Welcome to Vocalist's Insightful Practices(VIP) Newsletter!
October 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

Welcome to Vocalist's Insightful Practices (VIP)! Happy autumn to all subscribers-new and old! Have you checked out Music Simply Music's FREE REPORTS yet???? They are only available to YOU… VIP and M-TIP 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

Shameless Marketing Plug: If you know someone who would benefit by subscribing to VIP, please forward them this copy and if they choose, they can click on the link below to become a monthly subscriber.

http://www.musicsimplymusic.com/newsletters.htm

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. Vocal Trivia

Test Your Vocal Knowledge

1. Is it more difficult to perform on a full stomach or an empty stomach?
2. The breathing tube is another name for the ____________.
3. True or False: Whether you are speaking dialogue or singing a song, the lower abdominal muscles should be used to provide support.

3. VIP Q & A

Q: How do I get rid of the tension in my neck when I speak in public?

A: Any tension you carry in your face will create tension in your neck. Look at yourself in the mirror. Is your forehead scrunched up? Is your jaw tight? Are your lips pursed? You need to relax all these parts above the neck, in addition to the rest of your body, especially your shoulders. Try speaking as you are lying down. In this position, your neck is not responsible for holding your head up. Breathe slowly and feel your body sink into the floor as you speak. Intense emotion can also cause tension in your neck. Before a performance, internally "check in" to ground yourself. Slow down your speech patterns as well. Keeping your stress level down and enjoying regular body massages would also be helpful. Feeling completely relaxed every time you speak will take some work. It takes time to recondition your neck to feel soft and uninvolved as sound is produced. Remember, your neck is just a passageway that needs to be free of any interference so that correct vocal production can occur.

4. Vocal Tip

If you tend to carry tension in your shoulders while performing, try this simple exercise. Hold something heavy (at least 3 pounds of something easy to hold, ex. hand weights, briefcase, gallon of milk, etc.) in each hand. Keeping your hands at your sides, gently lift up both your shoulders as high as possible as you inhale. As you exhale, relax your shoulders down and feel the extra weight in your hands gently pulling your arms and shoulders towards the floor. As you take your next breath in, focus on keeping your shoulders right where they are - do not raise them. You should just feel your abdominal muscles extend outwards in a relaxed fashion and there should only be a slight movement in your shoulders as your rib cage expands during your inhalation. Observe yourself in a mirror as you repeat this exercise frequently to achieve a tension-free neck.

5. Notable Quotables

"A tune's like a staircase-walk up on it." -Ma Rainey

"Narrow-minded people are like narrow-necked bottles…..The less they have in them, the more noise they make pouring it out." -Lynne Alpern and Esther Blumenfeld

6. Trivia Answers

1. Too full makes it difficult for your diaphragm to perform, too empty may make you light headed and dizzy-approximately 2 hours after you eat would be wise.
2. trachea
3. true

To subscribe, simply send an email to : VIIP-list@musicsimplymusic.com with the words "subscribe" in the subject line of the email.

"A sound approach to music education"

ph: 631-863-2069 fax: 631-863-2355

Click here to return to VIP archive page