Monthly Archives: May 2013

Following Links

I’ve been following links to some of the fine music that I’ve posted in my earlier blog posts and really enjoying them and the places they have lead have lead to other fine entertainment.

My advise for tonight:  Go back and follow the links.

You won’t be sorry.

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Want your own Karaoke Machine?

It is very nice to have your own machine for parties, family gatherings, to rent or loan out, or to use for your own singing engagements. 

Today I’m just going to give you some options of machines you can buy from Amazon. But I’ve bought three machines now, 2 from thrift shops and one which was like new from a pawn shop. But at these Amazon prices you can’t go far wrong.

 

Emerson GF827 DVD Karaoke Player
Emerson GF827 DVD Karaoke Player
by Emerson
List Price: $189.99
Price: $169.99
You Save: $20.00 (11%)
Ships from and sold by ShopTronics.
Learn more

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Akai Karaoke KS800 Front Load CD+G Karaoke System
Akai Karaoke KS800 Front Load CD+G Karaoke System
by Akai Karaoke
List Price: $190.00
Price: $124.78
You Save: $65.22 (34%)
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Singing Machine iSM1028Xa 7-Inch Color TFT Display CDG Karaoke Player
Singing Machine iSM1028Xa 7-Inch Color TFT Display CDG Karaoke Player
by Singing Machine
List Price: $299.99
Price: $199.99
You Save: $100.00 (33%)
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The Singing Machine Karaoke System SMD-572 Table Top DVD/CDG with Microphone and Remote
The Singing Machine Karaoke System SMD-572 Table Top DVD/CDG with…
by Singing Machine
List Price: $199.99
Price: $99.99
You Save: $100.00 (50%)
Ships from and sold by always bargain.
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Singing Machine SML-385 Top Loading CDG Karaoke System With Sound and Disco Light Show (Black)
Singing Machine SML-385 Top Loading CDG Karaoke System With Sound…
by Singing Machine
List Price: $69.99
Price: $52.97
You Save: $17.02 (24%)
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Singing Machine SML-383 Portable CDG Player Karaoke Machine, Black
Singing Machine SML-383 Portable CDG Player Karaoke Machine, Black
by The Singing Machine
Price: $81.35
Sold by Exclusive Savings and Fulfilled by Amazon.
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Akai KS 212 CD+G Karaoke Player
Akai KS 212 CD+G Karaoke Player
by Akai
List Price: $79.95
Price: $52.49
You Save: $27.46 (34%)
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The Singing Machine SML-385W Disco Light Karaoke System
The Singing Machine SML-385W Disco Light Karaoke System
by Singing Machine
List Price: $69.99
Price: $52.97
You Save: $17.02 (24%)
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Akai KS 886 DVD/CD+G Karaoke Player
Akai KS 886 DVD/CD+G Karaoke Player
by Akai
List Price: $159.95
Price: $109.64
You Save: $50.31 (31%)
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Emerson GQ756 CDG Karaoke Player
Emerson GQ756 CDG Karaoke Player
by Emerson
List Price: $129.99
Price: $89.99
You Save: $40.00 (31%)
Ships from and sold by DiscountsJungle.
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Electrohome EAKAR300 Karaoke CD+G Player Speaker System with MP3 and 2 Microphone Inputs
Electrohome EAKAR300 Karaoke CD+G Player Speaker System with MP3…
by Electrohome
List Price: $129.99
Price: $69.99
You Save: $60.00 (46%)
Sold by ShopTronics and Fulfilled by Amazon.
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< See even more similar items
 Until next time.
Happy shopping and get to singing.
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A tribute to a great singer

This is a tribute to a great lady singer.

Edna Mae (Deanna) Durbin

Who passed away on April 20th of this year.

I’ve always enjoyed her singing and films. She didn’t like the character Deanna and escaped the studio film industry to become a wife and a mother, you know, a real person.  But she left behind a great work of inspirational films.  I’ve spend hours the last several months watching as many as I could find on You Tube; even those that had Russian dubbed overs.

I’ve watched some many times. But dislike the ads, the parts, and all the other annoyances of the internet while enjoying the films and her fabulous and inspiring voice.

Now there is a great solution for fans like myself.

 

Here we go! Get you own copies of her films.

 

Six great films

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This one includes: Three Smart Girls( three sisters save their parents’ marriage), Something in the Wind(Deanna and Donald O’Conner both sing the Turntable song-a DJ classic), First Love(a modern day Cinderella type story), It Started with Eve(a cute romance), Can’t Help Singing(a musical tale set in the old west-filmed in Southern Utah and the only Durbin film done in Technicolor as the producers said they couldn’t afford both Durbin and color), Lady on a Train(a comical who done it mystery).

I bought this one.

Or this is in my mind the best of them all.  The Amazing Mrs. Holliday   (Eight orphans, a sea captain, and romance set in WWII)

The Amazing Mrs. Holiday

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Just click on the name and be taken to Amazon where you can purchase a copy of that collection or browse for any of her films.

 

Go now and start to get to know her.  I’m sure she’ll be smiling in heaven.

Catch you next time.

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Singing can be spontaneous making it more fun

Some things are planned such as singing groups performing at Christmas time.

When I attended Brigham Young University, I was in the Opera Workshop group and at Christmas time we, the Men’s Chorus, women’s Chorus, the Accappella Choir and several other singing groups got together on different levels of the open court area of the Fine Arts Center on campus and did a Christmas concert.

Each group performed something of their own and then all sang the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah at the end. The sound was phenomenal.

We had a lot of fun.

Every year the fun continues to grow with the flash mob surge where planned can start something but where spontaneous things can grow from it.

Here are some fun examples that I ran across on You Tube tonight.

Go and watch each one and then come back and get the link to another one.

 Flash Mob 2010. So we have been doing community projects with the Red Cross in Grand Rapids for awhile now and wanted to do something fun for the Holidays. So here it is! We gathered a ton of people, over 300, including renowned groups such as the Grand Rapids Chorus of the Sweet Adenines and the Great Lakes Chorus. Together, with a ton of volunteers excited to spread Holiday cheer, we sang “Do you hear what I hear” to an unsuspecting Shopping crowd at the Rivertown Mall in Grand Rapids, MI.
The event itself was fun, but we are also trying to help support our partnership with the American Red Cross. They do a ton of great things here in Grand Rapids and throughout the world. Please help support them as well. We hope everyone enjoys the video. Special thanks to all the volunteers who helped bring this to life! Happy Holidays, Griffin Properties (Keller Williams) Grand Rapids, MI.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCe1bEgyCws

Food Court Flash Mob – America The Beautiful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMtveBPmdik

Just ladies in Scotland to honor the Armed Forces got together for “the 24th October 2012 military wives from across Scotland came together to show their unforgettable support for the Armed Forces community and the Scottish Poppy Appeal….in a truly unforgettable way!”        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CAam4P3KLM

Over 200 singers helpped in this awesome food court flash mob!! This took place at the Burnsville Center in Burnsville Minnesota. This flash mob was organized by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church!    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9865b-K9s2w

At Colonial Williamsberg In June 2011, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir were  a flash mob during a program outside the Raleigh Tavern. Then everyone in the square sang along.   How’d you like to sing with them?                                           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBXXLzE0-rY

See how much fun singing can be.

Here are some more links to some fine singing events by ordinary people and trained people alike.

On Nov.13 2010 unsuspecting shoppers got a big surprise while enjoying their lunch. Over 100 participants in this awesome Christmas Flash Mob.                                                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia brought together over 650 choristers from 28 participating organizations to perform one of the Knight Foundation’s “Random Acts of Culture” at Macy’s in Center City Philadelphia. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ – the world’s largest pipe organ – the OCP Chorus and throngs of singers from the community infiltrated the store as shoppers, and burst into a pop-up rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah” at 12 noon, to the delight of surprised shoppers.          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU

Wasn’t that a great sound?  Notice the enthusiasm of the crowd both those singing and those listening?

Here’s one more from Dublin where at 12:40pm on Sunday the 16th of October, 2011, hundreds of people from choirs all from all over the country joined forces to sing the Hallelujah Chorus in front of unsuspecting shoppers. The flash mob was the grand finale of RTÉ Big Music Week and was organised by RTÉ Radio 1.       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M3y2YD6Qy4

Well that one ended abruptly.

This one is very good. A welcome home to remember in one the most crowded airports of the world, Heathrow Terminal 5
International arrivals / It’s so good to be back home! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMG2vNVq0ww 

You’ll just have to go out and form your own spontaneous sing along.

Until next time. Keep singing.

 

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Should You Hire a Singing Coach?

I’ve been singing my whole life and if I went to some of this that is written about how to sing, I would never try to sing. But I’m going to quote from one such article for it does have some good points.

So should you hire a coach? Let’s review one of those articles and I’ll add my comments within (comment)s.

“Singers tend to get all of the glory. They get the applause, they get the attention and they get the awards. However, one thing that they didn’t get is there on their own. In fact, the great singers always credit their singing coach with helping them to attain greatness. It is easy for anyone to claim that they are a top notch singing instructor, but what truly makes a wonderful singing coach?

Singing coaches come in a variety of different disciplines. Some of them specialize in classical techniques, while others prefer pop music, and others prefer the Broadway genre. In order to find the best one for you, you must determine what type of singer you want to be. If your dream is to sing opera working with an R&B singing coach will not necessarily prepare you for the demands of your chosen music field. 

(But if you prepare to be an opera singer, you’ll be able to sing anything well. I just deleted a whole paragraph because this article writer is trying to sell the school system.   Just find a good singer and they’ll help you be a good singer.)

Professional experience is also important in evaluating a singing coach. The old saying may say “those who can’t do teach,” but that is not what you want in a singing coach. Instead, you want someone who has had experience in what they are teaching you to do. Ideally, if they have had extensive performance training that is what you want. However, extensive teaching experience may be another indicator of a good teacher. 

How much a singing coach charges is important to many people as well. Unfortunately, we are living in difficult economic times and that means that not everyone can afford extra lessons. Generally singing lessons range from half hour sessions to a full hour. Typically singing teachers charge a dollar a minute which means that your lesson could cost you as much as $60 an hour if not more.

For some aspiring singers this is simple not possible. In those cases you may want to look for a singing coach in a setting other than a private lesson. Some teachers offer group lessons. This type of lesson includes several different people at a much more affordable lesson rate. While you will not get the individualized attention of a private lesson you will still get the education that you are looking for.”

“I can’t afford a high priced instructor, what do I do?”

I’d join a choir, barbershop group, etc., the instruction is free, or buy a book. There are some great books that cover everything you’ll need to know and do and for a whole lot less money.  

Take “Singing for Dummies” for instance.   $18.23 on Amazon. get the companion book “Singing Exercises for Dummies” only $16.40 and the shipping for both will be free as the order will be over $25 what Amazon asks for free shipping.

Let me review what you’ll find in those two jewels.

(I’m sorry for the layout, but WordPress is just fighting me here and won’t line it up right when I publish it. You’ll just have to read it the best you can.)

“Singing for Dummies”                                                                                                                                                                          Part 1 Exploring Singing Basics                                                                                                            covers inhaling, exhaling, yawning,breathing,posturing,positioning the body

                                                                                                                    Part 2 Improving Your Singing                                                                     covers exercises to improve singing, breathing etc. because though it was perfect when we were babies, it may not be now.

                                                                                                                       Part 3 Advanced Techniques to Improve the voice                                                                                                                      Part 4 Preparing to Perform                                                                                Part 5 The Tens                                                                                              10 performers with good technique (The Three Tenors and Bryn Terfel are mentioned)                                                                                           10 FAQs                                                                                                                    10 Tips to Maintain Vocal Health                                                                            10 Tips to Performing Like a Pro                                                                         Part 6 Appendixes                                                                                          Songs suggested to advance Singing techniques (Three Blind Mice is mentioned somewhere)                                                                            About the CD                                                                                                  Order your copy at: http://lnkd.in/pbGEWJ                                                                       

“Singing Exercises for Dummies”                                                                 covers a whole bunch of exercises that you’ll find useful.                       Get your copy at: http://lnkd.in/tDjzUK

6/7/2013

Ever hear about LA vocal coach Aaron Antasasi, a 20 year pro guitarist, singer, songwriter? i hadn’t either before today.  He has a short video where he gives three free tips to help improve your voice and explains his course. (cost? less than $100) It’s called “Superior Singing Method”

http://6d2fbv336yiltnbd3ohgqiwqdl.hop.clickbank.net/

Aaron even gives student success examples.

There are lots of options so I’ll close for now and come back with a new post with the other great courses.

 So go on and teach your self.

 

 

 

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Is singing healthy?

Is singing healthy? You bet it is.

A friend, Ginny, needed oxygen and was very unhealthy in her early 60s. After her husband died, she started doing Karaoke singing on line and threw away the oxygen bottle and became healthy and a good singer. Now in her 70s, she is happily re-married and happy with a healthy life that singing enhanced.

My Mother died last year in June at 96 years. One of her last activities was singing to the nurses and all her guests one day.

One of my all time favorite female vocalists is Deanna (Edna May) Durbin.     She died just last month on April 20th. Though she gave up professional singing in 1949, she told a reporter that she still sang an hour a day.       Learn more about this great singer at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deanna_Durbin                                        (Wikipedia has some fine reports.)

Last year in 2012, two great male vocalist went on to join the Heavenly Choirs.   Tony Martin and Andy Williams.

Tony Martin (December 25, 1913 – July 27, 2012), born Alvin Morris, was an American actor/singer, was married to performer Cyd Charisse for 60 years. He was 99.  Learn more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Martin_(American_singer)

Andy Williams died at 85.  Get the scoop on his life at: http://www.biography.com/people/andy-williams-162966

Country legend Kitty Wells 92 and Andy Griffin 86.

We all have to die and some earlier than others but singing can contribute to a happy and healthy life.                                                                            Good breathing, getting emotions out, and just the joy of it.  All that and more helps us be healthier.

Keep singing and be healthy.

 

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A Dream Come True Mongolian Opera Star

 

Buted Altangerel has sung in leading roles at the largest opera houses in Mongolia, but her biggest dream was to one day sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Now, that dream has come true.

Buted Altangerel is a Mongolian opera singer who sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir during a rehearsal.

Buted is a well-known opera singer in Mongolia. She studied at the Sofia Conservatory in Bulgaria and teaches at the Mongolian University of Arts and Culture.

She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints(Mormon). For a news items about her and her music go to:

http://www.lds.org/church/news/dream-comes-true-for-lds-mongolian-opera-star?lang=eng

Do you have dreams about singing?                                                                 I do.  Will my dreams come true?  Don’t know but hers did and yours may too. So keep on singing  and dreaming.

(For some exciting updates about the Tabernacle Choir click on the name Mormon Tabernacle Choir  above.)

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What of singers in the Big Band Era?

What of singers in the Big Band Era?                                                                  Many famous people came from those big bands.                                                  Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Jane Russell, Dinah Shore, Dick Haymes, Harry Babbitt, Ginny Simms, Mike Douglas(yes Mike Douglas).

One of my favorite bands with some fine singers who had loads of fun on and off stage was Kay Kyser’s Kollege of Musical Knowledge. He was the Ol’ Professor of Swing. And the singing was jazzy and fun.

You can read up on him, because he dropped out of show biz the year I was born-1950, at a site dedicated to him.  It’s:                                                        http://www.kaykyser.net/kay.html  

And if that isn’t enough check out the write up in Wikipedia:              http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kay_Kyser

He died in 1985 at the age of 80.

He had a string of lady vocalists.  Find out about them and the guys to at this site:  http://www.parabrisas.com/d_kyserk.php

Mr. Kay Kyser:

220px-KayKeyserStageDoorCanteen

 

One of his band’s fun songs is Jingle, Jangle, Jingle.                                          I recorded my Karaoke version on the Sing Snap Karaoke recorder.               Go now and listen if you like or click on the “A” on the far right of the play bar for the lyrics and sing along or join Sing Snap and record it yourself.           http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/bf883b000  

That’s what I call singing fun.

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Some books about voice training.

Some books are available from Amazon that will help in your learning to sing.

Russ Sumens says “Sing some every day.”

Singing for the Stars: A Complete Program for Training Your Voice (Book & 2 CD's)
Singing for the Stars: A Complete Program for Training Your Voice
by Seth RiggsJohn CarratelloR. J. Miyake
List Price: $45.00
Price: $28.33
You Save: $16.67 (37%)
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Vocal Workouts for the Contemporary Singer (Vocal) (Berklee Press)
Vocal Workouts for the Contemporary Singer (Vocal) (Berklee Press)
by Anne Peckham
List Price: $24.95
Price: $15.70
You Save: $9.25 (37%)
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Vocal Technique - A Guide to Finding Your Real Voice: Book with Two CDs (Essential Concepts)
Vocal Technique – A Guide to Finding Your Real Voice: Book with Two…
by Dena Murray
List Price: $24.99
Price: $14.52
You Save: $10.47 (42%)
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The Voice Book: Caring For, Protecting, and Improving Your Voice
The Voice Book: Caring For, Protecting, and Improving Your Voice
by Kate DeVoreStarr Cookman
List Price: $16.95
Price: $12.24
You Save: $4.71 (28%)
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The Contemporary Singer: Elements of Vocal Technique (Berklee Guide)
The Contemporary Singer: Elements of Vocal Technique (Berklee Guide)
by Anne Peckham
List Price: $24.99
Price: $17.77
You Save: $7.22 (29%)
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Vocal Strength and Power: Boost Your Singing with Proper Technique and Breathing
Vocal Strength and Power: Boost Your Singing with Proper Technique…
by Dena Murray
List Price: $19.99
Price: $17.99
You Save: $2.00 (10%)
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Alfred's Teach Yourself to Sing (Book & Enhanced CD)
Alfred’s Teach Yourself to Sing (Book & Enhanced CD)
by Karen Farnum Surmani
List Price: $19.95
Price: $15.05
You Save: $4.90 (25%)
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You can also find links in the “I recommend” box at: http://www.gincomes.com/7762/Or link through from there to Amazon and search for the ones not listed.Happy reading!

 

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Do you have microphone blues?

Did you ever notice how good you think you sing in practice and in the car or elsewhere and that when you introduce a microphone into the equation, how you get tongue tied and stutter and can’t sing on pitch and how bad you are? Or is it just me who experiences that?

I asked that under one of my Sing Snap Karaoke recordings;   http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/bbb39c97a

Some of the responses make me feel that it’s a common concern among us aspiring singers.

I’ll relate a few here.

Aaron said: “lol @ your comment up there…and ain’t it true ain’t it true..lol lol”

Gloria said: “nope ur not the only one to experiences some thing like that lol , when am in the shower i sing the best LOL cuz no one else can hear me LOL”

Shirley said: “LOL That is why I have tried recording some songs 5 or 6 times….but I think we are our own worst critics.”

Brenda said: “Can’t believe you have any insecurities when you sing like that, your very good at every song I’ve heard….I feel better with a mic seems like I sound better than when I dont have one infront of me but I maybe wrong.all my stars …Brenda” ( She is an exceptional singer.)

Aletha said: “I know exactly what that’s like! It happens to me all the time. I hate microphones!!!!”

Ed said: “Yea, they love my singing in the car, but everywhere else it like shut up. But you did ok Jay,I even listen to the whole song.”

Nyla said: “HAHA, I LOVE YOUR QUESTION AND NO YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE”

Bee said: “YUP….FEEL LIKE THAT…BUT, THEN AGAIN, I CAN’T SING ON A GOOD DAY…I TRY TO GET BY!”

How do you feel with a microphone in front of you? Do you have the microphone blues?

Please some real comments now not those generated ones.   I want to know.

Next time a guest blogger. It will be a pro-singer/teacher so watch for it. there is a long line up world wide who will be contributing. So stay tuned.

A fun movie about “Mic Fright” is “Wake up and live” from 1937.  It comes in 6 parts.    Here is the first: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSy8Yc2YIHc

Be sure to watch all 6 parts.

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