Explore the Michelle Ostrove Blog
There are different styles of singing, but good basic technique is the same regardless of the style. The foundation is paramount; good posture, tongue placement, diaphragm/breath support, and a smooth transition from one register to another. All of these pop singers have flawless technique: Ariana Grande, Whitney Houston, Selena Gomez, Harry Styles and Mariah Carey. Let’s look at the characteristics of the pop singer’s style. Some pop singers use a softer tone when they sing, like Billie Eilish and Harry…
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There are two very important muscles used when you sing. These two muscles are used to move from one register to another. They can also cause vocal breaks in your singing. The two muscles are the Thyroarytenoid and Cricothyroid. Vocal breaks can happen when these two muscles are in opposition and not working well together. To understand how this works, you need to understand what they do. The Thyroarytenoid muscle is a complex muscle used when singing in your lower…
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Every singer should know how to move from one register to another with ease. The ability to sing the low notes, move through the middle voice and hit the high notes without any vocal restriction is something that needs to be taught. It is not something that happens naturally. Most singers natural sing with middle to lower register or middle to higher register. Learning how to move smoothly through is not simple and does take work. When you speak, there…
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As a singer, your body is your instrument and you need to take care of it. The environment and the foods you eat affect your overall health which in turn will affect your singing. We will look at food types and environmental factors you need to avoid to take care of yourself and protect your voice. There are certain foods and beverages to avoid prior to a performance. Dairy, spicy or fried foods, alcohol and caffeine produce mucous and inflammation.…
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The goal is to extend your singing range higher and lower. It doesn’t matter if you start with a one octave range, which is eight notes, or three octave range. It’s all about creating goals to improve your voice. Have you ever noticed if you stop singing for weeks or a month and go back to sing a song and cannot hit the high and low notes! You can lose the progress you’ve made if you stop working at it.…
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Resonance will enhance your vocal tone, increase your volume, reduce strain and fatigue. The nasal resonators play a small part in resonance. The paranasal sinuses are small hallow spaces located around the nose. And the paranasal sinuses are named after the bones that house them. They are not the same as the nasal cavities, but both are part of the nasal vestibule. There are four pairs of sinus cavities and they are named after the bones that contain them. The…
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Do you want to add more color and texture to your singing. There are a few ways to add weird textures to your vocals that will really create a cool and distinct sound. Some of the weird textures are breathy, growl. vibrato or a delicate vocal sound. These textures will evoke emotion when you sing. The delicate vocals sound like a haunting or ghostly sound. You can use a pause or break at the end of a phrase. Country singers…
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If you are serious about becoming a professional singer, you need to treat it as a business. Having your own business means you have a hustle mentality. Your success is in your hands, don’t expect to be “discovered,” have the mindset that you need to put your voice and your music into the listening ear of everyone! Here are four points to help you stand out as a singer. 1. As an artist, you should have a distinct and recognizable…
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To masterfully sing a song with confidence and superior performance, your song should be mapped out, notations made to perform it at your best. You should already have the ability to move from register to register seamlessly mastered, as well as breath and diaphragm support. Those are your foundational support structures. As you move through the song you will notice key points that need to be addressed and figured out before your performance. Print out a lyric sheet and start…
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Yes, Imposter Syndrome is a real condition. It is an internal psychological experience making you feel like a fraud despite success and achievement in the music field. You will feel constant self-doubt, even when you are excelling in your field as a singer or pianist. It all starts with negative self-talk creating nervousness, restlessness and anxiety. We will discuss the syndrome as well as ways to overcome it. If you have a very difficult time assessing your competence and skills,…
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