Singing

Want a career in the singing business? I came across a site that lists all the possible careers you can have in the singing business. Vocalist.org  reveals to you every possible career! And as I read there are just so many! I’d like to list them all, and see for yourself where you can possibly fit. It’s a three-part series, which just says there are really many!

Acappella
Acappella is the term used for singing without the aid of accompaniment and takes far more skill than the listeners realise.  All styles of music can be performed in this manner, (although some are more suited than others) and artists must be extremely competent to be able to start (and stay) on pitch, in time and where applicable, harmonise in exact tandem with their fellow singers.

For instance, Barbershop Singers, Gregorian Chanters and choirs are a formation of several singers who perform in harmony completely unaccompanied by any other instrument than the human voice.  Pop music has also had it’s share of vocal acappella groups the most notible of which are the Flying Pickets who had hits in the 80′s with ‘Only You’ and ‘When Your Young and in Love’ and probably the most well known acappella song is ‘Mercedes Benz’ performed by Janis Joplin. Whilst this form is not the current ‘flavour of the month’ singing without the aid of any backing means the performer can demonstrate their abilities anywhere and are popular in folk, blues, alternative and early music circuits. Wages are usually low and many singers choose this more for pleasure than pay, however it is not as easy as it sounds!

Backing Singer
Backing Singers are the vocalists who provide harmonies and vocals complementing the melody performed by a Lead Singer. Used in many forms of music including Rock, Pop, MOR, Soul, the backing singer has played an integral role in song production.

There are many types of backline vocalists ranging from the band member who sings a bit to dedicated Session Singers who are employed by major touring artists and recording studios.  A good backing singer should be experienced in harmonizing and keeping in time with both the lead vocalist and fellow backing vocalists, sight reading isn’t essential but the ability to ‘hear’ yourself and learn songs quickly is!

Many vocalists start their careers as a backing singer as it also presents possibilities of being noticed by A & R!! Examples of this are ‘Sam Brown’ and ‘Alison Moyet’ both of whom had hit songs in the 80′s.

Blues Singer
Blues has been a huge influence on modern music with artists like the Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, Eric Clapton and Gary Moore combining the old style feel with a rock edge.  Whilst there will always be heated discussion on the validity of modern blues compared to the old style, blues music still continues to be popular with established circuits throughout Europe and the USA.

A full time career is possible although many performers combine their love of the blues with a second source of income.

Busker
Busking has been performed by musicians of all styles worldwide. Ranging from acappella singers to one man band complete with his multiple instruments, they perform at fairs, fetes, subways, shopping centers and street corners for whatever the general public are prepared to donate into the hat.

In the last few years it has become more regulated with performers requiring licenses to publicly entertain on designated pitches.  Favourite areas for buskers include Covent Garden and underground stations where a high amount of walking tourists and travellers may be persuaded to stop and listen for a while.

Cabaret Singer
A large percentage of professional singers make a career in Cabaret.  Venues range from the local working mens club to the grand casinos in Vegas.  The standard ranges considerably and relative amateurs can be found working the circuit to gain experience. 

The Cabaret artist is expected to know a wide range and style of songs to cater to audiences ranging from teens to oap’s with the ability to work equally well with backing tracks, reading musicians, the resident compere and cope with in house P.A. systems.  Most cabaret artists prefer to use their own equipment and engineer although this depends entirely on the type of venue and quality of equipment provided.

Artists like Sheena Easton and Tom Jones started their careers using this route and there are many cabaret singers who become internationally acclaimed in their own right.

Carol Singer
Fun for all ages and standards, Carol Singing started as a form of church choral singing which appealed to all ages.  The types of song performed include hymns and christmas songs of all styles, usually performed acappella prior to and during the christmas period.

Small groups of singers can be found raising money for their local church or charity by performing at their neighbours doorsteps, functions and charity events.  The participants are usually unpaid volunteers although the choir master and organiser may receive a small amount of expenses.

Childrens Singer
Performing for children can be a rewarding experience.  Patience, tolerance and a good sense of humor are more important than a great voice and technical ability!  The childrens singer ranges from those who entertain at parties, functions or corporate events to singing actors employed on childrens programs and include session singers who would overdub a cartoon caricature to teenagers and bands who visit schools to gain experience and build a following.

This is also a good way to introduce an eager youngster to performing live, most schools will encourage their pupils to participate in small shows for their friends, parents and teachers.

Choral Singer
The school choir is often one of the earliest experiences of singing with a large group that a child has and is certainly an area of performance where age is not an issue.

Religious institutions use the concept of group singing to it’s fullest with the use of acappella, accompanied, solo and group vocals co-ordinated by a Choral Director.  Young boys are popular for their unbroken sweet voices, whilst older singers ‘fatten’ the sound with their deeper vibrant tones producing an overall rich sound.

Whilst the majority of choral singers are local unpaid volunteers, there are a some choirs who perform at major venues and produce albums for their devotees.  Soloists have also had chart hits, like Aled Jones with the title song from the cartoon film ‘The Snowman’ and several RnB/Soul/Pop artists like ‘Whitney Housten’ and ‘Aretha Franklin’ started their singing careers performing with Gospel Choirs.

Chorus Line Singer
An essential part of musical theatre is the Chorus Line. The term describes a group of individuals who are competant at singing, dancing, acting and co-ordinating with others.

The type of songs performed range considerably in style so a versatile voice and ability to learn quickly are necessary requirements.  Preparation time is usually limited and competition is fierce as singing actors and dancers are also keen on getting the part!

Amateur productions at local theatres are an excellent introduction for beginners whilst professional shows like ‘Cats’, ‘Miss Saigon’, ‘Buddy’ and ‘Oaklahoma’ demand high standards but provide decent wages and the opportunity for recognition.

Country Singer
Country & Western is a popular form of music with a wide circuit of venues mainly in the USA.  There is a thriving albeit smaller country circuit in the UK, with some opportunities for performance at ‘Themed Events’.  Line dancing has become a big craze requiring country bands, singers and dance step callers.

Constantly in and out of the charts, country singers are varied in style with some artists like ‘Shania Twain’ crossing over into pop and dance artists like ‘Whitney Houston’ performing versions of songs written by country singers. (I Will Always Love You was written and originally recorded by Dolly Parton).

Cruise Ship Singer
Jane McDonald has became one of the most recognised Cruise Ship singers after the broadcasting of a BBC TV documentary series following the lives of on board entertainers and personell.  The musicians and entertainers are expected to be of a professional standard with the ability to read music and work long hours.

Being confined to a ship (no matter how large) means that all crew are expected to be on duty 24/7 ……. in other words, be nice to the passengers even if you have a sore head, runny nose or bad day plus be prepared to cover a variety of other duties when staff are off sick.  Staff are usually contracted for the duration of the cruise and can expect good wages with accommodation and meals included.

Disabled Entertainers
Certain physical or mental handicaps may cause some difficulties for people who wish to pursue a career in music or singing… but that does NOT necessarily mean the individual will be unable to pursue their dream! There are many artists who have achieved successful writing, recording and performing careers despite their handicap. So wether you stammer like pop singer Gareth Gates or are more severely physically challenged like country singer/songwriter Reba Schappell, winner of the 1997 L.A. Music Award for best new country artist (who is conjoined with her sister Lori), there are opportunities to pursue.

Young people with special needs can apply to the Chicken Shed Theatre Company which integrates children with special needs into community theatre and music. A collection of physically challenged professional performers can be found at the Paisley Wheelchair Experience.

How to sight sing? Wikihow tells you how.

Learning how to sight read is important for musicians. Just by looking at the notes on a sheet of music, they can play it immediately. It is just like reading letters, but in notes. Singers can do the same, and it is called Sight Singing. They might read the sheet music, and hum the tune quietly to themselves, and then able to perform or sing it immediately.

STEPS!

1.  Learning how to sight sing starts with learning the musical notes and knowing how to sight read them. You have to hear them with your ears, so that you can duplicate them by singing, or by your voice. A piano or keyboard is necessary so that you can hear and play, and learn the scales, and how different they sound when played as a sharp or a flat.
2.  Practice playing each note, and concentrate on how it sounds. Continue to play, ending up by closing your eyes, so that your ears can hear them so the tone can be concentrating on them without sight.
3. Constant practicing will train the brain to reproduce what the ears hear. It is similiar to learning how to type. By not looking at the keyboard, we teach our brain to lead our fingers to each individual key. Therefore, it is our brain that is learning, while our ears hear.
4. Realize that many voice students who only study singing intervals, can lead to them not being able to use proper intonation. it is important to also be able to look at any melody,and immediately be able to hearinwardly how it sounds.
5. Studying only the notes of the scales is not enough to learn to be able to become a good vocalist. It is very important to learn the scale in both major and minor, learn to hear the rhythm or beat. For a student who wants to learn at home, there are many good books that can teach. It is very helpful to own a keyboard or piano to practice with.

Learning to sight sing takes patience and practice, and it takes the right kind of practice. Be careful to choose a system that that will grow with you and won’t restrict you to simple tonal music. (:

Singing is an art as well as a science. As an art, singing involves intuition, where your perception and sensitivities as a singer is essential; inspiration, which is the stimulation to do creative work; talent, that is, your natural ability; and creativity, which is your imaginative skill. As a science, it involves techniques, which are the procedures & skills required & the treatment of the basics. Also, singing as a science involves the nature of the singer, including the intrinsic and essential qualities of your voice.

I have heard the stories of well-known and legendary singers share their love for singing. For them it is a passion, it’s their field where creativity flows, originality wells up, ingenuity pours and inspiration runs over. In effect, as they sing their songs, such qualities are diffused to their audiences and their listeners. They serve as inspiration themselves to those who hear their music. Oh yes, that’s what you call art.

But singing is also a physical activity, it’s similar to the other kinesthetic pursuits like dancing or athletic undertakings. There is awareness and coordination in singing, like when you learn to ride a bike or drive a car. It requires a tremendous amount of concentration. And when you gain muscle memory, eventually the physical part of it becomes natural to you, and you can then concentrate on other aspects. Here’s where techniques becomes effortless because they’re already automatic to you. When you’re able to develop these techniques and know the personal characteristics and features of your voice for your own gain and improvement, you’ll be able to focus on the artistic articulateness, creative self-expression and the delight of using your voice to stir and encourage others.

In the end, singing as an art and science goes hand and hand. One can not go without the other. (:

Do you have a voice which could lead you to great heights in the music business? Or do you have a voice which leads you to awkwardness and object of mockery? Either way, voice lessons are for you!

Many people have reservations about being able to learn how to sing, because they have the notion that only those born with a talented voice can sing, and you have to be born with it to be able to do it. Others say you have to learn at an early age and there’s no hope for you if you try to take voice lessons at an older age. But voice teachers say, anyone can sing! Even if you are just moderately able to sing, they say with studying, practice and building your voice can lead you to a career in singing. If you are ready to face your fears, see yourself clearly and commit to regular lessons with a teacher, you can sing. Voice teachers also agree that if you’re born with a great voice but you take it for granted, even if you’re extremely talented, you’d go nowhere.

So either way, whether you have a brilliant voice or a not-so dazzling voice, it’s best to ask the help of a specialist. Find a voice teacher to help you sparkle!

Voice teachers note that not all can sing anything. One’s voice, even how good it is, can not necessarily sing all types of music. The purpose of taking voice lessons is finding out about your distinctive instrument and what it is perfectly suited for. That’s why it is important to take voice lessons even if you already have the inborn talent, to become keener of your gift. Even advance singers take voice lessons, because it’s useful for them to have another trained pair of eyes and ears. A teacher can assist you in arriving at your aims and ambitions more swiftly and effectively.

So, you want that singing career? Voice lessons will help take you there. (:

If you are a singer and wants to be one, take a look at what famous people and singers themselves have to say about singing, and get inspired!
 
“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.”
 Maya Angelou, American Poet
 
“Music is the purest form of art… therefore true poets, they who are seers, seek to express the universe in terms of music… The singer has everything within him. The notes come out from his very life. They are not materials gathered from outside.”
Rabindranath Tagore, Indian Poet, Playwright and Essayist
 
“I think all the boys that write the screaming stuff would write the best love songs…. because they have the most to hide. The guys that are in the most pain are usually the ones with the biggest hearts.”
Tori Amos quotes, Pop Rock Singer
 
“Sing, Sing a song, Sing out loud, Sing out strong, Sing of good things, not bad, Sing of happy, not sad, Sing, Sing a song, Make it simple, To last your whole life long, Don’t worry that it’s not good enough, For anyone else to hear, Sing, Sing a song.”
Joe Raposo

“When a singer truly feels and experiences what the music is all about, the words will automatically ring true.”
Monserrat Caballé quotes, Spanish operatic Soprano

“Singing is such an excellent thing, that I wish all people would sing”
Richard Byrd

“Being a singer is a natural gift. It means I’m using to the highest degree possible the gift that God gave me to use. I’m happy with that.”
Aretha Franklin quotes, American singer of soul music
 
“I don’t want to be just a straight pop singer. I’m a vocalist and that’s what I want to be seen as in the long run.”
Christina Aguilera quotes, American Singer
 
“I always wanted to be a singer, it’s what I wanted to do since I was little. I’m doing it now and I couldn’t be happier.”
Britney Spears, American Singer
 
“I was always a singer and a dancer, and I always wanted to be an actress. For me, it’s all just one thing.” 
Jennifer Lopez, American Actress, Singer and Model
 
“If a thing isn’t worth saying, you sing it.”
virtuosogal Pierre Beaumarchais, French Comic Playwright

I read about one news write-up in the health section of a news network that singing can help the brain relearn communication skills. Persons with Alzheimer’s disease are recorded to have unlocked their communication block through singing. Usually, people with dementia tend to withdraw themselves and stop communicating with others; they are not able to hold conversations.

Some relatives of patients with Alzheimer’s tried singing with groups, where their loved ones showed some personality changes like being able to hold conversations, gaining focus and recovering from slurred speech due to a stroke. 

One group which helps such patients is Singing for the Brain, which started three years ago to give aid to patients with dementia. The founder said their weekly sessions had proved popular and successful for patients. They have an avid following in the group they have and families believe it has enhanced their lives and in some ways it has kept people well longer.

The group chooses things to sing for people that have an emotional resonance, things that allow them to express their emotions such as feeling irritated or sad as well as happy. They say that music has the ability to access words and people who have lost their ability to speak can access songs and words from the melody. The singing sessions also appeared to have positive effects on participants’ cognitive powers, their physical ability and their emotions. They likewise seem to enjoy doing something jointly with other people and being socially engaged is good for people with dementia.

It was explained that the part of the brain that worked with speech is different to the part that processes music, allowing those who had lost their speech to still enjoy their music. Rhythm had also been shown to be beneficial, particularly for those with diseases like Parkinson’s where movement was a problem. Listening to rhythms could be very helpful.

Knowing the home remedies for your vocal problems in the previous post, it’s also good to know about products that are beneficial for your vocal health. Given that you are a professional singer, or even someone who just loves singing, you should be ready when throat strains occur, so you should always have vocal health products in hand, like throat sprays, lozenges and tea.

There are a lot of throat sprays available in the market, which lubricate, hydrate and dilate vocal chords. They include combinations of herbs in glycerin, aloe or alcohol base. If you have dry, hoarse or sore throat, throat sprays quickly improves throat comfort and vocal quality. They soothe tired voices, relieves scratchy throat, keep your voice crystal clear, moisturize and strengthens as well. These sprays also warm the lungs and increase oxygen uptake. Some sprays offer flavors to choose from, like lemon, mint, peach or apple, though some products are not for pregnant or nursing women.

Lozenges are also another kind of vocal health product which reduce swelling and protect your vocal chords from abrasions. These products relieve minor discomforts and protect irritated areas in your throat. They act by dissolving and allowing the natural substances to coat your throat like paint. They are rather efficient at lessening swelling in the throat muscles and membranes. As singers, they are also helpful for your vocal health since they guard against abrasions caused by poor tone creation choices. One of the known organic ingredients of lozenges is slippery elm. Its inner bark is grounded into a powder and then combined with a crystalline substance to form a throat lozenge.

Teas likewise support throat health, since teas usually include herbs traditionally used to enhance the structure and function of the throat. There are also herbal candies for the throat, which you could pop into your mouth before singing. (:

If you are a singer, your voice is your precious gem. You have to know the tricks of trade in guaranteeing your product and service which is your voice, is on shape and in tune…and healthy. When your vocal chords get strained, troubles occur like hoarseness of your voice and your work gets in trouble too!

You should know what to do in instances your voice seems to croak like a frog, or when a sore throat or cold disturbs your voice…because they’re just not pleasant to the ears! Ailing vocal chords needs treatment, like sipping cough drops, some melted in a cup of boiling water. There are many available throat drops like Halls and Ricola.

There’s also this dry mouth syndrome. It’s hard to sing, even speak, with a dry mouth. There are home made cures to avoid and treat this problem, like looking after the foods you eat. It’s helpful to keep away from caffeine, sugar, chocolate and dairy products since they can get you thirsty or dried up. You can also spread something like a lubricant on your teeth to help out your upper lip to slide over the teeth and create saliva. You can also bite the tip of your tongue just enough to create saliva.

Drink plenty of water. That’s a great habit for singers to do. But do not drink ice-cold water! Water in room temperature is just good. Add some lemon too which helps. Surely, smoking and drinking are hard on the throat. So better avoid such vices!

When you sing, what you wear is important as well. Your clothes should be loose-fitting around the waist to help you take in air better and around the neck so it doesn’t smother you. Doing vocal warm-ups is always good. Sing in the shower, do cheery humming and formal vocal warm-ups are effective. And also, stand straight! Good posture can help your voice stay healthy!