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DO YOU HAVE VOCAL CONTROL?

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

One of the most important characteristics of vocal control is the ability to listen to yourself and sing “on pitch” (singing right on the note)! A good voice embodies fine technique, which requires you to sing notes correctly, not singing a little higher (sharp) or lower (flat). If you have ever heard someone sing and thought, they can’t sing. That’s probably because they are not on the note; they are flat or sharp. From time to time a good vocalist…

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VOCAL HEALTH TIPS DURING COLD & FLU SEASON

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

Taking care of your voice during cold and flu season really just involves paying attention to the normal habits that most singers should already be considering. First, be sure to drink plenty of water with a minimum eight glasses of water of day to ensure proper hydration. In the winter this is especially important because the air is dryer than usual, therefore vocal cords become stressed with the relatively low humidity. In addition, many of us often drink extra coffee…

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TRAINING YOUR EARS!

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

Some musicians are born with a natural “ear” for hearing and being able to match the pitch. Others (the majority of us) need to work on this regularly. Even professionals slide sharp or flat. It is something that needs continuous attention and practice. Good singers use their ears as much as their singing voice. The soloist’s ears are as important as their vocal sound. Any vocalist or musician will tell you their ears are tools to help them sound better.…

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3 SKILLS NEEDED FOR A GREAT SINGER

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

All great singers have certain skills that are needed and you can master these skills, but it takes dedication and work (practice)! When you think of an amazing singer, what do you notice? Most likely it’s their tone, how their voice sounds when singing a song. Every singer has a certain something that makes them stand out. If you ask yourself what skills you need to be a (professional) singer, here are three skill that will get you on the…

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Create a Distinctly Unique Sound – Musical Phrasing?

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

The human voice can be the most expressive instrument, but it can also be very boring! Distinct and unique musical phrasing is essential for a compelling performance. Musical phrasing creates a recognizable and unmistakable quality for a voice. It makes a singer sound better than just singing the words on a page. Do you know what makes a voice distinctly different…phrasing; how a singer SHAPES each line of the song. The combination of tone, pitch, dynamics, diction and more contribute…

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2 WAYS TO HOLD A HIGH NOTE!

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

2 WAYS TO HOLD A HIGH NOTE! Knowing how to hold a note for its full length takes practice. This is a skill every singer should have the ability to do; holding a note without wobbling or dropping in pitch (flat). There are a few reasons why a singer has trouble holding notes for their full value. To have strong control you should be able to hold a note, staying on the pitch without wavering or hold a note with…

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MASTERING VOCALIZATION

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

Any aspiring singer should aim to achieve clear enunciation (to articulate, pronounce each syllable). The right inflections (rise and fall of pitch), diction (words chosen for phasing) and pronunciation (the way you sound out a word) affect the feeling of a song. If you are mumbling the words you are singing, you will not get your message across because no one will know what the song is about. A good singer will have clear enunciation and they will craft each…

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JUMP START YOUR SINGING CAREER

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

There are certain qualities that are needed to be a great singer. There are different ways to help a singer create their own style and make them stand out from the rest. You need the talent, but it’s more than just talent. You need to stand out from the rest. Here are a few tips to help you move forward. Some artists start their career singing a song that was made famous by someone else. If you are going to…

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GREAT SINGER USE THEIR CHEST VOICE!

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

Are you a soprano or tenor who’s hoping to expand your range into those lower notes? While you may have mastered those high notes, you need to develop your lower range to be an amazing singer. When you are practicing your daily vocal exercises really push into those lower notes. With practice, you will be able to sing a range of notes that span from the top of the range down to the bottom. There are five groups of muscles…

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How To Make A Performance (Singing or Piano) Look Easy

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

An insane amount of work goes into making a performance look easy. Whenever an artist performs there is a lot of preparation that goes into the performance. People want to hear a singer or pianist who will make it sound easy. The words and notes need to flow out from them effortlessly in a natural way. This helps the listener feel relaxed. If the singer is straining their vocal cords and throat, or a pianist is trying too hard playing…

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