Dynamics in Singing From playing classical piano throughout the years, I’ve always been aware of the nuances of volume in music. In written music, dynamics gave me a framework to conceptualize the form and feeling of the piece. Likewise, in Classical singing, specific dynamic markings are indicated in the written score. In Contemporary singing, we…
Bigger and Louder Is Not Always Better I have always been a huge fan of the ‘powerhouse singer’. The playlist in my home was Donna Summer, Whitney, Mariah, Celine and Italian singers with huge voices and incredible ranges. The vocal bar was set high and I probably spent most of my adolescence with a hairbrush/microphone…
Preparing for Singing Auditions Most singers have an audition at some point in their lives. It may be for a showcase or a talent show at school, maybe it’s a singing competition, maybe you’re planning on auditioning for your dream college or a role in a musical theatre. Even though all of these auditions are…
What’s the Best Microphone for Your Voice? Put simply, the “best” vocal microphone for your voice is the one that’s the best match, and like any match, when you find it you will have a partner for life! Your voice is like your fingerprint, it has its own unique blend of sonic characteristics. That’s why…
Do Seasoned Singers Still Need Voice Lessons? Although the idea of a “great singer” can be somewhat objective, typically, singers who have been at it for a long time and know all of the ins and outs surrounding the voice have strong knowledge and vocal technique. Some might even be vocal coaches themselves. In that…
Joy in Singing As vocalists, we are well aware of the frustrations that can come with the journey of singing! But, if we love it so much: why does it cause stress, anger, fear and other unpleasant emotions? There is one clear answer: BECAUSE WE CARE! When we care about our art as vocalists, these…
Singing in Different Languages Have you ever sung in a language that isn’t your native language? If so, awesome! If not, then I highly recommend trying it. Singing in a different language is challenging on so many levels, but it’s also a lot of fun! Music allows us to express ourselves, and singing songs in…
What Is Improvisation? Improvisation, vocally speaking, is when a singer creates on-the-spot. Although most people associate improv with jazz scatting, we hear it all the time in many styles of music. Singers can use improvisation to convey emotion and make a song their own. This is a major skill that depends heavily on a singer’s musicianship…
Sing for Yourself Do you want to be a successful singer? Do you want to sing in front of thousands of people? Do you want to have their recognition and admiration? Or maybe you just want to sing those high notes so you can finally duet with your favorite singer on Smule? Or even better,…
To Articulate or Not to Articulate? Why is articulation important? As a singer, you want to communicate something to your audience, and you also want your audience to actually know what that message is. The “Mary Poppins” exercise helps to enunciate your words better. AUTHOR: AMI GENT