Archive | June, 2004

A SIMPLE RELAXATION EXERCISE

Right now — notice your body position. Without making any changes, just allow your body to sink, to soften into the same position you’re in. Take a nice, deep breath.

As you slowly inhale and exhale, notice if there’s any place in your body that’s still ‘holding on.’ See if you can let that tension go. Relax your jaw and tongue. Relax the muscles behind your eyes. Relax your shoulders.

Maybe you need only to stretch your arms up to the sky or turn your head slowly from side to side … remembering to breathe.

Sometimes we get so focused on our work that we forget that our body is a gift. It’s good to just let it go for a minute or two … to let it rest.

I find thoughts, ideas and solutions can flow better after a simple relaxation exercise like this.

Enjoy!

Are you a SINGER? Are you a MUSICIAN?

Here are a few very practical rehearsal tips from renowned Los Angeles voice coach,

Steven Memel.

1) Practice your song, singing/playing it as quickly as possible.

2) Practice it as slowly as possible.

3) For singers, sing the melody without the lyrics (la-la-la).

4) Recite only the lyrics aloud.

5) Talk the song out loud to someone you know, putting meaning into every line. Does the song make sense?

6) Practice singing the intervals (the big leaps up or down) in the melody, so you’re sure to ‘nail’ them.

And so important …

7) Warm up your voice before you step on stage! (You’d be surprised how many singers don’t take the time to do this.)

Take a DEEP breath … and enjoy!