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The Elite Singer Of The 21st Century: Innovation And New Tools For Training

MusiCares

Jun 21, 2017 - 8:20 am

Life has evolved to the point where digital downloads and updates are a daily essential if we want to be faster and more productive. Science is advancing the ways we eat, exercise and socialize so that we can be stronger and live longer. Why is it then, with so much progress, the way we train singers has come to a standstill?

In a nutshell, the vocal mechanism is similar to outer space. There is so much we know about it and so much more that still remains a mystery. Now, in the 21st century, there is a need for experts from different disciplines to work together in order to create innovative practices and procedures for the elite singer of today.

For example, laryngeal surgeon Dr. Steven Zeitels, who lectured at the 2012 Future Now Grammy event in Los Angeles, is continuing cutting edge research with the support of some legendary singers. Dr. Zeitels explains why analyzing a high performance singer, like Steven Tyler, is analogous to working with a high performance or Olympic level athlete; and how it helps us better understand, “what happens in the midst of a high performance concert.” Watch National Geographic’s excerpt from “Incredible Human Machine” (featuring Steven Tyler and Dr. S. Zeitels).

Singing is an athletic event because it involves entire body systems (i.e. neuromusculoskeletal). With millions of dollars spent every year in sports science research, it only seems fitting that we should also be able to identify and use valuable information that is specific to voice performance. If singers are like athletes, then the question is: as singers, how can we use information gained from cutting edge interdisciplinary research to advance our training?

The vocal folds are so tiny they are essentially the size of your thumbnail (“Incredible Human Machine”). So, how can you train that small entity to be the powerhouse and power source for voice performance? In short, you can’t! Instead of focusing on the little vocal folds to train the big muscles related to singing, we can now train the big muscles with specific neuromuscular recruitment patterns (i.e. muscle contraction sequences) to target and improve performance of muscles like the transversus abdominis for improved voice performance as well.

Historically, singers have been afraid to ‘push the boundaries’ of singing, because of fear of injury. When the pressure is on, some singers resort to audio/computer technology to support them for improved power and/or quality of sound. However, through the use of new tools based on scientific evidence that focus on increasing voice-core strength and conditioning, singers can be more powerful and have greater stamina, without being fearful of overuse injury.

As a sports-specific strength and conditioning Pilates2Voice® practitioner, I regularly collaborate and confer with laryngologists, vocal coaches and other music industry professionals, while also staying current with sports science research, certifications and continuing education from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA).

I often ask myself after years of study, practice and developing the Pilates2Voice® technique: what is the benefit to having music, science and sports related degrees or certifications, and professional performance experience?

It doesn’t take a Doctorate degree to teach or train singers and athletes, but it does take an advanced education to understand complex theories, and to figure out how to “KEEP IT SIMPLE.”

The Practice and Regimen: Simple Steps

Singers should have similar regimens for strength and conditioning like that of a high performance athlete. Exercises performed for improving athletic performance of the voice and the core simultaneously should be customized so that one can monitor (target goals) and measure (repetitions). Workouts should be progressed by increasing resistance and/or repetitions to create a training regimen similar to those of elite athletes. Initial training should involve diagnostic and instructional sessions and continue with feedback and facilitation from the practitioner/coach, until the final stage where the client becomes independent.

“All body shapes and sizes can have expert level Core Strength.”

The artist PINK took singing to a whole new level with her aerial-singing performances. I am grateful for her vision, because it led to my discovery of the extent I could train singers. As a soprano and performing artist myself, I’ve enjoyed exploring the new discipline of aerial-singing (harness & wire). Extreme singing is not for everyone, but it’s empowering to know what it takes to do it! You don’t have to aspire to become an aerial-singer to benefit from the new cutting edge strength and conditioning techniques. However, you do have to commit to something with an Olympic level of discipline in order to fully realize its potential.

Pilates2Voice®: A Summary of Benefits

• Improved vocal power and stamina

• Improved breath management and breath control

• Improved posture and performance body

• Increased vocal range - both lower and higher

• Improved core stability and balance

• Improved core strength and conditioning

• Improved confidence and reduced performance anxiety

• Improved overall athletic performance of the voice-core connection™ & prevention of overuse injury

*All diagnostic and instructional sessions must be performed and facilitated by a Pilates2Voice® Practitioner

Performance Tips based on Pilates2Voice® Principles:

Try this Tip for posture and performance body: Don’t roll to the outside of your feet, but rather grab the floor gently with your toes while you are singing.
Find out why you shouldn’t chew gum at least 48 hours before a performance.
Learn why physical warm-ups utilizing energized breathing should be used before a vocal warm up.
Learn strategies for better concentration, like keeping your eyes open and focused, especially when learning new songs.
Find out why you shouldn’t push the belly out when you initially breathe in or when you sing (i.e.exhale).
Learn why traditional Pilates is not recommended for improving voice performance.
Discover why maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle with good nutrition and physical rest needs to be part of your regimen.

Whether your aspiration is to be on the world stage or to just sing better in the shower, continue training as an ELITE SINGER by learning Pilates2Voice® exercises like The Dorothy™, Bubble-Nose-to-Mouth-Breath-IN™, and Anchor the Armor™.

Join Dr. Veera Asher on April 16th for a MusiCares World Voice Day Event at The Recording Academy in Los Angeles.

Dr. Veera Asher is the creator of Pilates2Voice®. She is currently working with clients to enhance voice performance, athletic performance, create new aerial-singers, and reeducate for prevention of overuse injury. She works in collaboration with medical professionals. Dr. Asher is a Provider for MusiCares.

Please visit www.pilates2voice.com for more information and testimonials.

Photo: Tamara Palmer

News

How To Use Music Techniques To Prepare Healthy Food

Sample, remix and make your meals sing with flavor while doing your body good with these music production-inspired ideas

Tamara Palmer

MusiCares

May 13, 2020 - 2:00 pm

Food has been a popular theme in music throughout the ages. From countless songs from the '50s pop classic “Blueberry Hill” to DNCE's hit “Cake by the Ocean” and artists from Meat Loaf to Black Eyed Peas, there’s long been much crossover between the two worlds. In fact, GRAMMY-winning recording artists Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Trisha Yearwood are among the music stars who have come to prominence as cookbook authors.

If you weren’t much of a home chef before a pandemic forced many people into their kitchens to figure out how to keep themselves alive, you may be finding your cooking to be a bit dull, flat or monotone — especially if you’re working with a limited budget for food. You may already know that playing music that moves you while you’re cooking can make the whole culinary experience more fun, but actually channeling music techniques in the kitchen can lead to healthier and more flavorful results. Here’s how:

Assemble Your Ensemble

The vibe of a band has everything to do with its players. The same is true when you gather ingredients for your next edible masterpiece. Think of long shelf life pantry staples such as beans, rice and pasta and spices like turmeric, cumin, and chili powder as main instruments in your supper club’s house band. If you’ve got a solid spice cabinet and pantry as anchors, you can make even a solitary potato or other fresh produce guest stars that come and go into real treats.

Set the Tempo

Do you want to be the kind of chef who blazes in and out of the kitchen, making a quick bite at the pace of a banging techno track, or do you want to spend hours cooking up a slow, loving ballad that will last a while? Perhaps you want to do both, depending on the day. Every tempo is valid and can yield strong results. Try this: take that song you can't get out of your head and let it set the tempo for your next culinary creation.

Build a Sample Bank

If your goal is to cook in an economical way, but you don’t want to eat the same dish over and over, consider taking a few hours once or twice a week to cook up big batches of dishes such as soups, sauces and roasted, baked or stir-fried vegetables along with a pot of beans, rice or pasta that can all be portioned out in the refrigerator or freezer. All of these individual components can be made simultaneously and used later as a sample bank of sorts that you can combine in different ways to keep your palate feeling fresh.

Consider Song Structure

Just as a great song might have a hooky bassline, an unforgettable melody, sweet harmonies and a propulsive rhythm, your best savory dishes are likely to have a consistent structure that incorporates a balance such as chef Samin Nosrat’s avowed salt, fat, acid and heat.

"Just four basic elements can make or break a dish," Nosrat says "The more I travel and taste's the different cuisines of the world, the more I realize that good cooking is universal... be thoughtful, be curious. Good cooking is within reach for everyone."

Cover and Rearrange

Songwriters stand on the shoulders of giants when they put their influences to work on a new tune or create their own rendition of an old favorite. You can do this in the kitchen, too. Take a look at recipes online to get ideas on what to make with what you have, but feel free to deviate from the recipe in the same way that you might rearrange a classic song that you’d like to cover.

In other words, if you want to drop the beets from a beet salad recipe that has other accompaniments that you have — say, walnuts and goat cheese — go right ahead! Only you (and maybe those in your immediate household) will taste the symphony of your new creation, and every note is up to you.

Invent the Kitchen Remix

Cravings for rich, fatty foods can be all consuming (cake, cake, cake), but you don’t have to succumb all the way as long as you know how to remix your treats — perhaps it’s as simple cutting back the sugar in a comforting dessert recipe or sprinkling a little less cheese powder on your instant mac while stirring in a tangle of shredded kale.

You can also doctor a not so healthy dish to add some nutritious content or dress something more diet conscious with a decadent drizzle or topping — like crushed peanut brittle in your salad.

Freestyle

As in music, you’re always free to throw any pre-planned notions out the window and just improvise when you’re cooking! Those happy accidents that happen in the studio that are worth keeping can also happen in the kitchen, and if you’re flexible enough to freestyle, you might end up with a better and more personal meal than what any cookbook recipe could have yielded.

Once you’re ready to make music in the kitchen, friends, family, search engines and social media can all be excellent sources for finding recipes, should you need quick suggestions on what to create with your new-found enthusiasm and the ingredients you have on hand. If you really want to level your kitchen game up and consistently make your food sing, invest some time in learning some new cooking techniques. You’ll find lots of sound advice for all levels on Serious Eats. Have fun, keep it fresh and enjoy!

11 Meditation Apps To Help You Get Calm & Centered During Quarantine & Beyond

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Major Streaming Services And Tech Companies Join MusiCares In Support Of COVID-19 Relief Fund

Amazon Music, Facebook, SiriusXM and Pandora, Spotify, TIDAL, and YouTube Music announce generous contributions to MusiCares' coronavirus relief fund

MusiCares

Mar 24, 2020 - 9:00 am

In a bold statement of unity within the music industry, leading music streaming and tech companies Amazon Music, Facebook, SiriusXM and Pandora, Spotify, TIDAL, and YouTube Music have announced today they are contributing to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund to support music industry workers in need.

"The music community is in great need so The Recording Academy greatly appreciates the collective support and emergency aid that this coalition of music industry and tech leaders has provided," said Harvey Mason jr, Recording Academy Interim President/CEO. "We hope these partnerships inspire other organizations to stand behind the music community in this time of great uncertainty. We continue to encourage our peers to embrace the collaborative power of music and to support impacted industry professionals in both trying and good times."

The COVID-19 Relief Fund was established to provide monetary support to the thousands of music creators and industry professionals who have been most affected by the Coronavirus pandemic due to the unprecedented cancellation of music events and work opportunities. Since the fund’s establishment last week, MusiCares and the Recording Academy have raised millions more than the initial $2 million to start the COVID-19 Relief Fund, thanks to its esteemed partners, but more is needed.

With this fund, music industry professionals including artists, production crews, technicians, and anyone impacted by the loss of income due to live music event cancelations, can apply for basic living assistance.

Beyond the initial donations, all Recording Academy Chapters have committed to fundraising in their local communities. Additionally, the Recording Academy appealed to Congress to further protect musicians, performers, songwriters, and studio professionals such as self-employed gig workers who are impacted by cancellations due to the ongoing pandemic. Further updates and announcements regarding additional partnerships will be announced in the coming days.

If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, visit: https://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/CoronavirusReliefFund

If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit: musicares.org.

News

Recording Academy And MusiCares Establish COVID-19 Relief Fund

Both the Recording Academy and MusiCares have contributed an initial donation of $1 million each, totaling $2 million

GRAMMYs

Mar 17, 2020 - 10:36 am

The Recording Academy and its affiliated charitable foundation MusiCares have established the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help people in the music industry affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak and subsequent cancellation of multiple music events. From hotel and bar gigs to major music festivals, COVID-19 is deeply impacting live music events, and the creative community behind it all.

Administered through MusiCares, the COVID-19 Fund will be used to directly support those in the music community with the greatest need. To establish the fund, both the Recording Academy and MusiCares have contributed an initial donation of $1 million each, totaling $2 million. Additionally, all Recording Academy Chapters have committed to fundraising in their local communities. Further updates and announcements will be made in the coming days.

"Event cancellations are at unprecedented levels and the situation, therefore, requires an unprecedented response," said Harvey Mason jr., Chair and Interim CEO of the Recording Academy, in a statement. "Many people in the industry are now in crisis, not knowing what the future holds or having to deal with dire commercial realities. We are asking the entire industry to stand with us to support the musicians, artists and professionals who are the bedrock and the future of our music community."

"It’s in times like these that many of us turn to music. Music can help us cope, and has the power to bring us together during a time when many of us might feel isolated. We encourage people everywhere to embrace the music industry which needs our help in these uncertain times."

MusiCares chair Steve Boom added, "The music industry is built on the work of musicians, artists, and music professionals. It is in times like these, that the industry needs to come together to support those who are struggling, particularly those who rely on touring incomes to survive. We know this fund will need to be significant. We will not be able to do it alone, and that’s why we are asking the entire music community including labels, streaming services, and anyone who is able to join us in this important effort. We're all in when the good times roll, and it’s important that we're all in when times are tough, too."

If you wish to support our efforts to assist music people in need, visit: https://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/CoronavirusReliefFund

Photo credit: Getty Images

News

How The Music Industry Can Break More Talent By Investing In Mental Health Care & Preventing Burnout

It's time we, as a collective industry, "face the music" and take action

Jesse Palter

Clayton Durant

MusiCares

Feb 19, 2020 - 3:29 pm

By Jesse Palter, Singer, Songwriter and Recording Artist, and Clayton Durant, CEO of CAD Management

The music business, not unlike most professions, has a mental health problem. Artists and creatives feel things deeply by design. If they work hard enough and the stars align, they just might get the opportunity to expose themselves (vulnerably) through their work in an industry that is ever-changing and so competitive that even on its best day, the odds are still stacked against success. At every stage of the game, an artist's career trajectory is the perfect breeding grounds for mental health issues and yet, receiving support and help for mental health services can be challenging. If we can all agree that the "industry" is nothing without the music-makers, and the world is inharmonious without art, it's time we, as a collective industry, "face the music" and take action.

To provide perspective, general mental health- and burnout-related issues cost the U.S. more than $300 billion a year in absenteeism, turnover, diminished productivity and insurance costs. Mental health also impacts the lifeblood of the music business; breaking artists and scaling new talent. According to a recent study published by Billboard, 73% of independent artists are reported to have a mild form of depression. Make no mistake, indie artists are one of the music industry’s most important stakeholders. In addition, taking care of the indie artist community will be a key driver to the continued growth of the music business at large. Finally, performance rights organizations like ASCAP are taking initiative by launching programs like TuneUp, which will focus primarily on supporting the physical and mental well-being of ASCAP members. MusiCares formed a strategic partnership with ASCAP with this initiative, offering expanded recovery support groups around the country and serving as an official advisor on ASCAP’s recovery and mental health programs.

Corporate America has been proactive with its response to the mental health issue. Organizations have witnessed the connection between its employee stakeholders and their mental health, and have taken action to ensure that burnout and stress are monitored and treated through various investments in programs and emerging technologies. For instance, Deloitte, the largest professional services firm in the U.S., has tackled mental health and burnout by creating a user-friendly dashboard, dubbed Vitals, that aggregates information from a variety of internal systems to see when people may need a break. Employees can see a complete picture of how many hours they are working—during the week and on weekends—along with how much of that time they’re spending away from home, how many flights they have taken in the past week and when they last took PTO. It also allows employees to share their energy levels with their managers. How humane and logical!

These types of solutions need to find their way into the music industry at large because not only can they positively impact the mental health crisis and enhance productivity, but from a business standpoint, they can even improve an organization’s competitive advantage. On top of that, in a marketplace where moving records and creating the next global superstars has become more challenging and more expensive, this investment has the ability to pay back in spades.

So, where do we begin? I partnered with Clayton Durant, the founder of CAD Management, who has worked with artists at both the indie and major record label level to bring light to this issue. This collaboration came after I penned a recent op-ed in Thrive Global describing the honest mental health issues that rising artists face in today’s hyper-digital society, and the pressure it puts on up-and-coming talent. I had no expectations of what coming forward with the chronicles of my journey would yield; I only felt the cathartic necessity to be open and honest. Much to my surprise, my story resonated with a wide demographic, including many industry insiders who reached out sharing similar sentiments. It was glaringly clear: this conversation needs to expand, and actionable strategies need to be put in place and executed, the sooner the better. Although the experiences Clayton and I have differ, together, we presented three ways the music industry and the companies that work in this vertical can help address this crisis. We hope that this article can jumpstart the search for solutions and that we can come together as artists, managers, and organizations to work towards solving this issue once and for all.

The Industry Spends Billions Of Dollars On Promotion Of Records. More Of That Needs To Go To Initiatives That Improve Mental Health

The global recorded music market grew by 9.7% in 2018, making it the fourth consecutive year of growth, according to the IFPI’s latest Global Music Report. Despite a continued increase, rising and independent musicians still struggle to make a livable wage off of their art.

To put it in perspective, a recent report of 1,227 U.S. musicians, released by the nonprofit Music Industry Research Association in collaboration with MusiCares and the Princeton University Survey Research Center, showed that the median musician made around $35,000 in 2017. For comparison, the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics estimates that the average income of a U.S. citizen is approximately $46,800. This has created an affordability crisis for independent artists that cannot keep up with the average increase of inflation, living expenses, and the costs associated with healthcare.

Take my signing story, for example. I received a modest advance upon signing my record contract in 2016, a percentage of which went to my lawyer and manager at the time. In a rather un-rockstar move (but a big-girl-decision!), I made the choice to budget my advance towards my living expenses and continued to take gigs to supplement my income. I recorded my debut album, Paper Trail, for my label in early 2017 and looked forward to what I believed would be an imminent release date, and the anticipation of future income as a result of the hustle I was eagerly prepared for. Without going into too much further personal detail, I will state the facts: my full-length album was released in July of 2019 (2.8 years after I received the majority of my advance). Throughout the time between turning my masters in and the release of that album, I found myself in vacillating periods of optimism and self-doubt, with little resources for someone in my position. In retrospect, I find that rather curious because the feedback I’ve received indicates this is more the norm than the exception. Why are we not openly talking about this, providing support for one another, and figuring out how to fix this so that we can enable creators to continue to grace society with all we have to offer?

For young artists who are being signed to new contracts, ensuring that portions of the artist development budget remain solely for auxiliary elements that directly enhance mental well-being should become standard in all label deals and contracts. For artists who aren’t signed, the industry needs to come together to fund centers that can offer resources to artists (at little to no cost) for the elements that contribute to their well-being which directly affects their mental health. There must be an understanding that meeting basic needs (shelter, food, physical healthcare/mental healthcare, transportation) is essential for the mental well-being of humans. Providing livable standards for artists in all situations is critical.

The Music Industry Needs To Continue To Champion Well-Being And Open The Discussion

Research has shown that companies with high-recognition initiatives perform better and have less turnover than those that don’t. Perhaps this is because support and an environment built around recognition and transparency makes it easier for people to cope with the demands of work and for employees to know that they are valued.

If that is the case, then one of the biggest improvements that we, as a collective music community, can make, is opening up the dialogue around transparency of the subject, and also the pursuit of solutions surrounding mental health. This won’t only benefit the artists, but will also positively impact the employees that work on their behalf. According to a survey of office workers in July 2018 from Peldon Rose, 72% of employees want employers to advocate for mental health and well-being. The employers who choose to champion these issues will be able to create an open and fluid conversation between their artists and the employees that work on their behalf, ensuring all parties can confidently share their sincere thoughts and sentiments in real-time. On the indie side, encouraging more industry-sponsored meet-ups in areas around the country that offer open spaces for conversation on a consistent basis could also positively impact the artist community. Nowadays, we spend the majority of our time connecting and maintaining relationships through the filtered and choreographed world of social media. Real human connection and sincerity is more essential than ever, so that we can all benefit from the nurturing community of shared experiences and lift each other up.

Build More Accessible Mentorship Programs And Provide Human Resources To Artists at All Levels

According to a survey by the American Society for Training and Development, a remarkable 75% of executives report that mentoring has been critical to their career development. With executives mirroring the importance of mentorship, we as an industry need to open our doors and create more mentorship programs that offer opportunities to connect artists across all situations. That way, we can learn from one another and be supported by artists who have navigated their way through similar circumstances.

Mentorship around developing one's career that explores how one books a tour, pays for and markets records, develops a song, builds an audience and even gets his or her business officially registered can alleviate the stress that comes with being an artist trying to “make it.” If experts come forth and offer mentorship pro bono, we will see more artists succeeding at the business and in life. And as more artists thrive, the industry as a whole will expand and revenues improve.

As has been shown by corporate America, proactively addressing issues surrounding mental health has trickled up with impressive fiscal results. Our music industry board members, CEOs, and shareholders can rest assured that their actions will have a positive impact on overall morale as well as the bottom line.

MusiCares' mission is to provide a safety net of critical services to music people in times of need. Music people in need of mental health and/or substance abuse services can reach out to MusiCares for confidential resources, financial assistance and a variety of other supportive programs to address those needs.

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The Elite Singer Of The 21st Century: Innovation And New Tools For Training