Amy Zents Shy Singer Series: Parrot Cover Songs Legally

If you plan to "parrot" a cover song, you should cover your bases with information about copyright first

Hi there,
One of the most controversial and interesting topics for singers is singing cover songs. One great link I found in looking around for information on cover songs and copyright law was in this blog:
http://suebasko.blogspot.com/2010/12/cover-songs-performing-and-recording_19.html

So, be wise. If you want to sing covers, great. Just keep in mind, to market them you will probably need permission.

Keep singing,

Amy Zents

PS. "Being a cover artist is not like being a real artist. That's just copying what someone else did." - Sebastian Bach

Amy Zents Shy Singer Series: Value of Humming

A good singer will resonate freely when singing. Why? It prevents tension from building in the throat and supports good tone, among other reasons. If you want to project your voice try humming. Feel it from your nose to your toes! Use that barrel-chested, sternum and diaphragmatic breathing to sound off!
MMMM and NNNN and NG and NANG are all good vocal exercises.

Keep Singing!


Musically yours,

Amy Zents

P.S.  "When you use natural instruments, they have natural resonance." -John Cale


Shy Singer Amy Zents License Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Amy Zents Shy Singer Series: A Hidden Mistake Most Amateur Singers Make

                                            Breathe in, Sing out, and Don't strain your voice


Hi,
Today I am going to address the hidden mistake most amateur singers make.What I mean when I write "hidden" is that most amateur singers are often unconscious of this error. It has to do with the singing tone. In my last blog I wrote about intonation, or singing in tune. You want to sing in tune, to train your ears to be able to carry a tune. It goes without saying a good singer can carry a tune.
Today we are addressing your singing tone.
A good singer is not stuck in head voice where all the sound is emitting from the head and throat. A good singer incorporates unified registers of both head and chest voice, a blending of the resonators of the head and chest areas for a full and energetic tone.
This is especially true when singing in the oh-so-popular belting style that most pop and country, and of course, musical theatre singers sing in today.
So, don't rely only on your throat when you sing. Use your entire instrument. You are a wind instrument.
Toot your horn and don't hold back!
If you sing like a baby with a light head voice you are not doomed to that singing style alone.
Exercise your voice daily. Build your tone. Breath in and sustain your tone.
The art of "Bel canto" or the art of "beautiful singing" is based on diaphragmatic singing, or singing from your diaphragm.
In with the good air, out with the bad air!
Good singing also means articulating words in a way people can understand them, and using the larynx and pharynx in projecting your voice out. Sing out, don't strain, and you'll shine!

                                                         Shine on Singer, Shine On!


Keep Singing!

Amy Zents

P.S. "Courage is resistance to fear, the mastery of fear, not the absence of fear."  -  Mark Twain


Shy Singer Amy Zents License Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Amy Zents Shy Singer Series: Singing in Tune

                                            Tune up your singing or be very afraid!!! :-)

Hello!
I hope you are enjoying my blog. It is to educate and inspire us to become a happy well-paid and successful singers.
Today we are talking about tuning up your voice for great singing!
Let's find our tonal center ("centre"..for Canadians like me!)
Here is the script:
Practice with the chromatic (1/2 step Major Scale.)


Tonic
Minor second
Major second
Minor third
Major third
Perfect fourth
Tri-tone
Perfect fifth
Minor sixth
Major sixth
Minor seventh
Major seventh
Octave!

Then reverse the process and come down the chromatic scale again!
Some people advise not to use a keyboard when training your ears! I disagree.
You should find a keyboard that is in tune and daily tune with it!

                                                Singing was as popular then as it is today!



Keep Singing!
Amy Zents

P.S. "You are never too old to set another goal, or dream another dream." - C.S. Lewis


Shy Singer Amy Zents License Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.