Explore the Michelle Ostrove Blog

3 EASY STEPS TO (1)

3 EASY STEPS TO EXPAND YOUR RANGE

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 3, 2021

It is possible to expand your vocal range at any age. If you just started singing or maybe you’ve been singing for a decade, you can always work on extend your vocal range. There are a few things you need to do to lengthen your singing range higher and lower. First, it is very important to use proper technique, which means keeping your larynx in a rest position, never forcing it up or down (allowing it to rise or fall…

Read More
Capture

CREATING YOUR OWN UNIQUE STYLE

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 3, 2021

From a young age, singers will mimic or try to sing like some of their favorite artists. You can develop your own unique style by copying other artists. Any artist will tell you they got their own style by first copying their favorite stars. Here’s what to do: Create a list with 5 or 6 of your favorite singers; choose the ones you want to sound like. Make sure their voices resonant with you. Once you’ve built your list of…

Read More
b-21

LEARNING HOW TO SING RUNS OR RIFFS

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 3, 2021

First, you need to know that difference between a run and a riff. Lots of singers 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? The difference is in the length of the sequence of notes. A run is a long sequence of notes starting high and dropping quickly (within a second or two) through the scale down to lower notes.…

Read More
Capture

THE BEST WAY TO PRACTICE VOICE OR PIANO

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 3, 2021

Yes, be dramatic in your practice sessions it does not matter is you are rehearsing voice or playing the piano, over exaggerate! Pretend you are in a musical and really overemphasize; while you are exaggerating your emotions, movements and facial expressions, you can see what works and what does not work. Make sure you record yourself as you practice. Then watch the video recording as if you were watching a friend’s video and you needed to give them feedback. Try…

Read More
AUDITION TIPS FO (1)

AUDITION TIPS FOR YOU!

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 3, 2021

Singing, piano and acting auditions are a difficult art to master. The whole process of an audition can be very nerve racking. Here are some tips to help you crush your next audition! Always be prepared! If you have rehearsed the song thoroughly and have put in the time to prepare, you will be much more at ease. It’s important to keep your voice and piano fingers are in tiptop shape. Singing and playing piano everyday is essential for keeping…

Read More
Capture

SINGING WITHOUT A RESTRICTED THROAT

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 3, 2021

Every singer needs to know how to control the larynx. The larynx (voice box) is a tube-shaped organ in the neck. The larynx controls the vocal folds (which are inside the voice box) when you sing; the air should pass freely through the larynx (voice box) and not be restricted. If the air is allowed to pass through freely and not be restricted by the muscles in the throat closing, the result will be a bigger and fuller sound in…

Read More
5 TYPES OF ACCEN

5 TYPES OF ACCENTS

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 3, 2021

There are five types of musical accents; the first accent looks like this > and the accent instructs the player to play particular notes louder. It is an emphasis or strong attack placed on a particular set of notes (or note). If the accent mark is standing up like a teepee it’s called a marcato (the hammer) and you play it as loud as the accent and short like a staccato. The accent is placed above or below a note.…

Read More
Capture

COMPOSING A SONG MADE SIMPLE & FUN

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 3, 2021

Creating your own music can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding practices you can have as a singer or pianist. Every beginner piano student should challenge themselves and try to compose a simple song. As a singer, use your imagination and create a melody, write a poem or lyrics. Do not let the fear and uncertainty leave you stuck and unable to start. There are some simple steps you can take to help you compose a song and…

Read More
b-20

How To Sing The Deep Growl

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 3, 2021

To have a great voice you have to pay your dues and work hard. There is a technique called “vocal fry”, which is a healthy husk (growl) or raspy sound you can produce in your voice. The vocal fry is the lowest register of your voice; it is considered a vocal onset (how you start singing a note). How to create that sound takes time and needs to be done properly. Otherwise, too much force can injure your voice. When…

Read More
THE TOOLS WE USE (1)

THE TOOLS WE USE TO SING (ARTICULATORS)

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 3, 2021

All the sounds we make when we sing are the results of muscles contracting, air passing through the vocal tract, and articulators producing the words we sing. We have a large and complex group of muscles that change the shape of our vocal tract (container of air). Any of the vocal organs above the larynx are used for the purpose of manipulating and generate vocal sound when we singing. The larynx could also be described as an independent and complex…

Read More