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Hello, dear readers! One of the key elements that can majorly impact the overall feel and energy of a song is its tempo. The tempo sets the pace and rhythm of how listeners connect with your music. Last week, my dedicated musical theater voice student, Finnigan Green, struggled with the one of their songs. Although otherwise a fabulous performance, it affected their breathing and felt a bit rushed ~ until we changed the tempo, and slowed it down a notch.
In this three-part blog series, we will explore 3 different aspects of a song, and how they can affect the way your song resonates. Today's blog will address the issue of tempo. In the wonderful Netflix Whitney Houston docudrama, "I Wanna Dance With Somebody", there is a scene where Ms. Houston sings "Home" from the Broadway production of "The Wiz" on her very first TV appearance, on the Merv Griffin Show. Because she was an amateur, at the time, she did not know the correct BPM (beats per minute) of the song in order to communicate it to the band. As a result, it started very slow and low energy. Lucky for her, Cissy Houston, her Mom, was there and able to conduct the band and bring up the tempo, the energy, and the interest of the audience! YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/t5CeQ3twVaI But, can you imagine the alternative? What if the entire song was tentative and a bit awkward ~ like the beginning? It could have affected Whitney Houston's entire future. Today, we will focus on what to do if the tempo feels "off" by examining three scenarios: when the tempo is too fast, too slow, or just right.
Conclusion: Tempo plays a vital role in the overall success of a song, dictating its energy, mood, and connection with the audience. By assessing whether the tempo is too fast, too slow, or just right, you can identify areas for improvement and refine your performance accordingly. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this blog series, where we'll explore the significance of the key and its impact on your song's emotional journey. Remember, the magic of music lies in its ability to evolve and transform, so don't be afraid to experiment and find the tempo that brings your song to life. EXERCISE FOR BEGINNERS: Choose a song and sing it at slow, medium, and fast tempos. What feels most "right" for you? Now find 3 different karaoke tracks for that same song, and look at the timestamps. Longer versions of a song are usually slower, while shorter tracks are generally faster (assuming the song structure is the same). I usually like to pick a mid-tempo or slower tempo track for ballads, so I have room to riff and so that my words can be more impactful. I always dance out dance songs, before choosing the tempo and bpm. Also, competitive dance songs need to be at regulation tempos so dancers can do and feel their best. Modern Music Tempos (BPM = beats per minute)
The Holistic Voice Coach Blog by Karen. Lyu https://www..holisticvoicecoach.com/blog ~~~~~ Book a FREE 45-Min Vocal Discovery Call: https://tinyurl.com/MeetKarenonZoom
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Hello, dear readers! Are you ready to take your vocal skills to new heights? Today, I'll be sharing some simple yet effective tips on how to sing those high notes and low notes with confidence and ease.
Believe it or not, during my 16 years in choir, I sang everything from 1st Soprano, 2nd Soprano, 1st Alto, 2nd Alto, to 1st Tenor ~ based on the whims of different choir directors. The highest note I have sung in a live performance, back in the day, was an E6* (above high C6) and I believe that the lowest note that I have sung in a live performance was a A3. And, just so you know, I have sung up to a D7 at home. According to my Mom, I started singing at age 2 (there is proof on cassette tape). She says that I loved to go up to perfect strangers and sing to them! I have always loved music. So, I've learned a few things in my 50 years of singing, 34 years of researching top methods, and 26 years of holistic voice coaching that I would like to share with you.
* Now that I am post-menopausal and have less estrogen, my range has lowered and my highest note is a Bb5 ~ which is pretty good for my age. ~~~~~ The Holistic Voice Coach Blog by Karen. Lyu https://www..holisticvoicecoach.com/blog ~~~~~ Book a FREE 45-Min Vocal Discovery Call: https://tinyurl.com/MeetKarenonZoom Hello dear readers! It has been an overwhelming week, so I decided to use the Way Back Machine, and share an EzineArticles.com article that I wrote for them as an Expert Author, back in October 13, 2008. Do you feel self-conscious when you speak? How do people react to your voice? Is the sound of your voice helping or harming your ability to communicate effectively? What kind of impression do you want to make when you speak? Your voice is your most powerful tool in connecting with people by phone, teleclass, recording, radio, or podcast. It's your second most powerful tool when communicating in person or by visual media. Your voice is a key element of your identity, of how people perceive who you are. Many people spend thousands of dollars on how they look, yet don't spend a dime on how they speak. Ironically, several studies show public speaking as people's number one fear! Have you ever heard a recording of your voice and thought, "Do I really sound like that?" What can you do? Is it even possible to change your voice? Try meowing like a cat... [Meow!] You just changed your voice! The sound of your voice can alter instantly with a different mouth shape, breath, body position, tone focus or emotion. Many people adopt unhealthy habits (including postures and diets) that can make their voice sound distractingly tense, scratchy, breathy, nasal, or muffled. Vocal distractions get in the way of important messages to our clients, friends, family and relationships. These unhealthy habits can also make people lose their voices, and potentially lose income for professionals such as life coaches and public speakers. How can you find your healthy voice? With the help of effective voice instruction, your healthy, powerful and resonant voice can become as easy as a cat's meow. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1580645 ~~~~~ The Holistic Voice Coach Blog by Karen. Lyu https://www..holisticvoicecoach.com/blog ~~~~~ Book a FREE 45-Min Vocal Discovery Call: https://tinyurl.com/MeetKarenonZoom  Have you ever struggled to sing in tune? Were you ever told that you were tone deaf? I agree with Ed Sheeran that if you practice well, you can be successful as a pro singer ~ even if you start out "singing badly". In this blog post, we will explore seven different ways that anyone can improve their pitch.
1. Cup your hands behind your ears Have you ever heard a recording of yourself and thought, "Is that me?" What we hear normally every day is through bone conduction, while what others hear is through sound waves. So, what can you do? You can hear what other people hear, and dramatically improve your tonality, just by cupping your hands (with tight fingers) and placing them behind your ears while you sing. 2. Use a tuner Mandy Harvey, the 100% deaf contestant on America's Got Talent got to the finals on AGT by using a tuner! I suggest using an online tuner or a physical tuner to identify any pitch issues and then working to correct them. This will help you develop a better sense of pitch and improve your accuracy over time. 3. Focus on your breath Breath control is key to finding accurate pitch, and proper breathing technique makes a big difference. To improve your pitch, begin by aligning your body, focusing on your breath, and taking deeper breaths using your diaphragm (not your chest), and inhaling through your nose. Practice breathing exercises regularly to gain better breath control and improve your pitch accuracy. 4. See the notes visually Visualize the notes as you sing them, look at the sheet music, and imagine hitting each note with precision with your hand up and down in the air. This will help you develop a better sense of pitch and improve your accuracy over time. 5. Record yourself Recording yourself is a great way to discover areas where you need improvement. I recommend recording yourself singing and then listening back to the recording to identify any pitch issues. This will help you pinpoint areas where you need to focus your practice, so that you use your time effectively. 6. Warm up with scales Scales are an essential part of vocal training and can help you improve your pitch accuracy. I suggest starting with a 2-note interval, then a 3-note partial scale, a 5-note partial scale, then an 8-note full scale. What is a scale? Do-Re-Mi-Fa-Sol-La-Ti-Do is a C Major 8-note Scale, for instance. Scales are complicated, and I can explain more deeply in lessons. Practicing intervals and scales regularly with YouTube videos will help you develop your ear for pitch and improve your ability to hit the right notes. 7. Use a keyboard or other instrument Learning to read music and play a piano or other instrument can catapult your singing. Playing an instrument will help you match pitches more easily and learn your songs more quickly, plus learning to accompany yourself can increase your bottom line. In the end, by following the tips outlined above, I believe that anyone can improve their pitch accuracy and develop their singing abilities. Not only do I believe it, I have seen it through my experience of voice coaching over 1,000 voice students in 26 years! SUCCESS STORIES Supposedly Tone-Deaf Retiree Becomes Pro Singer and Gets EIGHT Encores in 1 Night Bill Harris began studying with Karen at age 64. He had a limited voice and was unable to sing "Happy Birthday" in tune ~ after 6 voice coaches in 12 YEARS. Within 9 months of voice lessons, Bill was able to get his first professional paid singing gig with a band ~ and a year later, he got 8 ENCORES in one night! Bill is now a full-time blues/soul/jazz singer - and he sang at the HOUSE OF BLUES in Houston, TX! Asian-American Woman Learns General American English Diction and Becomes Singing Audiobook Narrator Carmilla Jo is a second-generation Taiwanese-Chinese-American who grew up in an immigrant household, so her Californian accent had heavy influences from Taiwanese and Chinese Mandarin speech patterns, so she wanted to learn General American English diction. She also had trouble singing in rhythm and in tune. After about 2 MONTHS of voice lessons, her diction dramatically improved, she got her first professional audiobook project, and she is now having fun singing with more accuracy ~ in rhythm! Shy Shower Singer from Spain Becomes Recording Artist Natalia Laguens from Madrid, Spain, was too shy to sing in public - even though she was a passionate instrumental composer and pianist. She had ZERO voice training or experience - and had only sung in the shower until she met Karen. Within a matter of MONTHS, Natalia wrote and sang her first original song ~ and also performed Alicia Key's #1 HIT "I Ain't Got You" ~ on stage with a mic in a packed theater. ~~~~~ The Holistic Voice Coach Blog by Karen. Lyu https://www..holisticvoicecoach.com/blog ~~~~~ Book a FREE 45-Min Vocal Discovery Call: https://tinyurl.com/MeetKarenonZoom Hello, dear readers! Namaste! Today, I want to share with you the amazing benefits of yoga for singers and actors, along with my personal transformational story.
As an emerging singer and actor in the 1990s, I had a Jazz Studies degree, extensive performing experience, and some excellent knowledge ~ but not the best voice. Why? When you speak or sing, your body is your instrument! I had been in a car accident on an icy Iowa highway that totaled the car and damaged my neck and back, until I got some chiropractic treatment. Suddenly, my voice noticeably improved ~ and I was amazed that I started getting encores, when I performed! However, I found out that chiropractic care can get expensive fast, and that it wasn't a permanent cure. I took a personal journey and researched over 40 healing modalities - including acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, Alexander Technique, deep tissue massage, pilates, and more. In the end, I discovered that yoga was the most effective healing modality that I could easily do for free. Since then, I have taught some yoga to all of my voice students ~ with dramatic results! Yoga is not just a physical exercise but a way of life that can help us performers to enhance our mind-body connection, increase our flexibility, and build our resilience. So, let's take a look at the benefits of yoga for singers and actors! 1. Strengthens breath control Breath control is a fundamental skill for singers and actors. Yoga teaches us to focus on our breath and to use it as a tool to calm our nerves, regulate our emotions, and improve our vocal performance. Through various breathing exercises, we as singers and actors can learn to control our breath, increase our lung capacity, and develop a powerful voice that resonates with our audience. 2. Improves posture and alignment Good body alignment is essential for singers and actors as it affects our vocal projection, pitch, facial expression, and overall stage presence. Yoga postures, also known as asanas, can help us performers to improve our posture, alignment, and balance. By practicing asanas that target the core, back, and neck muscles, performers like us can build a strong and flexible body that supports our singing and acting skills. 3. Reduces stress and anxiety Performing can be a stressful and nerve-wracking experience, especially for singers and actors like us, who face constant pressure to deliver our best. Yoga is a proven method for reducing stress and anxiety, as it promotes relaxation, mindfulness, and inner peace. By practicing yoga regularly, we can learn to manage our stress levels, improve our mental focus, and perform with greater confidence and ease. 4. Increases energy and charisma Yoga is a holistic practice that balances the body, mind, and spirit. By practicing yoga regularly, we as singers and actors, can increase our energy levels, improve our stamina, and boost our immune system. Yoga postures that stimulate the chakras, such as the sun salutation, can help us to awaken our energy centers and tap into our creative potential. 5. Nurtures self-awareness and self-expression Yoga is a practice that encourages self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-expression. By practicing yoga, performers like us can learn to connect with our inner voice, express our emotions authentically, and cultivate a sense of inner peace and harmony. Yoga can help us to develop our own unique style, voice, and stage presence that reflects their true identity and personality. In conclusion, yoga is a powerful practice that can benefit singers and actors in many ways. Whether you are a seasoned performer or a beginner, adding yoga into your daily routine can help you to enhance your performance, improve your health, and deepen your spiritual connection. So, why not roll out your yoga mat today and start experiencing the transformative power of yoga for yourself? ~~~~~ The Holistic Voice Coach Blog by Karen. Lyu https://www..holisticvoicecoach.com/blog ~~~~~ Book a FREE 45-Min Vocal Discovery Call: https://tinyurl.com/MeetKarenonZoom |
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