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  • Like an athlete, a singer is required to start with some warm-up exercises before they singing. This is especially important as it prepares the vocal muscles to prevent fatigue.

    One of the chief benefits of warm-up exercises is to improve the airflow as you sing. Furthermore, it makes your vocal muscles more flexible which prevents vocal damage.

    At first, it might not make sense to do warm-up exercises to avoid damaging your vocal cords. However, take note that these are gradual drills that will gently get you accustomed to singing for longer periods of time.

    Physical Exercises

    It would be best to start your warm-ups with some physical exercises. Stretching will relax your body and improve your posture.

    Try to stand straight with your arms at your side. Relax and take a deep breath. Now, interlock your fingers with your palms facing upward and raise your arms up. Count up to 10 then release and go back to your original position.

    Next, raise your left arm up and bend sideways to your right. Make sure to keep your balance. As you bend, hold the position and count up to 10 before going back to your starting position. Do the same for your right arm.

    Lastly, raise both your arms in the air and shake your hands as if you are shaking off water from them. Make sure to keep your arms straight up and your body relaxed as you do this. Shake your arms for 15 counts to further loosen up your muscles. Repeat as needed.

    Vocal Exercises

    Make a low buzzing sound by pressing your tongue against the roof of your mouth and letting the air through. Your target is to create a ‘Z’ sound so you’ll feel the vibration between your lips. This exercise enhances breath support which increases your singing stamina.

    Another effective warm-up exercise is doing scales. Do a descending and ascending octave scale up to the highest and lowest pitch you can manage to sing. You can start from the Key of C – major. Using a keyboard to accompany you through this exercise is a must. Gradually move up half-steps as you do the scales.

    It may take a while for you to settle into the routine of these exercises but you will adjust soon enough. The most important thing to remember is to never neglect the habit of doing warm-up exercises. This will strengthen your foundations as a singer and will prepare you for more advanced techniques in the future.

  • There’s a tendency to develop a sort of “tunnel vision” when you keep doing the same thing over and over for some time. This also applies to singing because things can get stale after a while.

    There are a few ways to help you take a step back and break out of your funk if you’re experiencing “singer’s block”:

    #1: Schedule a Refresher

    Somewhere down the line, you might be slipping up here and there. While you’re generally good at signing, it does help to re-evaluate things and see if any bad habits have crept back into your repertoire.

    Don’t worry if you find yourself making some old mistakes. All singers can use a little tightening up every now and then, much like sending a car for a maintenance check-up.

    See a vocal coach (look up your old one if you can) to help you identify any areas of improvement. Another pair of ears will give you the perspective you need to stay on top of your game.

    #2: Branch Out

    Perhaps you’ve been focusing too much on a certain genre or a vocal style. You can keep things fresh by dabbling in other fields to broaden your musical horizons. Break out your old music collection from your college days and see if you can still sing to your favorite songs that you haven’t heard in a while.

    This way, you’re shifting your attention to songs you used to love while keeping track of the styles and techniques that you might have forgotten along the way.

    #3: Back to Basics

    It is always a good idea to do a self evaluation every now and then by recording a video of yourself singing. This is to ensure that you are still on the right track and identify any mistakes.

    Factors such as proper posture, breath support and tone placement are very important things that you should not take for granted. Watching yourself go through the motions will tighten up your technique. These will help you reacquaint yourself with the basics of singing that you should always practice.

    The last things you want are extreme facial tension or a sloppy posture to ruin your performance and make you sound ugly. So seeing yourself in action will help you pinpoint any potential problems.

    #4: Exercise

    Make it a habit to start your day with some physical and vocal exercises. These will rid your body of tension, keep you relaxed and make your singing muscles flexible.

    For instance, you can try the rag doll exercise. Stand with your feet apart. Remember to keep your balance. Now, bend forward like a puppet with limbs hanging loosely. Shake your arms a bit then let them dangle. These exercises help relieve tension and promotes good posture.

    As a vocal exercise, lip trills enable you to feel movement as you release air through your mouth and nose. As you do lip trills, you will feel your lips vibrate. Although it may be an itchy exercise for some, but it can definitely improve your endurance as a singer.

    Keep your lips relax and loose and let the air pass freely through them. This will result in a vibration as your lips flap. You can try placing a finger at the corners of your mouth to make it easier.

    Every singer needs an occasional break from their routine, including you. Don’t treat singing as a monotonous exercise that you have to repeat over and over again. Your eyes are bound to glaze over at some point.

    Remember, you are not a robot so a little variety from time to time is good for your mind and body. These 4 singing tips may be simple but they are essential to your success!

  • Learning how to sing takes time and hard work. Even though most are ready to put in the hard work, not everyone can spare the time.

    If you are in a situation like this, then you might want to consider getting online singing lessons. Below are some reasons why it could work for you.

    Flexibility

    One of the main advantages of an online singing course is its flexibility and potential for customization. If your current schedule does not allow for regular lessons, an online course will. You can practice during your free time.

    You won’t have to worry about missing lessons or making it to one on time. Everything is at your leisure.

    Keep in mind though that flexibility does not equal complacency. Being a great singer requires hard work and practice and being complacent with get you nowhere.

    Set goals for yourself. Figure out how many hours you can spare each week to work on your singing, then stick to it. If you have trouble meeting goals, it may be a good idea to take the singing lessons with a buddy.

    The two of you can motivate each other and help with the goal accomplishment process.

    It Can Benefit Both Beginners and Pros

    If you are a beginner, online singing lessons can act as a stepping stone. Choose an online lesson that caters to your specific needs.

    With it, you will learn the basics of singing. You’ll learn about the different techniques, warm ups, and the dos and don’ts of singing like a pro. It can work for kids too.

    If you are a parent with a musically gifted child, get them an online course to help them harness their talents.

    Aside from beginners, online courses can also help professional singers tune up their skills. It can help remind them of the technical side of singing. If you used to be a pro, but have not sung in a while, then online lessons are going to be a perfect re-introduction.

    It will also work if you currently are a professional who just wants to make sure your singing skills are up to par.

    It Can Be Just as Good as One on One Coaching

    One of the main reasons that people are turned off by online lessons is because they think that they won’t be getting the same degree of tutelage as they would with one on one coaching. Not true. You will find that there are a lot of great lessons out there.

    You just have to find one that suits you. For a start, you can go to YouTube and find tutorials. If you are ready for something in depth, you can check out Singorama or something similar.

    Tip: Do your research when picking an online singing course. Read reviews. If you have friends who have taken online lessons, ask them for suggestions.

    Is It Better Than Voice Coaching?

    I am not saying that one option is better than the other. It will all depend on you and on what fits your needs. If you have the time and the budget for one on one voice coaching, then go for it. If you don’t then online lessons are a great alternative.

    Who Can Benefit From Online Singing Lessons?

    Just about anybody can benefit from online lessons. These include beginners of all ages and professional singers. It can even work for voice coaches who want a guide on what they should be teaching their students.

    The same goes for music teachers. It will even work for ‘singing enthusiast’ who are not essentially interested in singing pro, but would love to learn how to sing like one.

  • Songwriting skills can come naturally, but we all need help from time to time – especially beginners. Below are some helpful beginner songwriting tips for those who want to start writing songs, but don’t know where to begin.

    Know Your Audience

    An important question to ask yourself is – Who am I writing for? Different genres will require different lingos and writing styles. Familiarize yourself with the style of the genre that you are interested in.

    Also, think about the message you want to get through. Keep in mind that the average listener responds better to simple songs with great hooks.

    Take Songwriting Lessons

    Raw songwriting talent can only take you past a certain point. If you really want to be a great songwriter then you will have to work for it.

    Keep writing and don’t be afraid to fail. If you feel like you need songwriting lessons, take up a course.

    If you don’t have the time to go to songwriting classes, try purchasing an online songwriting course or a songwriting book or two. This is ideal for people who need a flexible learning schedule.

    Mix It Up (Texturize)

    The ear gets tired if it keeps hearing the same set of notes over and over again. This is where texturizing your song comes in.

    Mix high notes with low notes, long lines with short lines, slow tempos with quick ones, and break up complicated arrangements with simple interludes. The same thing applies when considering instrumentation. Use as many textures as you can.

    Different instruments lend different characteristics to a melody. Don’t go overboard with it though because too many textures can also ruin a tune.

    Get Feedback

    Play the song for your peers, family, and friends and get their honest feedback. Keep in mind though that family and friends will most likely be biased towards giving you positive reinforcement.

    As a beginner, you can upload a sample of your song to a music sharing site and get feedback from the community. If you know someone who is a professional songwriter, you could also ask them to listen to your song and give you some frank feedback.

    People will have suggestions. Take each one into consideration, but at the end of the day, the most important thing is that you end up with a song you like.

    Collaborate

    It’s understandable if you find the idea of collaboration scary, but if you have never done it before, try it now.

    Collaboration forces you out of your comfort zone and will, more often than not, produce great songs. Try finding someone who’s strengths make up for your weaknesses.

    It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect

    You don’t have to churn out a perfect song each and every time. Write as much as you can as often as you can.

    Experiment – try for unfamiliar genres, using different styles. They don’t have to be perfect. Let your ideas flow and stop analyzing every little part.

    Additional Songwriting Tips:

    • Carry a pen and notebook with you wherever you go, you never know when inspiration strikes.

     

    • If you’re stuck, try changing your routine. Try writing in a café, a crowded bar, or in the park. Or if you really need it, take short breaks from your songwriting.

     

    • Get a rhyming dictionary. Your lyrics don’t necessarily have to rhyme, but this will take away some of the effort when they do.

     

    • Take care of yourself. When it’s crunch time, you may find yourself wanting to pull an all-nighter and live on nothing but energy drinks. Unfortunately, this does you more harm than good. You’re better off healthy and rested.

    Apply these songwriting tips and start writing today! Practice as often as you can. Follow rules, break them, mix it up, and best of all – have fun while doing it.

  • Have you always wanted tips for singing high notes?  Well, you’ve come to the right place. This article will give you simple but very helpful tips for singing high notes.

    Those who are new to singing often doubt if they will ever have the skill to reach high notes with strength and fullness. I wouldn’t lie and tell you that it’s an easy thing to do.

    In fact, many have struggled to sing high notes and ended up breaking their voice or hurting their throat.

    Here are some tips for singing high notes:

    1. Take it one note at a time

    In order to avoid any vocal injury, the best thing to do is to take it one note at the time. Singing notes within your range is very easy to do, but anything beyond that needs time and lots of practice.

    Try to do scale exercises to figure out until where you can sing comfortably. The highest note that you can sing without any pain or strain is the topmost note in your natural range.

    You can take advantage of ready-made exercises or use instruments such as a guitar, piano or organ to help you with this exercise. Remember that having control over your voice is always important.

    You certainly don’t want to stress yourself while singing, right? Improving is a gradual process, so you need to pace yourself – you’ll increase your range in due time.

    Once you’ve discovered your highest note, try to practice singing the notes just your natural range, but don’t rush into it. Start with 2 notes higher until you can comfortably sing it then move on to much higher notes.

    It will take time and lots of practice but given the right technique, you’ll be able to hit those high notes with ease in the future.

    2. Chest and Head Voice

    As you go beyond the high notes that you can comfortably sing, you may notice that your voice will start to break. It will also change in quality and sound a little bit lighter as if accompanied by air.

    You will also notice that in order to sing higher notes, you need to open your mouth wide (as if you have an egg in between your lips) and use the back of your mouth.

    The sound that you produce which vibrates higher in your head is called the head voice. Unlike the chest voice which is close to your speaking voice, the head voice is thinner and wispier.

    Many find it easier to sing with their head voice when they imagine that they are throwing their voice above their heads. Some also scrunch their forehead (as if they look upset) to helps them sing with their head voice.

    This switch from your chest voice to the head voice is called the vocal break. Being able to sing flawlessly is hard to do especially for beginners, but always remember to use your senses while singing.

    Be conscious of your body and the mechanism that you have to use to make your voice sound better. With enough practice, you will definitely improve and intensify your head voice.

    3. The Mixed Voice

    The combination of the chest and head voice is called the mixed voice. This type of voice doesn’t come naturally. It takes perseverance and lots of practice to develop your ability to sing in this voice.

    Using the mixed voice is one of the things that distinguish advanced singers from the newbies.
    A singer who has mastered the mixed voice is able to switch from the chest voice to the head voice effortlessly and seamlessly.

    In order to improve your mixed voice, you have to practice singing the notes in your vocal break. This can be done by using more of your head voice rather than your chest voice when singing higher notes.

    4. Breathing and Posture

    Contrary to what non-singers think, you don’t only use your throat when singing. You also use your diaphragm as well. This is a muscle in your stomach that contracts as you breathe out.

    Singing with your diaphragm goes hand in hand with proper breathing. It gives you more support and makes your head voice sounds fuller.

    You can do breathing exercises such as inhale and slow exhales to have more control of the air that you take in and release as you sing. You can also try out various vocal warm-ups that will help you sustain high notes.

    Maintaining the right singing posture is also important. You want to have balance while singing especially if you’re trying to hit those high notes.

    Notice how singers like Mariah Carey or Celine Dion stand while they belt out those impressive high notes? They don’t slouch because it restricts the airflow as they sing.

  • For those who want to sing but don’t know where to start, here are some singing lessons for beginners to help jumpstart your dream of becoming a singer.

    Get a Vocal Coach

    The easiest way to get singing lessons (especially for beginners) is to get a vocal coach. If you have the time and money, getting a vocal coach is probably the quickest solution to learning how to sing.

    Although not everyone takes this approach due to financial concerns, getting a vocal coach ensures that you’ll get real-time feedback from a professional as you go through your vocal exercises.

    Singing lessons from vocal coaches takes months and you’ll usually be billed on an hourly basis. However, this one-on-one time with your personal vocal coach gives you the chance to ask questions and get an immediate response.

    Aside from this, your vocal coach can quickly point out anything you might be doing wrong which will prevent you from developing bad singing habits.

    If you want to look for a vocal coach, try checking out the classified ads, a phone directory or get recommendations from friends. Make sure that you choose someone within your area since it’s impractical to waste too much time travelling just for an hour’s worth of vocal training.

    Join a Singing Group

    If you don’t have the financial capacity but want interaction with people as you learn to sing, then join a singing group. A school or church choir will be your best bet. You can check out the local community center or colleges for a list of singing groups.

    Although joining a singing group is fun, there is no assurance that you’ll be part of the group that you’d like to join. Remember that most singing groups will require you to audition before you can be a member.

    Since the goal of joining a singing group is to learn, it’s rather odd that you first have to show them that you can sing well before taking you in. However, you can definitely learn from the instructor and the members once you get accepted.

    What’s more, you’ll not only improve your individual singing skills, you will also learn how to blend in and harmonize with the group. This will help train your ear and will equip you with skills that you can’t get when practicing by yourself.

    Buy Online Courses

    The most economical and easiest way to get singing lessons for beginners is through online singing courses. Many people prefer this method especially because they only have to pay a one-time fee for the whole package.

    Most online singing courses contain comprehensive information on everything that you have to learn about singing. Aside from the reading materials, most courses contain videos, audio lessons, and special software.

    Some online singing courses offer recording software that allows you to record and listen to your voice so you can identify the things that you have to improve. These courses are usually developed by a team of professional singers and vocal coaches who give are willing to give professional advice to their members.

    Most websites that offer online singing courses also have blogs and forums where you can interact with other members. You can make a post a question about your singing problems and you’ll surely get a response.

    However, you should remember to read reviews about the course before you buy. You also have to make sure that the product you’re buying is supported by a strong money-back guarantee and a safe and reliable billing system.

    Learning to Singing

    Just like any other skill, learning to sing entails practice. Having a great voice is a plus but you can’t expand your ability without practice.

    There are lots of ways to get singing lessons for beginners. Whether you choose to get a vocal coach, join a group or purchase an online course, you always have to keep in mind that singing is a do-it-to-know-it skill.

  • A lot of aspiring singers often search online for “learn to sing tips”, but they get overwhelmed by the abundance of information available. They get confused by the conflicting singing advice they find and become discouraged by the lack of reliable information.

    But fear not, because this article will help you take your first step into the world of singing.

    Many people dream of becoming professional singers. More than the glitz and glamour of the business, the love for the craft itself is what propels them to search the web for learn to sing tips.

    If you’re one of these people, read on to get started and discover these easy to learn to sing tips.

    Before You Begin Singing

    Before you get into the actual process of singing and composing your own songs, we advise you to listen to different musical genres that will broaden your appreciation for music. This will also help you choose which style fits your voice and overall personality.

    Ask yourself what type of music resonates with you the most. Do you prefer rock, opera, R&B or pop music? The decision is yours!

    Once you’ve figured out the genre that best suits you, you can now start looking for that special song that you have to master – this will be the first step on the path to becoming an excellent singer.

    Take into consideration the tune and beat of the song as well as the notes. Can you comfortably hit those notes?

    Is it appropriate for your vocal range? If you’re a beginner, can you sing fast or slow songs?

    Try to do ascending and descending scale exercises to figure out the notes that you can comfortably sing and those that you need to work on. It will also help to have a guide that will enrich your knowledge about singing as well as warm-up and vocal exercises.

    Online Courses

    You’ll be amazed at the number of self-taught singers; most of them acquired their knowledge from books and observing other singers’ techniques. In other words, many have studied how to sing on their own without formal training.

    The problem with this approach is the lack of a structured learning plan. This creates the risk of developing bad habits which will be hard to correct as a singer progresses to the more advanced stages.

    However, there are lots of resources online that aspiring singers can take advantage of. For instance, online courses are your best bet if you’re too busy to consult with a singing coach.

    Also, professional lessons can be very expensive and you really have to adjust your schedule and devote time for your classes.

    Modern online singing courses contain guide books as well as audio and video files. Some even have accompanying software that enables the students to record their voice as they go through the program.

    Some courses also feature games designed to train a singer’s ear and other useful bonus material to help them get the most value out of their purchase.

    However, not all online singing courses are created equal. Some training courses promise results but in reality, they fall short of customers’ expectations.

    If you wish to learn how to sing through the web, make sure to check the product reviews before making a purchase.

    Additionally, don’t forget to check their refund policy. Most online singing courses offer an 8-week money back guarantee. This will give you time to try out their material and return it in case you’re not satisfied (as long as you’re within the 8-week trial period).

    Advanced Techniques

    Learning is a never-ending process – not even veterans will claim that they know everything about singing. If you’ve already mastered the basic warm-ups and vocal exercises, you need to continue practicing in order to improve.

    If you really have a love for the craft and want to be a better singer, you can join singing groups to improve your skills and learn more techniques.

    Advanced singing techniques such as mastering your head voice, falsetto, vibrato and increasing your range can only be realized by doing the actual exercises. You can’t learn these things by just reading a book or listening to audio courses.

    Patience and diligence is the key to last during longer practice sessions. In time, you’ll eventually learn transposition (singing songs in a key that matches your voice), reading music and even composing your own songs.

    Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment with different musical styles. Try out the ones that you like and check if it’s compatible with your voice.

    Don’t be worried that you’ll sound awkward or make mistakes – this is a necessary part of becoming a professional singer. Unless you’re willing to crash and burn at the beginning, you’ll never find your true voice.

    All in all, there is so much to singing. Whether you hire a professional teacher, enroll in an online course, or join a singing group (e.g. church choirs), you should always be committed to learning and practicing new skills to improve your craft.

  • What a nice surprise in the inbox with the video for “Your Hands” by Toronto artist GRAE. This song follows her debut track “New Girl”, both from GRAE’s debut EP will be coming later this year (produced by UK based singer-songwriter KYAN). We’re to expect infectious pop hooks, smokey vocals and an infusion of jazz, dousted in female empowerment. Musically, this track makes me think Bishop Briggs-meets-Feist.

    Speaking about the track Grae said:
    “Your Hands” is about taking power back after being in a manipulative relationship. Giving everything to someone and allowing the situation to be dictated by them, it was in “their hands” until the tables turned and it wasn’t anymore. You gain your power back and realize your worth and tell this person you’re no longer here for their games.”

  • Koresma & Shuhandz - Wash Away ft Ellie Hartye (Mazoulew Remix)

    Koresma & Shuhandz - Wash Away ft Ellie Hartye (Mazoulew Remix)

    It’s been a while, huh. Life moves on a pace, but we’re back with an absolute gem form our friends at Stereofox, who’ve taken the leap of launching their own label.

    ‘Wash Away’ saw Koresma and Shuhandz team up with Ellie Hartye on vocals for a downtempo cut of luxurious R&B. For me, however, it is London-based Mazoulew‘s house remix that takes the track to another level, transforming the low key vibes of the original into a blissed-out dancefloor jam.


    Hear Koresma & Shuhandz – Wash Away ft. Ellie Hartye (Mazoulew Remix) and other great new tracks on the new music blog The Blue Walrus.

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