Welcome to Vocalist's Insightful Practices(VIP) Newsletter!
July 5, 2002

Table of Contents:
1. Welcome Notes
2. Vocal "Trivia"
3. VIP Q & A
4. Vocal Tip
5. Notable Quotables
6. Trivia Answers

1. Welcome Notes

Happy Summer! Welcome to Vocalist's Insightful Practices (VIP)! It is great to see so many new subscribers!

Welcome to our new subscribers and thank you to our friends who continue to forward VIP to their friends. That's how we grow and have a greater impact on the vocal community!

Thank you again for all the positive feedback and for helping to make VIP such a successful e-newsletter!

VIP is a free monthly newsletter that's goal is to promote proper vocal health by providing valuable, yet simple tips to singers, vocal coaches, speakers and anyone else who uses their voice! I hope that this electronic publication assists you in creating a voice that is more healthy, powerful and enjoyable. Please let me know how I can be of service to you in reaching your vocal goals. Take care of your voice, if it breaks you can't get a new one!

A note to subscribers: Do you have all VIP issues since it's premier in June 1999? View the recent VIP issues today! http://www.musicsimplymusic.com/viparchives.htm

If you have a question that you would like to see addressed in an upcoming issue, e-mail me with the info! You may contact me at Mail to: dambrosino@musicsimplymusic.com

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Be sure to check our web site at: http://www.musicsimplymusic.com We have lots of information, and resources you can use. We're constantly adding and up-dating so check it often!

2. Test Your Vocal Knowledge

1. Breathing technique in the classical style is different or the same as in other styles?
2. 2 "Selling" a song is also referred to as your _______________ of a song.
3. 3. True or False: Singing or speaking at a very high volume is not advisable.

3. VIP Q & A

Q:Whenever I try to add breath to my tone, it sounds so weak. How can I make it sound strong?

A: A breath tone (a tone that sounds breathier, not necessarily a tone that has more vibrato) is a valuable tool to possess as it can greatly enhance your expression. Your "breath" tone most likely sounds weak because it is breath that is unsupported. In order to create a breath tone you need to expel extra breath as you sing. As you expel this extra breath, support it by keeping your diaphragm active, the abdominal muscles tight, while controlling the amount of breath being expelled. Don't just release the extra breath like you are sighing. Always keep the back of your throat open. Of course, taking a greater breath before you speak or sing a phrase will help as well. This takes a bit of practice in getting comfortable with the amount of air you need to execute a satisfactory, supported breath tone.

4. Vocal Tip

Get in touch with your breathing and learn how to create more vocal volume and power. Lie on your stomach and inhale slowly through your nose. Feel your belly expand and pull you up from the floor as your inhale and notice how gravity assists in quickly expelling your air. This rapid release of air facilitates increased vocal volume. The action of your diaphragm and the movement of your abdominal muscles also bring awareness to your body state as you control your breathing. Exhale with your mouth open. Repeat several times. Next, try this exercise singing (whatever pitch that naturally occurs) an "ah" as you exhale.

5. Notable Quotables

"I can't stand to sing the same song the same way two nights in succession, let alone two years or ten years. If you can, then ain't music, it's close-order drill or exercise or yodeling or something, not music." -Billy Holiday

"Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them?" -Rose Kennedy

6. Trivia Answers

1. the same - styles are different, the breathing is the same!
2. interpretation
3. false - with the proper technique, anything is possible!

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