifelong dream. A dream to become a professional singer. He carried a passion within him that refused to be extinguished. But there was one obstacle standing in his way – Bill had a limited voice. Despite his unwavering enthusiasm, he couldn't even sing "Happy Birthday" in tune after 6 voice coaches and 12 long years of trying. His first voice coach took him to a concert, pointed at a singer, and said “That’s a singer. You will never be a singer.” Imagine the frustration and the moments of self-doubt that must have haunted Bill throughout his journey. Many of us would have given up at that point, convinced that our dreams were unreachable. But not Bill. And then, Bill crossed paths with a voice coach who saw the fire in his eyes. With the guidance and support of this vocal coach, Bill dedicated himself to two 60-minute voice lessons per week, up to 24 hours of practice in one week, and a rock-solid belief in himself. I am honored to say that voice coach was me. Working with me, in just 2 lessons, Bill learned to sing “Happy Birthday" in tune. In less than nine months, Bill achieved another major breakthrough. He got booked for his first professional singing gig with a band. Can you imagine the overwhelming joy and sense of accomplishment he must have felt at that moment? It was a demonstration of his unwavering commitment and the power of his unshakeable spirit. A year later, Bill beat my personal record of 5 encores, and received not 6, not 7, but 8 encores in a single night! Several months after that, Bill was invited to perform a gig at the legendary House of Blues in Houston! A man who couldn't even sing "Happy Birthday" just over a year ago got to sing on a major stage where he was celebrated and admired for his talent! TESTIMONIAL ”Hi, I’m BIll Harris, singer/songwriter out of Houston, TX. My first voice coach told me that I would never be any good. I couldn’t really even sing “Happy Birthday” when I first met Karen, back in March of 2021. But, with her help, Karen Lyu, I became a pro in less than 9 months. And now, I sing at the House of Blues down here, amongst other places.” ~ Bill Harris, Singer/Songwriter If you would like to transform your voice, like Bill, check out my new book: Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems - with a WONDERFUL foreword by Brian Witkowski, DMA, who is 100% deaf in one ear. GUMROAD COUPON CODE: SAVE8 (Save US$8) Hi Creative Explorers, Are you an emerging singer looking to take your talent to the next level? Open mics are like a key that can unlock the door to new opportunities. UNLEASH YOUR VOICE: 10 PERKS OF OPEN MICS Here are 10 incredible benefits of open mics for singers: 1. Have Fun: Open mics are a fun and enjoyable way to share your love of music with others and celebrate the joy of live performance. 2. Building Confidence: Conquer stage fright and build confidence in your abilities through regular performance opportunities. 3. Community Support: Join a supportive community of fellow singers and musicians who share your passion for music. 4. Networking Opportunities: Connect with other musicians, industry professionals, and potential collaborators, expanding your musical network. (This is especially important if you are new in town.) 5. Performance Experience: Open mics provide invaluable stage time, allowing you to develop your stage presence and charisma in front of live audiences. 6. Experimentation: Open mics offer a supportive environment to experiment with new songs, arrangements, genres, and performance styles. 7. Exposure: Gain exposure to new audiences and potential fans who may discover your music at open mic events. 8. Feedback: Receive instant feedback from audience members and fellow performers, helping you refine your technique and style. 9. Discovering Your Unique Sound: Experimenting with different genres and styles at open mics can help you discover your unique musical identity. 10. Test New Material: Test out new songs or covers before recording or performing them on professional gigs. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just starting your musical journey, open mics offer a bounty of benefits for singers of all levels. So grab your guitar, warm up those vocal cords, and dive into the exciting world of open mic nights – your musical adventure awaits! If you would like to hone your singing and transform your voice, check out my new book: Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems - with a WONDERFUL foreword by Brian Witkowski, DMA, who is 100% deaf in one ear. Hi Creative Explorers, While I was researching for my book, I discovered 2 surprising and important pieces of information about water. WE NEED TO DRINK MORE WATER - ACCORDING TO HARVARD LATEST RESEARCH: Instead of the traditional 8 cups of water per day, Harvard University now recommends 9 cups (72 oz) of water for a healthy woman, and 13 cups (104 oz) of water for a healthy man. The optimal amount of water depends on your weight, your diet, your environment, and any medications you may take. How do you know if you are drinking an amount that is good for you? Your urine should look pale yellow like the color of lemonade. BUT NOT TOO MUCH AT ONCE NOTE: If you drink too much water rapidly all at once, it can dilute your blood, a life-threatening condition called hyponatremia. I am sadly aware of because a former Female Musician Academy songwriting mentee of mine was in the hospital for 2 months, due to this serious condition. Marathon runners and extreme athletes tend to be at risk. HOW DO I DRINK THAT MUCH WATER, SLOWLY? Confession, I have not always been good about drinking water. Here are some tips that help me now. WOMEN: I like to drink 1 glass of water when I wake up, then drink two 32 oz. bottles of water throughout the day. My colorful water bottle has a built-in straw and also has times marked on it, which is really helpful. MEN: For men, I would recommend 1 glass of water when you wake up, then THREE 32 oz bottles of water through the day - for 104 oz total. You can easily split it up like this: 32 oz. before lunch, 32 oz. after lunch, and 32 oz. after dinner. Again, this is depending on your size, diet, environment, and medications. If you would like to know 3 more ways to keep your vocal cords hydrated, you can read Chapter Six of my new book: Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems. Hi Creative Explorers,
TODAY IS LAUNCH DAY! And, I am going to address the Elephant in the Room. Believe it or not, there are people who are deaf or partially deaf who have had success as professional singers, including Brian Witkowski! Brian, who wrote the forward to my Singing in Tune book, has an amazing story. Born 100% deaf in one ear, and discouraged from getting a music degree by one voice teacher in high school, Brian went on to earn a Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate in Music - Vocal Performance - and ended up having international success as a vocalist! TESTIMONIAL “Karen Lyu is a master at helping voice students sing beautifully and on pitch; she has a wealth of knowledge of pitch problems and easy-to-understand solutions to improving your singing on pitch, as demonstrated in Singing in Tune. This is a book I would have eagerly purchased when I was in graduate school still trying to figure my voice out. Many pedagogical texts tend to be overly philosophical and not sufficiently practical. Many texts don’t even directly address the topic of singing in tune, even though it’s one of the most common challenges singers and aspiring singers face. Singing in Tune doesn’t just touch on the topic, but it offers insights and tips on 25 different causes of the problem and what you can do about it. In our increasingly fast-paced world, when you don’t have time to wait until your next voice lesson, a book that helps you zero in on and address the specific tuning issue holding you back—without all the philosophical fluff—is truly invaluable to have at your disposal. Whether you’re a singer or a voice teacher, Singing in Tune can be a perfect resource to keep accessible on your shelf whenever you feel like you need a “tune-up.” --Brian Witkowski, DMA, Baritone Classical Singer, Speaker, Author, Voice Teacher, and Business Mentor for Artistic and Creative Entrepreneurs Thank you, Brian, for all of your support and inspiration! That said, I did some additional research on ear health that to add to my previous blog “7 Solutions for Hearing Loss” ~ Blog No. 34: www.holisticvoicecoach.com/blog/7-solutions-for-hearing-loss-blog-no-34 WHAT IF I’M PARTIALLY DEAF? CHAPTER ONE HEARING LOSS (continued) h. Get checked for allergies. Why? If you get a diagnosis of allergies, you can alleviate allergy-related hearing loss stemming from inflamed sinuses via Neti Wash Plus, allergy meds, or allergy shots. Neti Wash Plus: https://amzn.to/4bD8F4A i. Consider ear surgery or an ear procedure. Check with an ENT (ear/nose/throat doctor) aka laryngologist to see if they recommend getting surgery, an implant, or other procedure for your ear to improve your hearing. Why? This could help address the root cause(s) of any hearing loss issues. Winchester Medical Health website: Types of ear surgery and procedures: https://www.wmchealthaps.com/ear-surgery-and-procedures BUY NOW ON AMAZON - Kindle & Paperback SINGING IN TUNE: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVFPJM2Y Hi Creative Explorers, LAUNCH DAY POSTPONED TO TUE, 02/13/2024. To be clear, my Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems book is FINISHED, but I made a rookie mistake. I thought that when you upload your eBook to Kindle, that it goes online right away. Oops! It takes 72 hours, and I’m adding an extra day, just because it’s Blog Day. GOOD NEWS: It will also be available in paperback. ~~~~~ Here is a FREE chapter for ADVANCED singers in the meantime… CHAPTER FOURTEEN Difficulty with Agility |“What is important is to believe in something so strongly that you’re never discouraged.” - Salma Hayek SOLUTIONS a. ⭐Practice slowly with a recording. Practice with YouTube videos set at .75 or .5 speed by clicking on the gear-shaped settings button. Why? This helps you to be more accurate more quickly. Be a happy turtle. b. Count the number of notes in a run that you need to sing. ie. on the iconic ballad “I Will Always Love You”, “you” in the chorus has 5 notes total. Why? This helps you to learn more quickly and accurately. c. ⭐Break a run into sections. ie. on the iconic ballad “ I Will Always Love You”, “you” in the chorus has 5 notes total, separated like this:1/1/3 Why? This helps you to learn more quickly and accurately. d. ⭐Practice runs with your index finger on your chin. Why? This helps you to keep your vocal tone fluid and consistent, just like your mouth shape. Why not give it a try? REMINDER: Tune in TOMORROW Sat, Feb 10th (Lunar New Year) for my very first official speaking gig: ”The Origin Story of The New Choice Game” Barbara Sher Dare to Soar Telesummit Featuring 9 Book Authors SAT, FEB 10TH, 2024 3:30PM EST https://barbarasclub.com/telesummitworkshops/#lyu I will also talk about my upcoming book: SINGING IN TUNE: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems. #voicecoach #singingintune #beginnersinger #singing #holisticvoicecoach #vocalpedagogy #ebooklaunch #ebook #karenlyu #brianwitkowski |
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