Singing Tips 3 Physical Keys for Hitting High Notes

Singing Tips 3 Physical Keys for Hitting High Notes Sign up successful 2. Release Tension Another thing that often happens as a high note gets closer is for a singer to anticipate it. Similar to reaching, anticipation might involve a startled response in the body and/or stressful thoughts or feelings about singing the high note. When we are anticipating something challenging, we often tighten our muscles and hold our breath, like the video below says. If we can instead convince ourselves not to anticipate the high note, we can stay at ease in our bodies, calm in our breathing and open to interacting with the sound we are producing and the environment we are in. In this way, the higher notes can be supported by an open, expansive body with the appropriate (not excessive) muscular tone and engagement, which makes them far easier to produce than from a body that is tight, tense, and weak from an imbalance of tension and tone. To work with this idea, notice your thoughts and bodily sensations as you approach a high note. If you notice excessive tension or that youre holding or closing off your breath, pause and give yourself time to release whatever you don’t need. Then, begin singing again, staying aware of yourself. 3. Dont Force It In tandem to the above tips, another thing to keep in mind is not to push your voice to force out a high note. Forcing your voice only leads to more effort, which ultimately leads to fatigue and/or damage to your vocal cords. The best way to give your high notes sustaining power is to rely on the support down below the breath. Because the breathing mechanism is engaging to move the air out of the body, the movement of the air becomes a source of support for your voice. The air coming up and out of the torso is a source of support in motion. Instead of pushing, notice the connection of the front and back of your torso, and the ribs gently ‘releasing’ together. In addition to the ribs coming together, the diaphragm also naturally releases upward to push the air out, and the vocal folds come together to control the flow of air. Noticing how your body naturally moves the air out of your body as a source of support can allow you to let go of additional effort you are using to force the air and sound out. The key to finding a good balance in singing high notes is to use your awareness of your body and breath. It holds the key to releasing unnecessary tension, making use of your natural support, and letting go of unhelpful mental and bodily cues that are interfering with your production of high notes. As always, ask your voice teacher if you need additional help! For extra tips, check out this article about singing high notes from CoreSinging.org. Nadia B. teaches flute and piano in New York, NY, as well as through online lessons. She  acted as principal flutist of the orchestra and wind ensemble at  California State University, Sacramento, and then went on to receive her degree in Music Performance from New York University.  Learn more about Nadia here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  sarah

3 Tips for Voice Projection

3 Tips for Voice Projection Suzy S. No mic? No problem! Sing loud and proud with these voice projection tips from Broken Arrow, OK voice teacher Adia P Growing up on the stages of community theater, I probably heard Project your voice! more than Curtain! or Break a Leg!  Its a little intimidating at first, but between nonstop practices and a healthy fear that all my hard work would be wasted if no one could hear my lines, I was projecting like a pro in no time. It may sound complicated, but projecting your voice is just another way to say, speak up. We do it naturally, without thinking, almost every day. When I am helping my students to project their singing voice, I often have them practice attempting to get someones attention. To do so, we raise our voice to capture the attention of our target. For example, Hey you! or Wait, you forgot your..! They quickly learn that it is fairly easy to do in fact, they project almost effortlessly. But is projecting in speaking the same as with singing? The answer is yes. I often joke that to project in song is to speak up in melody.   In the classic sense, project means to throw or thrust forward. In singing or speaking, it means we are controlling the volume of our voice, clearly and distinctly, in an effort to be heard at a greater level. It is less of a skill to be taught, and more of a method to be practiced. In fact, most of our difficulties with projecting have more to do with confidence than lack of ability.  Insecurities about your voice, or overwhelming concerns about what others will think about your sound can get in the way and cause you to shrink back. This is not always an easy fix, and often takes consistent practice and work with your coach to get your confidence level where you need it to be. But I’ve found that these three quick practice tips have helped my students master projection and get one step closer to achieving their vocal goals. I hope they help you too! 1. Find your focus. In practice, give yourself a target object to direct your voice toward. For example, a wall, window, or object on the other side of the room. Youll notice when you give your voice an aim, you will project naturally. 2. Fill the room. Always sing with enough clarity and volume to fill the space that you are in. This will help you control the level and intensity of projection you need to give. A small studio or recital hall will not require the same power or support needed to fill a large theater or concert hall;   note where you are and project accordingly. 3. Forget the fear. Since your sound comes from within, confidence struggles can greatly inhibit your ability or even willingness to sing out. But dont let fear have the final say. If there is something about your voice you dont like, focus in and work with your coach to get stronger and more proficient. Always believe in your ability to make a sound worth sharing. Adia P. teaches singing lessons to students of all ages in Broken Arrow, OK. Adia specializes in vocal/stage performance, beginner-intermediate singing, sight-singing, musical theater and audition preparation and performance. She joined the TakeLessons team in October 2012. Learn more about Adia, or search for a teacher near you! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  Matt McGee

The Quick Guide to Japanese Culture

The Quick Guide to Japanese Culture The Practical Guide to Japanese Folklore ChaptersTypical Martial Arts in JapanGeishas: Mysterious Japanese ArtistsSumo, the Ancient Sport from the Land of the Rising SunJapanese History: Traditional Japanese WeaponsIn Asia, there are plenty of different countries, each with their own diverse culture. Japan is one of the eastern countries that many people are interested in because of its cuisine, art, countryside, and cultural heritage. An estimated 20 million tourists will visit the country in 2020.Japanese culture is broad and varied and blends the traditional with the modern. Japan is home to traditional cuisine and folklore as well as modern technology. However, tourists enjoy the traditional far more than the modern.In this article, Superprof is looking at most popular Japanese traditions, sports in the country, sumo, Geishas, and traditional Japanese weapons. So get your yukata ready, we’re off to discover Japan. NanaJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors EllyJapanese Teacher 5.00 ( 1) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MomokoJapanese Teacher £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MelanieJapanese Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors YukoJapanese Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JamesJapanese Teacher 5.00 (5) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PippaJapanese Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarikoJapanese Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsTypical Martial Arts in JapanMartial arts are popular all over the world. While boxing is probably the most popular combat sport in the UK, Japan has a long history with martial arts. Here are some of the most popular martial arts in Japan. Japan has a long history of martial arts. (Source: gregorycosta)Combat Sports and Martial ArtsMartial arts are a type of sport and self-defence generally using punches, kicks, and grabs. The most popular martial arts from Japan are judo and karate, with most cities in the UK having clubs for bothThere are also other martial arts jujutsu, the precursor to judo, and aikido, a sport based on using your adversary’s strength against them. These are violent sports but they’re about becoming more peaceful:“Martial arts were used on the battlefield and for training the Samurai. Today, these martial arts still train samurais but represent piece. Martial arts are designed to nurture peace.” - Hiroo MochizukiThere are also martial arts such as Shorinji Kempo and Nippon Kempo. These two combat sports were inspired by other martial arts but they also teach spirituality.Mastering Weapons in JapanThere are also martial arts that make use of weapons. Here are a few of the more popular martia l arts with weapons:Kendo: using a sword.Jukendo: using a bayonet.Naginata: using a naginata (a pole weapon)Iaido: using a sword with a focus on quickly drawing a sword and responding to sudden attacks.Kyudo: using a Japanese bow.These are all the result of Japanese military training rituals for samurais, warriors, or armed monks.Geishas: Mysterious Japanese ArtistsPopularised in the film “Memoirs of a Geisha” and promoted by the Japanese government as a symbol of Japanese culture, Geishas continue to fascinate westerners and the Japanese. Here are a few things you should know about them. Geishas are artists and entertainers. (Source: patrik671)A Refined Artist and Courtesan“She paints her face to hide her face. Her eyes are deep water. It is not for Geisha to want. It is not for geisha to feel. Geisha is an artist of the floating world. She dances, she sings. She entertains you, whatever you want. The rest is shadows, the rest is secret.” - Memoirs of a GeishaGeishas certainly are mysterious with the white makeup, hair in buns, and ornate kimonos. Geishas are artists whose job is to entertain their clients.Contrary to popular western belief, Geishas are not prostitutes. In Japanese culture, this is very clear. Geishas are not supposed to provide these types of services. Their main role is to play an instrument like the shamisen, perform traditional Japanese dances, to accompany their clients and to serve them.Geishas Throughout HistoryGeishas originated in the 13th century when artists were invited to Kyoto to entertain the emperor though these were generally men . During the 17th century, women started performing these roles as geisha.You could find them in tea rooms and some would sell their bodies to wealthy customers. In fact, a Geisha’s virginity could be sold for a fortune through prostitution. However, it should be made clear that a geisha isn't a prostitute.The golden age of geishas was during the 19th and 20th century and there were thousands of them around Japan, particularly in Kyoto in the Gion neighbourhood. They were very fashionable and popular, making the business very lucrative.The Second World War resulted in the closure of the Okiya for a year. While the Geishas could return to work after this time, few did. The practice was further hurt by the fact that the Japanese government made it illegal for girls to leave education before the age of 16.Today, there are still geishas, but in far fewer numbers than in their heyday. There’s been an increase in popularity in recent years, though. There are still a few who don their kimono in a teahouse or geisha house and perform traditional Japanese dance, kabuki theatre, calligraphy, or the traditional tea ceremony.Talk about talented!Sumo, the Ancient Sport from the Land of the Rising SunOf all the sports done in Japan, the most unique and special is probably sumo. It may seem strange and difficult to understand, but it’s an important part of Japanese history. Here’s what you need to know about Sumo, Japan’s national sport. Sumo wrestling is a combat sport, ritual, art, and sacred ceremony all at the same time. (Source: 12019)The Rikishi and the Rules of SumoA sumo wrestler is also known as a rikishi or sumotori. These combatants practice a sacred art in the dohyo, a ring 4m in diameter. Each rikishi holds a rank from novice to yokozuna (grand champion) as well as a shikona (ring name).Before a match, the rikishis complete a purification ritual on their body and mind and the dohyo itself is also purified. They then get into position for combat. To win, they need to throw their adversary to the ground or remove them from the ring.There are 6 main sumo tournaments per year with 3 of them occurring in the capital city, Tokyo. It’s very popular in Japan and is more than just a sport, it’s a way to communicate with the gods.Sumo Through the AgesAs the legend goes, sumo arose from a battle between two gods for control of the Japanese islands. Much later, a mortal by the name of Sukune, who is considered t he father of sumo, fought a man to the death.Sumo was introduced into the emperor’s court in the 8th century but it was just a shinto ritual. It became a veritable martial art in the 9th century and became popular across the whole of Japan.In the 17th century, sumo become a professional sport and entertainment for the rich. Promoters emerged and started offering budding rikishis a career. During the Edo period, sumo turned towards the general public. The ranking system later appeared.Today, it’s very popular in Japan!Japanese History: Traditional Japanese WeaponsJapan is a country that developed for many years without any outside interference. It was able to forge its own culture and military discipline, too. This is why there are several traditional weapons that are unique to Japan. The Katana is one of Japan's most symbolic weapons. (Source: skefalacca)Japanese Bladed WeaponsJapan is known for its swords: they commonly appear in Japanese cultural works and the most famous one is undoubtedly the katana. These curved samurai swords were used before the arrival of gunpowder weapons in the 16th century.Among the most famous Japanese blades, we could mention:The Katana (a sword over 60cm)The Tachi (an older sword, used by samurai horsemen)The Wakizashi (a shorter sword between 30cm and 60cm)The Tanto (a Japanese dagger under 30cm)The Tessen (a metal fan with blades)The Naginata (a wooden lance with a curved blade at the end)The Yari (a lance between 2.5 and 4m in length)The Kunai (ninja dagger)The Sai (a three-pointed dagger)We could also mention weapons like the Kama and Kue, types of hooks. These were agricultural tools that were used to defend Okinawa.Ranged Japanese Weapons and Blunt WeaponsThere are plenty of Japanese ranged weapons. The Yumi, a traditional Jap anese bow, is one of the most important. There are a whole bunch of ranged weapons in Japan including shurikens (metal stars) and senbon (metal needles).There are also blunt weapons used to strike foes such as nunchakus. However, there are also a whole range of batons that could be as long as 1.8m.  You might also be familiar with the tonfa, or tunkunwa, which evolved into the batons commonly used by law enforcement in the west.Now you should know a bit about Japanese culture. If you want to learn more, check out our other articles on Japan. You could also improve your Japanese with a private Japanese tutor. Don't forget that many of the Japanese tutors on Superprof offer the first hour of tuition for free!

Keeping Grades Up Through High School

Keeping Grades Up Through High School Theres a lot of truth to the statement that high school is when students grades really start to matter. Middle school lays the groundwork and helps students establish good study habits, but high school is when things count. Teens performance (i.e. their academic record) will impact where they go to college, whether they are eligible for scholarships and much, much more. So, whats the secret to keeping up those grades? The simple answer is effort, but in reality, its a bit more complex than that. Here are five tips for teens striving to keep that GPA high all through high school: Put school first. Students who treat high school as their highest priority will have the best chance of success. Yes, achieving balance is important, and teens should make time for family, friends and things they like to do (e.g. a favorite sport or club). However, high school is a commitment that requires daily studying and homeworkand perseverance when things get difficult. Get the most out of class. Going to class and paying attention while in class are two obvious musts to do well in high school, but its not just about showing up. Teens need to use active listening techniques, participate in class discussions to solidify their knowledge, and take notes that help them retain knowledge later on (which makes for more effective studying). Be organized. Strong organization is the not-so-secret weapon of high-performing high school students. This includes planner use and maintenance, solid time management, prioritizing of assignments during homework time, and of course, organization of the backpack, locker and any papers kept at home (or stored in a Google Drive or similar). Learn more about how to help children be more organized. Become a skilled note taker. Effective notes will help students retain information delivered in class and prepare well for quizzes and tests. But not all notes will serve students well. Teens should practice good note-taking habits: by recording meaningful facts, grouping ideas, using their textbook and more. Read more about good note-taking strategies for high school students. Use teachers as a resource. In high school, students need to make a shift from passive to active learner if they havent yet done so. A big part of that is self-advocating to ensure their learning needs are met. Teens should establish relationships with their teachersand not just for show. They should take advantage of any study sessions and reach out to teachers when they need help. Theres no doubt that the bar is higher in high school and your teen will need to work hard to keep up and even harder to excel. Rest assured, your teen will do well if he puts forth the effort and embraces these tips. The report card will show those efforts, but even better, your teen will become a more independent, proficient student in time for college.

Heart Math Tutoring Launches Funding Initiative to Double School Partners - Heart Math Tutoring

Heart Math Tutoring Launches Funding Initiative to Double School Partners - Heart Math Tutoring Heart Math Tutoring Launches Funding Initiative to Double School Partners Heart Math Tutoring Launches Funding Initiative to Double School Partners February 24, 2016 Goal is to fund 15 CMS school sites in 2016/17 school year We are proud to announce that we have launched our funding initiative for the 2016/17 school year. Our goal is to double our number of school partners and reach 15 CMS school sites! The plan is  to raise $750,000 by June 30, 2016 to support 750 students and 860 volunteer tutors across 15 schools in 2016/17. To date, $335,000 has been raised from grants, corporation donations and from community support. Several local and state-wide foundations have made commitments to Heart at the “School Sponsorship” level ($25K $50K): the Belk Foundation, North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and Social Venture Partners. Around $125,000 has been received from individual donors. We believe volunteers can be a powerful instructional resource when given adequate tools and support, which is why we want to expand our services and double our school partners this coming school year.  To make a donation to Heart’s 2016 spring funding initiative, contact executive director Emily Elliott, eoeutg or 980-292-2297. No amount is too small. Heart accepts individual donations and sponsorships from corporations and foundations. Read the full press release here.

Horizon International Bilingual School

Horizon International Bilingual School Horizon International Bilingual School Horizon International Bilingual School is one of Vietnams well - known international and bilingual schools, with 2 campuses located in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh cities in Vietnam. Horizon International Bilingual School provides effective learning from Kindergarten right through to Cambridge Advanced level, for over 500 students from around 25 countries, aged between 2 and 18 years. The School follows the Bilingual Programme based on Ministry of Education requirements and Cambridge International Examinations. The school also provides International Programme based on Cambridge Curriculum as well as British National Curriculum in Hanoi campus. Horizon International Bilingual School is committed to ensuring that students and parents have the confidence that they are receiving the best intellectual, physical, emotional, moral and social preparation for their future. Our school has a proud record of achievement in local, international competitions as well as graduation exams for more than 10 years. Students participate in local and international activities that allow them to develop their skills in different learning areas such as mathematics, sciences, social sciences, languages, sports, technology and arts. We promote a sense of community between our students, parents and teachers that complement personal growth and learning. From managers to teachers and administrative staff, students are exposed to leadership that lights the path ahead. They are shown the right way and given tender loving care to follow this good direction in their day-to-day attention to studies. Our teachers have a global perspective that is encouraged in the thinking of our students. We believe that everyone should look beyond the horizon for the best possible opportunities. Horizon International Bilingual School is open to all nationalities: For Vietnamese students, it is a place where they can learn English at a faster pace as they study the Vietnamese curriculum in English. That way, they will graduate with a diploma with which they can attend universities in Vietnam. Of course, studying abroad is another available option. Students from other countries will find their instruction to be fully in English. Not only will they sharpen their skills in English and other subjects, but also they will be prepared for International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and A - level exams as they move towards graduation.

Seattle, the Emerald Dream City for Students and Young Professionals

Seattle, the Emerald Dream City for Students and Young Professionals Seattle, Washington  is a vibrant metropolitan hub and the dominant city in the Pacific Northwest. With 608,660 inhabitants as of the 2010 Census, it is the 23rd most populous city in the nation. Amazingly,  in spite of being a large industrial and technology center Seattle is also called the Emerald City in reference to its stunning natural setting and the ample evergreen forests.It was ranked as Americas No. 1 smarter city based on its government policies and green economy. Seattle has an outstanding musical history. Between 1918 and 1951, there were dozens of jazz nightclubs along Jackson Street and the early careers of Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Ernestine Anderson and many other famous musicians developed here. This is also the  origin of the rock music style known as grunge and the birthplace of rock legend Jimi Hendrix. Seattle offers a wide range of entertainment, recreational, cultural and business opportunities. The city is often ranked among top U.S. cities as judged by education levels, the number and quality of arts organizations, communications connectivity and culture of innovation. Education is one of the foreground forces of Seattle’s economy. High concentration of information and communications technology (ICT), software, biomedical and engineering companies, such as Amazon.com, Microsoft and RealNetworks, requires the advanced professional level of local labor force. According to the U.S. Census Bureau survey Seattle has one of the highest rates of college and university education among large U.S. cities. The studies conducted by Central Connecticut State University showed that Seattle is also one of the most literate of the countrys major cities. More than half (56.0% vs.27.4% nationally) of Seattleites 25 years and older have at least a bachelor’s degree, 92.5% (vs. a national average 84.5%) have a high school diploma. Seattle has powerful and diverse educational resources that generate the high educational level of its residents. There are 154 public schools, 87 private schools and 30 post-secondary schools in the city.  The student to teacher ratio in Seattle for public schools is 18:1 (vs. 16:1 national student to teacher ratio).  There are over 30 different colleges or adult education institutions in Seattle, ranging from large state colleges to small, specialized technical schools and providing opportunity to study any discipline or topic. The University of Washington (which enrolls over 46,600 students), Seattle University (which enrolls 6,600) and Seattle Pacific University (which enrolls 4,000) and are the major four-year accredited institutions of higher education in Seattle. They offer undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including education, software engineering, law, medicine, biology, oceanography, political science, communications, sociology, art history and linguistics. The University of Washington is one of the nations most respected public universities and the largest school in the Pacific Northwest. It was ranked 25th among the Top 500 World Universities in 2011â€"2012 by Times Higher Education World University Rankings and occupies top positions in many other rankings of the best universities worldwide. UW is also the heart of research study in Seattle, including the areas of digital systems theory, microcomputer architecture, artificial intelligence, speech and image processing, and metallurgical and ceramic engineering. The University of Washingtons library, considered to be the largest and most comprehensive in the Northwest, holds more than 7.5 million volumes. It contains special libraries affiliated with government agencies, universities, local corporations and hospitals, which concentrate on such fields as medicine, banking, law, business and science. Mutually beneficial alliance of Seattle’s great educational opportunities and thriving intellectual companies results in a general prosperity of the region and creates the unique conditions for students seeking knowledge and young professionals. Visit TutorZ.com to find a private tutor in Seattle, WA.

All Work and No Play - ALOHA Mind Math

All Work and No Play “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” Fred Rogers It’s common for parents to wonder how our kids are having a much tougher time of it, and how much more of a fun and carefree time we had as children. While trying to enrich our kids’ lives with extra-curricular activities we shouldn’t forget the importance of play! Here’s why playing and the outdoors should be an important part of kids lives’: Reduces stress: Playing an outdoor game and expending that built-up energy is a great way to reduce stress in kids. The endorphins that are released when you are active are a major reason for this feel-good factor. As kids grow older, they require a certain amount of physical activity, and recent studies have shown that even children who are hyperactive could experience calming benefits from exercise. Improves concentration: Many recent studies like this one seem to indicate that including exercise and fitness in your child’s schedule contributes to improving their cognitive functioning in class. This was also the case for children diagnosed with ADHD where it was found that a half-hour of physical activity before school resulted in better attention spans in the classroom. Pic source: http://bit.ly/1x5Mr1a Builds social skills: Playing a sport has a social aspect as well! Being a member of a team helps children learn about team dynamics and how to interact with others to achieve a common goal. A lot of long-time friendships may begin on the sports field. Moving towards fitness and health: Once you make a beginning to introduce physical activity as a part of your child’s daily routing, you are setting them up to continue with this healthy approach for life. As adults, we know how tough it is to make time for fitness routines in our sedentary lives, so let’s start our kids on this path early and make it a habit! About ALOHA Mind Math ALOHA Mind Math has been guiding children between the ages of five through 12 years to achieve academic excellence since 2007. The interactive learning process is proven to enhance a child’s math, reading and writing capabilities. The teachers also assist children in developing skills and abilities such as observation and listening that result in the overall growth of the child. ALOHA Mind Math is currently training children all over the United States of America with more than 150 centers. For more details on this unique program, please visitalohamindmath.comor search for the center closest to you by using our locatoralohamindmath.com/locations/.