Always having voice problems at auditions, singing performances...

Are you always having problems at auditions/singing or just singing in front of an audience?
Do you find that some days your voice seems dry?

Here are a few tips on what to avoid before and during your singing session....

1. Orange/Citrus Juice or Caffeinated Drinks (Coffee/Tea/Coke) or Alcohol
   affect your throats lubrication. Above contains diuretics (substances that dehydrate your body and your vocal cords).
2. Milk & other dairy products
   furs up the throat, avoid drinking milk, cream prior to singing. These products cause the mucous membrane lining of the vocal cords to create a great deal of mucous that covers your vocal cords.
3. Eating heavy meals prior to a singing session
   the food doesn’t have time to digest and sits heavily in your stomach. This makes it harder to control breathing, vocal reach and projection.
4. Smoke-filled environment
   ‘Burning’ your cords will cause your voice to deepen and make higher notes hard to hit.
5. Excessive loud talking and yelling
   can lead to vocal strain.
6. Coughing and clearing your throat
   instead sip water and swallow slowly, cough gently/silently. Coughing and clearing of throat will cause the vocal folds to slam together quickly and forcefully before sounds begins, causing an increase in muscular tension in laryngeal area. It is considered as a form of vocal abuse.
7. Sing out of your range
   save the top notes for when you can sing them correctly or only when with proper guidance. Don’t over-reach or you could end up damaging your voice! 

Take note of the above and constantly hydrate yourself with water.
Don't drink when you are feeling thirsty - That means you are dehydrated!

When your body is hydrated, your throat lubrication will be at its right 'consistency', not too dry, not too 'phlegm-y' :)


Special Highlight!
A nationwide singing competition is coming your way in August 2012... and it's brewing really big.
Stay tuned for more information!

Playing Guitar/Piano makes you Smarter

Simply by learning how to play guitar or piano, it greatly boost your creativity.

How come? Why? You might wonder.....
Because it works both your left, right brains and trains divergent thinking.

Characteristics of our 2 brains:
Left Brain are more Logical, Analytical while Right Brain are more Artistic, Emotional, Feeling~. 

When one talks about music, we're using the left side of the brain.
To utilize the right side of the brain, one must creatively produce, express in an activity such as music.

Hence, once you engage into music activities, you will activate more divergent thinking (using both left & right brains). With this, you will improve in...

• Making better decisions!
• Having better critical thinking during analysis!
• Having better ideas!
• Having Better intuition and inspirations!

Isn't it killing few birds in 1 stone? ;)
You get to enjoy a de-stress activity amidst busy working/studying schedule, develop a passion of yours and at the same time, get smarter!

*Thumbs up!

Do you know Albert Einstein is into musical hobbies too?
He personally said that it served him as a personal recreation that provides the kind of creativity that also enables his professional innovation!

Read this article - Einstein on Creative Thinking:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/imagine/201003/einstein-creative-thinking-music-and-the-intuitive-art-scientific-imagination

Now, that's a productive way of living!

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Hark Music (est. in 1999) - Our mission is to create solutions to make learning fun, enjoyable, enlightening and most importantly, Achievable!

We deviate from conventional teachings (learning song-by-song).
All our approaches are designed to work on building your creativity.
To let you express yourself, and not following whatever is dictated (in scores)!
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Keep your music passion burning!

Benefits of Learning Singing!

Singing is good for your health. As good as Yoga!

If you are looking to stay healthy (mental and physical), why not simply just do more singing!
Other plus points - This activity is fun, makes you happy and you don't want to stop!

Here's why:

• Good singing uses deep breathing, which activates your diaphragm, promotes a healthy lymphatic system, which in turn promotes a healthy immune system!
  
  
• Singing is a great way to work out -it's an aerobic exercise that increases oxygen levels in the blood without leaving you hot and sweaty.
  
  
• Singing makes you look good - it improves posture and tones tummy muscles.
  
  
• It's very hard to worry and sing simultaneously - hence it reduces stress levels and blood pressure.

Sounds good, huh? :)
Basically, we felt it just add more meaning to our life! So that we do not just work, we play!
That's why we will be happier~ :D Lalalala....

For more health benefits, have a good read written by Dr. Ben Kim. http://drbenkim.com/articles-singing-for-health.htm
It is almost equivalent to Yoga - Hear it from a Yoga Master, Kurt Johnsen: http://youtu.be/Y8N8i_7mYmY


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Hark Music (est. in 1999) - Our mission is to create solutions to make learning fun, enjoyable, enlightening and most importantly, Achievable!

Therefore, our goal is to support our vocal students to attain diaphragmatic breathing in just ONE lesson!
And 90% of them did it!
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Til our next sharing....
Keep your music passion burning!

Thumbs Up by our Songwriting Apprentices!

It's assuring to hear GREAT reviews from our students!

"First started my music journey through Songwriting Apprentice course at Hark Music. Songwriting has always been my interest and I get to learn a lot from professional songwriters through the course. Really enjoyed myself here and also made friends who share the same passion in composing. From composing without much music background and able to write a song together with fellow songwriter is really exciting and enjoying. Being a student here and getting to explore the fun in composing is a joy."
- Evelyn

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In 2010 - we introduced a 'revamped, improved' version of an exciting programme - Songwriter 2-Year Apprenticeship.

It deviates differently from the usual songwriting programmes you've seen out there, where weekly sessions just goes on and on.. (and probably not penning a song even in the 1st year!)

In this programme, you experience a Full-Day Boot Camp to tune up your musicality, provide you the concepts & strategies of song-writing. In short, provide you with the BIG PICTURE in 1 day.

After which, you'll create a song using the proven formula and attend the 4 Masterclasses. The professional trainers (industry veterans) will support you to polish your song to make it commerically-viable!

Once the song is created, we will complete your songs by providing Enhanced Demo (for 2 songs), with demo singers and music arrangements for the finishing touch. This is to ensure, your song is presented in its best to deliver to recording companies for pitching!

As an apprentice in this programme, you have full access and support to the following for 2 Years.

1. Email Support:
Want feedbacks, advices? Email the professionals!
2. Recharge Sessions:
Periodically, we organise activities, showcases to recharge your musical energy & ride the momentum to write more great songs. Plus, it's a great chance to learn from one another + latest updates about the music industry in Taiwan, China, Singapore.
3. LifeTime Connection to Recording Companies: Whenever you have freshly-written songs, send it to us! We will pitch your songs to networks in Taiwan and China even after the 2 years.

Cool, right?

All the above are inclusive of the entire programme - no 'extra fees'.
This is truly an exclusive programme too, as we only accept apprentices once annually. Thus, very limited enrolments. (We place pride in quality than quantity.)

If you are interested to know our next intake (in 2012), you may contact us here: info@harkmusic.com

Meanwhile, read more on our students' experiences below!
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"It is all about passion in music! Sharing and learning together during class has been enjoyable and fruitful. I got to learn about lyrics writing skills and melody composition through guidance from the instructors and interactions with my classmates. The most valuable thing that I have gained from the course, besides knowledge on song writing, is my wonderful group of songwriting buddies! We still meet up regularly for outing and we even had mini song writing sessions by ourselves. Hark Music still gives us the chance to showcase our songs after we had finished our lessons, and I am really thankful about that because that ensures that we don't stop our 'productions'!!! I will never forget the fun and laughter I had experienced during the course. Thanks Hark! :D" - Apple Koh


"I started my journey of music learning with Hark some time back, first with the acoustics guitar course, followed by subsequent experiences with the song-writing apprentice course, basic vocals course, and the pop piano course i'm on currently. Of the varied courses offered, the 8-lesson song-writing course is comparatively the most refreshing, in the sense that it is a crash course which provided a keener sense of challenge and motivation as well, while the other courses are more extended. The course offered basic content of song-writing in a condensed manner, just apt for time-tight learners like working adults. Furthermore, taking up the course facilitated the knowing of more like-minded friends, who form an integral part of the mutual support and assistance needed to continue on song-writing attempts. This is probably one of the best take-aways from the course." - Tan Keng Hwee

Singing Enthusiasts - Here's a great event to add excitement into your life!

Advertorial



Extracted from: http://ktvclub.blogspot.com/p/ktvclubidol2011.html

KTVCLUB IDOL 2011

The last installment founded many promising singers and local talents, setting the benchmark for singing passion in our community. This year promises nothing less. We aim to take this event to an even higher level of excitement. Raising the bar, challenging the limits and stretching the boundaries. Fourth time in the making, we assure all participants an experience like never before.

Raising the stakes of media coverage, we have engaged a cinematography production house and assembled a professional panel who have judged in One Million Star 5 超級星光大道第五季 (Singapore Auditions), Channel U Superband and vocal instructors from renowned music schools.

If you are someone who loves screaming your lungs out during karaoke, or your singing never left the bathroom, or if you are one of the million youths aspiring to be a singer. This is your chance to be part of the greatest event of the year!

If you like singing, then IT'S ALL IN YOU, UNLEASH YOURSELF!

AUDITIONS
08 October 2011, Saturday
12noon to 6pm
Venue: K Box Marina Square

GRAND FINALS
22 October 2011, Saturday
1pm to 5pm
Venue: K Union Event Hall (Orchard Cineleisure)

REGISTRATION FEE
S$12 (Category A)
S$14 (Category B)

Closing Date: 05 October 2011 (2359hrs)

** All contestants will receive a FREE GOODIE BAG worth over $120 in value, inclusive of cash / discount vouchers, and door gifts from our participating sponsors! We will be issuing Ktvclub Sg's Privilege Card which entitles you for many discounts at our collaboration partners! While stocks last!

(Category A)
- Existing Members of Ktvclub Sg
- Hark Music Students
- K Box / Lunar Members
- Anyone who has the "Promo Code"

(Category B)
- Members of Public
- Anyone who register after 01 October 2011 (Regardless of Cat A promo)


The Online Registration Form can be found at:
http://ktvclub.blogspot.com/p/ktvclubidolregistration2011.html

(Rules & Regulations: http://ktvclub.blogspot.com/p/ktvclubidolrules2011.html)

The prizes for this singing competition will be as follows.

Please note that we are still in the midst of topping of prizes and will update them as soon as we confirm. Check back here for more!

Champion

• Grand Trophy
• $400 Hark Music Cash Voucher
• $700 Fabulous Group Vouchers
• TOUCHE™ Treatment (worth $295)
• Frolick Vouchers (worth $50)
• KTVCLUB LIVE! Performance Contract

1st Runner Up

• Winner Trophy
• $300 Hark Music Cash Voucher
• $400 Fabulous Group Vouchers
• TOUCHE™ Treatment (worth $295)
• Frolick Vouchers (worth $30)
• KTVCLUB LIVE! Performance Contract

2nd Runner Up

• Winner Trophy
• $200 Hark Music Cash Voucher
• $300 Fabulous Group Vouchers
• TOUCHE™ Treatment (worth $295)
• Frolick Vouchers (worth $20)
• KTVCLUB LIVE! Performance Contract

Consolation Prizes
Each consolation winner will be awarded with:-
Trophy + $100 Hark Music Cash Voucher + TOUCHE™ Treatment (worth $175)

• Best Voice Quality Award (最佳音色奖)
• Best Stage Performance Award (最佳舞台魅力奖)
• Best Showmanship Award (最佳台风奖)
• Most Popular Award (最受欢迎奖)

Photos from Guitar ExpressWay

Sharing some photos taken from Guitar ExpressWay!

Guitar ExpressWay Batch 4!

Time flies... Since our conceptualization of an accelerated programme to fit the lifestyle of the modern Singaporeans in 2009, this year, we managed to run 2 batches of Guitar ExpressWay!

Yeah! We have reached one of our goals set out in 2010!

Guitar ExpressWay is a 2-day accelerated programme, enabling the students to achieve self-directed learners after 2-day programme!

And boy, it has achieved amazing results for the graduates!

We have witnessed a total beginner (never touched guitar before) being able to play and sing a song on stage in front of an audience in just 3 weeks when she first touched the guitar.
Some months later, she even started to write songs using the knowledge she acquired through the course too!

We have also seen an experienced player, achieving breakthroughs from long years of stagnant state! And now, he is imparting what he knows to his 9-year old son!

Amazing stories! ...There are more.. Like those who performed for their own weddings, their son's weddings...we can go on & on...

It's these stories, that made us much more confident of the value this programme delivers to the graduates.

With an initial simple objective - to create an alternative music learning experience to music enthusiasts other than weekly music lessons, it has accomplished much more to our delight.

We are glad to see such results.
Thank you, Guitar ExpressWay students. :)

To know about the programme: Visit http://www.HarkMusic.com