Explore the Michelle Ostrove Blog
If you are serious about your singing or piano performance and want to perfect your craft, practice in front of a full-length mirror. This exercise will allow you to see your body movements and facial expressions while singing or play. There is no better tool to really make improvements while you perform. To really make an impact, your presentation needs to be smooth, seamless and polished, which means the delivery of the song will really touch the audience. Your singing,…
Read MoreIf 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! It’s up to you: it takes work and dedication! The first thing you need to do is train your voice. Learning how to…
Read MoreWhen you sing a song or play a song on the piano, it’s important that you connect to the song (you need to feel and emotionally understand the message of the song). Sometimes people (including children) attach to the melody and beat. As a singer or pianist, you need to care about the meaning of the song. This will instantly improve your performance because you are connecting with it, enabling you to sing with emotion. If you can connect your…
Read MoreEvery voice has it’s unique set of strengths and weaknesses. You truly cannot compare voices because they are all different. How do you know which songs and styles are good for your voice? I’m going to give you some tips to help you find the right songs for you. It’s always important to choose songs that you like and feel a connection to them. Then sing along with the artist to learn the melody, make sure the song fits within…
Read MoreWhether you’re backstage getting ready for a performance or watching Youtube videos, it seems you can’t get away from seeing people warm up their voice by singing through a straw. The straw must be thin in order for the exercise to work. But what does this actually do for your voice? As you sing through the thin straw, it allows only a portion of the air to pass through. Because the air coming through is partially blocked by the muscles…
Read MoreIf you are limited in the time you have to practice playing piano or singing, you can practice in silence from anywhere. If you are passionate about music, you probably hear music in your head often during the day and most likely hum or sing the song out loud. Here is a way to practice from any location and no one will hear you. Imagine hearing the music live in your head. Music lives in the mind first, think about…
Read MoreThe most important fundamental technique in singing is that of a coordinated or balanced onset. The onset is how you start a note or phrase and a coordinated onset is when breath and sound are initiated together. It is the coordinated onset that gives you a clean start to initiate your singing; it’s a well-supported first note. There are different ways to approach a note when you are singing to create a mood or feeling. You can use a coordinated…
Read MoreImproper piano technique can prevent you from reaching your full potential and it can even cause injury. Many pianists have learned how to play with good technique after they have suffered from pain. Many permanent injuries are a result of overuse and poor form. The first improper piano technique would be sitting too close to the piano and too low. Sitting too close or too low will cause pain and tiredness in the hands, arms and wrists. Your knees should…
Read MoreWhether you are a singer or pianist, it is important to develop your musical ear. 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…
Read MoreStaccato in Italian means detached or disconnected, applied to singing or playing piano the technique is with individual short, clear-cut notes with a small rest (silence) at the end of each note. It is the opposite of legato, which means to sing or play the notes smoothly and connected. Staccato is a short note (not holding it); it’s separated from the other notes that may follow. When singing staccato, it is a quick, precise, cut short, detached note or notes.…
Read More