Must Breathe Correctly

All professional singers attest that to singing correctly, one must breathe correctly.

Breathing correctly means to learn the breathe technique and also to control our breathing, thus having the wind power in our body to give the optimum output when we sing.

When I observe how a baby breathe I notice her diaphragm goes up and down. Compared to how I breathe, my upper chest goes up towards my shoulder. Yucks, I am doing it all wrong.

My daughter's breathing is natural, the diaphragm working by sucking all the air in filing the whole lungs with air, therefore her all that power when she cries and yell for milk. My chesty breathing, pulling air in and filing only the upper lungs, is a half complete job and overall is tiring, trying to pull in the air and letting it out.

Breathing correctly is mandatory for a singer. With proper diaphragm breathing, its like loading our body with gunpowder and then exploding, gushing the air through our vocal cords, giving us a powerful voice to sing.

Halloween Songs

Trick or Treat.

Spooky songs for the spooky me.

1) Thriller - Michael Jackson
2) Psycho Killer - Talking Heads
3) I'm your Boggieman - White Zombie
4) Boris the Spider - The Who
5) Ghost Town - Specials

Benefits Of Singing - Part 2

If your doctor tells you "Sing a song a day, to keep the Doctor away." You better believe her. If you get a chance or the mood to sing, do embrace it like gold. Research has shown that singing does bring out our feeling, balancing our emotion and may even prolong our lives.

We don't have to professional singers to enjoy singing. "When we sing instead of speak, we have intonation, melody line, and crescendo, which gives us a broader vocabulary to express ourselves," says Suzanne Hanser, chair of the music therapy department at Berklee College of Music. "Because singing is visceral (relating to, or affecting, our bodies), it can't help but effect change."

More studies have linked singing to reducing stress, lowering of heart rate and decreasing of blood pressure. According to Patricia Preston-Roberts, a board-certified music therapist in New York City. She uses song to help patients who suffer from a variety of psychological and physiological conditions.
"Some people who have been traumatized often want to leave the physical body, and using the voice helps ground them to their bodies," Preston-Roberts says. "Singing also seems to block a lot of the neural pathways that pain travels through."

The End.

Benefits of Singing - Part 1

Have you ever attended a play or a concert or hear someone sing? And the singing was so good, the tone was so perfect, the rhythm was so perfect and the whole event moved you to tears? Do you also get goose bumps or shivers down your spine? At times you do not even know what the singer is singing, but yet you get such emotional reaction from the singing.

Research have shown that music and singing is able to project emotional reaction to our bodies and minds. Go listen to an upbeat fast song now. How do you feel? You are probably feeling very excited and want to go do something exciting.

But when you listen to a slow soft mellow song, you feel relax and perhaps just want to fall asleep.

Singing gives a person these emotional feeling. If you are feeling sad and need to be perky, try singing a cheerful song. My favorite is “Puff the Magic Dragon.”

And if you want to be sad, I suggest “Candle in the Wind.”

To Be Continued ....

How singing unlocks the brain - Part 2

By Jane Elliott
BBC News Health reporter


Emotional resonance

Chreanne Montgomery-Smith, who founded Singing for the Brain, three years ago, said the weekly sessions had proved so popular they were hoping to expand the project and get more weekly groups.

"We do have quite an avid following in the group that we have. Families believe it has enhanced their lives and in some ways it has kept people well longer.

"People who have constant memory problems are so undermined by this, but somehow the memory for singing is preserved for ever in the brain and it gives people a lift when they can remember things".

Chreanne started singing with groups when she was working in a residential home and was so amazed by the positive effect on people with dementia that she decided to include this when she went to work for the Alzheimer's Society West Berkshire branch.

"We choose things to sing for people that have an emotional resonance, things that allow them to express their emotions such as feeling cross or sad as well as happy.
Singing tutor Liz McNaughton, a freelance voice coach with Singing for the Brain, explained the concept had been so popular and successful that she had been asked to run workshops for people with Parkinson's Disease, those who had strokes and head injuries and for people with special needs.

"It would seem, and there is a lot of research about this, that the music has the ability to access words. It is so powerful that people who have lost their ability to speak can access songs and words from the melody."

She said the singing sessions appeared to have positive effects on participants' cognitive powers, their physical ability and their emotions.

The End..

How singing unlocks the brain - Part 1

By Jane Elliott
BBC News Health reporter


"Singing is thought to help the brain re-learn communication skills."

As Bill Bundock's Alzheimer's progressed he became more and more locked into his own world.

He withdrew into himself and stopped communicating with his wife, Jean.
Jean said Bill lost his motivation, and his desire and ability to hold conversations, but all this changed when the couple started attending a local sing-song group, aimed especially for people with dementia.

Jean said Singing for the Brain had unlocked Bill's communication block.

Personality change
"The first time we went to Singing for the Brain he did not join in. On the second session he was starting to join in and by the third he was thoroughly taking part.

"It was wonderful for us. The singing had started to change something. It really did make a tremendous difference. He started to come out of himself.

"His personality started to change and he became much as he was before, and he was able to hold a conversation.

"He is 82 and likes all the old-time songs, but he also started singing some Beatles songs and songs from the Broadway shows and even some modern stuff as well.

"He seemed to be able to slowly learn things again. I would take the song sheets home after the sessions and we would sing them at home. It enlivened him and he really enjoyed doing it."

Bill, from west Berkshire, has been in hospital recently after having a stroke, but Jean kept up the singing and said it has given them both a focus, even helping his slurred speech recover following the stroke.

"I don't know what it is that changes in the brain when people with Alzheimer's sing, but obviously something does change and there is something very beneficial about it. It seems to kick-start something in the brain and has made such a difference to Bill."


(To Be Continued .... )

Sensational 13th,

Her name is Bianca Ryan. She is the winner of

the American Got Talent singing contest.

This sensational prodigy has surprised everyone with her singing, including her parents.

When she was eight years old, she was already known as an exceptional tap dancer, winning many national competitions.

Little did anybody knows that she also has talent for singing. Not until she took part in Star Search, when she was discovered.

Bainca had been fine-tuning her vocal chops in her bedroom at home, singing along to the radio.

Bianca's rendition of "Think" by Aretha Franklin blew the socks off Star Search's producers, and landed her a coveted spot on the show.

Bianca's next stop was amateur kids night on Showtime at the Apollo. For three weeks, she completely destroyed the competition. Still, all those appearances in front of an appreciative crowd continued to give her confidence in her ability.

Later that year, she also appeared to rave reviews on The Tom Joyner Show.

Next up: America's Got Talent. Bianca sang only five words at her first audition, but that was enough to convince the judges to put her on the show.

It was the opportunity of a lifetime and Bianca did not disappoint. Her performance of Holiday's "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" caused panelist David Hasselhoff to declare: "You know what kid? You're a star." More prophetic words could not be spoken.

Simon Cowell, the show's executive producer, exclaimed "Bianca Ryan is potentially one of the best singers I have ever heard in my life."

Bianca, of course, won the competition and the admiration of millions across the country.

Now, the young star is poised to win even more fans with her dazzling new album. Notably, the song, "The Rose", produced by Swedish duo Quiz and Larossi, is a stirring version of the 1979 Grammy Award-winning song made famous by Bette Midler.

Bianca performs the ballad with soul and a depth of understanding that seems almost impossible for someone her age.

She considered the experience an honor: "Not everybody gets an opportunity to sing "The Rose," she says.

Lyrics - Over The Rainbow

From the movie, Wizard of Oz, this is one of my favorite songs from the classic.



"Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?"

Country Singer Taylor Pey talks about Brett Manning

Found this video over the net.

Watch what talented country singer Taylor Pey has to say about the singing program from Singing Success.

Click the link to check Brett out, the singing teacher.
http://tinyurl.com/32qb7w

Pavarotti - Ave Maria - Schubert

The Great Tenor

Luciano Pavarotti, born in a family of a baker, raised in Modena, Italy.

He started his early training in Italy imaging much after a famous actor of that time, Mario Lanza. But professional training did not start till he was in the 20s when he decided to be a singer. He soon proved his talent and found his voice, when he won an international competition. His first professional singing job was in Puccini's "Boheme." And went on to bigger shows when he later traveled within Europe and the world.

Pavarotti is renowned for his tonal voice which nobody can mistake for another. His dedication to opera and recital runs not only as a performer but also as a teacher and mentor to many aspiring young singers.

His heart has touched many by his numerous personalities. He is charitable, jovial, serious, glamorous and even as a sex symbol.

Fear Of Singing.

What is fear?

According to Dictionary.com, fear is "the feeling of being afraid."

What is fear of singing then? If I understand the explanation stated above, it means its a condition of being afraid of singing.

Yeah, but why would people be afraid of singing? Isn't singing suppose to be fun? Is this fear a real fear?

Let's break this singing fear down.

Assuming I am at the karaoke pub now. I am asked to sing my favorite song. And I have chosen the song, "Over the Rainbow." from the movie, The Wizard of Oz.

Since it's my favorite song, I should know the song pretty well.

And since I know the song well, and I have chosen the song to sing, why is it when I am up front holding the mic, I would break into a cold sweat.

Compass spinning, Evel Knievel back from retirement, cheerleaders cheering.

Hello?!

The fear is not really in the singing, (oh, well, a little bit, since my voice don't always quite hold the right note.) My real fear is actually, self consciousness, low self esteem, afraid of rejection and even afraid of standing out. Much of these fears are self imposed. Much of these fears are not even real fear.

So to conquer this weakness, my journey of finding a singing teacher is on. This teacher is going to teach me to sing. And when I do sing well, I wouldn't be so self conscious, I won't be afraid to stand out.

When there is confidence, the fear of singing would be gone.

Halleluiah!!!

Where art thou teacher?

Tip From A Singing Teacher.

Jane must have read my log.

She has sympathy for my heartbreak and my embarrassment. She has so graciously given me a short tip about getting my singing voice.

First thing that I need to do is to "warm up."

Just like any sports that you put your body into, you need to "warm up" before you sing. Like in golf, you don't want to pull your back without the "warm up." And in singing, you don't want to pull your vocal cords.

I know how to stretch and warm up to my golf game. But how do you warm up the vocal cords?

She says there are a series of exercises that involves the mouth and throat. (Not that kind of porn exercise.) Very simply and cleanly, Jane says, "you talk ! "

"Try to talk not in your usual manner. Yell a bit, scream a bit, whisper a bit, whimper a bit. And most important, sip water, to moist the cords."

Sounds simple enough.

I shall try to TALK LOUD and whisper softly to warm up, the next time I visit a karaoke pub. (Pub, as in more for the beer than the singing.)

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Sing More?

What do you feel if you were asked to sing on stage?

Do you say "No way." And you get butterflies in your stomach?
Or do you say "OK, give me the mic."

Professional singers sing for money and fame. They are trained to sing, to dance and to entertain right from birth.

Amateurs sing and hope to be part of the American Idols. (Although at times, the look gets more points than the voice.)

What about casual karaoke singers? Why do you sing? Is it to torture your fellow karaoke buddies or to overcome your personal fear of being in the lime light. Or so to improve your singing skill by singing more? After all, they do say "practise makes perfect."

But does singing more really improves your singing?

I have tried singing to the song playing in the radio. I can't give the pitch. I have tried, honestly I have. But my vocal cord simply refuse to hit that high note. What can I do? Squeal more to perfect it?

I want to learn to sing

I hate my voice!!!!

I am not going to forget what happened last weekend.

I was invited to a BBQ lunch at my friends house. I arrived with a bottle of red wine right before noon. The host, Mike and hostess, Jean, greeted me at the entrance of their beautiful home. The house has 7 rooms, 4 washrooms, a big kitchen, a large dining hall and a beautifully landscaped yard. (Now where is the camera when you need one.) A whole bunch of kids were playing games at the yard.

Mike brought me into the tv/audio room, where some of his buddies were. It was a large room with plasma tv, built in wall speakers, like the ones you see at the cinema. I thought he has asked me into the room to show off his equipment. (Mike has always been an audio freak.) To my horror, he pass me a book, as thick as a telephone directory and told me to pick a song for karaoke.

Nooooo ! I can't sing. Not even while taking shower. No way. I said "no thanks", very politely and handled the book back to him. Mike is not a man who takes no for an answer. I saw him click some buttons on his remote control and then handed me the microphone. No sooner than I take my next breathe, I see on the screen, "Puff the magic dragon." And the music starts.

Ok. I think I must have done something bad to Mike in the past, and now he is all out to embarrass me. Now what? The screen is playing, music is on, microphone in my hand. I can choose to run out of the room and cry like a boy who has dropped his ice-cream. Or I could sing.

And sing I did !! I sang my all, with the croak and the gasp, grunt, squawk, wheeze. I totally killed the song. I made everyone laugh. I really need to stick my head in a hole like ostrich.

I have totally lost my stripes. How can I redeem my pride? "Go take singing lesson." I heard someone said.

So I will. And this shall be my singing log.