Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio

The singing voice is believed to be the first original musical instrument. No one really knows who invented music. There is no historical evidence that exists to tell us when the first song was created. No one knows who made the first rhythmic patterns that resemble the music we know today. The only thing researchers know is that music was created thousands of years ago. The vocal production of music is so basic and predates the development of the spoken…

Is singing a skill or a talent? It is both natural talent and a taught skill. Some people are just naturally talented vocalists with great tone and pitch, while others have to work at the skill. A good singing voice can be taught. Talent is subjective, it’s a personal feeling, taste, or opinion. To be a successful singer, you must have a pleasant-sounding voice. If you speak with a nasal tone, you will sing with a nasal tone. An appealing…

What is twang? It is a technique used in performance to help singers have more power in their voice through amplification. Inside your larynx, which is the voice box, houses your vocal cords. When the vocal cords vibrate, they create sound when you sing. At the top of your larynx is the epiglottis. The epiglottis is a flap of tissue and cartilage located above the vocal cords. It is beneath the tongue at the back of the throat. When you…

Your voice is like any other musical instrument and it has its own special resonating chambers for your tone. The vocal cords produce a tone, the tone resonates or vibrates through open ducts and chambers. Your resonating chambers are in the chest, mouth, nose (sinus mask) or head. These different chambers represent various vocal colors. For instance, a voice can go from dark (chest) resonance to a bright (nasal or head) resonance. This allows the singer to achieve a spectrum…

Billie Eilish has a unique voice and sings most of her songs with soft and breathy (aspirate) voice.  The aspirate onset is breathy vocal technique. This is a breathy and airy sounding voice in all ranges. There are some notable singers who have built their careers with this technique. Singers will use this technique in the verses and outros of a song. Billie Eilish is a soprano, she’s above the standard female pop alto because she really focuses on creating…

Singer will use runs and riffs to enhance the song they are singing. They are both a melodic sequence of notes. How do you tell the difference between the two? A run is a long sequence of notes sung while a riff is a short sequence of notes. Runs are spontaneously, created to embellish or enhance the melody. A run is also called a “melisma.” The most outstanding vocal riffs are usually done to deepen the expression of emotion within…

One of the most important aspects of singing is the ability to control your pitch. It’s much easier playing a piano or some other instrument, because it’s visual and physical. You need to make sure you are playing the right note. For a singer there is nothing to see, it’s all about listening, you have a physical and an audio element. Although, I did have a client who used a pitch meter once. That will give you a visual idea…

Many singers struggle to make the distinction between speech sounds and correctly singing resonance, resulting in a lack of resonance and other issues such as strain, tension and a lack of range.  Resonance in singing is a step to vocal health, along with allowing a powerful and sustained vocal tone through diaphragm and breath control. There are various terms related to voice resonance like amplification, filtering, enrichment, enlargement and intensifying. It’s all about making a better, fuller sound. Resonance can…

We will look at a few things that will help you along the way. It’s important to set your goals for your future and vocal achievements. Setting goals for the next year as a singer means where do you see yourself in five years. Setting goals for vocal growth, expanding your musical talent and using social media will help you on your road to success. Set your goals for your voice, for instance expanding your range, better control, singing with…

Proper technique is the way you carry out a performance whether it is singing or playing piano; good technique is the execution of the song. It is the ability to exert optimal control of your singing voice. Improving your technique entails practicing exercises that strengthen your muscular sensitivity and agility. In order to belt, sing with a mixed voice, use vibrato, inflections and more, you must have solid foundational technique. Relax your facial muscles: release tension in the lips, tongue…