Magic Sing Blog

I have seen so many talented young singers on television, some of whom are less than twelve years old! There’s this one child singer I heard on the news, a Filipina singer, who was seen on YouTube by a staff of Ellen DeGeneres’ show and invited her to fly all the way from Manila to sing in Ellen’s show. I’ve heard she has also perfomed in Oprah. Wow. And she’s only a kid.

Is is common for parents to enroll their children in different activities during summer breaks, and because of these the talents of the kids are uncovered. Some become good singers or dancers or musicians because they were trained early. When it comes to singing there three categories of a child singer fall under.

Category One includes children for whom singing is but one activity to which they are exposed along with other disciplines such as mathematics, science, history, language, physical education, art, dance, and spirituality. For them, gaining an appreciation of and experience in the recreational joy of singing may be sufficient. Venues where this exposure occurs include home, school, and places of worship.

Category Two includes children for whom singing is a recreational activity they wish to pursue more intensely. These children may express an interest in private voice lessons to improve basic vocal techniques and develop repertoire. Venues include select choirs and choruses, and solo opportunities in school, clubs, sporting events, and places of worship.

Category three includes children for whom singing is a professional or pre-professional activity that subjects their vocal technique, performance skills, and repertoire to highly critical evaluation and scrutiny. For these chidlren to deal successfully with the added physical and emotional demands a singing career requires, formal voice training should be considered a necessity. Venues include opera, music theater, recording, pageants, film, radio, and television.

Singing is a regular and usual pursuit of interest for a great number of children. It is good to encourage children how to sing. Like any other activity where children are involved in, like sports or art or music, singing can be accomplished on many levels from recreational to professional. Still, at all levels there should be suitable and trained teachers capable and eager to help child singers reach their destinations on their musical journeys. (:

I came across the website of American Academy of Teachers of Singing and I found out that since 1922, the year of its founding, the academy has been actively writing and disseminating papers on all subjects pertaining to the teaching of singing. Their articles would be very helpful to already singers and those who want to have a career in singing.

I’d like to share what they have to recommend about auditions for the singer which may be very helpful to those hopeful aspirants.

APPLY FOR AN AUDITION ONLY WHEN READY

Generally speaking, no singers should either apply for or make auditions unless their own mature consideration and that of their teachers indicate that they are ready. Being ready means being adequately advanced vocally, musically, interpretatively, and artistically.

Singers should not allow themselves to be influenced by parents, friends or others who may encourage them to enter an audition before being fully prepared. Being heard too soon may be dangerous because many organizations keep records of their auditions. A poor rating and an unfavorable impression may jeopardize subsequent chances. On the other hand, singers who are prepared should not avoid auditions, because they will profit from the many values presented by such a test of their ability.

PREPARE THOROUGHLY FOR EVERY AUDITION

After deciding to enter an audition, singers should carefully study the demands in the special field to which the audition leads and prepare thoroughly in order to satisfy these demands in every detail. If application forms must be submitted, it is important to see that they are completed exactly as requested by the sponsor of the audition.

The material selected for performance should be suitable to the type of audition. Songs or arias should be thoroughly familiar to the singer and should have been sung previously, preferably in public. The material chosen should be well within the singer’s present abilities, and show the singer’s strengths. Whether one song or a full recital program is being offered, ALL MATERIAL MUST BE MEMORIZED. It is of utmost importance to have the assistance of an excellent accompanist; and to have sufficient rehearsal.

IMPORTANT ESSENTIALS TO BE OBSERVED BY SINGERS AT AUDITIONS

Keep in mind that singers are seen before being heard. Singers should therefore present a good appearance from the moment the audition begins until it finishes, i.e., good posture, poise, an alert, attentive, and self-conscious manner.

Singers should dress appropriately for the type of audition being made. They should be prompt, but not upset by a lack of promptness on the part of the judges, or by any other annoyances that may occur. It is well to be on hand about ten or fifteen minutes early.
Because singers are generally allowed to choose the first song or aria, this choice should have been made in advance. It should be adhered to unless there are very compelling reasons for a last minute change. An agent or manager could interfere or override the choice of material decided on by teacher and singer, and the singer must be prepared for this.

Singers should avoid making apologies for physical or vocal condition, for lack of rehearsal with the accompanist, or for any other reason, because judges are not sympathetic to excuses. If singers are unable to do themselves justice for any reason, they should state the fact, not sing, and ask for another appointment if that can be arranged.

Judges may sometimes be prejudiced or uninformed, but singers should keep in mind that future audiences, too, may not always be intelligent, receptive, or fair. After the audition singers should not worry about the result It is well to discuss the performance with the teacher in order to extract benefit from the audition, but otherwise, time is better spent in preparing for the next audition.

I saw this cool website owned by a singing pro, and there includes practical tips for singing. Singers out there, read this!

Any tip or combination of tips can be used to improve your voice, your style, or fix a sore throat. Some of these represent ideal situations, which many certainly do not live in. Others represent the complete opposite of things you may have heard.
• Plan ahead.
• Sore throat? Try an apple or pear (or their juices).
• Don’t do anything that will hurt your voice in any way.
• When looking for a teacher, ask about his/her background in music, and whether they are willing to help you learn how to sing something other than their style of singing.
• Just because a singer sounds nice doesn’t mean s/he can sing.
• When you are learning to sing, you are doing it to find out what your voice is capable of, not someone else’s; be happy with what you have.
• To those who want to sing pop music: There is nothing wrong with learning classical.
• To those who wish to sing classical: There is nothing wrong with learning popular.
• You are not the person on the radio-don’t try to imitate them unless you are trying to learn something.
• Don’t inhale any kind of smoke at any time whatsoever.
• Reason: Smoke sticks to and burns your vocal cords.
• Don’t drink.
• Don’t do drugs.
• Don’t allow people to come at your vocal cords with sharp instruments. In other words: Don’t allow doctors to perform surgery on your vocal cords, as there is a possibility you may never sing again after this. The only way to not have vocal problems is to not do harm to your voice in the first place, a skill which isn’t taught due to lack of information.
• No more yelling.
• You can forget ice-cold drinks unless you have some sort of trauma to the throat area, i.e. tonsils removed, that sort of thing. Reason: It tightens up your vocal cords. They must be warm and loose in order for you to sing properly.
• Don’t talk too much. Reason: It wears down your vocal cords.
• Try to stay away from a lot of dust.
• Try to cough a little quieter.
• Don’t sing any song out of you range.
• No more than 3 performances per week.
• Don’t sing your loudest for extended periods of time.
• Ask as many questions of as many people as you can about singing.
• Keep away from air conditioning for at least two hours before a performance.
• Get to know and understand the organs involved in singing.
• Singing will help to cure a sore throat that is not the result of oversinging or overtalking.
• Practice as slowly and softly as possible.
• Learn every style of singing you can.
• Dairy products cause phlegm.
• Singing helps to get rid of phlegm.
• Keep a mint or hard candy handy.
• When singing, make sure you know what the song is about by knowing what all the words mean and what is going on in the music.
• If you must sing in a group, make sure you know what the other voices are doing.
• Know what the music is doing.
• Contrary to classical tradition, taking pictures is not a distraction.
• Play to the back of the crowd.
• Being hoarse in the morning does not mean you will be hoarse in the evening.
• After performing, place a warm, wet towel around your neck and do not speak for 10 minutes.
• Gargle with warm water containing 1/2 tsp each of salt and baking soda.
• Try to wear only one fabric on stage. Reason: Those lights get hot.
• Learning how to sing well takes time. There are no shortcuts.
• Try to make as little air as possible come out of your mouth when you are singing a musical phrase.
• Train your ears by playing only the first note of a musical exercise.
• Always take one day a week off.
• Unless it’s called for, always stand with good posture (this does not mean standing stiffly) when you sing. Any move you make will affect the sound you are trying to produce.
• Keep the tip of you tongue below your teeth.
• Don’t exert yourself the day before a performance.

Practice them’all helpful tips and have great fun singin’!

I just read a while ago that there is a program created for snorers which include definite singing exercises designed to reduce snoring caused by lax muscles in the upper throat. The first research into the use of singing exercises to reduce snoring was done by choir director, singer and composer Alise Ojay as an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Exeter, United Kingdom in 1999. She calls her program “Singing for Snorers.”

According to her pilot research project, she suggested that singing exercises can reduce snoring by toning lax muscles in the upper throat. Since then, with the aim of increasing the effect observed in the trial, she developed Singing for Snorers, a graded program of singing exercises specifically designed to tone the muscles at the common sites of the snoring vibration. These sites are the soft palate, the tongue, the nasal passages and the palatopharyngeal arch.

Since the launch of Singing for Snorers in 2002 there has been very encouraging feedback, not only from ‘simple snorers’, but also from people with sleep apnea. Currently, there is a study being conducted at the Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, Throat) Department at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital in United Kingdom to test whether singing can reduce snoring. They are having a randomized controlled trial of the Singing for Snorers exercise program. The trial will have two wings: 60 patients who are chronic snorers and 60 patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Half the patients in each wing will sing the exercises for 3 months and half will have no intervention. The trial has been recruiting patients steadily and the numbers coming through suggest it should be completed by Summer 2008. (:

See, I told you there are so many possible careers you can take in the music business. To finish off the list, here’s the last part of the series of careers in the singing business. I hope after you have read all of them, you’re able to get plenty of ideas and choices to take for your singing endeavors. Good luck!!!

Professor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy
Those with a love of teaching and interest in vocal pedagogy can further their education to become qualified as a professor of voice.

Professors are contracted by educational establishments or work as freelancers hosting lectures and demonstrations to vocal students and teachers.  Vocal pedagogy specialists research the science of teaching.

Pub Singer
Throughout the ages public houses have used live music to entertain their customers. The type of material performed and equipment used may have changed with the times but the role remains the same.  A wide variety of material in a range of genres is required with the most popular singers being those who are versatile in several styles of music.

Punk Singer
Punk music was introduced in the mid 70′s by bands like the Sex Pistols, The Jam and The Damned whose songs of rebellion were loud and full of energy.

Punk bands still find work and attract record companies and although the music’s popularity has waned it continues to influence todays new artists.

Rap Singer
Rap singing is a rhythmic form of speech that the artist performs with or without musical backing. The musical accompaniament can be of any style although hip hop, house, reggae, soul and rock music tend to be favoured.

DJ’s and singers perform at night clubs to promote themselves but most successful rap artists record their tracks then distribute them through the underground and dj networks.

Recording Artist
Recording a single or album used to be the sole province of artists signed to a record company or with the finances to afford professional recording studios. With todays technology a professional sounding recording can be achieved by anyone who is prepared to learn how to use the equipment effectively.

This has led to the rise in small independant record labels who are often owned by singer/songwriters and bands who frustrated with major labels produce and distribute their own records.  Signed artists are expected to produce several recordings for release and there are many singers who make a career of providing backing and guide vocals for producers and songwriters.

Rock Singer
The term Rock Music covers a wide section of musical styles including Gothic, Heavy Metal, Punk, Progressive and Rock n Roll with a variety of ‘flavors’ in between!  Rock is a popular form of music and whilst venues for heavier stuff is more limited there are still plenty of performance opportunities in bands at festivals and on radio and television.

Most rock acts like pop artists aim for a publishing or record company to promote their music but rock singers can also make a living by working the pub and club circuits to suppliment their income.

Session Singer
A session singer is a vocalist who is hired for a contractual period, usually one track, one performance etc., of any style of music.  Sight reading and the ability to work well with other musicians without rehearsal is essential although some session singers work by ‘ear’.

Many singers start their professional careers through deputising for bands and providing backing/harmony/guide vocals for studios and songwriters. This can also open the door to a solo career as shown by artists like ‘Sam Brown’ whose no 1 hit ‘Stop’ is still performed by female rock covers artists in pubs & clubs nationwide.

Singer Songwriter
Writing and performing your own material is a satisfying career that many vocalist aspire to achieve.  Whilst many write original material there are few who manage to make a career from their efforts.  Competition is fierce and most record companies are wary of using material that does not follow established formats, however, successful singer/songwriters like ‘Carol Bayer Sager’ and ‘Paul McCartney’ can continue their careers indefinately by writing songs for other singers.

The introduction of the internet has allowed all styles, ages and abilities to record their masterpieces for downloading by surfers worldwide.  The limitations in musical style imposed by the vagaries of the music industry no longer apply making a far wider range of styles and artists accessable to anyone who possesses a computer and internet connection.

New venues, acoustic and showcase nights have increased providing new acts with a platform where they can perform to a mixture of general public and music industry personel.  Wages are usually non-existant unless the artist is signed to a publishing contract or record deal or chooses to promote themselves and their work by producing and marketing their own CD’s.

Singing Teacher
A vocal coach or singing teachers job is to provide voice training and encouragement to clients who want to learn how to sing.  There are many types of teacher, some of whom are professionally qualified, others who do not possess educational qualifications but have gained their experience through working as a semi-professional or professional singer.

A good teacher should be competant in communicating and demonstrating correct techniques, in the areas of breathing, posture, vocal and microphone techniques, music theory, timing, phrasing and pronounciation.

Solo Singer
Soloists are singers of any style who perform as individuals, either with their own equipment or as a session singer.  Opportunities are only limited to the competance and determination of the singer who can find work in pubs, clubs, cabaret, nightclubs, radio, television or as a recording artist.

Non-writing solo singers often team up with songwriters and producers who share their aim for a deal. Other popular and lucrative avenues for solo singers include live performance of covers and production of a Tribute Act.

Soul Singer
The term ‘Soul Singer’ can be used to describe any vocalist who sings from their soul.  Typical examples are Tina Turner who has more of a rock voice and the godfather of soul ‘James Brown’.

Opportunities for performance are available in pubs, clubs, cabaret, radio, recording and television.

Theatrical Singer
A combination of acting, dance and singing is required of vocalists wishing to pursue a career in theatre.  Plays with songs range from classical to modern with songwriters like Andrew Lloyd Webber providing musicals for all ages.

Successful shows can run for years with showtunes becoming chart hits like ‘Memory’ from ‘Cats’ performed by Elaine Paige, who has since recorded several albums.

Tribute Artist
Tribute acts have become very popular with everyone from Elvis Presley to Kiss being copied by singers of all standards in talent competitions to corporate functions.

The ability to look and sound like the artist/band you are portraying is essential…….. go on….. swivel those hips like Elvis!!

Voice Doctor
Probably not the correct terminology but ‘voice doctor’ will have to do until some nice medical person tells me otherwise.  There are doctors who specialize in treating ailments common to singers and other voice orientated professions.

So if your seeking an alternative voice related career do please consider this as an option………(:

Voice Over Artist
The voice over artist is similar to a session singer providing their vocal talents to backing track producers, jingles producers, advertising agencies, radio stations and television stations.

A wide variety of voices are required for all sorts of projects both spoken and sung.  Various short courses for the spoken voice are available. Both In-House and Freelance voice over artists are employed for different projects and a demo cd showing your full vocal and spoken versatility will be required by potential employers.  Community radio stations offer a good way to gain experience and provide an essential service at the same time. 

Voice Therapist
There are different types of therapists that specialise in aspects of vocal therapy.  Some are also qualified singing teachers and combine their skills to aid people in regaining their voice after throat and vocal chord operations.

There are also voice therapists who concentrate on using music and voice as a means to communicate and encourage mentally and physically handicapped people. Whilst some medical knowledge is required, vocal therapists are not always qualified doctors.

Wedding Singer
Appearing at weddings throughout the world……… well, maybe not!!  If you want to gain some insight then zap down to your local video store and hire the film ‘The Wedding Singer’.

A varied repertoire is required that appeals to all the family, so many wedding singers team up with a friendly dj to provide a full evenings entertainment.

World Singer
World music is a general term that covers bangra, african, oriental and other forms of music.  Popular in their country of origin, ethnic rhythms, sounds and styles have been successfully combined with pop, rock, dance and other genres.

The crossover into western charts has opened up possibilities for singers worldwide in live performance, radio, recording and television.