Still not convinced? Here are some additional benefits of including scales in your vocal warm-ups, as noted on SingingPros.com:

1. Scales For Strength and Stability
Use scales to help increase the strength and stability of your voice,  one note at a time.  Choose the most comfortable note for you to maintain, take a breath and sing the one note.  Hold it for as long as possible and keep it as steady as you can.  Do this a few times, and then move up or down the scale doing the same thing for each note.  If you have problems with a note, make sure you remember which one, and practice it more often to help it equal the other notes.

2. Scales to Improve Diction
The singing exercises that improve your diction, or the ease in which one pronounces words correctly, are also usually simple scales, but incorporate more mouth movement.  As your voice moves up and down the scales, your mouth moves to make similar sounds.  Some diction scales may include small little verbal exercises such as, ‘My mother made me mash my M & M’s.’  For this particular example, you would increase in scale to the word “mash” and then go back down.  The similarity is in the M’s that are being repeated throughout the exercise.

3. Scales for Flexibility
There is only one way to really increase the flexibility in a voice or to maintain the flexibility that you do have.  This is a form of ‘jumping’ scale that can assist your voice in brief staccato notes that jump around.  For instance, if you were to sing ‘la-la-la-la’ and every note you sang you skipped one, increasing then decreasing over a series of 8 notes, you would hit every note in your scale.  The next time you do this, you could start with a slightly higher or lower pitch.  Doing this throughout your vocal range will keep flexibility in your voice, and is actually quite enjoyable to do and hear.

What warm-up exercises do you like the most?  Sound off on our Facebook page and join the discussion! Like these posts?  Sign up to receive daily updates right to your inbox!  Click here to subscribe.

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Photo by jGregor.

There’s also a way these artists can help you improve your own voice.  Don’t believe us?  It’s as simple as… learning to listen more efficiently.  As you listen, train yourself to focus on the intricacies of the singer’s vocal style, and you’ll be able to pinpoint the areas that you need to work on yourself.  And don’t worry – if we catch you rocking out to “Since U Been Gone,” we won’t judge.

Here’s an excellent list of elements to listen for in other singers’ voices, courtesy of PerformanceHigh.net:

1. Melisma (embellishments, riffs, trills, licks, runs) – how, when, and to what extent does the singer “decorate” the basic melody?
2. Texture – is the voice breathy, edgy, brassy, clear, gritty, etc?
3. Intonation (pitch) – is the singer on pitch? Do they use “blue” notes? Do they intentionally (or not) sing any notes slightly flat?
4. Emotional expression – what does the singer do to help you feel the lyrics emotionally?
5. Phrasing and space – what is the rhythm of the lyrics? Does the singer push or pull any lyrics ahead of or behind the beat? Where does the singer leave space?
6. Dynamics – how loud, how soft? How quickly or slowly do the singer’s dynamics change?
7. Mix – is the singer singing in chest voice, head voice, or a mix? If a mix, how heavy (chesty) or light (heady) a mix are they using? Do they use different approaches throughout the song?
8. Compression – how “compressed” is the voice? (High pop belting is often very compressed; breathy low-volume singing is not.)
9. Tension and release – how does the singer help you feel emotional tension and then release simply through the voice (and not the song structure or lyrics)?
10. Placement – is the voice “aimed” forward behind the nose? Or is it rounder and throatier? Is it more present in the mouth, or in the nose, or equally balanced?

Practicing better listening will also come in handy when listening to recordings of yourself.  With this one simple concept, you’ll be able to really feel the details in your singing, making it seamless.

How has the simple act of listening helped you sing better?  Leave a comment below!

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Image courtesy of http://abcnewsradioonline.com.

One of the best parts of learning to sing is finding your own voice, much like these women have done.  You’ll need to figure out what makes you unique and sets you apart from the crowd.  So before you start your journey, take a look at these tips for finding your voice:

1.  Take voice lessons with a classical voice teacher. Even if a contemporary or pop style is most appealing to you, don’t neglect the study of classical voice training. You can’t discount the important foundation of breathing techniques, vocal placement and resonance. The time spent in the voice teacher’s studio helps you become more keenly aware of the sensations of your natural singing voice.

2. Listen to many different vocalists and many different musical styles. A large part of vocal training is learning the delicate art of listening critically. Note whether a singer seems natural or affected and keep in mind the long-term effects a particular way of singing may have on vocal health. You will be amazed at the diversity of sounds you find, even among similar styles of music.

3.  Experiment with your own voice in the privacy of your teacher’s studio. Save these vulnerable times for the lesson and not the stage. Even when experimenting with different sounds and vocal placement, remember to practice good breathing and healthy technique. You don’t have to compromise vocal health for style.

4.  Keep on learning. Read everything you can about singing, take in lots of diverse performances, talk with others in the field and don’t be afraid to consult with voice teachers other than your own from time to time. Finding one’s own singing voice is an ongoing process and as you learn more you will find that your thoughts about singing will change periodically. This is healthy and indicates a mature approach to singing.

(View the full list of tips here.)

Keep your ears (and mind!) open, and most of all, don’t be afraid to try new things.  By experimenting with different styles, you’ll have a better idea of the singer you’re destined to become, what makes you unique and why your fans are going to love you.

Need help finding a singing teacher?  Click here to search in your area!
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Research has proven that children experience many benefits from music lessons, including increased brain activity and development, improved memorization and small motor skills, and increased self-confidence that carries over into schoolwork and other outside activities.  Music lessons also help to keep children engaged in school, thereby increasing academic achievement.

Unfortunately, tighter budgets have forced many schools to cut funding for music programs, which means that many children no longer have the opportunity to study music as part of their regular school curriculum.  In order to provide an alternative environment for these students to continue their musical education, TakeLessons is proud to offer music lessons at our new lesson centers located at over 75 Childtime, Children’s Courtyard, La Petite and Tutor Time schools across the country.

Beginning this month, students ages 5-12 in cities such as Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Seattle will have the opportunity to take voice, piano or guitar lessons after school at one of these lesson center locations. The program also offers piano lessons for children as young as three, as well as the option for students to take in-home lessons with other family members.  By enrolling in this program, parents can feel confident that their children will continue to receive the music education that is so important to their development.

Of course, our regular in-home or in-studio lessons are always an option for students looking for one-on-one musical training in a variety of instruments, from the flute to the ukulele.  Working with a TakeLessons Certified Instructor allows students of all ages to expand their musical knowledge and develop new skills at the same time.  Call us at 877-231-8505 or visit www.takelessons.com to schedule your fall music lessons today!

For adults with hectic schedules and limited free time, learning to play an instrument at this stage in their lives may seem like a pipe dream.  Sure, it would be fun to fulfill that childhood dream of learning to play the piano or jam on the guitar, but other priorities such as work or family commitments often prevent many adults from leaping into music lessons with the same enthusiasm they might have felt at a younger age.

But if you have the passion and desire to play music, it’s never too late to get started with lessons; in fact, there are many positive benefits for adults who take music lessons, including the following:

–Music lessons help with job skills such as creative thinking, collaboration, social aptitude, expressive communication, and confidence.
–Music lessons provide a creative outlet that balances work life, family life, and personal time.
–Music lessons can help lower stress.
–Music lessons provide a way to be involved with others that share similar interests.
–Music lessons help seniors stay active, vibrant, and mentally sharp.

For adult students who are just beginning their musical journey, the process of learning to sing or play an instrument can certainly be daunting.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Keep expectations realistic. Regardless of whether or not you have ever played an instrument before, there will be a learning curve.  Don’t expect to play like a pro straight away; instead, set realistic goals of milestones you’d like to achieve in the next week, month, and so on.  Track your progress and make the necessary adjustments to ensure you are on track to meeting your goals.

Trust your teacher. Your teacher is there to help you reach your goals.  More than likely, this person is a professional with many years of experience – take advantage of the fact that you are working with someone who is an expert at playing their instrument, and ask for their advice.  In turn, your teacher should take the time to learn about you as a student, identifying your strengths and weaknesses and then tailoring each lesson to your needs.

Success takes time. We’ve all heard the phrase “practice makes perfect,” and if you want to master your instrument, you need to practice.  This time commitment can be a deterrent for those with busy schedules, but you can still learn an instrument even if you don’t have much time to practice – just expect the process to take longer and your progress to be slower.  As long as you stay focused and motivated, you will be able to achieve your goals.

TakeLessons offers music lessons for adults and students of all ages.
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Matthew’s enthusiasm for music is infectious, and his students certainly agree; they say he is “easy to work with” and “gives great feedback.”  In addition to teaching, Matthew is an award-winning composer and songwriter with many film and television credits, including the new Starz series “Gravity” which premiered on Friday, April 23.  Awesome job, Matthew!

The week will kick off with “Music Monday” on May 3, an event in which schools, community and professional organizations will perform one piece of music simultaneously at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, 11 a.m. Mountain Time, 12 p.m. Central Time, and 1 p.m. Eastern Time.  NAMM hopes that by having everyone sing the same song at the same time, music will transcend all genres and unite people through the melody and the act of performing the piece together.

NAMM is also encouraging people to pick up an instrument of their choice and play any time on May 3 as part of the Music Monday celebration.  This is the sixth year that NAMM has supported Music Monday, which is also hosted by the Coalition for Music Education in Canada and has grown to more than 2,000 schools since its inception.  You can register your school or organization as a participant in Music Monday by e-mailing musicmonday@namm.org.

If you plan to take part in Music Monday on May 3, tell us how you’ll be getting involved!  Will you be participating in the group song, or playing an instrument?

Once you have taken the step to enroll yourself (or your child) in music lessons, your focus may turn towards how to get the most out of your lessons.  Most TakeLessons students meet with their instructors once a week, for anywhere from 30-60 minutes at a time.  These sessions will fly by, so it is important to maximize the limited amount of time you have to work with your instructor.  The following tips will help you to prepare, progress, and make the most of your music lessons:

1. Find the right instructor.  One of our main goals at TakeLessons is finding the right instructor to fit your needs.  There are many factors our student counselors consider when placing a student with a teacher – age, location, skill level and style, to name a few.  When teacher and student personalities don’t mix, valuable time that should be spent learning is lost, and for new students, the instrument itself can even become a source of frustration.  Working with a teacher that you mesh with will allow your lessons to flow more smoothly and allow you to get more out of each lesson.  This is also the reason that we offer a 100% money back guarantee to new TakeLessons students; we know how important finding the right student/teacher dynamic is, and we want to make sure you are working with the instructor that’s the best possible fit for you. If you feel like switching music teachers might be necessary, just give us a call.

2. Come prepared.  Before arriving at your lesson, take a few minutes to relax and prepare your voice for singing, or your hands for playing music.  Stretch, do vocal warm-ups, and perhaps most importantly, try to clear your mind of all distractions so you are ready to focus on the task at hand – learning your instrument.  You’ll be surprised at how approaching each lesson with a positive attitude and an open mind will directly impact your success.

3. Take notes and ask follow up questions.  It may be difficult (okay, impossible) to take notes while you are actually singing or playing an instrument.  As part of the TakeLessons program, your instructor will keep track of any notes regarding what is covered during each lesson and will upload them in your online lesson journal.  You can then refer back to your journal as you practice to see what you should be working on.  At the same time, if you think of questions between lessons be sure to write them down so you can get answers from your teacher the next time you meet.

4. Practice, practice, practice.  To fully reap the benefits of your music lessons, practice is essential.  As a student, you cannot continue to evolve and master the musical skills you are learning from your instructor if you don’t put in any extra practice time outside your lessons.  When you are practicing, find a quiet place free of distractions where you can give your undivided attention to your instrument.  Focus on truly learning and understanding the techniques and methods your instructor has taught you, rather than just playing songs.  Pretty soon you will develop a routine, and the results will become apparent with each lesson you take!

Ready to sign up? Search for music teachers near you and book lessons today!

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It’s hard to start anything from scratch, especially something as seemingly complicated as learning to play an instrument.  This blog post comes from our New York City guitar and singing teacher Jessica D.  Here she explains how, with just 10 minutes of practice a day, new music students can find themselves well on their way to mastering their chosen instrument.

———————————————————–

Are you putting off taking a music or vocal lesson because you feel that you just don’t have the time for all the inevitable practicing that’s sure to be involved in order to become a pro?  Relax.  In addition to the many benefits of music lessons, practicing even as little as five to ten minutes a day can make a huge improvement.

We’ve all heard the expressions “baby steps” or “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” That’s what we’re dealing with here.  As a beginner musician, try not to think about the long term result 30 years from now.  Instead, think about the end result of one lesson from now. That will take you to one week and eventually, one month — and hopefully even farther!

When learning a new instrument, half the battle is becoming comfortable with it — picking it up, looking it over, touching the instrument, exploring its details and elements.  Whether my students are beginners or experienced musicians, I advise them to pick up their instrument every single day for at least 10 minutes. Can they pick it up for 15, 20, or 60 minutes?  Of course they can, and I encourage it.  But in order for one minute to turn into 30, the instrument has to find a way into their hands. It is too easy to let time fly by when you are busy with other tasks. But it is just as easy to find 10 minutes in the morning while you’re drinking a cup of coffee to pick up your guitar, or while you’re in the shower to do vocal exercises.  If you’re watching a TV show at home, you can pick up your ukulele and just let your fingers get used to holding it and knowing where the strings and frets are. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself muting or better yet, even shutting the TV off to give the instrument your undivided attention.

The idea of practicing for 30 or 60 minutes might seem daunting at first, especially when you are a beginner.  But 10 minutes is all it takes to get you started on the road to 10 hours, 10 days, 10 weeks or even 10 years – the possibilities are endless!

–Jessica D.

Like these posts?  Sign up to receive updates right to your inbox!  Click here to subscribe.

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So…for the first time EVER, we are offering new students 40% off on your first month of voice or music lessons* when you purchase your lessons on Friday, November 27, 2009.

If you were thinking about getting started with music lessons or singing lessons, now is your chance. If lessons are not your thing, lesson packages make fun and unique holiday gifts for family members and friends. We have never offered a deal this great – and it’s for ONE DAY ONLY. You will not be able to get this deal at anywhere else.

We know that signing up for lessons is a big step. You are committing to something new and must find time in your schedule and room in your budget to get started. It’s a very involved decision and we definitely recognize that. But, that is also why we are really excited to offer our 40% off Black Friday sale to all new customers. With savings like these, you don’t really have an excuse to not pick up that guitar, tune up that piano or flip on the karaoke machine and get started with lessons.

You only have one day to take advantage of this offer. So once the tryptophan-induced sleepiness  from your Thanksgiving Turkey dinner wears off, pick up the phone and give us a call at 877-231-8505 on Friday to book your lessons. We will be looking forward to your call!

*For more information, click here or visit http://takelessons.com/black-friday-music-lessons. Customers must call in and mention the Black Friday 2009 offer to receive the discount. The offer is not currently available for online booking.