Does anyone have any tips or advice for singing?

Question

Does anyone have any tips or for advice singing? I have an assignment this week and I need advice on how to sing? What should I eat? What shouldn't I eat? How should I breathe? Should I stand up straight? Anything would be strongly appreciated. Thank you

Answer 1

The first poster is correct. But the day you will be singing, avoid milk and dairy products. They can cause excess mucus, which is a bad thing when your singing!

Answer 2

To add some stuff onto what's already been said -

You should breathe in to your stomach and use your stomach muscles to push the air back out as you sing. If you have trouble figuring it out, try lying on your back on the floor and breathing - you'll find it difficult to use your shoulders to breathe with, and this will help your singing.

Stand straight and tall, with your shoulders back and relaxed, like you're being suspended from the ceiling by a string. Stand with your feet slightly apart and your knees slightly bent, and hold your weight a bit more on the balls of your feet so that you're not rigid.

Stay away from caffeine and dairy products (right before you sing, anyway). Room temperature water is best because it keeps the chords hydrated without cooling them down too much.

Health is very important to a singer because we carry our instrument inside our body, so if one part of us is suffering, chances are that our voice is going to suffer as well. This is especially true when we have a head cold or flu, but can be equally as true if we have back pain or something which would seem to be unrelated, because we hold ourselves differently and can cause damage by being tense. So the healthier, the better.

Answer 3

Well I sing and You should never give up! Eat healthy thinks. Lots of Calcium. And suck all the air into your stomach as much as you can. it will go a long time them breathe when u get the chance. Its not that hard. And If you're good enough, you should try to audition for American Idol!
good luck,
patrick

Answer 4

tips? - breathe!breathe!breathe!, sounds silly but u'd be suprised how many people forget that esp when they get nervous, stand straight to open up your throat, depending on what your assignment is, choose a song that best suits the purpose but still remain you in the equation, for exmaple if you're a crooner dont sing AC/DC or Queen and vice versa, SLEPP SLEEP and SLEEP, 8 hours a day

If I am anticipating a performance (generally the week before the performance or in between shows) i normally inhale steam for about 10 minutes before bed to lubricate my chords, if you are fortunate enough to have a humidifier use that, it works even better

Eating - if you're like me and get paranoid, then avoid all spicy foods and juices and coffee (they either build up flam or dry your vocal chords causing you to cough, coughing damagaes your chords), drink plenty of green tea with honey and on the day itself have a lunch or tea filled with carbs like pasta (no dairy), gives you the energy, you'll need it

The BEST example of contemporary technical singing at its best IMHO is Michael Buble, no apparent straining on the high notes (has to do with breathing properly), perfect posture and the ability to convey song with so much emotion

which reminds me, sing something that shows you off not highlight your weaknesses, DONT sing christina, whitney or mariah unless you;re confident you can pull it off JUST as well as then or even better (doubtful)

GOOD luck!

Answer 5

Watch Ike & Tina. Ike shows Tina how to sing from her stomach, not from her throat.

What you eat shouldn't matter. Breathing and posture do. Take deep breaths. Stand as straight as you can and still be comfortable. Don't smoke or be around others who smoke. If your parents smoke, you should give them a hard time about it. ("Gee, Dad, I'm trying to be a singer, but your smoke is hurting my voice!)

Find a song that you like and just sing away with it.

Answer 6

Yeah listen to any thing by Ace Frehley!