PLAYING GUITAR

The guitar is especially versatile not only because it can be used in a wide variety of styles of music (from death metal to country to classical and everything in between) but also because it's more approachable than many other instruments, once you master a few basics as outlined below. It may take you years to get the basics down, and you'll need formal instruction at some point, but this simplified overview can get you started today. This article focuses on standard chords, which are only a basic element of guitar potential. For those who have significant difficulty forming chord shapes with their fingers, it may be better to start off learning songs which utilize single notes or power chords. This will help build finger strength, dexterity, and familiarity with the guitar, hopefully with less stress and frustration.

singing tips

Singing tips no 1

Learn how to extend your vocal range. This is an important factor in developing a great singing voice. It will give your voice another dimension, and add an element of excitement to your singing.Extending vocal range is done by learning how to sing in different vocal resistors... different muscle co ordinations. You must learn how to zip up your vocal chords as you sing higher. This leaves less of the vocal chords free to vibrate, and allows you to easily hit high notes.

Singing tips no. 2

The second important factor in increasing your vocal range, is to blend your vocal resonances. Your tone will resonate in your throat, your mouth, and your nasal cavities.

Each one of these cavities will favor different frequencies... produce a different sound. To develop beautiful tone, you must balance these vocal resonances. Once balanced, your tone will be superb.

As you move through the different areas of your voice (low, middle, and high), the resonance will undergo changes. For example, when you are singing low notes, most of the resonance will be felt in the throat and mouth.

As you pass up through your range, you will feel the reasonce pass behind the soft palate (the soft tissue that acts as a divider of your mouth and nasal cavity), and into your nasal cavities.

When you are singing in your highest range, most of the reasoance is felt in your head (nasal cavity).

Singing tips no. 3

The change of resonance described in tip no. 2, are defined by many vocal instructors as vocal registers.

To develop a great voice you must become intimate with each of the three main vocal registers. Here they are....

Chest voice - The voice we generally speak in. The vocal chords vibrate across their entire length, and the resonance is primarily in the throat and mouth. Chest voice produces a thick, rich, vocal sound.

Head voice - This is the highest part of our usable range. The vocal chords are in a shortened or "zipped up" coordination, and the resonance is primarily in the nasal or head cavity. Head voice produces a slightly hooty sound, like when you impersonate an owl "hooting"!

Mixed voice - This is a commercial sounding voice, that is higher in pitch than the chest voice. It is the voice you hear most top 40 artists using on the radio. It uses a "zipped up" chord coordination, although it gives you the same impression as singing in chest voice, with sweeter tone quality.

The resonance is split in this coordination, half in the mouth and half in the head cavity. For commercial success, learning to sing in the mixed voice is a must.

Singing tips no. 4

Work hard at developing your mixed voice! This is one of the hardest vocal coordinations to master, although is very achievable with the correct training. This part of your voice is what ties your entire voice together.

It is the bridge between your chest and your head voice. It is also the best part of your voice to use for a commercial, popular sound. It will give your voice flexibility and will actually improve the other areas of your voice!

Your chest and head voice will likely improve once you master your mixed voice. This is because the mixed voice requires the most sophisticated resonance and vocal chord coordination.

The chances are, if your mixed voice is beginning to sound really good, your vocal chords and breathing are beginning to function very efficiently, and your voice will only get better and better!

A great mixed voice is a sign of a good singer! So work on blending those registers....


Click here to review an excellent home study course that will help you develop a strong "mixed" voice. The exercises in this program can easily double your range!

Singing tips no. 5

Ok, here's an obvious one....

Warm up before doing any vigorous singing exercises! I know it's tempting to get straight into it....

Warming up your voice will increase the blood flow to your vocal chords. The muscles will then find it so much easier to operate effectively. You will be able to sing much better, with much less vocal tension.

It's so simple, yet so many singers forget to warm up.

Begin by humming nice and relaxed, in a easy range. Use simple scales, and don't try and sing too high, too early!

After humming for a few minutes, continue warming up by doing some lips rolls on a slightly harder scale. After ten minutes of this, your vocal chords should be nice and flexible, ready for some more challenging exercises!

Don't forget to warm up. Your voice will thank you for it.

Singing tips no. 6

Just as it is important to warm up before singing, you must warm down after singing. This will prevent your voice from getting tight, and it will make it easier next time you sing.

Do a gentle slide from your highest, easily reached note, down to your lowest note, and then into vocal fry (Vocal fry is the first noise you make when you wake up!

It sounds like Elma Fudd...."Hewo" in his crackly vocal fry!). If you still don't know what vocal fry is, stop the exercise when you get to your lowest note.

Do this exercise 10 to 15 times after every practise session. Keep it very relaxed... It will reinforce the progress you had made in that lesson. This is one of the most overlooked of the singing tips...

...Don't forget it!

Singing tips no. 7

Be sure not to forget singing tips no. 6!

5 Tips For Choosing The Right Electric Guitar

Tip 1. Evaluate your level of commitment to the instrument and the art of music.

Before you choose your electric guitar be sure you understand the level of commitment
that you are prepared to invest into the instrument. Electric guitars can be expensive and
understanding the level of dedication you plan to invest in the instrument should play a vital
role in choosing your guitar.

Tip 2. Identify your particular application for the instrument.

If you are a beginner and just learning to play the instrument, your application will
be quite different from an intermediate or advanced guitarist who is adding to their collection.
Determine your particular situation and application for the guitar you will purchase. Consider
whether or not you will be keeping the instrument at home or frequently traveling with it. For
example, if you plan to keep the instrument at home for recreational use, you may want to
consider including a less expensive case for the guitar. Road cases can be costly and will not
be necessary if you do not travel with the guitar.

Tip 3. Identify your budget and include patience regarding your guitar purchase.

Many aspiring guitarists have wandered into the local music store only to be overwhelmed by
the vast choices and different price ranges of guitars. As with any purchase, pre-planning and
understanding your budget is critical. Prices for electric guitars range from a few hundred dollars
to tens of thousands of dollars. If you are serious about playing the guitar, selecting your instrument
will be one of the most important decisions you make. Be sure to take ample time during this stage
of the process. Patience is more than a virtue when selecting your guitar.

Tip 4. Consult a professional to get tips on guitar quality and performance.

It is a good idea to take the time to visit several musical instrument dealers in your area. Retail
guitar shops will be more than happy to help you understand what to look for when buying an
electric guitar. Get several opinions if you are new to guitars. Most guitar outlets will have
seasoned players on staff who will be happy to impart their experience and wisdom. Ask questions.
Find out what you need to consider when selecting an electric guitar. Getting several opinions in
this area will shed light on the overall picture and will be very beneficial information when it comes time
to buy.

Tip 5. Include additional items and training resources to help you get started playing the guitar.

Once you have made the right guitar purchase, be sure to have additional items on hand that will be

vital to the process of learning. You will need an extra set of guitar strings, some extra picks, a tuner
and a stand for your guitar. It is also very important to purchase some beginner books that include
chord charts, guitar tab and chord progression exercises. You can also find free guitar lesson videos
on the web at Riff TV.com. Riff TV.com is an online guitarist community that provides free membership,
free guitar lesson videos, chord progression exercises, scale exercises, scale charts, basic key/chord
overviews and more. If you are a beginner guitarist and need free resources, training guides and
tools, Riff TV.com is available and can be your virtual classroom. Be sure to stop by today
and sign-up for a free membership.