The Star-Spangled Banner is one of the most recognizable songs out there -- no doubt you've heard it dozens of times! It's also a song that requires a lot of vocal finesse and skill. Here, St. Augustine, FL teacher Heather L. shares nine performance videos, what you can learn from them, and tips for singing the national anthem yourself...   The national anthem. It's big, it's beautiful, and it's bold. Inspired by seeing the American flag flying at "dawn's early light" after witness

As it applies to singing and the human voice, a subharmonic is one or several harmonics created below the fundamental harmonic where the fundamental is perceived to be lower than the original tone. Subharmonics occur when a singer's ventricular folds vibrate along with their vocal folds at the same time. It's important to note here that the label "subharmonic" does not refer to a register or specific vocal technique. Just because you have a voice in a low register doesn't mean you are necessa

Karaoke night is here! To some, it’s a fun excuse to get together with friends. To others, it’s their chance at superstardom. Whatever karaoke means to you, it’s worth putting a little research into which fun karaoke songs to sing are best suited for your stint on stage. Not only is karaoke a great way to socialize, but it’s also a legitimate way to practice performing, especially if you’re a beginner singer. Practicing along to karaoke songs with lyrics is a great way to improve y

Great stage presence can really enhance your performance as a singer! Here, voice teacher Molly R. shares how learning how to act should be on every singer's to-do list...     Enviable high notes. A pure tone. Easy vocal runs. Low notes that can carry for days. Flexibility throughout the range. These are just some of the things singers say they want to achieve when they first start voice lessons -- among many, many other goals! As a voice teacher, I do my best to work with them so th

Over the past few years, a cappella has become a popular genre and trend. But what exactly is it? The term a cappella is an Italian term that means "in the manner of the church" or "in the manner of the chapel," referring to the type of music that is sung without the use of musical instruments. History tells us that a cappella music got its beginning in a religious setting, but the genre continues to grow and change as shows like Glee and movies like Pitch Perfect move the style into popular c

Gearing up for a singing performance and need a piano accompanist? Check out these tips to make your (and your accompanist's!) life easier in this guest post by Corona, CA voice teacher Milton J...   Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, singing with an accompanist can be daunting.  After all, your accompanist is responsible for keeping you on track and in time with the music.  But don't worry, we're here to help. Here are 5 tips for singing with an accompanist that will h

In the past decade, with the popularity of shows like "The Sing-Off" and hit movies like "Pitch Perfect", a cappella groups have found their heyday.  Once relegated to college campuses, many a cappella groups have also gained momentum with the help of the YouTube era. Musicians are going viral for creative covers, and fans are devouring these videos! If a cappella interests you -- or if you simply want to check out some creative tunes -- here are five covers to brighten your day (and maybe insp

If you are looking for vocal warm-up exercises that match the song you’re trying to sing perfectly, you’ll want to read this article.  The vocal exercises for a singer, after all, will be different depending on what kind of music he wants to sign - and if he has specific needs. There are some vocal cord dysfunction exercises, in fact, that can be extremely helpful for someone with those needs, regardless of the musical genre. The best way to find out what kind of vocal exercises are b

Looking for some musical theatre songs that are sure to impress at your next audition? Whether you have a musical theatre audition coming up, or you just love singing along with the best of the genre, you’ve come to the right place! The wide repertoire of musical theatre songs is full of everything from desperate ballads to uproarious anthems. All of these memorable songs are great ways to express both your voice and your acting skills. When you pour your heart and soul into these theatric

The transformation in vocal students before and after singing lessons is truly inspiring. As a singing teacher, it really is amazing to watch students learn to do everything from match pitches to mix belt like a Broadway star. Have you ever wondered what you would sound like if you took voice lessons? Although every singer’s results will be different, YouTube has a variety of before and after singing lessons videos, so you can hear the typical results of vocal study. These three tr