Last week, I took my first waterski set of the season. (Yeah, late start!) I started at a really easy speed because it’s been seven years since I competed, and I haven’t been training much. I completed two beautiful, easy passes through the course at that speed. So I increased to the next speed and […]
Last weekend I spent with Rene Marie, jazz singer, at a workshop she ran for a few women looking to access more emotion in their singing. Many pearls of wisdom came out during the 17 hours we all spent together, but here’s just one I’d like to share today: A single song can help you […]
Everyone gets nervous during auditions, right? They’re like job interviews! You’re trying to do, be, act, and play your best, trying to make a great impression. You hope they accept you. You hope you’re good enough to meet their standards. You want to sing or play better than the other people who have auditioned, so […]
Bear with me on this one! It’s really simple and helpful, even though it may sound silly. Have you found that you just can’t “get” how you’re supposed to breathe for singing? You’ve read about “diaphragm this” and “floating ribs” that, but it just doesn’t feel right unless you fill your chest and raise your […]
What are consonants, but a necessary evil between vowels? I mean really, what kind of sounds do you think you should spend most of your time singing? Option 1: fff, sss, ssh, puh, kuh, guh, lll, vvv, zzz, ck, sst…. orOption 2: ah, eh, ee, oh, oo, uh, ih Yeah. You’re really singing […]
You know the feeling of meeting someone new, and feeling almost comfortable with her, but not quite? You can’t put your finger on it. She’s polite, friendly, even talkative. She tells entertaining stories. She offers you a drink, and makes you laugh. But something isn’t quite right. Nothing you can pick out and hold up […]
Ever listen to ska or reggae? Have you noticed the prominence of the upbeat, usually played by guitar, or keys? (The upbeat is the beat that’s normally not prominent – the beat when, if you’re tapping your toes, your toes would be up. For example, if you count 1-2-3-4 in a pop or rock song, […]
I went to a bodybuilding competition a few years ago. One of my husband’s friends was competing in the Masters category – that is, the over-50 age group. I don’t have to tell you he has one helluva good looking 50-plus-year-old body. I think he won his category. Where was I? Oh yeah… There […]
Imagine you’re back in your first apartment. (Or, just look around, if that’s where you’re living now.) Do you ever dust? Are there holes in the couch? Empty pizza boxes? Unmade bed? Have you done anything at all to decorate? What if your dream date called you and wanted to swing by in […]
Open mic nights and jam sessions are a great way to get stage time and to meet other musicians – perhaps musicians who are looking for someone just like you for their project! Here are three things to keep in mind, to avoid wasting your time and the opportunity: 1) Before you go, find out: […]
