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

November 5, 1999

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

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1. Welcome Notes Welcome to Vocalist's Insightful Practices (VIP)! 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!

Note to subscribers: Do you have all VIP issues since it's premier in June? E-mail me today to receive back issues! 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 mailto:DAmbrosino@musicsimplymusic.com

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2. Test Your Vocal Knowledge

1. In correct body alignment, is it better that your chin point ever so slightly upward or downward?

2. A sound made by gliding from one vowel to another in one syllable is called a ______________.

3. True or False: Any obstruction in the nose will alter the resonance.

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3.VIP Q & A

Q: My son is 11 years old and loves to sing. I notice his voice is starting to change. Are there any exercises that are helpful in facilatating this change?

A: There are various exercises that would be quite helpful; however, what's most important with regards to the male changing voice is that you counteract what mother nature is doing. Let me explain! Mother nature is pulling your son's voice down. His vocal cords thicken as he grows, thus lowering his natural singing and speaking pitch. To keep his range, your son should practice singing often in his high or head voice (many professionals refer to this part of the voice as the falsetto) as this change occurs. This conditions the voice to be comfortable in this range so when the change is complete, the voice will remember how to achieve success singing in that range. One particular exercise I find helpful with the changing voice is singing octave slides starting in his mid full voice range to the lower head voice range. This exercise keeps the high range of the voice intact while exercising the transition, smoothing out any breaks in the voice. For your son, this time can be very frustrating as the voice sort of has a mind of its own. Squeaks and cracks will come out of nowhere! Songs he used to sing with ease are now a huge challenge. Encourage him to be patient, for if he practices proper technique and focuses on the upper range of his voice, he will soon discover a more powerful voice with a richer tone and newfound flexibility!

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4. Vocal Tip

So this is the time of the year where lots of people get sick. Don't let yourself fall into that category. Whether you are a casual or professional singer or speaker, dealing with a cold will definitely dampen your performance. It is possible to get rid of your cold before it peaks. Upon early symptoms of a cold, pump up the vitamin C, drink excessive amounts of water and get extra sleep. Also, adapting a healthy, positive mental state will lessen your chances of sick in the first place. Don't abuse your body - your body is your instrument - your instrument brings you joy - who doesn't want that???

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5. Notable Quotables

"WINGS "Be like the bird that, Pausing in her flight Awhile on boughs too slight Feels them give way Beneath her and yet sings, Knowing that she hath wings. -Victor Hugo

"Success is getting what you want; happiness is wanting what you get." - Dale Carnegie

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6. Trivia Answers

1. downward
2. diphthong
3. true

Copyright © 1999 Diane Ambrosino. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute VIP so long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached.

The author of this article is Diane Ambrosino and she may be contacted at: http://www.musicsimplymusic.com mailto:DAmbrosino@musicsimplymusic.com

"We enjoy what we do, and so will you!"
phone: 516-471-4358
fax: 516-471-8311

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