Tips for the Vocalist

Whether you've been singing for years or have only just started taking vocal lessons, it is important to remember to do things properly. Much like exercise, singing should be done gradually and in moderation. You wouldn't go to the gym for five hours once a week and expect the same results as you get going once a day for 30 - 45 minutes, would you? 

Singing is exactly the same. Singing too loud or for too long can cause damage that could potentially lead to more serious issues later down the road. 

So here are some simple tips to make you a better vocalist than you already are!

1. Train your voice like an athlete trains for a sport. Practice in moderation, and don’t push yourself too hard -- you’ll negate any positive results by pushing too hard! Also as an athlete would, be sure to warm up before a performance/practice and cool down after. Warming up helps stretch your vocal chords and prepare them, and cooling down helps to not strain them with a sudden halt in singing.

2. Be YOU. If you try to copy a voice you like on the radio, not only could that lead to damage (your voice might not be able to physiologically handle their range, tone, etc. even if it feels comfortable!) but the radio stars are already making money for their voice -- let YOUR voice ring out!

3. Pace yourself. If you practice correctly and in a good moderation, you’ll notice your skills and duration enhance over time. This is the correct way -- NOTHING that takes hard work can miraculously happen over night. Everything takes time, practice, and moderation.

4. Avoid stress and trauma on your vocal chords. Try not to scream, yell, or strain your vocal chords on a regular basis. And yes, Husker fan vocalists, that means you too!

5. Hydration, hydration, hydration! Drink enough water. This is an important every-day habit to have, but it will also help your vocal chords out and they won’t get “dry” as fast when you’re in the middle of a performance!

And as a side note with the hydration tip -- from personal experience, I've found I perform long programs better when I have a bottle of water off to the side that I can take a sip from in between songs or during long breaks in the music. Contrary to some beliefs, this doesn't look unprofessional -- quite the opposite, it shows you take your talent seriously. Athletes drink water constantly throughout big games, pop stars go through water bottles extremely fast on stage -- so YOU as a vocalist can drink water throughout your performance as well!

Piano Exercises

If you’re a pianist then you know the importance of regular practice and finger “exercise” on the instrument. Here are some tips to help strengthen fingers and dexterity with the piano, some of which can be worked on even without the instrument itself.

1. Play some scales.

It’s true, scales can be an irritating repetition for musicians, but they along with arpeggios really work! Not only do they help reinforce knowledge of notes and key signatures, but they aid in finger strength and rhythm. Try playing scales in a variety of ways: legato, staccato, regular rhythm, etc.

2. Finger stretches.

Play two notes at least an octave apart with thumb and finger, and play a third note somewhere in between with a finger of your choice. (using your 4th finger might be a good choice, as it’s one of the weaker fingers to begin with) Also try holding your thumb down on one note and play ascending staccato notes as far up as possible with another one of your fingers to stretch them.

3. Work your weaker hand, too.

Practice parts that are usually played by your dominant hand with your “weaker” hand to familiarize that hand with melodic lines and new exercises.

4. Work your weaker fingers.

For most pianists and piano students, the fifth finger (pinky) is weaker than the other fingers. Try practicing scales and keeping the volume even across all fingers, which might require a bit of an extra push with the fourth and fifth fingers. Doing this will help strengthen your weaker fingers.

5. Tempo changes.

Try playing pieces that you know very well (or even have memorized) at different speeds. Start off as slow as possible, and work your way to a tempo faster than what you normally play at.

How to Write a Song

Songwriting is a skill that is easily obtainable by anyone wanting to learn. Writing a song has one very basic point: write down everything you think about.

Back when I was in high school and writing a lot, especially for speech competitions, I had a coach once tell me “I want you to vomit words onto the page.” I gave her a disgusted look, until she explained what she meant. She wanted me to write down everything I thought of -- every word, phrase, sentence, sight, smell, etc.

Granted, that was for writing informative and entertainment speeches. But the same technique can easily be applied to songwriting!

Your list can be organized and complete, like this:

Or it might end up being a bit all over the page, like this:

The thing to remember is you have to just do whatever works best for YOU. Do you like organization and making lists? Then the list option of “word vomit” will probably be beneficial. If you don’t care for organization or would rather the activity seem less like homework, then drawing and doodling words all over the page might be more helpful. Again, just do whatever works best for you. If you have a different way than these two methods, that’s great, too!

The next step is picking out your favorites. And the best part about songwriting and coming up with lyrics?

It’s absolutely 100% subjective.

This means that it doesn't have to make any sort of sense to anyone but you. And even then, that’s completely up to you! If you want to write a chorus to a song that’s something like:

Computers, games, that’s my jam.

Come on snowman, see me as I am.

Love my friends and going to the park.

My cat’s name is Chopin, and he loves to bark!

THEN GO FOR IT! Songwriting is so subjective, regardless of what “professionals” might think. If you write something and put music behind it, it’s your song. (Also, it doesn't have to rhyme at all, that’s just one of my personal songwriting habits.)

Songwriting, when looked at in its most basic form, is an extremely simple skill. Anyone can do it. So pick up a pencil (or pen, marker, crayon, etc.) and some paper, and get down to it! And if you’d like, let us know what you or your child writes by sharing in the comments section. Though anything inappropriate will be deleted! Songwriting may be subjective, but this is still a public blog and we’d like to keep things age friendly around here. :)

Boost Your Mood

Music has been proven to boost moods for quite some time now. And everyone knows the happier you are, the healthier you are! Whether you’re playing or listening, music is a wonderful tool to help boost happiness and diminish stress.

The key to music making you happier is very simple: do what makes you happy. Does simply sitting back and enjoying an album or a few music videos boost your mood? Then do that. Does playing a musical instrument and learning the technique help to put a smile on your face? Then learn! It’s a simple concept -- you have to do what makes you happy.

If you aren't completely satisfied in what you are doing, it will feel like a chore and you’ll no longer look forward to it. This will lead to stress, and stress can lead to a lot of negative feelings.

If you’re playing an instrument and feel like it’s forced, try something new! Whether it’s a new technique on your current instrument or a new instrument altogether, trying something new will make everything feel like a brand new adventure and help boost your happiness level and lower the stress.

At Harris Academy of the Arts, a wide variety of music lessons and classes are available. They are taught by university trained instructors, and students leave with a smile on their face daily.

Doing what makes you happy is one of the bigger goals you should have for yourself further down the road. At Harris, we’re here to help enhance one of those mood-boosters!

It is important to always remember: be happy, stay healthy. If what you’re doing now feels like it’s weighing you down, maybe it’s time for a fresh start. Find something new to spice up your current instrument of choice, or pick a new one and give it a shot. Even if it’s just for fun and you later return to your first instrument! Just anything to remind you why you’re doing this in the first place...

Because it makes you happy.

For The Love Of Music

It isn’t often that adults will come out and admit, “I wish I had never taken music lessons.” In fact, more often than not, adults (whether they’re just turning twenty or reaching eighty years in age) will say, “I wish I had never quit taking music lessons.”

Music lessons are work, there’s no doubt about it. They’re hyped up and given a certain coat of shimmering glamor by the media, and then every child wants to learn an instrument so they can one day be heard on the radio and perform in front of thousands.

But then the music lessons start, and they begin to realize that the skills they desire to learn in order to play their instrument don’t just come magically. While some are lucky enough to pick up an instrument and know immediately the theory and technique behind it without much instruction, that number is very few. Learning an instrument, just as learning any art, sport, etc. -- it takes hard work and dedication. And the younger you start, the easier it becomes with age and practice.

But this hard work and dedication is unfortunately why many people quit their instrument before actually giving themselves the chance to learn it. Then later in life, suddenly wish they had never given it up.

So here are a few reasons why you should be taking music lessons, regardless of what age you are.

1. Music lessons help lower stress and make you smarter.

Studies show that music education can increase IQ in children and adults, and these same studies have also shown that music is a great stress reliever. Music not only stops stress, but puts those hormone imbalances in reverse!

2. Learning to play an instrument comes with its own community.

Especially for adults, and after college more specifically, it can be difficult to make new social connections. Trying out music lessons can provide a “common ground” of sorts, on which to meet other people. Taking music lessons can open a door to meeting other people of all ages and talents who have a similar interest.

3. You learn a good amount of discipline and the value of hard work and dedication.

If you’re learning an instrument, whether it’s for fun or professional purposes, that is a talent that will stick with you for life. This will also help in certain careers and moments in your life that require discipline, values, and dedication. If you were able to dedicate yourself to a musical instrument, you’ve learned how to properly dedicate yourself to everyday tasks!

There are many reasons adults and children alike should begin taking music lessons. But possibly one of the most important reasons is that it is a fun, relaxing activity that could one day turn into a career -- and even if it doesn’t land you a spot on the radio every thirty minutes or a music video on television, it’s still a fun and exciting part of life to be able to say “I never quit taking music lessons, and I definitely don’t regret it.”

Recital Preparation

At Harris Academy of the Arts, students and faculty get the chance to perform in recitals for their families and the community.

Preparing for a recital is more than just having a thirty minute or hour long lesson with an instructor. After all, those lessons only happen one time every week. It takes a lot of personal preparation to be fully ready for a recital performance.

Students have to prepare the proper attire for the recital, and also make sure they are getting enough practicing time throughout the day.

But practice doesn't just happen by going over the piece dozens of times a day. Simply sitting down and listening to the piece, which generally is easy to find on YouTube, also helps. For those who play an instrument, it helps to listen to the piece and silently “practice” along with your instrument. For vocalists, listening to the piece can help give you an idea of the emotional reaction you are trying to provoke from your audience.

Mental preparation is by far the easiest step to being fully ready for a recital: simply breathe, relax and focus. You are in the recital to perform what you've learned, and the audience is there to see you -- no need to be nervous!

Student recitals are free and open to all students, faculty and community members.

Success!

LINCOLN, NE, 8/12/2013 -- Harris Academy of the Arts held a grand reopening to share the new expanded building with students, their families, and the general public. At the event, there were musical activities such as Beethoven Bingo, a variety of coloring pages, and fishing for musical instruments, sweet treats including cookies and an assortment of candy, and enough balloons to go around!

Families had the opportunity to tour the new, expanded studio space which includes a new lobby, office space, three new studios and a new waiting area for families. Some people were even visiting the studio for the first time to visit and inquire about lessons and group classes offered.

The grand reopening was intended to show off the new expanded space, and it was a successful event.

Grand Reopening!

No pictures this time around, because construction is done!! Join us on Saturday August 10th to celebrate the continuing growth of Harris Academy of the Arts -- while lessons will still be going on this day, it is also an opportunity for parents and students to meet new instructors and staff, partake in a variety of games and activities, and also sit in on a few informative sessions with instructors.

And of course, there will be a few tasty treats here and there, too!

Harris Academy started as Harris Music Studio in 2004 under the director and owner, Vicki Harris. Currently, there are twenty staff and faculty members and approximately 400 students of all ages. Due to its growth, the expansion became a much welcomed and necessary event.

Our curriculum provides many new and exciting offerings within the arts. Our courses provide unique options for students of all ages, skill levels, learning styles, instruments and schedules. Find what is best for you and your family, whether it be ensembles, private lessons or group classes.

Harris Academy of the Arts specializes in providing quality music education for a variety of instruments (piano, guitar, voice, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion);  however, we have enhanced our repertoire to include a variety of arts programs. Our expanded course list includes Musical Theatre, Talent Coaching, Disc Jockey and more to come.

Please join us Saturday, August 10th from 9am to 5pm for a grand reopening to celebrate the growth at Harris Academy of the Arts! None of it would be possible without YOU! :)

Instrument Care: Saxophone

Taking care of your instrument is very important. Frequently cleaning and tuning up will keep the instrument looking, sounding, and feeling new which will overall enhance performances and practicing.

Today, you’ll read how to clean a saxophone. The process is quite different and requires more use of instrument cleaning tools.

First, you start with the mouth piece. Remove the reed, and then use a mouthpiece brush to get rid of any “foreign gunk” that might be in there. Then run lukewarm water through the mouthpiece. This step may need to be repeated, depending on how long it’s been since the instrument was last cleaned.

Set the mouthpiece aside (or dry it yourself with a small cloth) and find a brush attachment to scrub the inside of the instrument. You can use water on a saxophone, however it’s important to remember: don’t let water touch the cork pads, or they will swell and deform and need to be replaced. So really, unless you’ve got steady hands and patience, it’s best to just work with the brush and scrub out the instrument’s insides. 

You can also purchase a swab for the instrument -- this is a cloth with a weighted side. Put the weighted side through the bell and turn the saxophone upside down, then pull the cloth through the instrument. This can be done as many times as necessary in order to properly clean and maintain the instrument. 

Make sure the cork on the neck is completely dry (if you chose water) and then apply a generous coat of cork grease. If you clean the saxophone and apply cork grease once a week, you’ll keep a good seal on the cork and therefore maintain a new look and feel for the instrument. However, don’t grease the little bits of cork on the ends of keys -- those are there for padding. 

After proper cleaning and maintenance, you can reassemble the instrument and it should look and feel good as new!