Your voice is an instrument housed inside your body, and taking care of your mind and body is essential to optimal vocal health

The state of your body affects your vocal health. I tell my students all the time that singers are “athletes of the small muscles of the voice and breathing.” But as a vocal athlete, your focus on vocal care needs to extend beyond your vocal cords.

Aerobic training, stretching and yoga, realigning your body and spine, and mind/body connection exercises – these are all ways in which we improve vocal health with professional singers and public speakers. The goal is to help you improve vocal function, increase endurance, build performance stamina, and maximize breath control while improving overall vocal health and vocal performance. Plus, you’ll improve your tone, conditioning, and looks, too. Seriously dedicated to re-sculpting your body? Here’s what you need to know about how singers work out and the right approaches to strength training and weight lifting.

1. Stretching and yoga prevent injury and keep your spine flexible.

It’s a fact: yoga, when executed correctly, prevents injury. I’ve been doing yoga almost all my life, and it not only keeps me young and flexible, it helps prevent physical injury – and that includes your voice. My singing students who do yoga stay in shape much longer and have healthier singing careers – just look at Madonna and Sting. Both are devoted yoginis in their 50s and 60s with no vocal problems, and they get toned, fit bodies to boot. Read more

http://blog.discmakers.com/2013/09/8-ways-to-improve-your-vocal-health/

Invite your fans behind the curtain and into your world as an indie artist if you really want to connect, grow your audience, and find success

Gone are the days when being an indie artist meant boldly throwing off the corporate structure and shaking your fist at “The Man.” While there is a certain freedom obtained in independence, being an independent artist is no longer the anomaly – even for larger acts. Going independent is the new reality for many successful music artists across the globe.

What does being an indie artist mean, exactly? For one thing, a new game requires a new set of skills. Those who got into this gig because they can master melodies and craft thoughtful lyrics now find themselves facing the world of social media, marketing engagement, Facebook fans, Twitter followers, pings, tweets, adds, and more.

Read more

http://blog.discmakers.com/2013/10/5-secrets-of-the-successful-indie-artist/