Explore the Michelle Ostrove Blog

DIFFERENT WAYS TO MAKE A SONG YOUR OWN (Part 1)

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 9, 2023

Putting your own spin on a song is never easy, it takes work. You need to add your own personal touch and technical adjustments. You have different ways to put your own spin on it, such as phrasing, riffing, bending notes, dynamics, using different vocal onsets and inflections. Phrasing is a way for musicians and singers to personally put their own spin on a song, by shaping sections of the song. It’s very important to be aware of how you…

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT SONGS

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 7, 2023

In order to sing a song with your full potential, it’s not just about technic, you must connect to the song. What songs are you passionate about and love to sing or play? Have a journal to write down your thoughts on the songs. These are the things you want to look for when choosing your songs First, you must have that personal connection to the song. Does it move you and take you on an emotional journey with a…

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CHRISTINA AGUILERA’S VOCAL WARM-UPS PART II

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | November 2, 2023

Early morning warm-ups should be less dramatic and gentle. If you a morning performance, take it easy with the warm-ups. Use a less aggressive approach with humming, the bubble (or lip trills) and the r-roll (or tongue trills). We will look at the best ways to start vocal warm-ups. If you are warming up in the afternoon or later in the day, you can be more aggressive with your warm-ups. After the less aggressive warm-up exercises, you can get a…

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CHRISTINA AGUILERA’S VOCAL WARM-UPS

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | October 31, 2023

This is part one of Christina Aguilera’s warm-ups. Warming up is quite different than performing. You want to keep everything relaxed without any tension. In a live performance you need to convey facial expressions and emotion which is not a relaxed facial expression. For these warm-ups keep your face, neck and body relaxed as you do these warm ups. Relax everything in your body, face, neck and anywhere you feel tension. Take in a deep breath and exhale slowly releasing…

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HOW TO SING LIKE BILLIE EILISH

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | October 26, 2023

Singing softly can be as difficult as singing powerfully the correct way. Billie Eilish likes to sing in a softer tone in many of her songs. To create a light and airy sound involves the placement of sound and of course, diaphragm and breath control. Recently, one of my clients was trying to sing softer by (what sounded like) breathing in air into the back of her mouth. This is not the way to do. It sounded almost like she…

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WHAT IS CLAVE IN MUSIC?

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | October 24, 2023

What is clave, pronounced “Clah-vay?” Clave is actually a rhythm. There is an instrument called Clave, which is two wooden sticks. But we are talking about the rhythm today. Clave is a set of repeating rhythm accents. In most music the band plays their regular rhythmic backup throughout the song accenting the same continuous beats like one and three in every measure. The clave is asymmetrical or unbalanced, it does not accent the same beat or beats in every measure.…

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HOW TO SING VOCAL RUNS

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | October 19, 2023

Singer will use runs to enhance the song they are singing. Vocal runs are one form of vocal enhancement. A vocal run is when a singer will use a melodic sequence of notes to enhance the melody of a song. Runs are a fast moving line of notes that takes skill to cleanly singing the arrangement of notes with precision and speed. A run is a long sequence of notes starting high and dropping quickly through the scale down to…

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THE POWER OF MUSIC

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | October 17, 2023

Music has the ability to resonate across cultural boundaries, language barriers, and social divide, uniting millions of people across the globe. If you are writing songs that resonates with yourself, it will resonate with others. The power of music creates community and power through unity. Music can reduce stress, reduce pain, and reduce symptoms of depressions. Music also improves cognitive function which is the way our brain makes connections to remember new things and our reasoning through logic. Music improves…

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BUILDING CONFIDENCE!

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | October 12, 2023

One of the most important qualities a singer or pianist can possess is confidence! The more you perform the more your confidence will grow. This is a key component for your development as a performing artist. Being confident is nothing more than believing in yourself; confidence comes from within. Stand tall, shoulders back and act confident even when you don’t feel it. We will look at some tips about being confident as a singer or pianist (musician). To build confidence…

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THE ABILITY TO SING WITH POWER

By Michelle Ostrove Vocal & Piano Studio | October 10, 2023

To sing with power, you must produce a strong, resonant, and impactful sound. The vocal tones must be heard clearly and the sound must reach a wide audience without strain. There is a combination of vocal skills, which are proper breath and diaphragm support, good vocal technique, vocal exercises (warm-ups) and good vocal health. Proper breath and diaphragm support are first and foremost to have power in your voice. If you sing from your throat, your voice will give out…

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