Explore the Michelle Ostrove Blog

ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES OF A SINGING VOICE

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | March 29, 2022

Voices are as distinct as a person’s face. Every voice is uniquely different and no voice is exactly alike. The vocal acoustics can be described as the attributes and qualities of a voice. It’s also the way sound is transmitted from it. A singer should use the natural acoustic properties of their voice to sing louder and resonant in a performance. The vocal qualities are affected by the harmonic structure, frequency vibration of the vocal folds (cords), timbre, power and…

WHAT IS YOUR VOCAL TONE?

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | March 28, 2022

A singer’s vocal tone is like wine, there is a variety of ways to describe them. There is no wrong way to describe your vocal tone. Every singer’s voice has their own unique color and quality of that tone. It’s a distinctly different “something” that sets your voice apart from others. There are all kinds of vocal tone types. The color of a voice’s tone can be bright, light, dark or brassy. There are voice types like: baritone, tenor, alto,…

HOW TO SING IN FALSETTO

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | March 25, 2022

Do you want to learn how to sing in falsetto? To create that lighter, headier sound in the upper register is easier that you think. The vocal cords need to thin out and stretched in order to sing those high notes. Singing in falsetto is a lighter, breathier sound. The head voice has a richer, balanced sound when singing the high notes. The falsetto sound is much thinner and has an airy vocal sound when you sing. The original term…

CREATING A BLUES/JAZZ SOUND WHEN YOU SING!

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | March 24, 2022

To create a blues or jazz vocal sound when singing requires a few techniques. Most jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald have a huskier tone, slower vibrato with an edginess and a unique way to enunciate the words. Jazz and blues singing use scatting, moodiness, a little growl, to creative vocal sounds like an instrument. These amazing singers just ooze emotion and feeling when they sing a song. Sometimes pulling back on the volume to create these unique vocal techniques. The…

AVOID VOCAL CORD INJURY

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | March 22, 2022

Vocal cord injuries happen over time with chronic abuse. There are different types of injuries, but they all stem from the same problem, frequent and repeated strain on the vocal cords. The different types of injuries include, ruptures, nodules, polyps or cysts in the throat. All of these injuries are causes by vocal abuse. For instance, continuously straining of the voice from singing or yelling, smoking, acid reflux and forcing your voice when you are sick. Vocal cord ruptures or…

YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK AS A SINGER OR PIANIST!

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | March 21, 2022

The way you think about yourself turns into your reality. Your mind is a very powerful asset! How often do you pay attention to what you are thinking throughout the day. As a singer practicing, what kind of self-talk is going on inside your mind? When you play the piano what are you telling yourself? What you think about daily, directly influences how you feel, as well as how you behave. Think about it, your beliefs about yourself could be…

CAREER OPTIONS FOR SINGERS & PIANISTS

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | March 18, 2022

There are many different career options for a singer & pianists. It all depends on your strengths and weakness. For instance, do you like performing? Can you sight read music? How is your ear training? Can you find and sing harmonies?  Can you write your own songs? There are many things to consider when choosing which direction to go. If you love to perform and sing in front of an audience then singing on a cruise ship, lead singer in…

HOW TO SING WITH A BRIGHT SOUND!

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | March 17, 2022

How do you get a brighter sound when you are singing? It has to do with the shape of your mouth, your lips to be exact. The shape of your lips can create a bright sound or a deeper, darker sound. If you make a sound like “whoof,” your mouth is shaped like an “O” creating a deeper, darker shade of tone. But if you change your facial expression with an open mouth, big teeth smile as you lift the…

PLAYING JAZZ CHORDS AND SINGING!

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | March 15, 2022

The jazz pianist uses a more extensive range of chords. Let’s break it down to make it simple! Jazz is a language all its own. Playing by ear is a great way to learn, but some musicians what to understand what is going on. Jazz chord progression is different than classical which is mostly I, IV, V, I. The pop chord progression which is mostly I, V, vi, IV. The jazz chord progression is different starting with ii, V, I…

SINGING WITH EASE!

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | March 14, 2022

Singing with ease should be natural and with no strain. If you try and create a sound that does not feel good and it hurts your throat that’s a problem. You will end up hurting your voice in the long run. Your voice will not last and you will most likely cause damage to your vocal folds. There are two questions you should ask yourself is: Does it feel good? And does it sound good? If it does not feel…