The Dallas Music Scene

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How to Find a Voice Coach

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You are a vocalist… you have established that beyond any doubt. You may be a shower singer, professional singer or even a closet singer. How and when are you supposed to find a voice coach to aid you nurturing your singing talent? Many vocal coaches are today easily available but with varying expertise, methods and experience. Finding a good voice coach is very important. Here are two basic reasons for it. One, you will be doing yourself a great favor by improving your singing voice. Two, you will also have learnt not just to sing but also entertain. Before even deciding to find yourself a voice coach, ask yourself this-do you really need a coach in the first place?

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Technique and Methods

One of the crucial things you must know is your potential coach’s methods and techniques used in training. You have all the reasons to ask him/her these questions; how long he has been training, what achievements he has met in his career, his/her style of coaching and even practical examples of his/her students that have excelled under his umbrella. If you find a coach who in his words “disses” all other coaches citing their styles then it’s time to run and never look back. Good coaches know there are several techniques and not all are meant for any particular individual.Continue Reading

How music helps brain development

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There is hardly anyone who dislikes music. It is the medium that soothes our mind, refreshes, provides comfort, entertains us and even cures us from illness. Music is the essential component of our life and well being.

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Music is very much related to our health and to be more specific, it has direct effects on the development of our brain. A child can hear sounds right from the mother’s womb. Doctors suggest expecting mothers to listen to soothing music so that the baby inside her body stays well. The sense of sound is completely developed when a child is born. The nature of music that a child gets to hear right from the beginning plays a great role in determining the basic nature of the person. The first three years of the life is most important for the development of the brain. The brain weight of a new born is just 25% of the total body weight and by the age of three years, this percentage grows dramatically with the building of the pathways and connections known as synapses. Synapses used for classical music are same as those used for the skills necessary for mathematics. So, listening to classical music actually enhances the brain’s ability to solve mathematical problems!Continue Reading

Should music teachers teach private lessons?

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Music lessons are the formal instructions provided for playing a certain musical instrument or singing. The lesson can be of two types; the private lesson and the semi private lesson in which the music teacher teaches groups of two of four students. A typical private music lesson is one in which a single student is involved with the teacher. The training session lasts for 30 minutes to 1 hour for a period of weeks or even years.

Private music lesson are more popular as the student who is really interested about music needs the calm space to absorb the skills that are taught. There are several benefits of private music lessons. In the private sessions the student gets the opportunity to clarify reasons behind their interest more openly as compared to group lessons. There are students who may find it difficult to communicate about their individual thoughts in the presence of their co-learners. Privacy enables them to open up their mind and feel free to express whatever pops up in their mind. There is no peer pressure in a private music lesson; the student never feels the tension of perfect performance as there is no one to laugh at their silly mistakes.Continue Reading

Best music for teens

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Teenagers are known to be very selective regardless of what they want. They are usually bombarded with wide selections and options that the world of music has offered them. Naturally, teens will go for what most people don’t expect of them. They clearly want to be different, unique and somewhat left alone to enjoy whatever it is. Well, what music do these youngsters listen to? We all know that preference will always remain different from one person to another hence making it quite difficult to learn people. Also we do know that teens love trendy music, trendy clothing, trendy hairstyles; everything that is new in the industry just seems to belong to them.

If today you ask teenagers if they could do without music, most of them will not even like the question in the first place. Music and teenagers are two inseparable things. This is the reason why you will find most teenagers listening to music anytime and anywhere. For teenagers, music is a means of labeling or identifying certain emotions. In song lyrics, teenagers may express varying emotions from happiness, anger and sadness but surely it’s a way of bringing out what the teenagers feels at that particular point in time.Continue Reading

Tips for Surviving the Music Festival Season

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When attending a music festival, it is important to be prepared as the season starts. There are bound to be many shows, many people, and many challenges that you might have to tackle. In this article, we are going to take a look at some tips for surviving the music festival season.

Tips for Surviving the Music Festival Season
Tips for Surviving the Music Festival Season

1. Carry Your Sunscreen

Chances are very high that the music festival will take part during the day, and outside when the weather is good. That means a lot of sunshine. Bring along your sunscreen, sun glasses, and possibly, a hat, to keep away sunburn and UV rays.

2. Drinking Water

Staying hydrated is very important, and with all the sun and dancing that could take place at the festival, it is good to ensure that you carry your own drinking water. If they don’t allow outside water on the premises, they probably offer water or have hydration points on site.

3. Avoid Drugs & Alcohol

Music festivals are usually full of fun and it is easy for you to get lost and over indulge in drugs and/ or alcohol. We all know the dangers of too much alcohol, or drugs, and we should limit the alcohol and avoid the drugs.

4. Plan out set times

Plan your time in such a way that you will attend the concerts of the musicians you wish to see. The crowds tend to be larger when there are popular musicians performing, and you might want to book or get there early if you want a front row seat or space

5. Stay connected with friends

There are bound to be crowds of people at the events and it is easy to get lost. Ensure that you have a way of reaching your friends.

Madison Piano Movers

If you are performing, you will want to move your musical instruments to the venue. It is highly recommended to use the services of professional movers like Madison Piano Movers because they have experience and know exactly how to handle different types of pianos and other instruments. In some instances, they might be required to disassemble the instruments legs, lids, and/ or lyres, to make it easier to move it. This however is just the icing on the cake because the most sensitive parts of the piano are the inner workings, which in many instances aren’t supposed to be tilted at all. Any wrong move could end up damaging the internal workings of the piano.

When the founder of this company wanted to move, they realized that there was a vacuum in the companies which could move their musical equipment for them. The companies that were there seemed to lack the expertise to pack and move their piano, and to make matters worse, it got damaged and there was no compensation or reasonable explanation from the moving company. This is how Madison Piano Movers was born.

Their promise if to ensure timely and safely delivery of your goods, ensuring that you also have the best customer service experience. Their services cover Madison, Middleton, Sun Prairie, Cottage Grove, Fitchburg and McFarland. They now have an online platform where their customers can connect with their representatives, making it easier and more convenient. You can even get a free instant quote just by filling in a few details on an online form on their website. If you’re looking for the best piano movers Madison, WI, Madison Piano Movers is sure to fit those shoes.

Summary

When attending musical festivals, always ensure to follow the tips above, and if performing, moving your valuable instruments easily turn into a disaster if you choose the wrong moving partner. Let Madison Piano Movers handle your move and you can have peace of mind.

How Musicians Can Deal With Their Inner Issues

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Everyone has their own inner issues even musicians. Some people refer to that as an inner child. That stems from our childhood experiences that shape our perceptions and belief systems. The experiences that we undergo when we are young make up our subconscious and affect how we lead our lives even in adulthood. That explains how we lead our lives and why we all have inner issues.

How Musicians Can Deal With Their Inner Issues
How Musicians Can Deal With Their Inner Issues

Luckily, there are simple things that we can do to deal with our inner issues to live a more fulfilled life. They include:

Read books

Many books have been written on self-development. They have helped many and they can help you too. They can help you trace your history and know-how to make some adjustments. They can also help to shape our perceptions and belief systems. Books can help us have an awareness of what issues we have and how to deal with them.

Meditation

Through meditation, one can have more self-awareness. It can help you know your thought patterns, know how you feel, and how to deal with yourself. Mediation can help you understand yourself better and have a relationship with yourself. That is the first path towards inner self-healing.

Therapy

One of the sure ways that people have used to deal with their inner issues is going for therapy.  There are different types of therapy and different types of therapists such as the playa vista therapist. Therapists have been specifically trained to understand human psychology and have experience with issues that people face. They may give you a therapy that will work according to your needs. When it comes to therapy, everyone has different needs, and thus they will know what kind of therapy will work out for you.

Practice gratitude

Gratitude has more effects than it has been perceived. It unlocks an inner stronger power. When we practice gratitude, we will be more aware of the positive things that have happened to us and not focus on the negative. That will help us to live more fulfilled and happy lives. With the change in technology, many gratitude apps can make it easier for you to practice gratitude.

Heal yourself

Most of the time, we have inner issues because we are bitter about something. The only solution to that is forgiving ourselves. Forgiveness will bring about healing which will free us from the slavery of our inner world. When you forgive yourself, you will be in harmony with your past which will bring about positive changes.

Connect with a higher power

Different people have different beliefs about a higher power but the bottom line is there is a higher power. Some believe it is a god somewhere, some believe God is in heaven, and others believe the inner power is in them. When we connect with an inner power, it will bring more awareness and peace which will eventually bring about inner healing.

Studio Chair Buying Guide

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Choosing a great chair goes beyond the aesthetics, there is so much more that is involved. Having a great studio chair makes all the difference in terms of your experience. A good chair will make sure that you have a good posture and that will help you avoid some problems. When it comes to studio chairs, there are a variety of styles that are used such as dining chairs. If you opt for the dining chair style, make sure that you check the best Australian dining chairs so that you have the best for your needs. Some of the factors to keep in mind when you are looking for a studio chair includes: 

Height and arm height 

When you are choosing a studio chair

When you are choosing a studio chair, it is important to check the height so that it is comfortable against the desk. The armrest should be the same height as the desk. There are however adjustable chairs. That makes it much easier as you can adjust to your preference. 
 

Material used 

Even though the material used has a big influence on the beauty of the chair, it also influences your comfort. You should lookout for a chair that has been made with a breathable material so that it does not get sweaty and uncomfortable. That explains why several chairs have used a meshed material on top. 

Adjustability 

There is a misconception that only office chairs need to be adjustable. Studio chairs also need to be adjustable. It is best to go for a chair with the most adjustability that you can get. This is because we are not all the same size, we have different requirements when it comes to the ideal size. When checking on the adjustability, you should not skip on the height for both backrest and the armrest. 

Headrest 

If you have back issues, then you should go for a chair that has a headrest. It will help you to easily recline and correct your posture. 

Lumbar support 

A good chair with good lumbar support is one that will go with your natural back curves. Even though our backs may look straight, they are never straight.  A chair with good lumbar support is also one that does not leave gaps between your back and the backrest. 
 

Size of the seat pan 

A good seat should have the right size of the seat pan. The right seat with the right pan size will support you without straining your backrest and lumbar. 

Legroom 
 

A good chair will help you with leg comfort so that the waterfall front is great. Some seats have too much padding on the front which adds pressure n your knees and thighs. Those kinds of chairs are only comfortable in the short term but may be uncomfortable with time. 
 

Warranty 

A seat that comes with warranty simple means that its manufacturer is confident in its quality that they are willing to be liable in case of anything.

How to Choose the Video Lens for Music Production

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When you are producing music, a high-quality video has a big influence on your success. Most of the people will be more interested in music if it has a good video. If you have to get a good video, you have to invest in a good lens. As much as the kind of camera that you have is important, the lens in the center of it all. The right lens will make sure that you have the best video regardless of the camera that you are using. 
 

Four thirds vs Full frame lens 

The focal length is very important when you are doing videography. The focal length is the length between the lens and the point of focus. This makes a difference between micro four thirds systems and the full-frame system. The micro four-thirds are different in that it has a crop factor of 2.0 which is different from the full-frame format. For a micro four thirds, the focal length and field of view is approximately half of what should be on a full-frame camera. That also means that the MFT lens is way better than the other kind of lens. A 50mm MFT lens is the same as 100mm for a 35mm camera. 

When it comes to choosing a lens, there are things that you have to consider to make the right choice, they include: 
 

Sealing 

Getting a lens with sealing is important as it will help to ensure that the lens is sealed and protect the internal and external components of the camera. It helps to protect the lens from issues such as dust, moisture, and humidity which are culprits in destroying the lens. The sealing is normally in different forms such as rubber sealing and silicon rings. Sealing is very important especially if you are going to do the shooting outside. 

Size of the lens 

Most of the time, the size of the lens refers to its focal length. Even though the focal length of the lens is important, the physical size and weight are also important especially if portability is an issue to you. With a light lens, it is easier to stabilize as compared to a heavy lens. 
 

Accessories available 

Some lenses come with extra accessories such as stabilization systems. If it does not come with an inbuilt stabilization system, then you have to use a tripod or stabilizer so that you get crisp footage. It is also good to consider the kind of accessories you already have and if they will be compatible with the lens. 

There is also a lens that comes with a shock absorber. That helps to avoid shaky and blurry videos. 
 

When you choose a lens, do not forget to consider the camera that you already have. There is some lens that may not be very compatible and hence they will not be useful for you. 
 

Shopping for a lens, just like anything else requires due diligence.

How to Move Your Music Equipments Easily

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For most people, they dread the time they have to move especially if it is moving houses or offices. Gone are the days that you had to do everything for yourself. Moving companies have made everything much easier. Now you have to decide what needs to be moved and the location, and you are set. Apart from moving houses, there are many movers’ companies that are commercial hence can move an office or a studio. Some of the factors that you should keep in mind when you are looking for movers for your music equipments include: 

Define your needs 

Define your needs

You need to first decide what you need so that you may know the direction to look at when looking for a company. When defining your needs, you need to decide what needs to be moved, where are they being moved to, if you have any packing materials and what do you need in terms of packaging, your set budget, and time of move. 

Scope of the company 

It is good to know the scope of the company in terms of what they deal with and their areas of operation. There are some companies for example that only deal with households and may not be in a position for moving a studio. In checking the scope of the company, check the locations they operate. You need to be sure that they can cover the areas that you want to move. 

Experience of the company 

When looking for a company, it is good to check its experience. How many years have they been in operation? A longer experience means that they are more likely to do a good job since they have done it over and over again. 

Reputation of the company 

The reputation of a company is very important as it can help you know what to expect from the company. If the company has a good reputation it means that you are likely to have a good experience. You can know the reputation of a company by checking on its reviews. 

Packing and storage 

For music equipments, there are some instruments that are very delicate. It is important to know how the company deals with such. You need to find out how they are packed and transported. It is also good to know what happens in case of any damage done on the equipments. Some companies have taken insurance such that if anything happens to a delicate item, they are liable to compensate you. 

Cost 

Different companies have different pricing policies. It is important to understand how pricing is done to avoid cases of hidden costs. It is also good to know if there are any extras attached with a certain cost. To get the best value for money, you will be obliged to do a research and comparison. For example, the services provided by Milwaukee Piano Movers at a certain cost may not be the same as another moving company at the same cost.

Ways Musicians Can Have Fun Outside Music

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For musicians, your obvious guess would be they love music. But the truth is there is life outside music and there is a lot that they can do to have fun. For musicians, there is a lot that they can do already with music. Some of the other activities that musicians can do to have fun include: 

Do movies/Plays 

Some many movies and plays are fun to watch and will keep anyone entertained. You just have to know your genre of interest and choose wisely. There are always plays happening at the cinemas. Find more about the storyline and the characters to know if it is your kind of play. 

Reading 

You can never go wrong with books. The best part is that there is a wide genre of books hence there is no limitation on the kind of books that you should read. Reading will not only give you knowledge but will inspire you and give you the experience of others. It will also entertain you and help you be more creative. The day we stop reading, is the day we stop learning and hence stop living. 

Play games 

There are plenty of games that one can do. With games at least you will be having fun while at the same time keeping your health in check. With games, it depends on your interests and skills. For example, if you are an outdoors kind of person, then outdoor games such as outdoor foosball would work better for you. If you are not sure, you can join a sports club then try out different games until you find one that you love. 

Travel 

Traveling is very important. You learn new things, experience new cultures and meet new people. With traveling, it does not have to be necessarily expensive for it to be fun. You can decide on a random road trip with friends or family and it will still be fun. If you want to go to your dream destination, however, you will have to save in advance and do your planning well. If you don’t plan on time, it may never happen. 

Do art 

Apart from singing, there are many other kinds of art. You don’t need to go to art school to do art. In the digital era, there is YouTube, Pinterest and many other sites where you can learn a lot of things and get ideas on what you can do. There are many DIY projects that you can explore depending on your interests. 

Volunteer 

Giving yourself as a service is a good way of having fun. You will be making an impact and putting smiles on other people’s faces while at the same time have fun. For some places, you don’t have to give so much of your time and apply early to volunteer. Just identify what areas touch you most then nail down on one area and start with that. That will help you choose something that you love.

Home Security Measures to Take Before You Leave For a Music Festival

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Music festivals sure are exciting events, especially if you can set up a tent and camp out all weekend so you can party with friends and enjoy one special show after another throughout the festival. These fun events usually go hand in hand with lots of tasty treats to sample, drinks to enjoy and lots of laughter. It is not uncommon at all for festivals lovers to turn off their phones and only pay attention to having fun.

Home Security Measures to Take Before You Leave For a Music Festival
Home Security Measures to Take Before You Leave For a Music Festival

If you are leaving your home unattended then it is important to get the right security measures in place before you go. With the right home security, your home will be safe while you are away and you can have even more fun because you don’t need to worry about your home at all.

Here are the top safety measures to take at home before you go;

Repair Broken Doors and Windows

One of the first things you can do is to get old and damaged windows and doors properly repaired. Out of date door locks, broken windows and other flaws makes your home an easy target for burglars. Lämpölux is a good company to consider if you need some door and window repairs done to your home.

Get a Dog

Dogs are terrific companions and they can also warn you when something strange is happening in the neighbourhood. You will also instantly know that you are targeted for a robbery if your guard dog gets poisoned. This is one of the most basic, yet most effective ways to secure your garden area.

Inform Your Neighbours

In modern times, it has become quite uncommon to reach out and communicate with neighbours. But telling your neighbour that you are away for the festival is a great way to enhance home security. They will know to report suspicious property and a good neighbour can also help keep an eye on your property.

Install a Webcam

Web camera systems or CCTV systems that work via Wi-Fi can be handy investments when you are out and about. With these units, you can log into your home channel and view whatever your camcorder is recording from your smartphone. You can check in on home, see if everything is still going well or check on your pets whenever you like.

Install Light Timers

Light timers are terrific for warding off burglars. You can set your lights to go off and on at random times so it will seem like someone is at home and still wide awake. Light timers are also great for conserving energy throughout the night since they switch off automatically.

Automate Your Sprinkler Systems

Automated sprinkler systems can also save you a lot of time on watering and it will seem like someone is home whenever the sprinklers come on and off. With these great security strategies in place, you can party and have fun without a care in the world because the risk of getting robbed while you are listening to concerts will be reduced.

How to Improve the Talents and Skills of Your Foster Children

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There are different children right now who have lost their parents or have been abandoned by their parents. Some of them qualify to become the foster children of some parents who would like to provide the love, care, and support that children need in order to survive. The different traits, skills, and talents of people usually develop at a young age.

How to Improve the Talents and Skills of Your Foster Children
How to Improve the Talents and Skills of Your Foster Children

As a foster parent, your main goal is to provide the support that your foster children need the way that you would support your own child. Support is very important. When children feel that you are not interested in their activities, they will have the tendency to hide what they are doing or they will not do anything related to the activity anymore. Foster children can be even more sensitive as compared to those who live with their parents. They may have been rejected in the past. They would need to trust people again.

You may notice that your foster child has an obvious talent for singing or playing instruments. Do not allow the talent to go to waste. You may enroll your foster child to take some singing lessons so that the vocal range and the vocal quality can still be improved. When you do this, your foster child will also be grateful especially if this is something that he always wanted.

Aside from getting professional lessons, these are some of the other things that you can do to harness and improve the talents and skills of those who are in foster care:

  •  Stay tuned to what your foster child needs. There are some foster parents that may pressure their foster children to try out things that they are not interested in. Do not do this because you will only end up making them unhappy. Some foster children would like to please their foster parents and they may end up being disappointed with each other.
  •  You can expose your foster child into activities that will be liked and appreciated. All you have to do is ask. Some foster children will not voice out what they want to do unless you start to notice. Take time to look into your foster child’s interests just to be sure.
  •  Encourage the gifts and passions that the foster child has. You do not know where he may be in the future but the fact that you have provided the needed care and understanding at this point in his life might shape him to become a better adult in the future. Your kindness will always be remembered.
  •  If your child loses interest, then be open about it. Some people may be given the right talents but since they are not too interested, they would not do anything to harness those talents anymore. Your foster child may want to learn the guitar now but would later decide to play the piano instead. These are things that you have to be prepared for as it may happen.

Remember that every foster child will be unique. If you are caring for many foster children, they will have their own skills and interests. Get to know them better and help them unleash their inner talents.

The Benefits of Cork Flooring for Your Music Room

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There are a lot of floor options that are available for you but it can be particularly hard to pick just one. If you have a lot of rooms at home, you have the option to choose the type of flooring that will be perfect for each room. Do you think that cork flooring will be perfect for your music room?

Your music room in the house can also be your den. It can hold all of the various musical instruments that you play and it can even be the place wherein you can practice singing. There are so many things that you can do there. Most of all, you would like to be entertained whenever you are there. The cork flooring will be appropriate for this because this is highly practical and versatile.

The Benefits of Cork Flooring for Your Music Room
The Benefits of Cork Flooring for Your Music Room

You can consider cork flooring for your music room for these reasons:

  •  Durability – Do you actually want a type of floor that may react whenever it is spilled on? The cork flooring can resist cracking. This will also have the ability to bounce back especially after you have placed heavy furniture on it. With the right care, you can have the type of floor that will last for a long time.
  •  Healthy for You and Your Family – You will probably use your music room a lot. At times, you may do it with your family members and friends. Do you honestly want to endanger their health with the wrong flooring? You can choose cork and be assured that this will be resistant to mold and mildew which can cause various types of diseases. Cork will not shed off its microfibers so there is no need to worry about the quality of the air that you are breathing whenever you are indoors.
  •  Safe – One of the main concerns of people is if cork flooring would be able to withstand high temperatures. This will not melt unless it is very exposed to very high temperatures. If it does start to melt, it will not release some toxic fumes that can harm people when they are in a burning home. Do not forget to take care of the other appliances that you may place inside the room just to be sure.
  •  Comfortable – When you are practicing your music, it may sometimes take you a lot of time before you can be happy with what you are doing. For example, you are trying to memorize some new chords that you will play on your guitar. You would like to be very comfortable the whole time. The cork flooring will be comfortable even when you are barefoot. At the same time, this is naturally warm which can be perfect for cold weather conditions.
  •  Quiet – Do you know the cork flooring will have the ability to absorb some of the sounds that you will produce while you are practicing? This is very practical especially when you do not want to distract other people who are also resting within the house.

These are just some of the things that you can expect when you have cork flooring. This may be the best option for you right now.

Tips to Sound Better When Recording Vocals

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You could have a very good piece of music, well written and the instruments playing right, but the fact that the vocals came out wrong would mean that it is as good as useless. It is important to make sure that you have the best sound when recording your vocals. In this article, we are going to take a look at some tips to sound better when recording vocals.

Tips to Sound Better When Recording Vocals
Tips to Sound Better When Recording Vocals

Prepare Before Recording

You need to be ready by the time that you’re going into the recording booth, and since being in the booth could be intimidating, it is best to practice first. Record yourself in front of a friend so that you can polish your vocal techniques before hitting the recording booth.

Microphone Technique

You also need to practice your song in front of a microphone so that you can get the distance right. While recording, you’ll most likely be still, something you might also want to get used to. Practicing the microphone technique will reduce the chances of fidgeting behind the mic due to discomfort. Some of the common techniques include:

  • Volume Control
  • Avoid Popping and Sibilance: when pronouncing P’s and B’s, which usually causes additional bursts of air.
  • Control Breath Sounds

Choose the Right Microphone

There are many different types of microphones and it is best to test them to figure out the one that works best for you. The quality of the sound can be affected by the wrong type of microphone.

Shape Vowels When Singing

There is more emotion when one shapes their vowels when singing since the voice can flow within the instrument, creating more character.

Communicate Through the Song

The lyrics should communicate a message, and emotion should be used to emphasize what you’re saying in the song. This means that the lyrics and emotions should stand out through a recording.

Song Delivery

The song should be delivered in a way that brings out your voice and emotion so that they touch the hearts of listeners. Imagine that someone is in front of you as you sing in order to connect better.

How to Connect a Condenser Microphone to a Laptop for Recording

For normal microphones, you would probably just need an 1\8” jack and you’re good to go when it comes to connecting a mic to a laptop, but it is slightly different with the condenser mic. You need to have an adequate mixer for the best quality sound, and a soundcard that goes with a ¼” jack. The condenser mic is then connected to the mixer, which in turn connects to the soundcard. This coupled with good recording software such as Cakewalk or Audacity should be good to get you going. The advantage of the condenser mic is the fact that it can get extended frequency ranges, maintain flat frequency responses, is small and portable, and is durable. Cakewalk and Audacity are good options for those that are on a budget, enhancing the quality of the music since you can play around with it.

Summary

The type of mic that you use will affect your vocals, which is why you should choose very carefully, and preferably go for the condenser microphone.

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