Author Archives: jaybeacham

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?

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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

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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?

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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:

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.

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Do you have microphone blues?

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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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Singing – How to Start Learning to Sing

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An article about singing the I want to share as it has some good points. But I’ll put my thoughts in brackets where I think they fit. Okay? Let’s start.

“Singing is one of life’s real joys and can be the source of immense pleasure and satisfaction for singer and listener alike. With the popularity of shows such as X Factor around, more and more people are giving it a shot. However, it seems to me that the vast majority don’t consider for one minute that singing incorrectly can in fact cause long term damage to your voice.”(no, I’d say perfect practice makes perfect and bad practice makes bad.) “So if you want to sing, where should you start?”

“Well, first of all, you must understand that the voice is a natural, acoustic instrument. There is a correct, natural and safe way to sing, but unfortunately many many ways you should not sing. If you are trying to teach yourself to sing, the likelihood is that you will experiment with a number of these incorrect and potentially harmful methods. You can in fact cause damage to your voice by singing incorrectly over long periods of time.”

(Singing is just sustained speaking so my video about singing and speaking better, use of the diaphragm, exercises to do for increased lung capacity and articulation that I used are explained in a video. Check it out now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMA2TGrq2_E )

“For many people, learning to sing can be incredibly frustrating. It is rare to find somebody who naturally knows how to sing correctly. It is therefore paramount that you obtain quality, proven teaching materials when you begin so that you set off in the right direction. Undoing bad habits later is difficult to do.”

(for a great course in paperback ‘Set Your Voice Free: How to get the Singing of Speaking voice You Want’ http://lnkd.in/rkfvjE )

“If you have a little more money at your disposal, finding a good singing teacher is invaluable. Unfortunately there are many people that say they teach singing but really aren’t qualified to do so. When choosing a teacher, find out as much about them as you can and try and get recommendations from other singers. Does your teacher have a proven history of singing performance? Do they teach not just by lecturing you and showing you diagrams, but by demonstration and a highly hands-on approach?”

“As a guide, when you start singing you should start by understanding the human anatomy in relation to the singing voice, learn correct breathing techniques and exercises using your diaphragm and the correct production of the vowel sounds. If you don’t understand and practice these elements fully and be totally relaxed and confident whilst doing so, it is not a good idea to try and progress any further. You will simply introduce tension into your muscles, start shallow breathing and push and squeeze your voice out. Falling into these traps is not healthy and will not make you a good singer.”

“Singing is all about a harmonious balance of a number of elements of your body; correct stance, relaxation, correct breathing,
tone production, tone placement and resonance. The best way to obtain this balance is to learn the elements step-by-step and in the correct manner. It might seem laborious. You probably want to jump straight in and start singing your favorite songs. But seriously, the methodical approach is the quickest and safest way to learn to sing. With good training materials and a good teacher, it can also be a very enjoyable and rewarding journey.”

This was by a voice couch named Dave. Well, thanks Dave.

My advise just join a choir* and start. Sing around the house and yard, in the car, bath, while doing chores, whatever, just be happy and start.

*(David Foster used to sing in boys Choirs and has since boyhood admired the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. And that lead to this performance by Andrea Bocelli. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAFj2-u2cGQ )

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Who sings Karaoke?

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Songs about the joy of singing

Singing – Practice the Fun Way

I get revitalized when I’m tired; happy when I’m sad, and just feel better.

How about you?

It’s kind of hard to stay sad when you are singing. I guess that’s what the Neil Diamond song “Song Sung Blue” tells about, what song can do for a person. Can’t get him here so I recorded a version of the song.

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/be9ad1dcc

4 women and 1 man commented on my rendition. Now you have a chance but if you can’t say it’s good, don’t say anything please.

What songs can you suggest about the joy of singing?

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I first wrote this post on May 8.2013. But no one has commented so I will. Most comments coming to sites like this are just automated advertising. You must know I won’t approve those.

Singing is joyous! Just look at those in this street concert audience.

Flashmob Flash Mob – Ode an die Freude ( Ode to Joy ) Beethoven Symphony No.9 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbJcQYVtZMo

(performance From May 19, 2012)

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Have Fun With Barbershop Singing

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Some of the most singing fun I have ever had has been with barbershop quartet singing. The organized group is the Barbershop Harmony Society, legally and historically named the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc.(SPEBSQSA). Their practice sessions are really fun. Ladies have their own group the Sweet Adelines International (SAI).

(SPEBSQSA), is the first of several organizations to promote and preserve barbershop music as an art form. Founded by Owen C. Cash and Rupert I. Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1938, the organization quickly grew, promoting barbershop harmony among men of all ages. As of 2012, just under 25,000 men in the United States and Canada are members of this organization whose focus is on a cappella music. The international headquarters was in Kenosha, Wisconsin for fifty years before moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 2007. http://barbershop.org/

The Ringmasters quartet out of Sweden. One member says he like’s all good music. Watch the following video at the link above.

Ringmasters on NBC’s Today Show
Thursday, April 11, 2013
The Barbershop Harmony Society is celebrating its 75th Anniversary in high style. Its current champ Ringmasters appeared on NBC’s Today Show on Thursday morning, April 11, singing I Can’t Give You Anything But Love for Today hosts andEight Days A Week for Hoda and Kathy Lee.

Remember the quartet in Music Man? See the Buffalo Bills http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbhnRuJBHLs

(SAI) was founded in 1945. A second women’s barbershop harmony organization, Harmony, Inc., broke from SAI in 1959 over an issue of racial exclusion, with SAI (like SPEBSQSA) being a white-only organization at that time. Several international affiliate organizations, in countries around the world, add their own flavor to the signature sound of barbershop harmony. http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/

Watch some fine new ladies groups performances at: http://www.sweetadelineintl.org/index.cfm?id=4

Like Mitch Miller (remember his sing-a-long show?) said, “Let’s keep America singing.”

Let’s do!

Get a hold of your local group and start having fun.

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SingingASong.net

SINGING IS FUN AND HEALTHY

Author Archives: jaybeacham

Should You Hire a Singing Coach?

Is singing healthy?

A Dream Come True Mongolian Opera Star

What of singers in the Big Band Era?

Some books about voice training.

Do you have microphone blues?

Singing – How to Start Learning to Sing

Who sings Karaoke?

Songs about the joy of singing

Singing – Practice the Fun Way

Have Fun With Barbershop Singing