#OnRepeat: "Siéntate Ahí" Oscar D' León

This week, I've had "Siéntate Ahí" by Oscar D' León #OnRepeat.  Although I grew up listening to him (my father was and still is a huge fan of his music), this is one of Oscar's songs that I really can't get enough of.

For those of you who aren't familiar with Oscar D' León, he is a salsa singer and bassist from Venezuela who is responsible for setting the performance standard for Cuban dance music, specifically during the 1980's with his band's performance in Varadero, Cuba.  Google for more information on Oscar D' León. Some of his more popular songs are "Lloraras," "Volver a Verte," and "Esa Mujer." You are bound to find lots of information and videos because he is a well-known Latin American musician (you can also check out this post for more information, done by a fellow musician and blogger, David Castañeda, on the Musicorum site, here.)

The song, "Siéntate Ahí," is a song told from the point of view of a man, telling the mother of his son to sit down and look at what she walked out on, and the fact that he's had to raise their son all on his own. The lyrics are poignant and sad, but as with a lot of Latin music, the music itself is upbeat and grooves hard.

As I've said before, Oscar D' León is the epitome of the performer. His rhythmic timing and melodic improvisation is consistently on-point; his musical charisma practically pulls you to the dance floor.  As with most of his songs, I am most impressed with his powerful belt during high notes. I've yet to hear his voice crack during his melodic leaps and runs; he makes it sound vocally easier to pull-off than it actually is. It's no wonder he's called, "El León de la Salsa."

Do you have any new songs, musicians, or groups to check out? Let us know in the comments below!

Components of a Good Singer

When having conversations with other musicians, I always hear them talk about their favorite drummer, horn player, bassist, etc., and why they love that musician. There are many different aspects  that make up a great musician--how they connect with the audience, performance-style, improvisation.  After being asked this question multiple times in regards to singers, I figured I would compile my own thoughts into a blog post for you guys.  This post can, of course, be read in conjunction with another post I wrote awhile back about different influences that have shaped me as a singer because what you admire most in your favorite musicians, tends to influence who you are as a musician.

1. A Powerful Voice. This one is really simple, but it is the most inspiring and attention-grabbing for me. A powerful voice that can fill up a theater or stadium (with or without a mic).  This can be achieved by years of study and practice, but sometimes some vocalists are naturally gifted with a big voice. Some singers that are great examples of this are: Jennifer Hudson, Whitney Houston, and Celia Cruz.

2. Rhythmic Timing & the Ability to Play with Rhythm. Singers that have a good concept of time and how to play with it definitely make for a more interesting, groovy performance.  When you feel the vocalist really "getting into it," they start to improvise, making you more invested in the music. Great examples of this are: Ella Fitzgerald, Djavan, Joao Gilberto, Celia Cruz, and Oscar D'León.

3. Melodic & Lyrical Improvisation. These both tie in to #2 because when you play with the rhythm in a song, melodic and lyrical improvisation tends to follow since they're all connected. Because of this, many of the singers mentioned above are also included in this section, along with Donny Hathaway and Erykah Badu.

4. Connecting with the audience.  Singers tend to naturally communicate with the audience better since the voice is such an immediate instrument that everyone has and uses on a daily basis.  Singers mentioned above have this aspect of connecting with the audience, but I haven't seen a better example  of this than that of Gregory Porter and Celine Dion. Both have a type of charisma that may be practiced, but can't really be emulated. The natural way that Porter communicates with his audience, both in song and speech, makes you feel right at home.

5. "Performer Appeal." These are singers who put on a great performance--singing, dancing, costumes, etc. Many who think of this would automatically think Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson, but I actually think that Oscar D'León emulates this image very well.  I've seen live performances (both in person and on video) of Oscar dressed in costume, performing choreographed dance moves, singing and improvising, while playing bass at the same time.  He is truly, in my opinion, one of the last few great performers.

 There are probably many other aspects to being a great, inspirational singer, but these are the things that I look for when watching or listening to a singer perform. These aspects have helped shaped me into the musician I am today and are things I strive to work on when practicing and performing.

What aspects do you think makes a great singer? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat: "Holding On" by Disclosure feat. Gregory Porter

This week I've had the song, "Holding On," by Disclosure feat. Gregory Porter #OnRepeat.  I've always prided myself on being open to new and different kinds of music, but admittedly, I've had a hard time getting into electronic music of any kind. Until now.

The group, Disclosure, is an Electronic music duo from England consisting of two brothers. I'm sure many of you out there have heard of them already, considering the fact that they performed at big music festivals in 2013 like Coachella and Lollapalooza.

"Holding On" is reminiscent of early 90's R&B and Pop music. Gregory Porter's powerful voice adds to this vibe, especially when he hits those long, high notes. Gregory Porter's voice and improvisational choices fit the song perfectly.  I've never heard Porter sing a more up-tempo song like this one before, so it is a nice change from all of his already beautifully written, more Jazz and ballad-like music.

I was very impressed with this song for the simple fact that it shows that Gregory Porter is trying to branch out musically.  Many musicians--singers, especially--tend to stay in one type of music their whole career and while this may work for many, it can potentially be dangerous for some.  It is great to see Porter try to progress and evolve into a well-rounded singer and performer, all the while maintaining a signature sound in any type of music.

I hope you guys all enjoy this song as much as I have been. I'm not too familiar with Electronic music  so if anyone has any great groups or artists that play this type of music, let me know in the comments below!

Straw Therapy--What I've Learned So Far

So I was scrolling through Twitter several weeks ago and I came across a video posted by a fellow vocalist on straw therapy.  Throughout the years, I've come across this topic several times although my vocal instructors haven't elaborated on it further in my lessons. So, after rediscovering this topic, I decided to take it upon myself to research and try this vocal exercise myself.

What is it?

Straw therapy--or, what many people call "straw phonation"-- is a type of semi-occluded vocal tract exercise that specifically focuses on allowing the singer to create sound (phonate) without putting extra glottic tension on the vocal chords.

This, along with other exercises, such as humming and doing lip trills (lip buzz), are used not only by vocalists, but speech therapists.  Straw therapy or phonation is typically practiced using a straw--you can sing a line of a song using the straw and vocal exercises such as scales.  I've also seen some vocalists use the straw while blowing into a bottle with a small amount of water in it. Below is a video of Ingo Titze, a vocal scientist who helped pioneer the use of straw phonation in speech therapy, elaborating further on the topic and how to use it:

Benefits

Many vocalists and vocal instructors use semi-occluded vocal exercises (I like to call them work-outs because they really help the overall timbre and performance of your voice) like straw phonation to:

1. Helps vocalists to produce resonance or buzzing sensation in the face (many vocalists call this the "mask" because the area where resonance and sound occurs is felt in the mouth, sinus area and nose).
2. This, in turn, helps to lift the soft palate, and ultimately, the voice, reducing throaty singing and giving the vocalist's overall timbre a lighter, brighter, fuller sound.
3. Help vocalists smooth out transitions between low (chest) to high (head) registers.
4. Help vocalists to create a more efficient sound that's balanced with the air support required for singing.

I'm still experimenting with this vocal exercise, but from what I've learned and experienced so far, this technique is extremely helpful. Don't underestimate it either folks: try to sing the melody line of a song you've been working on using a straw; it's quite difficult (different straw diameters have different levels of interance so keep this in mind).  I, myself, have been using this technique to sing through melodies with big intervals to help smooth out any breaks that I find between registers.

Have any of you tried this vocal exercise? Do you find it helpful or not? Let us know in the comments below!

#OnRepeat: Etta James' "At Last"

This week, I've had Etta James' "At Last" #OnRepeat. I know a lot of you out there, when reading this, will think "of course," but I'm actually writing this post for all of the people who don't know who Etta James is. Especially the younger ones who think that Beyonce's version of "At Last" is the end all and won't think to do their own research. I've always try to educate myself about music that I hear for the first time--read books, articles, watch documentaries, or even just strike up a conversation with your parents or a professor.

For those of you who don't know who Etta James is, she is a Blues, Jazz, Gospel, and R&B singer who is known for bridging the gap between R&B and Rock 'n' Roll.  She is associated with Chess Records, who were very successful in the 1960s and is known for implementing elements of Soul and Gospel music into her songs. Some of her well-known songs (among many others) are "All I Could Do Was Cry," "Tell Mama," and "I'd Rather Go Blind."

"At Last" is one of the few songs that you can listen to and within the first few bars you know who is singing.  It is a classic Etta James song.  Although many musicians that I've spoken with about this song have said that the song has become too "played-out"--being played at weddings, at parties, and receptions--they all agree that the reason for this, is that the song is an iconic love song.  Etta James has so much passion and soul in her voice. Whenever I hear "At Last," I hear a deeper emotion than just puppy love, something that blends raw emotion with all of those funny butterflies-in-your-stomach, dancing-in-the-rain feelings you get when you find that one person you can't stop thinking about and want to spend every waking moment with, even when all of the initial "honeymoon" feelings of a relationship start to fade.

I hope that you enjoy listening to this song as much as I do--even as many times as I do!  In my opinion, Etta James will always be one of the queens of Soul and Blues music because of her powerful voice and the way in which she conveys the message of each song.

If you guys have any songs, musicians or groups that you can't stop listening to, leave a comment below!

That Moment When Everything Clicks

This past Friday I was able to be a part of a school event that combined theater, Mariachi music, and Cuban music.  The school put on a great production--costumes, stage design, a great narrator and actors that interacted with the audience--in the re-telling of the classic, romantic tragedy of Romeo and Juliet (except for the main characters were Rosalia y Juan).  I'm not writing this to talk about the storyline or the actual show itself, however. I'm writing to talk about a great moment that happened while I was performing a lead song during the show.  A thing I tend to describe as "everything clicking" or "everything falling into place."

I had been practicing the song for months, performing it in front of my peers and professors multiple times.  For some reason that night, though, I found myself getting nervous to perform the song (it probably didn't help that I was going to be singing up on a raised platform due to the stage setup, in heels).  The theater was completely packed--many of the audience members were either fans or players of Mariachi or Cuban music--and little camera flashes or random shouts of excitement would happen periodically throughout the night.

When the music started, however, all the insecurities fell away. Everything just felt right.  The music was swinging--it wasn't too fast or too slow.  I remembered all the words--which happen to be the trickiest things to remember when your nerves are going crazy--and all of the things I improvised actually worked out pretty well.  Hand gestures, vocal inflection, and facial expression all tied together, making the performance look and feel natural (something that I have a hard time pulling off).  Most of all, I could feel and see the audience responding positively to my performance, which always feels really good for any musician.

I don't say any of this to toot my horn, so to speak, but to try to give you a clearer picture of what that "everything clicking" sensation feels like.  It's one of those feelings and situations that every musician strives for because it doesn't happen all the time.  You hope that when you're in that moment, that all of your training and practicing doesn't go out the window, but at the same time, you realize that that's not as important as what you experience in that moment.  Connecting with your audience. Conveying the message in that one song to everyone around you, making them feel what you're feeling in that moment. I hope that every vocalist out there, whether beginner or advanced, experiences this at least once in their lifetime. It's an incredible moment.

Anyone out there ever experience anything similar to that "everything clicks" moment when performing? Do you call it something different? How did you feel when that happened?

#OnRepeat: Herbie Hancock feat. Corinne Bailey Rae "River"

This week I've had Herbie Hancock feat. Corinne Bailey Rae's "River" #OnRepeat. This song, originally written and  performed by Joni Mitchell, has two of my favorite musicians working together, resulting in a simple, yet sweet collaboration. Herbie's whole album, River: The Joni Letters, pays homage to the great singer-songwriter, Joni Mitchell.

I have to say that Herbie Hancock and Corinne Bailey Rae collaborating together is one of the sweetest musical mixtures that I've listened to in awhile.  The way that Herbie thinks of harmony seems to fit right in step with Corinne's range and choice of notes when she improvises. This shows that not only is Herbie a good leader (proven by his countless albums), but that he can be just as powerful as an accompanist for a soloist or singer.

In case you didn't know who Joni Mitchell is, she is a singer-songwriter who is considered one of the most influential musicians of pop music because of her writing that displays themes of social commentary and environmental ideals. Some of her well-known songs are "Court and Spark," "Both Sides, Now," and "Help Me."

The lyrics for "River" give the air of someone who has made bad choices and wants to be somewhere else. The lyrics are simplistic, yet the message of sadness and longing is conveyed. A portion of the lyrics are below:

"It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees
They're putting up reindeers
And singing songs of joy and peace

Oh I wish I had a river I could skate away on

But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
And then I'm going to quit this crazy scene
I wish I had a river I could skate away on [. . .]

I hope there is nobody on here that dislikes Herbie Hancock or Corinne Bailey Rae because there will most likely be many more posts about these two, especially if they are working together. 

If anyone has any new songs, or musicians to check out, leave a comment below!

Rehearsal Tips for Singing in a Band

Playing in a band, small combo, or ensemble can provide valuable experience both on and offstage.  You gain exposure during actual gigs and network with your bandmates to try to get more work outside of that musical experience, possibly even gaining more friends while doing this.  On top of all of that, you can learn more about yourself as a musician, performer, and person.  Having been a part of several small combos and ensembles over the years, I would like to offer some rehearsal tips on how to sing when in a band or large ensemble for anyone who wants to get their feet wet or for those who need a refresher.

1. Make sure to have your own copies of music for your band's set. Whether it is on an iPad or printed out on regular sheets of paper. Personally, I prefer the latter so that I'm able to write notes down on the chart (changes in song form, corrections of notes or harmonies, addition of musical licks or lyrics, etc). This is also something to have for yourself during your own personal practice time and/or to go over with your vocal instructor.

2. Practice BEFORE rehearsal AND the gig. This one seems like a no-brainer and sometimes it's hard to get in extra practice time between rehearsals and gigs.  I've seen this happen time and time again with musicians in a group, singer or not. If you want the material that you've learned to stick, you need to practice.  Rehearsal time should not be time for you to practice--this is time for everyone to run through the set list briefly and fix kinks that are happening collectively with the band.

3. Try not to sing full-out during a rehearsal.  This is especially true of a rehearsal that happens right before a gig and when you have a large horn and/or percussion section in the group you are a part of.  If other members in the group cannot hear you sing, turn up your mic slightly. You should not be yelling over a band.  It is not worth the possibility of damaging your vocal chords just so that you can be heard for a rehearsal.

4. Practice good singing habits. Whether it is for a Rock group, chamber ensemble or Latin-Jazz combo, always practice things like proper breathing technique, posture, and vowel shaping.  Just because you're not singing full-out, doesn't mean you start practicing bad singing habits. What you do in rehearsal will most likely be done in performance, so try to practice the proper way.

5. Have respect for the music and for the band. Try not to show up late or talk during times when other bandmates or the band director is trying to talk. Get to know your band members, how they work and what their limitations are so that everyone can plan accordingly and work towards improving together.  Another aspect of this is knowing what the goal of the band or ensemble is: Does this band compete or is it just for fun? Is it an academic group or a professional band? Is the group serious about the music they are playing?

6. Try an idea out first before shooting it down. If you hear a melody that sounds weird to you or an unusual harmony that you've never sung before, try practicing singing it how it is written first before saying no. This will keep the band and band director (and possibly composer) in good spirits. However, if the song or melody is completely out of your vocal range, either hand it off to another singer or ask for the key to be changed. You don't want to put strain on or damage your vocal chords for the sake of a band.

7. Bring a recording device. This is for your own practice time outside rehearsal so that you can remember what the band or ensemble specifically did for each song in the set. However, if you have a band director, make sure to ask them first before you start recording.

I hope that these tips help some of you to improve your experience rehearsing (and playing) in a band or ensemble. Having respect for yourself, the music, and other musicians are very important, but if you're not enjoying yourself, all of these things will be very hard to keep in mind. Make sure to find music you enjoy and band members who are of a similar mindset to make it more fun for everyone.

If you have any additional tips or stories to share, feel free to leave a comment below!