Explore the Michelle Ostrove Blog

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TECHNIQUES FOR ADDING COLOR TO YOUR VOICE

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | August 20, 2024

Whether you are an aspiring singer or a seasoned performer, exploring and expanding your vocal color palette is a journey that can transform your singing. It allows you to express yourself more fully, to explore new musical territories, and to connect with your audience in a way that words alone cannot. TECHNIQUES: So, next time you sing, think about the colors you want to paint with your voice. What emotions do you want to evoke? What story do you want…

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WHAT IS VOCAL COLOR?

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | August 15, 2024

Vocal color, also known as timbre, refers to the unique quality of sound that distinguishes one voice from another. It’s the texture, the tone, and the character of your voice. Just a every person has a unique speaking voice, every singer has a distinct vocal color. But beyond your natural voice, adding color involves intentionally shaping and varying that timbre to convey different emotions, moods, and nuances in your music. For example, you might use a bright, light tone for…

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ASSESSING PROBLEMS WHEN SINGING

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | August 13, 2024

Changing bad habits in singing is crucial for improving your technique, vocal health and overall performance. It’s important to be able to identify the problems and fix them. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you identify and correct those habits. Self-assessment, record yourself singing and listen critically. Note areas where you struggle-whether it’s with pitch, breath control, tone, or technique. Seek feedback, get input from a vocal coach, teacher, or even trusted friends who understand singing. They can provide insight…

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EXERCISES FOR ENHANCING INTONATION

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | August 8, 2024

The Art of Intonation in Singing: Finding Your Perfect Pitch Intonation in singing is the key to creating beautiful, harmonious music. Whether you’re a professional vocalist, a choir member, or someone who enjoys singing in the shower, mastering intonation can significantly enhance your musical performance. This blog will delve into what intonation in singing entails, why it’s crucial, and exercises to improve your pitch accuracy to become a better singer. Why is Intonation Important? Exercises for Enhancing Intonation: Conclusion Intonation…

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WHAT IS INTONATION IN SINGING?

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | August 6, 2024

Intonation in singing refers to the accuracy of pitch in vocal performance. It involves hitting the exact pitch of each note within a melody. Good intonation means singing in tune, where each note is neither sharp (too high) nor flat (too low). Poor intonation can lead to a performance that sounds off-key or discordant, affecting the overall musical experience.

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CREATING EMOTIONAL IMPACT THROUGH DYNAMICS (Part 2)

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | August 1, 2024

Dynamics are a powerful tool in music, capable of transforming a simple melody into an evocative and captivating experience. By understanding and mastering the use of dynamics, musicians can add depth, emotion, and interest to their performances. Whether you’re a singer, instrumentalist, or composer, embracing the power of dynamics will help you bring your music to life, creating unforgettable moments for both you and your audience. Here are the last two ways dynamics can transform a song from a simple…

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CREATING EMOTIONAL IMPACT THROUGH DYNAMICS (Part 1)

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | July 30, 2024

When we listen to a piece of music, it’s not just the melody or lyrics that captivate us; it’s the way the song breathes and moves. This movement, the ebb and flow of sound, is known as dynamics. Dynamics are the variations in loudness and intensity throughout a piece of music. They play a crucial role in conveying emotion, creating interest, and adding depth to a performance. Let’s delve into how dynamics can transform a song from a simple melody to an evocative musical journey.

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Melody, Harmony, and Lyrics Collaborate!

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | July 25, 2024

Music is a universal language that transcends borders, cultures, and generations. At the hearts of every memorable song lies the intricate interplay between melody, harmony, and lyrics. These three components, when masterfully combined, create an emotional experience that resonates deeply with listeners. Let’s explore how melody, harmony, and lyrics work together to form the essence of a song. Melody, harmony, and lyrics can collectively convey a unified message in music by aligning their emotional and thematic content. Here’s how they…

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APPROACHING A NOTE WITH EMPHASIS!

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | July 25, 2024

There are very few singers that sing naturally and do not consciously make decisions to control their voice. Often a singer will sing freely without paying attention to what their voice sounds like. To create a polished and professional sound, it’s all in the controlled details and adding emphasis at the beginning of a note, word or phrase can be a game changer. There is a gap between the two vocal cords (folds), which is called the glottis. The vocal…

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TYPES OF MOTIFS IN MUSIC

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | July 23, 2024

Motifs are the building blocks for musical composition, providing structure and coherence while engaging listeners with recurring elements. These short, recurring musical ideas can vary greatly in form and function, adding depth and richness to a piece of music. Variations of Motivic Transformation: Motivic transformation involves the development and manipulation of a motif to create variation and complexity within a composition. Composers use various techniques to transform motifs, including inversion (flipping notes), retrograde (playing backward), augmentation (lengthening note values), and…

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