Music Simply Music - Warm Fuzzies

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

February 5, 2000

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)! I hope for you that the start of 2000 has been healthy and successful. Thanks for all the positive feedback!

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 1999? 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!

Another note to subscribers:
Thanks for your response in reference to receiving back issues. We are still having some challenges making them accessible directly through the vocal page of the Music Simply Music web site. We are presently working on it. In the meantime, thanks for your patience!

You may contact me at Mail to: DAmbrosino@musicsimplymusic.com ___________________________________________________

2. Test Your Vocal Knowledge

1. True or False: Throat sprays are effective for temporary relief of sore throats.

2. Does your diaphragm rise up or push down as you inhale?

3. Your "false cords" are also called your "__________ cords."
(Hint: Recall VIP 12/99 issue???) ____________________________________________________

3. VIP Q & A

Q: My 6 year old daughter loves to sing. What can I do to encourage her?

A: One of the greatest activities that nurtures a voice is listening to music and how other singers use their voices. Jumping around the living room imitating her favorite artist is great too; as long as the artist is singing correctly (not yelling!). A young child naturally has fantastic enthusiasm and already exhibits the ability to listen and imitate well.. Listening to various genres of music fills a child's musical vat with knowledge that will make her more musical and appreciative as she grows. Children are so keen in their listening skills that they achieve success in imitating good AND bad technique. Observe your daughter to make sure she is not resorting to screaming in hopes of sounding like her favorite singer. Not all artists, even "professionals" (I use this term loosely!), use proper vocal technique. This fact makes it difficult for the high quality vocal instructors, as young girls and boys come to them yearning to sound like certain artists on the radio who are actually abusing their voices. Even when your daughter is not singing, minimize any yelling, as this can lead to vocal cord damage. At this age, I would choose singing in a children's choir over participation in private voice lessons. Singing with other voices will tune her into listening and learning how to blend. Music is a LISTENING art. A good choir director will educate the children on proper breathing technique, which is the foundation for singing. If a choir is not available in your area, formal, private or group lessons may start as long as the vocal instructor is well qualified. A great vocal teacher is enthusiastic, well versed in all genres of music, can effectively demonstrate proper vocal technique and wants the student to have FUN while learning. In the meantime, encourage your daughter to enjoy herself and sing from her heart. And you can delight in the fact that she's filling your home with beautiful music!

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4. Vocal Tip

If it's appropriate for your performance, never hesitate to put a cry in your voice. The performance is not about being technically perfect (there is no such thing anyway!), it's about singing or speaking from your heart and relaying ideas to your audience so they GET IT and feel emotional by it. Think back to any performances you have witnessed that really touched you. As long as it is justified, crying, cracking, sweating,(and on occasion even spitting!) is REAL and makes for a memorable performance! Whatever it takes to get your point across! Don't try to correct or stifle something in you that is longing to be present. _________________________________________________________

5. Notable Quotables

"Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation." -William H. Sheldon

"When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another." -Helen Keller
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6. Trivia Answers

1. False - Throat sprays numb your throat and disguises the problem which allows you to sing and cause more damage. Don't use them!

2. push down

3. ventricular

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: 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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