Category Archives: Evanston

04/11/17

Blog

 BREATHING FOR SINGERS

RIB CAGE AND DIAPHRAGM

The chest may be compared with a cage made of jointed framework.  However proper breathing is not to allow the breath to enter the chest.  A low breath in the rib cage and diaphragm helps to control stress and tension within the face and shoulders. The ribs which compose the framework are attached to the breast bone in front and the spine at the back.  The lower or floating ribs are attached to each other in front and not to the breast bone and so are capable of greater movement which has an effect on respiration as will be seen later.  The floor of the chest is the diaphragm, a large dome shaped muscle, which  is attached by fibers to the spine, the ribs, and the sternum (There sternum, or breast bone, is the bone running from the neck to the stomach and having ribs articulated with it at the breast bone).  The part of the abdominal muscles principally concerned with breathing is that portion which lies above the waist and may be felt in the angle between the ribs below the end of the breast bone.  The abdominal muscles coordinate with the diaphragm, relaxing when it contracts and contracting when it relaxes.  This coordination is largely dependent upon the expansion of the chest wall.  In fact, all factors concerned, ribs, diaphragm and abdominal muscles must be trained together.  Satisfactory coordination can only be obtained here.  

04/1/17

Blog

Singing Technique and Proper Posture:
In order for breathing to flow fluently, posture is important. This exercise will help straighten your posture.

Put your back to the wall with your heels touching the wall. Put your knees a comfortable distance apart and keep your head centered on the shoulders not pressed against the wall. Lengthen your knees down until the small of the back is flat against the wall.

a. Breathe in on 6. Release the diaphragm breathe into the diaphragm, release, breathe in making sure the rib cage stays expanded while the diaphragm works.
b. Make sure the voice is centered (using your speaking voice) practice with open AH’s.
c. Practice doing other desirable vocal exercises such as AY, EE, I, OH, and OO.
d. When ready straighten knees and walk away from the wall. Using a long mirror you can see perfect posture and you will also feel as if you have grown an inch taller.

03/22/17

Blog

Hello Singing Thespians,
I will be offering Musical Theater Classes this summer for youth and adult at PM Woodwinds studio 822 Custer St. in Evanston, IL . Classes will be held on Thursdays. Time 6:00-7:30PM
A workshop designed to help students understand and develop the performance of musical theater.  Students will be coached through group and solo performances.
Students will be taught vocal technique and the importance of staging, lyric analysis, character development and performance skills.  Students will explore the unique acting demands of performing in the musical theater while learning to process of working a song and making the song come across to an audience. Please feel free to contact me at Victoria@amusicalsensation.com or call (702) 787-8982.
$60 June 28-July 27th, 2017 (5 classses)
03/6/17

Blog

WHAT IS YOUR VICAL RANGE?

The following are the general vocal ranges associated with each voice type using scientific pitch notation where middle C is written as C4. Some singers within these voice types may be able to sing somewhat higher or lower:[1]

02/14/17

blog

Learn to Sing Without Vocal Strain With These Tips:

  1. Low breathing technique
  2. Proper positioning of the lips
  3. Lifting the palet
  4. Keep your tongue in the proper position
  5. Let your bottom jaw be a “follower”
  6. Understanding “placement”
  7. Learning the “hinge” technique
02/4/17

Blog

SPEAK IT, SING IT!

When learning a new song, speak the words first and make sure your mouth positions are frontal. Where is the breath, placement, phrasing?  Speak it a second time as if it is a monologue. Acknowledge what the song is about and who you are speaking to.  Let yourself be that character.