Welcome to Vocalist's Insightful Practices(VIP) Newsletter!
August 5, 2001

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

Welcome to Vocalist's Insightful Practices (VIP)!

Check out our new "Warm Fuzzies" section on our site - full of true inspirational stories! Thank you again for all the positive feedback and for helping make VIP such a successful e-newsletter!

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

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 which 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

2. Test Your Vocal Knowledge

1. When breathing, does your diaphragm lower or raise up as you inhale?
2. Classical singers tend to sing with less of a straight tone and more ____________.
3. True or False: Rock singers don't sing with much vibrato.

3. VIP Q & A

Q:My seven year old son is singing around the house constantly. Is it too early to begin voice lessons? A: In my opinion, age 9 or 10 is a great time to begin formal voice lessons. At this age, the student is old enough to endure a half hour lesson and mature enough to understand vocal concepts, explained in simple terms. They are usually also young enough to not have too many bad vocal habits and, if they do, age again is on their side in terms of correcting the problem. Before this age, one of the best things you can do for your son is expose his ears to all styles of high quality voices. Play music every day and take the time to sit and listen, as opposed to it just becoming background noise. Another great outlet at this age is enrolling him in a local children's choir (if available in your area), taught by a qualified, FUN conductor. Please, please, please, check out my January 2001 issue regarding how to select a vocal teacher. Unless, they are serious about a career in opera, most 9 or 10 (actually most students regardless of age!) and turned off by traditional, strictly classical lessons. They often lose interest quickly and terminate their lessons. Nurture your son's love for singing by encouraging him to listen to singers and sing to his heart's content. Sing along with him - it's great for your heart too!

4. Vocal Tip

As a speaker or singer, remember that your body is your instrument. Just like a note not working on your piano will effect the playing of a song, so will your speech or song be effected if something is "off" with your body. Maintaining good posture is just one way of keeping your body in the best form. Pretend there is a string running through your backbone and out the top of your head. Imagine being pulled up by the string. Align your head, neck, backbone and pelvis and feel yourself lift and straighten. Whether or not you are performing, be conscious of slouching. Once your body becomes accustomed to this new position, you will automatically self-correct. Remember, as one of my favorite phrases states, "repetition is the mother of skill."

5. Notable Quotables

"False notes can be forgiven, false music cannot." -Nadia Boulanger

"Here is how to live without resentment or embarrassment in a world in which you are different from everyone else: Be indifferent to the indifference." -Al Capp

6. Trivia Answers

1. lower
2. vibrato
3. false-though vibrato wouldn't describe a typical rock singer's tone, many rock singers do utilize this technique. Remember it is not so much the tone but rather the style that defines a specific genre of music. (Especially rock, as there are so many variations in terms of voices and personalities!)

The author of this article is Diane Ambrosino and she may be contacted at: dambrosino@musicsimplymusic.com

To subscribe/unsubscribe send an email to: Vip-list@musicsimplymusic.com with the either words the words "subscribe VIP" or the words "unsubscribe VIP" in the body of the email.

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