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

June 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)!

Welcome to Vocalist's Insightful Practices (VIP)! 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? They are now available - go to 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! I'm getting some really great questions!!! You may contact me at Mail to: dambrosino@musicsimplymusic.com

2. Test Your Vocal Knowledge

1. Sprechstimme is the German term meaning the use of the voice midway between speech and song. In English, we refer to this as a _____ song.

2. A soprano with a high range singing elaborate ornamentations or embellishments is called a coloratura or a diva?

3. True or False: It is okay (and also kind of cool looking!) when my jaw moves up and down as I sing.

3. VIP Q & A

Q: I have a horrible cold and I will be opening in a local play (which requires speaking and singing) in less than a week. Is it okay to continue to vocalize?

A: It really depends upon your symptoms. If you have just a stuffy nose - sing away. The deep breathing required in singing can actually help nasal passages open and help you recover more quickly. If you are coughing, you may continue to sing, but keep it light and use lots of head tones. Keep well hydrated as this will also help loosen your cough. This is so important because coughing depletes moisture and really irritates the throat. Expel your phlegm often. If you are experiencing head and body aches, again, sing and speak, but keep it light and rest often. This is not a time to push you voice, but it is an opportunity to continue to safely exercise your voice and learn how to deal with this symptoms when they arise again. If you are experiencing ANY discomfort with your throat, you should drastically (if not completely) limit speaking and singing. A sore throat needs to be rested. Gargling with warm water and salt a few times a day will help but if the soreness continues, it may be wise to have a throat culture performed at your doctor's office. This will determine whether or not you need an antibiotic to terminate the infection. I know it is difficult to not speak, but think about your performance and the how crucial this rest is to your voice. Whatever you symptoms are, a good general rule is to rest the voice the 24 hours before a performance. Eat a light meal 2-3 hours before the performance and warm up the voice within the hour before the performance. Feel well!

4. Vocal Tip

This valuable tip warrants repeating and is directly related to this month's VIP Q & A. When clearing your throat, use a "huh" sound instead of a harsh, rasping sound to avoid throat irritation. The "huh" sound activates the diaphragm and allows it to do the work of getting the cough more productive not your throat.

5. Notable Quotables

"Conceit is an attempt to prove to others that you're lovable when you've decided inside that you really aren't." -Gay Hendricks

"Notes fly so much farther than words. There is no other way to reach the infinite." -Anais Nin

6. Trivia Answers

1. speech
2. coloratura
3. false-the jaw should remain as still as possible

To all Daddy subscribers...Have a wonderful Father's Day!

Copyright © 2000 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: DAmbrosino@musicsimplymusic.com

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