Singing Tips #1: The Deep Breath

Day to day, most of us breathe as deep as our chest. As long as our lungs get their fill we're content with this. However, to sing properly and with ease, there is a proper way to breathe that will not only help you develop more control the breathhing itself, but help you support the voice that is inside of you. It will also affect how you sing, project, sound, and will ultimately enable you todo those melismas and other singing techniches that you so badly want to emulate.

Another benefit of this deep breathing, is relaxation. Which helps with stage fright, anxiety, stress, and over all confidence!

That said, the first things you need to know about breathing:

1. Stand up straight, arms by your side. Exhale all of the air in your belly.
2. While counting to ten in your head, take a slow, deep breath in to your belly. Fill it up with air. Think of it as being pregnant with air. This is what you want to see. What can help you achieve this, and help you see whether you're doing it properly is standing in front of the mirror and placing both hands on the sides of your belly [without force] while doing the breathing. If you're doing it properly you should see your hands expand with your belly. You really need to see your belly expand, and almost feel it pulling on the inside. This is telling you that you are, in fact, filling up the right area.
3. Hold the breath for another ten seconds.
4. Release the air as you count to ten again.
5. Repeat another three times, but don't go overboard. You might get dizzy or light headed, so take it slow. If counting to ten is too much for you, start with five and work your way up! Remember, there's no rush, and certainly no standard speed at which people learn to sing, breathe, or anything for that matter. Take your time and do what is right for you! Everything will work out in time!

Control over your breathing is very important, and this will help you a lot later one. Think of it as the foundation on which your skill will be relying on.

And as everything else, practice, practice, practice! It doesn't matter how good you think you are, or how much you're fed up of doing silly elementary exercises! I can't stress enough how important it is to keep the basics a priority if you really want to develop your skill.

If you have any questions, comments, concerns...anything at all, please don't hesitate to send me a message or a comment! I'm happy to answer any questions you may have!

-Sarah :)

Kaila Picard [Singer]

Name: Kaila Picard
From: Montreal, QC, Canada
What she does: Singer/Songwriter

I love finding new music and talent, especially when it's local. There's something about locals that keeps me grounded, in a way. Reminds me that anyone can make it if hey want it bad enough. Kaila Picard is a talented singer who has been working very hard for a long time She studied Jazz Performance in college and is currently working on her music career with hopes of becoming a distinguished artist.

In my time following her progress, I've been able to see her grow and develop into her own. I've seen her in bands, groups and lately more often solo. I must say, each stage [no pun intended] presented a different style of music and performance altogether, but her solo work thus far has been much more definitive and representative of Kaila as a person and artist.

Though sweetly corny at times, her lyrics are true to life and relateable on many levels. The songs out out delve into the pit of emotions that she carries around with her, from dealing with long distance relationships in her song 'I Can't' to diving into new experiences blind, as told in 'The Unknown' and more with with we can easily identify with.

Kaila's jazz training is evident in her vocal footwork and fancy runs. Like many Jazz greats, Kaila does not over use the vocal acrobats and keeps a very balanced a mature structure to her songs, which is refreshing lately. I really can't stand hearing singers go over teh top with the songs- simple and poised makes for sophisticated music, which, in my opinion, is what keeps an artist down to earth and timeless. I'm not much of a fan of Diva's; if you're good enough to show it, you don't need to. It almost comes across as having something to prove, which is a turn off for me.

Kaila has recently filmed her first music video and I'm looking forward to seeing what is coming from this Montreal artist!

You can find Kaila's music at the following links:

YouTube
Facebook
ReverbNation

The CO [Band]

Name: The CO
Where from: Nashville, USA

I personally think there is an excessive amount of self-proclaimed pop/rock bands out there and find it difficult to try and find new music in the genre when there's so much to listen to. I found The CO by going through some of Tyler Ward's videos. I wanted to see if I missed anything, seeing as I've become something of a fangirl, and I fell upon a collaboration done by Tyler Ward & The CO...of course, I had to see what they were all about.

At first listen the band reminds me a lot of a generic and slightly more pop-sounding combination of Kings of Leon and, at times, Muse. After a few more listens, however, started falling into their own and I've found a soft spot for their music. Though it can come across as generic and nothing special, everything that pulls the band apart from everything else is, for one, their lyrics, in addition to their vocalists beautiful and melodious rockstar voice. Everything together starts to sound like a cocktail of great bands put together, which is awesome.

Their song entitled '3 AM' is reminiscent of an Incubus/Muse/Kings of Leon lovechild. I am more than okay with that. In fact, it's just about everything I've dreamed of in terms of collaborations. This is no substitute for those three bands to come together as one, but it's a fair alternative until I can get my fantasies fulfilled.

Of course, it's not a band without a song about love losing touch. Their song "Might Be Leavin'" is perhaps the token love-lost track. Though formulated, I can't say it's a bad song nor can I say it's anything but real. Everyone goes through heartache and everyone's got something to say about it. It also wouldn't be a rock band without a song about making mistakes and wanting to start over- "Permanent Mistake" fills those shoes and then some.

It's not that I'm bashing the generics the band has to offer, just that it is what it is. I enjoy their music very much and think you should take a few minutes to check them out. I think they're worth the time and deserve to be put out there, so go see what you're missing!

Here's where you can check out The CO:

YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
The CO Official Website

Laura Mary [Singer]

Name: Laura Mary
Age: 18
Where from: Canada
What she does: Singer

I fell upon Laura Mary while searching for 'The Last Song I'm Wasting On You' by rock group Evanescence and her cover of said song came up. It always amazes me when people dare cover Evanescence- it's not an easy task and one with some pretty high expectations. As I am a singer myself and they are my favourite band, I tend to judge Evanescence covers harshly. Naturally, I had to check it out and see how she did. No one compares to Amy Lee, that goes without saying, however I have to say Laura Mary surprised me.

Her voice is beautiful and flows nicely with the style of piano ballads Evanescence/Amy Lee put out and for someone who claims to not be taking voice lessons, it's very nicely developed. Her technique seems well rounded and she's got a beautiful, rich tone to her voice. One of the key aspects in Evanescence songs, I think, is the high notes Amy can flawlessly touch, and Laura reaches them, and then some.

She's very naturally talented, Canadian [I guess I'm biased that way, hehe] and seems to be an easy going girl with a bright future ahead of her. I think she deserves to be promoted [hence this posting] and I look forward to hearing more of what she has to offer!

To check her out [and please do!]:

Laura Mary's YouTube

Return from short hiatus!

Hey guys & gals!

So it's been over a month since our last post- for that I am very sorry. Finals and, you know, life were happening and some things needed to be sorted out. But, we're back and going to go through some minor changes, but for the most part things will remain mostly what we are right now- a blog to keep you in the know about upcoming/underrated talent.

Hope you haven't been turned off by our short hiatus, and we look forward to hearing any questions/comments you have for us!

Again, very sorry for the hiatus! Thanks again for your ongoing support, we appreciate it!

-The Music

Ally Rhodes [Singer/Songwriter/Musician]

Name: Ally Rhodes
Age: [Mystery!]
From: Omaha, Nebraska/Nashville, Tennessee, US
What she does: Singer/Songwriter/Musician

Every once in a while an artist comes along that plays the strings that resonate directly with the heart. Ally is just that artist to me lately. With a beautiful voice, fair balance of originals and covers and subtle sense of humour, she captivates emotions and feelings I didn't know existed at that moment.

Ally's voice is soft, genuine and expressive in a most heartfelt fashion. She transmits the essence of the emotion behind the song like it's nobody's business, probably due to her genuine spirit and honest-to-goodness connection to her art. It shows that music is her niche and that she's got a whole lot of heart.

It's important for an artist to find their unique style in order to stand out amongst the crowd, otherwise you just lose sense of originality and once your 15 minutes of fame are up it's hard to get back in the game. Ally has a strong sense of creativity, and her quirky, down-to earth personality shines through her music as well as in her general presence. She isn't trying to be anyone but herself, and to succeed in the industry while keeping true to yourself can't be easy, but somehow I don't think anything will bring this girl down and make her a manufactured product of a material industry.

Ally's connection to music is apparent in her videos. She's dedicated and sings like nobody is watching and like there is nobody judging, and that's how it should be. I absolutely love when artists are capable of being so independent of opinions and avoid molding themselves to fit the social standards. It shows real musicianship, artistry but most importantly it shows that she is true to herself and is well worth a listen to, at the very least.

Here are some links to check out Ally Rhodes:
YouTube
Facebook
MySpace
Twitter

Caitlin Hart [Singer]

Name: Caitlin Hart
Age: [It's a mystery]
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
What she does: Singer

Caitlin Hart is definitely what I categorize as a sweetheart talent. Besides the fact that she's absolutely adorable, her unique style makes her stand out against many artists actively in the industry. Her simplistic approach to singing and the way each song is delivered in such a touching, gentle way is beautiful and something I personally quite enjoy.

Most artists will bank on filling songs with runs or extra stuff to show off just what they can do and I think it takes someone with confidence and audacity to embark in the industry in such a unique and simplistic manner. Not everyone understands the facile way Caitlin does what she does, but it's one of those things that just sounds good.

Caitlin's YouTube doesn't have many videos so there isn't much to go on, but her style is definitely something I can appreciate and I think it' totally worth sharing. I admire anyone who can take that road and be successful in what they do whilst keeping with their own personal style, and that is something I hope she carries with her throughout her journey.

I'll be on the lookout for what Caitlin has to offer, and you should too!

YouTube
Twitter
Personal Website

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Don't forget to check us out on Twitter and Like our Facebook page to keep up with the blog!

Thanks!

-The Music

Jake Coco [Singer/Musician]

Name: Jake Coco
Age: [It's a mystery]
From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
What he does: Singer/Musician

It doesn't just take skill or talent to be a great artist- passion and personal connectedness in addition to things aforementioned make for something pretty awesome. Jake Coco embodies the spirit of talent and personal bond to create his unique and pleasant sounding style.

A solo artist, he depends on no one but his knowledge of many instruments and many duet partners, notably other YouTube artists. Amongst them, Julia Sheer [as you may remember from a previous posting in which I posted a video of Jake and Julia covering Pinks 'Fucking Perfect']. Though his duets are just plain awesome, his solo work is remarkable. He's no diva, but doesn't need to be. The skill is there and I'm certain that he can out sing Americal Idol contestants without struggle, but the simplicity of his musicianship is beautiful and very easy to listen to and appreciate.

Alongside his many covers, Jake has some great originals posted that are well worth a good listen to and add to your spring playlist! You can purchase his music on his Facebook page as well as his iTunes, which I will post below as per usual.

In addition to his ability to serenade, he always looks like he is 100% into it, which is a beautiful thing and says much about his dedication to his art.

Here are some links to check out the wonderful Jake Coco:

YouTube
Facebook
Personal Website
BandCamp
Twitter

Julia Sheer [Singer]

Name: Julia Sheer
Age: 18
From: Golden, Colorado, USA
What she does: Singer

It always pleases me to see artists looking genuinely moved by what they do and that says a lot about how much they really care about their art. Julia Sheer seems to be an authentic, down to earth girl with a spunky attitude and a bona fide fondness for music.

Her voice isn't up there with the Diva's, but it just goes to show that you don't have to be in order to be talented and worth a shot in the industry. The emotion carried by her heartfelt performances gets me every time, especially in the cover of Pink's "Perfect" done with Jake Coco. Don't get me wrong, the original is always the best, but theirs is by far the best cover I have heard thus far. It gives me chills.

Julia classifies herself on My Band as a country artist, although I'd say more pop/country. Either way, both her covers as well as her original music is sincere and easy to listen to. It's the kind of music I can listen to no matter what mood or or what I'm doing. It makes great background music and slightly thought provoking. It's the kind of music with which I can drive with the windows down and it feels great.

She doesn't try to out do herself or any other musician- what Julia does, she does because it works, not because it's better or more appealing. It's bare and real and I love that she can be so down to earth with everything.

Here are some links to check out:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/JuliaSheer
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/@j_sheer
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/juliasheertunes

Krista Nicole [Singer]

Name: Krista Nicole
Age: 16
From: Oregon, USA
What he does: Singer

I've been keeping up with Krista's YouTube page for a few years now and it's easy to see how much she's grown as a person and improved as a singer. That's not to say she was a bad singer, but that she's slowly growing into her own as an artist and that her talent has matured and developed over time.

Although I know there's more technique to her than what she lets on, Krista keeps her songs simple and straightforward and I find that refreshing; I get tired of singers going over-the-top on the vocal gymnastics to showcase their talent. You don't need to do that, and frankly I find that Krista's method is modest and suits her voice beautifully. It also keeps the singer down to earth and they don't seem so uptight about their art, which is what it's all about really.

In most [if not all] of her videos, Krista is accompanied by her father on guitar and sometimes the box drum. She also has a few collaborations with other non-celebrity status artists that are well-worth checking out.

Krista seems passionate about her art and is very down-to-earth. Her first EP entitled 'Dreams' is released and available on iTunes!

Enjoy!

Here's where you can check her out:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/KristaHeartzuz
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ImKristaNicole
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Krista-Nicole
Persona Website: http://www.kristanicole.com/
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/krista-nicole

Christina Grimmie [Singer/Pianist]

Name: Christina Grimmie
Age: 16
From: ?
What she does: Singer/Musician

From her Lady Gaga renditions to her Taylor Swift covers, this young lady is incredibly talented and versatile. Where many people tend to be skilled in one instrument but not so much in their secondary instrument, Christina's got genuine, solid talent in both of her instruments and very raw artistry.

Another thing that sets her apart from many singers is the fact that she doesn't seem to have any boundaries. By that, I mean she will sing as loud as she needs to and hits the notes she needs to hit. Where many singers on YouTube and in general tend to dumb the song down or do it to match their vocal ability, Christina reaches above and beyond those borders and hits the notes and really makes the song her own without having to dumb it down.

Anything she covers becomes an original. Christina's compositions and renditions of the songs she covers are phenomenal and I really love what she does.

Though I can't tell what her own music is like and why she does what she does, I can honestly say that she does it well. I would love to hear some of her stuff, what she has to offer in terms of personal music and composing.

Besides her music genius-ness she seems like a total sweetheart, a devoted Christian and a very pretty girl. Oh, and she's a total Zelda lover. TOTAL BONUS POINTS!

For the time being, enjoy!

For more information, or to check her out, here are some links:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/zeldaxlove64#p/u/7/TURsJyVUgUM
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/christinagrimmie?v=wall
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/therealgrimmie

Sarah LaMantia [Singer/Musician]

Name: Sarah LaMantia
Age: ?
From: West Virginia, USA
What she does: Singer/Musician

I first came across Sarah LaMantia roughly a year ago while browsing some YouTube talent and having watched most [if not all] of her videos, I can say that she's only grown as a musician. I don't think I've seen one bad video or performance [with the exception of the occasional distraction of her cat].

Although it's fairly typical pop-sounding, Sarah's voice is almost flawless and incredibly developed. Her skill level is solid and I'm sure she's capable of more than what we see in her videos. One thing I would like to see different is the fact that most of what she does is down-tempo- I think it would be great to see her do something upbeat.

Most of Sarah's videos are covers and, like I said, are down-tempo, even if the original song is not. For the most part she is accompanying herself on piano and claims to play it by ear, although she also admits to have taken 8-10 years of piano. Whether she does or not doesn't matter, it sounds great.

Besides the fact that she is a total die-hard Hanson fan [who is these days?!], she seems like an incredibly sweet girl with an infectious smile, GREAT hair and I'm looking forward to what she has been working on!

On a side note, Sarah was featured on Maury Povich; for his 'Most Talented Kids 2009' episode! How cool is that?

If you want to check out Sarah LaMantia's music [or her gorgeous hair...], here's where you can:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SarEliz0131
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahLaMantiaMusic?v=app_178091127385
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/SarahLaMantia
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SarahLaMantia
Personal Website: http://www.sarahlamantia.com/

Alyssa Bernal [Musician]

Name: Alyssa Bernal
Age: 21
From: San Antonio, Texas [USA]
What she does: singer/songwriter/musician

I've been watching singer/songwriter Alyssa Bernal on YouTube for three or four years now and have seen her grow and mature as an artist, a lovely one at that. For the most part her videos consist of covers with a hint of originals, both of which are fantastic.

Alyssa's got a soft, kind of raspy-sweet voice that's perfect for summer soundtracks and winter love songs. Her technique is developed, definitely not artificial and you can tell by her infectious smile that she genuinely loves doing what she does. Her dimples are also adorable!

On camera she seems very easy-going, almost timid and very talented. She was recently [like, a year ago] discovered by Pharrell and has, since then, been developing fairly quickly as a professional artist.

Her debut EP 'Alyssa Bernal', recorded in London, England, launched last October and includes 'Cali, Cali, Cali', 'Hold Me Tight' and 'Easy'. Check out her very first music video for 'Cali, Cali, Cali' - it's my favourite of her original songs thus far and a wonderful throwback to the summer [especially in these arctic temperatures we've been getting]!

Enjoy!

Website: www.alyssabernal.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/alyssabernalala OR http://www.youtube.com/user/hchsknights08?blend=2&ob=4
VEVO: http://www.youtube.com/user/AlyssaBernalVEVO
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/alyssabernal
MySapce: http://www.myspace.com/alyssabernal