DON'T JUST DREAM ABOUT IT, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!

 Unless you were born into this industry as a celebrity or big wigs child or relative, than it's plain and simple. If this is what you want to have as your career,  you're going have to be a self starter. Don't just talk about your hopes and dreams.  After a while if that's all you do is talk about it and have nothing to show for it......KNOWONE'S GOING TO WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT.  It's time to wake up. You may be all of 16 or 17 years old today. However tomorrow comes REALLY FAST.  You must think of yourself as a product, because that is exactly how the record executives will look at you.....IF they look at you at all....

Things to think about -

Are your vocals up to par?

Do you have a demo?

Do write songs?

Do you play an instrument?

Your image....take a photo and take a good look (your hair style, color, your clothes etc...)

Your bio...

headshots And body shots....

WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD THAT WANTS THIS JUST AS BADLY AS YOU DO???

I just recived this from one of my students. I can tell you as a vocal coach, this is what it's all about!!!

Hi Monica,

So.... it has been a long time and I am not sure if you remember me. I took vocal lessons from you a few years ago. I just wanted to thank you for being a great coach. I still use your vocal warm ups on the CDs you gave me every night before my gigs. I am touring with a band in Asia right now and having a blast. You are amazing. Thank you for being good at what you do, and creating a space for artist to become great with the help of you.

Thank you again,

Julianne

ARE YOU READY FOR FAME??? LIVE YOUR DREAM!!!: MONICA MARGOLIS'S INTERVIEW ON AMERICAN IDOL'S "ID...

ARE YOU READY FOR FAME??? LIVE YOUR DREAM!!!: MONICA MARGOLIS'S INTERVIEW ON AMERICAN IDOL'S "ID...: "Monica Wesley Margolis Monica Margolis Vocal Coach on Idol Talk - Monica Margolis Method www.youtube.com American idol Talk on TV Guide with..."

MONICA MARGOLIS'S INTERVIEW ON AMERICAN IDOL'S "IDOL CHAT."

Monica Wesley Margolis

Monica Margolis Vocal Coach on Idol Talk - Monica Margolis Method

www.youtube.com

American idol Talk on TV Guide with Justin Guarini and Kimberly Caldwell.http://www.monicamargolis.com/

STOP MUMBLING YOUR WORDS

You say you love to sing. Some even say singing is their life! So why are you mumbling your words? You can sing the most beautifully written song and have the most stunning voice, but knowone will know if you don't articulate, meaning to speak or sing clearly. This involves using the tip of your tongue, your lips and even your teeth!  These are your articulators. They help us create our words and can help you sing more beautifully and freely. I can tell you as an audience member, it's frustrating when wondering "what was the line they just sang." I always say recording yourself and listening back is have of your homework as a singer. This is just one of the reasons why. You could be mumbling your words and not even realize it!

I'VE NEVER TAKEN SINGING LESSIONS, BUT I THINK I'M A SOPRANO

I can't get over how many times I've people say "I've never taken singing lessons, but I think I'm a soprano." I ask how do you know and I often hear "I don't know, I just have a feeling." Well to start with, I'd rather now not put a label on a brand new students voice. For one thing, their nerves are up...... they're not sure what to expect within the lesson, my studio is a new environment for them. they may have driven in stressful traffic and they're not vocally warmed up. All these things can very well effect the vocal octave range! I always say "I'll take you to the piano and we can find out if you want a name you can go home with. However, I'd rather say lets warm up....stretch out a bit and for now, consider us in construction. The reason why I feel this way, is because usually after a few lessons the student is much more relaxed. They start to let go and show a wider range! The type of voice you have may not be what you thought.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU HAVE TO COUGH DURNING A PERFORMANCE?

I get asked this question all the time. It's a pretty good question when you think about it. What do you do? I tell artists to try to swallow harder. If that doesn't help, you can take the mic away from your mouth and turn your head the other way. However my favorite way is to casually turn around and face the band for a brief moment while taking the mic away from the mouth. Cough facing the band while still moving your body to the beat of the song. Now continue your turn to face the audience. So you've actually turned in a full circle, got the cough out and the only ones that have to know are you and your band.

WHO IS YOUR MENTOR?

The information in this blog is not only suitable for singers, but rather anyone and everyone. I've been teaching voice since 1989. I feel quite confident within my work. Years ago someone made a comment to me in regards to what I may want to do that could help better myself as instructor. I was totally offended. I had it in my head that I was already at the top of my game. I've had many instructors throughout the years, but never a mentor. It's so important to have someone to look up to that you can learn from as well as connect with and respect. I've learned more within the last 8 months than I have in years. I have finally met my mentor. No, he doesnt' help me with my teaching voice. I don't even know if he sings. He mentors me within the business side of my work. He may not know that he's mentoring me at all! His accent is so thick, I often find myself saying "what?" I've never even met him in person. We only talk through e-mails and sometimes over the phone. It doesn't matter. Not even a little. He explains things to me in such a way within the business aspect of my work, that I totally get it!!! My business skills have grown beyond belief and so has my gratitude.

ARE YOU GETTING READY TO CUT A DEMO?

I help my student get ready for the recording studio ALL THE TIME. My biggest word of advice is to be prepared. Know your song inside and out. Have it memorized, but also bring the lyrics with you as a little "safety net." Bring room temperature as well. Having "cotton mouth" while in the studio is NO FUN. Make sure you had a good nights sleep and eat a couple hours before your recording time. Please keep away from dairy until after your done recording. Dairy equals gunk in the back of the throat. Remember to have fun.

THE RIGHT VOCAL COACH FOR YOU

There are soooooooo many people out there that call themselves vocal coaches. Some charge as much as $1000.00 a session others as little as $17.00 a session. What a wide range of price. How do do you know which is the right choice for you? Do your homework. Read up on the instructor. Get references. Does cheaper mean ........that's the one for you? What about the saying "you get what you paid for?" Does more costly mean they must be the best, because they cost more? Set up a consultation. See that your comfortable with that person as well as your surroundings. Talk about your goals. Make sure you are both on the same page and that this person is a puzzle piece that fits for you.

DO YOU HAVE STAGE FRIGHT?

 If you have stage fright, there are a few things you can do to help yourself.

1. Be prepaired. Know your lyrics ( I mean REALLY know your lyrics ) write them out over and over gain.
2. Practice your song several times over in front of the mirror.....in this room.....in that room......infront of others....in the car.......in the shower....etc.....
3. Record yourself and listen back over and over and over and over.......you get the idea......
4. Make yourself go to as many auditions as posibble just to get use to it. This one can be a hard pill to swallow. However it REALLY works in the outcome.
5. Remember to exercise. Exercise helps relieve the stress.

Combining proper mic technic and pilates?

 Today I had a student come in and remind me that some still cheat when it comes to having louder vocals. I told her she needed to be louder. It was hard to hear her. She said "oh" and brought her mic closer to her mouth. That will make you louder.....a bit. However the emotion won't be stronger and your mic is doing the work. The other day I brought up pilates being the best exercise for singers, because it's about strengthening of the core. Just think........ if you build up your core, you don't have to bring in your mic as much. Tighten your tummy muscles and have more emotion in your song. This way offers you a much better oppertunity delivering your song.

THE BEST EXERCISE FOR SINGERS.......

Hands down, the best exercise for singers is..........................PILATES!!!!! Pilates is all about strengthing of the core. When practicing proper vocal mechanics, you are taking presure off of the vocal cords and using your tummy muscles for support. It's also nice to use the elliptical trainer everyother day to help build endurance. The two together work like a dream team!!!

How to memories your lyrics

 I've had soooooo many students as me "what is the best and fastest way to memories the lyrics to a song? I am very old school when it comes to this topic. My answer??? Flash cards! write them out. In my book, that is the lonly way. You can fight me on this if you like ( and you probably will). However I sware by it. Please be the smart one of the bunch and learn from my mistakes.