Feb

10 Foods and Drinks Not to Consume Before a Vocal Performance

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Eating before a performance (not right before) is definitely necessary. You don’t want to be on stage hungry under hot bright lights and get lightheaded.

However, there are definitely a few food and drinks to avoid a few hours (or the day) before a performance.

1. Milk! Milk tops the list of drinks to not consume before a performance because milk is thick. Milk causes phlegm and mucus in your throat, which will lead to coughing and clearing your throat while on stage.

2. Carbonated beverages. Stick clear of carbonation right before a performance because carbonation fills your stomach with air and irritates it. Most singers stick with water before, during and after a performance.

3. Citrus fruit or juices. Citrus fruit is highly acidic which can not only cause un upset stomach, but will dry your throat out. Have you ever had orange juice when you had a sore throat and felt the burn? That is definitely not good for vocal cords.

4. Anything ice-cold. Most people know that heat expands and cold contracts and this goes for your body too. If you drink a glass of ice water right before a performance, it can constrict your throat making it difficult to sing and have a great performance.

5. Spicy foods. Spicy foods are a throat and stomach irritants.

6. Alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates your body and your throat. You wont be able to perform to the best of your abilities if you’re dehydrated. That’s why performers always have water with them during a performance.

7. Heavy food. Heavy foods are ones that make you feel full, like high carbohydrate fobs because they will make breathing techniques more difficult to do.

8. Caffeinated drinks. Caffeine dries out your throat and mouth and should be avoided before a performance.

9. Peanut butter or any other dry foods. Like I said above, hydration is vital to a great singing performance. Peanut butter and crackers are dry foods and will only dry out your mouth and throat.

10. You know your body, so stay away from food that irritate, dehydrate or upset your throat and body.

For more tips on a great vocal performance, contact Lesson Match.

Jan

10 Guitar Tips For All Guitar Players

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Whether you’re new to the guitar or are stuck in a musical rut, here are some tips to help you become a better musician.

1.Always try to learn something new every day! Learning a new chord or technique will help expand your musical ability and range.

2.Go dancing! Good dancers have excellent rhythm, which is also necessary for musicians.

3.When you hear a song you like, first try to play it before looking it up on a search engine. The more you do this, the better your musical ear will become and eventually you’ll be able to tab a song in no time.

4.Relax! Stress isn’t good for any situation. Try to stay calm and focused when practicing or playing a gig.

5.Experiment with different guitars. Just because you’re still playing the first guitar you ever picked up, doesn’t mean that it’s the best guitar for you. Try a few different guitars and see if a different one calls to you.

6.Toughen up your fingers! This can’t happen in one day; all you’ll do then is injure your fingers. Take some time and work on creating calluses and toughening up your fingers. This will make it possible for you to play longer.

7.Experiment with different types of guitars as well. If you play the acoustic, try an electric. Similarly if you play an electric, try an acoustic. You’ll become a much more versatile guitar player if you can play both.

8.Learn new songs. Pick new songs that have something a little different about them; try to expand your range.

9.Take proper care of your instrument. Change the strings when they are worn out, always ensure your instrument is properly tuned etc.

10.Talk to other guitar players and see if they have any insights. All guitar players have methods that work best for them. Maybe someone you know has a new approach you’ve never thought about. It’s always good to converse with other players and swap stories. You never know what you may learn.

To talk to a guitar instructor from Lesson Match or to enroll in lessons, contact Lesson Match today!

Dec

10 Reasons to Give a Musical Instrument as a Gift

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An Instrument makes the perfect gift!

Having trouble deciding on a gift for someone this Holiday season? Give them a musical instrument! Many people are interested in learning an instrument but either do not have that instrument or just haven’t taken the steps to begin learning to play.

Here are some reasons why a musical instrument could make the perfect gift.

1. Cost. Buying a used instrument or music lessons for someone is not as expensive as you may think. A used instrument could be the perfect way to turn someone on to music so they will want to invest in a higher quality instrument. Click here for some tips about buying used instruments.

2. Bonding. You’ll often hear that someone comes from a “musical family” and that’s because people bond over shared interests. Families that can play or learn instruments together will naturally bond over the shared interest.

3. Depression. Studies show that music affects people’s moods. Keep your family’s spirits up by giving them music lessons.

4. Age. It’s a myth that you have to learn to play instruments while you’re young. While it may be easier to retain information at a young age, adults have the discipline and attention span necessary for learning an instrument. You’re never too old to learn to play an instrument.

5. Caroling. Do you have friends or family that love to go Christmas caroling? This year, get them music lessons so they will be the talk of the town with their vocal talent.

6. Nostalgia. Many people have a certain instrument they associate with their childhood. Whether they loved listening to jazz or their grandpa played the guitar, they probably have some pastime that involves music. The gift of memories could be the perfect gift this year.

7. Regret. Odds are if you know people that do not play an instrument, they wish they did. Make those regrets a thing of the past by giving them an instrument for Christmas this year.

8. Stress. Music and playing an instrument are shown to fight off stress. Music is often associated with relaxation. If you know someone who gets stressed out easily, give him/her an instrument and watch the stress melt away.

9. Value. All gifts have a different value to the receiver. While your kids might request certain gifts within this year’s fad, an instrument could be the gift they didn’t know they wanted. The gift of music is one that lasts a lifetime.

10. Want. Give someone an instrument for Christmas because they asked for it and they want it. It may seem like a big investment, but if people want to learn an instrument, they will.

This year, give someone the gift of music by giving them an instrument.

Nov

10 Drum Tips

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Interested in taking drum lessons? Or do you already play the drums but are looking for some drum tips?

Here are a few tips to refine your technique and keep your drum set sounding great.

1. Keep your drum clean. Use a can of compressed air to get the dust out of hard to reach places like in between lugs.

2. Listen to different kinds of music. This will boost your creativity and allow you to learn new techniques. The more styles and techniques you can master, the more interesting your sound is.

3. Warm up. This is important for all instruments including the drums. Always warm up before lessons, practicing new songs, gigs etc.

4. Air drums. You don’t always have to have a drum set to practice the drums. If you’re sitting around bored with nothing to do, play the air drums. This can help refine patterns and increase your muscle memory.

5. Check your form. Make sure you’re using correct form for optimum sound. Are you holding the sticks at best place? Are you hitting the drums straight up and down?

6. Stick twirling. All crowds love stick twirling and it’s a great form of showmanship. If you don’t know how to twirl your drumsticks, there are how-to videos all over the Internet.

7. Learn to read music. Even if you are able to play the drums perfectly without reading music, reading music is a great way to expand your ability. Reading music allows you to read a song out of a book and be able to play it without having to continually take drum lessons.

8. Write down what works for you. Keep a log of practice techniques that work for you. You can also write down ideas that you’ve heard about and want to try. Keeping all these ideas together will assure you don’t forget about them and they are readily accessible.

9. Record/Videotape yourself playing. This will help you understand your form and see things you cannot see when you’re playing. Do you have a snarl on your face when you play? Is your snare drum titled?

10. Take lessons. While it may seem like you can learn anything online these days, there are things that will be easier for you to learn from an instructor. Drum instructors have been where you are and may have some helpful practice tips and techniques.

For more information about drum lessons with Lesson Match, call us at 612-460-7653.

Oct

10 More Vocal Tips

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More ways to keep your vocal cords sounding refreshed and healthy.

1. Practice slowly and daily to keep your voice in perfect shape. Practicing too much or trying to learn difficult techniques too quickly could strain your voice.

2. Drink a warm (not hot) soothing drink in the morning, like an herbal tea. Anything too hot will cause your neck and throat area to swell, which affects your vocal cords.

3. Drink lemonade to clear your throat of mucus. Lemonade is acidic and breaks down any unwanted mucus in your throat so you have a clear crisp singing voice.

4. Never hold your breath while singing. It is important to keep air moving through your body. Different breathing techniques will help you learn to keep breathing.

5. Never raise or hunch your shoulders when breathing. Instead, strengthen the muscles in your rib cage and breathe from there. This allows you to take fuller breaths and breathe longer.

6. Avoid straining and abusing your voice by knowing when to stop singing. Never sing to the point of vocal fatigue or your voice could be out of commission for a few days.

7. Make sure to get enough sleep the night before a performance. Fatigue will cause strain to your voice or will cause you to revert to bad habits in order to stay awake. Caffeine and sugary sodas dehydrate the body and should be avoided.

8. Practice singing in front of a mirror. This will help you discover any poor posture problems or bad stage habits you might have.

9. Don’t smoke, scream or talk too much, especially the day of a performance. You want to rest your vocal cords as much as possible so you don’t overuse or abuse them.

10. Always practice the basics of singing and breathing to develop your technique. While practicing the basics you might learn some new techniques to better your singing voice and performance.

Enroll in vocal lessons to keep your instrument in top shape!

Oct

10 Tips for Your First Recital

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Playing your first recital can be nerve-wracking, but it’s a great way to show what you’ve learned and stay motivated with lessons.

Here are a few tips to prepare for your first recital.

Find out what music you’re playing. Some instructors allow you to choose what piece(s) you’d like to play during the recital; other instructors assign pieces. If allowed to choose your own music, choose a piece that interests you.

Practice! Try to set aside time every day to practice. Practicing for 15 minutes a day will be more effective than practicing one day for an hour.

Difficulty. Tackle the more difficult pieces you’ll be playing then move onto the easier ones. Beginning with the harder pieces will give you more time to learn and master them. After learning the difficult pieces you should master the easier ones in no time.

Warm up. Play through a few easy pieces and your recital piece before the recital. Don’t over practice right before a recital though or you’ll be tired and make more mistakes.

Play in front of an audience. Practice a few times in front of your family and friends. This will help you feel more confident playing in front of a larger audience.

Record a practice session. Record yourself, or have someone record you, playing through all your pieces. Some musicians have bad habits that they do on stage and aren’t aware of them. Watching yourself play will show you how you will look on stage and you can address any issues before playing in front of an audience.

Rest. Get a good night’s sleep the night before a recital. You may be too nervous to sleep, but if you’re tired during the recital you might forget a piece or miss a note.

Breath! Many people get nervous in front of an audience and forget to breath. Practice some breathing techniques before your recital that help calm you down.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone messes up during his or her first recital. Usually it’s just a small mistake that only you notice, but the temptation to stop will be there. If you make a mistake, keep playing like nothing happened. Remember, this is your first recital; it will go better next time.

Have fun! Playing music shouldn’t be a chore. Always remember to have fun when playing. Performers that are having fun have better stage presence than those who are not.

For more tips about the first recital or lessons with Lesson Match, contact us!

Oct

10 Tips for Beginning Acoustic Guitar Players

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Some people are able to just pick up an acoustic guitar and instinctively know what to do with it; others might need some tips.

Here are a few tips for beginning acoustic guitar players.

1. Learn how to fingerpick your guitar and play with a pick. Each technique has its place in the music world. Finger picking is used more for classical music, while a pick is used more for rock and metal. Learning both will make you a better acoustic guitar player.

2. Learn how to change your own strings. Dirt and oil from your fingers break down the strings so it’s very important to change them as they lose their sound. Washing your hands before you play and cleaning your strings after you play will lengthen the time between changing your strings.

3. Learn how to use a capo. A capo is a clamp you can apply to different frets of your guitar to change the pitch.

4. Learn how to tune your acoustic guitar. Playing an out of tune acoustic guitar will be a waste of practice time.

5. Build up calluses on your fingers. Playing the guitar, especially the acoustic guitar, will hurt your fingers at first, but after a while you’ll build up calluses and the pain will go away. The more you practice, the quicker you’ll build up calluses.

6. Stretch and warm up your fingers before you play. Warm ups are important for all instruments to make sure you don’t injure yourself during practice. Loose stretched fingers will also make for better guitar playing.

7. Learn the parts of your guitar. Being a good guitar player means knowing the ins and outs of your acoustic guitar.

8. Don’t over do it. Practicing and playing too much can cause extreme discomfort in your hands and might take some time to recover.

9. Go to live performances. You can learn a lot by watching professionals play the guitar. Live performances can teach you new techniques to better your skills.

10. Find a good guitar instructor. While it is possible to learn using books and online tutorials, guitar instructors will be able to give you guided practice and recognize your strengths and weaknesses. A guitar instructor is a must for beginners.

For more tips or to sign up with acoustic guitar lessons, call Lesson Match at 612-460-7653!

Sep

10 Tips for Buying a New Piano

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New pianos are a big investment; so before going out and buying the first piano you see, there are a few things to consider.

1. Shop around. Pianos are not all the same and every one will not be right for you. Make sure and look at as many pianos as you can before making a decision. Always remember to play and inspect a any instrument before you buy it!
2. Placement. Make sure you have a space ready for your new piano before you buy it. Factors such as room size, carpeting etc. will make a difference in how it sounds. When buying a piano, be conscious of the space you’re going to put the it in; if you’re not sure how a piano would sound in your space, don’t be afraid to ask.
3. Moving. Before purchasing a piano, find out who is responsible for moving it. Private retailers usually expect you (the buyer) to do the moving yourself, while large piano manufacturers will often handle the moving for you. Always remember to hire professionals to assist with the moving. Moving a piano by yourself will cause expensive damage to your new instrument.
4. Hire a professional. Having a professional help you choose a piano is a good idea if you don’t know a whole lot about pianos.
5. Play. Don’t be afraid to play and test the piano thoroughly before you buy it to be sure it is in good condition.
6. Age. Pianos have a long life span (30-60 years), so don’t be turned off if a piano is 20 years old, it could still be in pristine condition.
7. Be cautious. If a seller is trying to turn your attention to the new finish on the exterior of the piano rather than telling you about the life of it, be suspicious. This is a common trick to distract buyers from actual problems with the instrument.
8. Initial call. Before taking the time to drive over and look at a piano, call the seller and get some background information about the piano. Information like age and value of the piano will help you decide whether or not to actually take time to look at the piano.
9. Tune. Before taking lessons with your new piano, be sure that it is properly tuned. Practicing on an out of tune piano will get you nowhere.
10. Price. Plan on spending at least $100 on moving and tuning the piano (this is on top of the cost of the piano). Don’t try to save money by moving the piano yourself when a professional piano mover can safely move it.

Once you have a piano, contact Lesson Match to enroll in lessons!

Sep

10 Tips to Overcome Stage Fright

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What do Adele, Barbra Streisand, Rod Stewart and Carly Simon have in common? They all suffer from stage fright. That’s right. Even celebrities get nervous before performing on stage. Performing on stage can be a terrifying experience, but there are a few tips and tricks to make the performance go by a little smoother.

1. Practice. The more you practice, the better you’ll feel about your talent.

2. Be prepared. Make sure that you have everything in order for your performance long before the performance is supposed to begin.

3. Analyze. Check out your performance space before the actual performance. This will ensure there are no surprises and you’ll feel more in control.

4. Relax. Find some relaxation techniques that work for you. If you have a few techniques you know will relax you before anything, this will help calm your nerves.

5. Take deep breaths. Use deep breathing to calm your body and your nerves.

6. Rid yourself of distractions. Avoid all distractions the day of your performance. Try not to have a million things on your plate that day so the only thing you have to worry about is the performance and practicing.

7. Visualize. Before the performance, take an imaginary journey of it. Close your eyes and imagine the entire performance from beginning to end. Then once the performance is actually happening, it will feel like you’ve already given the performance.

8. Nobody’s perfect. Try to accept the fact that every performance is not going to be perfect. Realize you might make a mistake every once and a while but you have to pick up and move on. That’s what helps Donny Osmond control his stage fright.

9. Encouragement. Make sure some friends and family are in the audience. Friends and family can offer silent encouragement and reinforcement.

10. Have fun! Make your performance a celebration of everything you’ve accomplished rather than punishment for being so talented.

Sep

10 Things Musicians Should Avoid

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Like all other things in this world, there are things you should and shouldn’t do in the music industry. Becoming a successful musician is definitely a possibility for people if they work hard and avoid a few things that can harm their musical future.

1. Procrastination. If you’re constantly saying “I’ll practice later” then you’re never going to perfect your instrument or your music. If you’re thinking about practicing, get up and do it. You won’t get anywhere by putting things off until the last minute.

2. Drinking and Smoking. While these may seem like two requirements to become a successful musician, they actually harm your music. Smoking can cause a musician to lose his/her voice during a show and drinking can cause a terrible hangover that interferes with a gig.

3. Stress. Musicians should always try to avoid stress! Stress can cause fatigue, which severely affects your music and sound. During a gig, if you’re stressed or tired, you might be a little slow hitting a note and ruin the whole song. Fatigue also blocks your mind so you’re not able to be creative and write new music.

4. Not setting goals. Goals are what keep people motivated to succeed. Everyone, including musicians should set goals in their life.

5. Not having the right priorities. If you want to be a successful musician, then music should be a top priority. However, don’t let music take over you’re life. Friends and family need to be a priority as well.

6. Playing only “popular” music. Don’t only play the type of music you think people want to hear. Play the music you want to play and if others like it, then great. If not, then at least you’re doing something you’re passionate about and can be proud of that.

7. Not giving enough time to music. Becoming a successful musician takes tons of practice! Even if you’ve mastered your instrument and your songs, you should still take time to write new music or learn new techniques. There’s always more to learn.

8. Waiting to be “discovered.” If you’re just sitting around waiting for someone to discover your talent, then you’ll probably wait a long time. There are many ways to become known in the music industry. Try applying for gigs or making demo CDs of your music to get your band recognized.

9. Plagiarizing. This is a big no-no even outside the music industry. People are always looking for something new and if you’re copying someone else’s music then you won’t be unique and probably won’t become successful.

10. Giving up. Even famous musicians didn’t make it big right away. Music takes trial and error before you find your sound and niche. It’s easy to become discouraged and give up, but remember to keep trying. Eventually you’ll make it!

Eating before a performance (not right before) is definitely necessary. You don’t want to be on stage hungry under hot bright lights and get lightheaded.

However, there are definitely a few food and drinks to avoid a few hours (or the day) before a performance.

For more tips on a great vocal performance, contact Lesson Match.

Whether you’re new to the guitar or are stuck in a musical rut, here are some tips to help you become a better musician.

To talk to a guitar instructor from Lesson Match or to enroll in lessons, contact Lesson Match today!

An Instrument makes the perfect gift!

Here are some reasons why a musical instrument could make the perfect gift.

This year, give someone the gift of music by giving them an instrument.

Interested in taking drum lessons? Or do you already play the drums but are looking for some drum tips?

Here are a few tips to refine your technique and keep your drum set sounding great.

For more information about drum lessons with Lesson Match, call us at 612-460-7653.

More ways to keep your vocal cords sounding refreshed and healthy.

Enroll in vocal lessons to keep your instrument in top shape!

Playing your first recital can be nerve-wracking, but it’s a great way to show what you’ve learned and stay motivated with lessons.

Here are a few tips to prepare for your first recital.

For more tips about the first recital or lessons with Lesson Match, contact us!

Some people are able to just pick up an acoustic guitar and instinctively know what to do with it; others might need some tips.

Here are a few tips for beginning acoustic guitar players.

For more tips or to sign up with acoustic guitar lessons, call Lesson Match at 612-460-7653!

New pianos are a big investment; so before going out and buying the first piano you see, there are a few things to consider.

Once you have a piano, contact Lesson Match to enroll in lessons!

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