Music Simply Music - Warm Fuzzies

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

June 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

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2. Test Your Vocal Knowledge

1. A use of the voice midway between speech and song is called ______________. (I don't expect many of you to get this one!)

2. What allows the jaw to be opened and closed, the mandibular joint or the geniglossus muscle?

3. True or False: Speech therapy can be detrimental to the vocal production of a singer. ____________________________________________________

3. VIP Q & A

Q: I enjoy reciting poems at my town's coffee house each weekend. How can I work around my annoying allergies? I would hate to stop doing something I truly enjoy.

A: Do not let allergy symptoms stop you from doing something so dear to your heart. When your breath and your voice decide to "do their own thing," yes, it is annoying. In order to perform with your allergy symptoms, you will need to make a few adjustments. First take a "the show must go on" attitude. A positive mental state will do wonders for your performance and will speed up the recovery process. Don't eat anything that will produce phlegm - which might decide to present itself in the middle of your poem! Keep you throat moist be having plenty of room temperature, non-dairy, non-alcoholic beverages on stage with you. If you find yourself sounding a bit nasal, exaggerate the slight yawn you have in the back of your throat to attain a more open, lifted and less nasal tone. Slightly flaring your nostrils can lessen the nasal quality as well. Lastly, don't explain or complain to your audience about your ailment. This is clearly a very unprofessional thing to do. Just have fun and don't let yout symptoms get in your way for even a second. Keep me posted!

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4. Vocal Tip

Even if you don't typically suffer from seasonal allergies, you might have allergy symptoms at certain times of the year. Try to avoid the allergy medicines and treat these symptoms as you would the common cold. Sleep more, drink more water, gargle with warm water and salt, rest your voice and take extra vitamin c. Beyond that, avoid the smell of freshly cut grass (go inside!) and stay clear of landscapers throwing debris up into the environment with their blowers. Of course, if symptoms persist, contact your doctor. ____________________________________________________

5. Notable Quotables

"The major factor in helping you achieve your dreams is YOU!" -Les Brown

"Before I give up, I've got to live up to the challenge to do my thing...I've got to sing my song." -Oleta Adams

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6. Trivia Answers

1. sprechstimme (German for "speech-song")

2. mandibular joint

3. false-any type of quality training which involves the voice will provide new and useful information to the better your knowledge of your voice.

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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