Today on Ask Simply Mary we talk about vocals and some challenges you can overcome with a few simple tips.

Every artist seems to strive to be better at one thing or another. Sometimes we just want to be the best at everything, and realistically, we just can't.  Even though we can't master every single skill,  we can however, improve every single one. Let's talk about vocals today.

The question:

"Whenever I sing I feel most comfortable when singing low. I feel that I sound at least a bit better than when I try to sing more high like Sopranos. Is there any tips to improve my singing voice? I'm female by the way."

With every single challenge we face comes effort. Sometimes there is a considerable amount of effort that it will consume and that thought in itself can inhibit us from moving forward with reaching those goals we set for ourselves as an artist, a songwriter, or any type of creator. Before we can bring to fruition those goals we so deeply desire to achieve, we need to make a conscious effort to follow through with them and that is your first step.

So with this question we know that vocals are going to be the focus here. So let's talk about how to improve these vocal skills, and how to break barriers we feel are in the way of our growth as a vocalist.

In part one of the podcast we are going to talk about these tips:

You have a natural vocal range, embrace that first before you try to expand your talent.

Don't get to worked up, learn at your own pace.

Exercise your diaphragm daily by focusing and becoming aware of your breathing.

Take care of your instrument, your voice! You know, the healthy things like not smoking and staying hydrated.

Do not strain your voice, this can literally cause permanent damage!

Warming up and the importance of practice.

Finding artists you resonate with to research for advice.

As we move into part 2 of the podcast I talk about:

Building slowly to reach the next octave.

Higher in pitch is NOT higher in volume.

Vocal cord damage is REAL.

Record yourself as an amateur, and then again later to compare.

Be faithful to yourself.

Don't beat yourself up if you are not making the progress you think you should be making.

Don't push the bar further than you can afford to.

Apply these tips to many different areas that you may want to work on.

Don't forget to take a break.

Know that no matter what goal you are trying to reach, practice makes perfect they say. Put into it what you expect to get out and you will be successful in all you do!

Best wishes always!

Simply Mary

Today on "Ask Simply Mary"

Daniel elder asks "Does writing music actually get easier if you get high or is that just a myth?"

I talk about my personal feelings and experiences with marijuana and songwriting with honesty. You may or may not agree and my answer may or may not surprise you.

Johnny Adams asks "What advice would you give to an aspiring artist who has lost motivation to make new music?"

I basically am talking about self-care here, and the need to be grounded at all times in order to be creative freely. Writers block can occur not only with lyricists but musicians as well. Amidst this pandemic, it is more important than ever to be grounded. It is also a very trying time for artists performers and creators.  I not only touch on writers block but any block that you create within your life that is stopping you from doing something you love. Hopefully my advice can help someone out there step back and rethink their plans for the future in a new light.

Farzam Mousavi asks "What is the difference between a session or studio musician and a life performer?"

This is a really great question and it is some thing worth discussing. I do have my own experience to share and some thoughts to add to the pool.

All this, today, on

Ask Simply Mary

Thank you so much to my streaming and financial supporters, I couldn't do it without you!

Mary

Today on Ask Simply Mary,

Ray Galindo asks, "What is your opinion of Charles Manson's music?"

What a crazy topic to touch on for sure! I knew that Charles Manson made music a few years back and thought that was strange but never looked into it. Today I made the decision to check out Charles Manson's lyrics and his compositions that are available on YouTube. I really think everyone should take a moment and check this guy out. He really is an artist and a surprisingly talented man.

Jim Milton wants to know how to write a song with a ukulele without all the lyrics sounding unfamiliar and not right when something out loud.

I touch on instrumentation and structure while songwriting and also give a few pointers on things that may help with the process. Variations with instrumentation and using metronomes can really help with songwriting when you were only using one instrument. We also talk about variations and patterns as well as structure.

Finally Mary Scott asks,"If you're a songwriter what is your main objective in writing songs?"

I never really realized until today that song writing objectives seem to change along the course of a songwriters life. I know for me that my objectives have changed over the years and I believe that I share this with many other artists. I think this is an important question to touch on because it made me think about a lot of things.

I would like to thank everyone so much for tuning into the show!

If you like what you hear and you are getting something out of this podcast you are welcome to support the podcast by clicking the button on my podcast page. All support in every form is greatly appreciated!

How does an artist collect royalties from places like Spotify, YouTube and other streaming networks?

Mechanical royalties, performance royalties, neighboring rights, who collects? We touch lightly on having a Publishing Administration or Publisher along with a PRO organization to represent you and collect what is due. I strongly encourage you to check out your PRO organization or Publishing Administration website for many valuable educational resources for sure. All in all we want to know what's in it for these services as far as a benefit to paying royalties.

I also try to give a realistic and honest answer to the reality of becoming a producer and producing your own track. 

Check out www.masterclass.com and see all the classes they have open including the one I mention today on this podcast.

Also, I share with you the way I write a song. This may not work for everyone but some of this information could help you with your own writing. I share the secret to how I come up with my crazy chord structures and bringing it all together.

All of this today on Ask Simply Mary

Right here on Anchor.fm

So you want to make music, but where do you start?

Ask Simply Mary Podcast, Music Production, Musicians

 At 14 years old, Jalyn Fisher has a strong interest in ALL things music, but where does she even begin to start when there are so many different things to learn and so many changes in this fast paced industry?

 Today on Ask Simply Mary I would like to give Jalyn a plan of action to learn all the things she is dying to know about making music. We will be covering the 6 stages of Music Production that are critical to creating a good song. The great thing about this, is that each step has a future with positions and jobs in the industry somewhere. Do not fall into thinking you need to know it ALL, let me reassure you that you don't. Don't get me wrong, the more you know the better, but be realistic with your direction, you will grow along with your education and that does take time. Eventually you will be educated in all the areas you will need to be. 

Below you will be able to study any process you would like to go over through Wikipedia by clicking on the words highlighted in blue.

Don't forget to use your Google skills and find some suitable videos on YouTube, or other Social Media forums to place yourself among some of the musicians you most aspire to be like. You are not a copycat but you can benefit greatly learning from others. 

*Don't forget to share with others later too ;) 

Get yourself around people who are working in the Music Industry, if you put yourself around like minded individuals you will find the most growth. Also, don't forget to join your high school marching band, concert band or show choir! Trust me, you WILL USE THAT KNOWLEDGE LATER. IT IS PRICELESS! 

Also look around your local area for different Centers for the Arts and organizations you can start to become a part of right now, in some way, shape or form. You will have more connections to people who are interested in the same things. Don't let stigmas and such petty things distract you from the big prize here. Some people won't join band in high school or they end up missing other opportunities because of what others may think. Don't let anything like this hold you back. This is the future YOU are interested in, so you need to seek out every experience that you can to be sure that you know this is what you want to do. After all, even the time you are putting into things now is an investment, you are literally investing in yourself here. So I would love to see you make good investments without missing out on anything. With all that said, let's get going on the podcast where I will elaborate some more on each important step that you will be using to make music. The 6 Stages of a Song Songwriting Lyrics, composition and song structure basics. 

View the full post with live links and video at: 

https://bit.ly/6StagesofaSong

Thanks for tuning in here on Anchor.fm!

Today on Ask Simply Mary:

Bizzouch asks "How can I find out when a song was registered with ASCAP or BMI?"

Billy Draper Hills via Quora.com asks:

"Who structures a song, the producer or the singer? For example, if you buy beats, who dictates where verse, chorus, and bridge should be?"

Humberto Hernandez asks "Do I need to register a song with BMI even if I already released it on Spotify under my own name?"

Find out about my own personal experience and answers to all kinds of other music related questions in this episode. 

Visit the blog to find the links and resources mentioned here in the podcast by clicking here.

Are you a music creator and want to also do it yourself to retain all of your creative control?

Do you want to take your work one step further and just are not sure where to find solid resources? 

Do you want to hear your music on major streaming networks such as Spotify, Napster, iTunes, Pandora, Deezer and Apple Music?

Are you ready to take action on your next steps?

If you want to know, you have to ask!

To ask a question of your own just leave me a message through my website

 www.simplymarymusic.com 

or leave me a voice message right here on Anchor.fm to be part of the podcast and find out the information you deserve to know!

Thank you so much for tuning in!

Mary