Invest in a Starter Mic: Shure SM58

If you are looking to invest in a microphone for performing and practicing, a great starter mic is Shure's SM58.  As a vocalist, it is very important to own a microphone for the following reasons:

1- It helps tremendously with your practicing. You can't really hear yourself when you sing acoustically. Vocal subtleties, nuances and textures can sometimes only be heard through amplification.
2- Its great not to have to rely on others when you are at a gig or rehearsal.
3- It makes your more professional.
4- It calls for better hygiene. I like to get personal with my mic, so sharing with others is kinda gross.
5- It'll make you a better vocalist by allowing you to experiment with different microphone techniques.
6- It is the closest thing you have to an instrument because it amplifies what you have inside-- your voice!
7- It is an investment! This particular microphone will last you a lifetime!

Now that I have given you my spiel, if you've never owned a microphone before, check out Shure's SM58. Its sturdy, industry-standard and gives you a nice clean sound. Its great for practicing, performing live, and I've actually even recorded with it. It has an isolated cardioid which means that it picks up your sound very clearly while eliminating unwanted background noise.

If you're thinking that you might want something cheap or feel like you may need to have something expensive, think again. If you want to be cheap, you'll end up buying something that won't last you and will need to be replaced. And if you want to spend a lot of money, use your money on a nice monitor/PA system. In terms of microphones, you've got everything you need here for about $90 depending on where you buy it. 

I tend to be a very technical singer... so I get nerdy. But I hope this helps!

Til next time Divas,

Katrina =)

Record Your Practicing!

Hello Divas!

I know its been a while since I've updated the blog--I'm so sorry! I have been busy wedding planning and getting things together as I embark on my many adventures!

Well, I wanted to let you all know that I will be singing this Friday, August 19th at Full Sail's new venue with jazz musician Johnny Holliday.

I also wanted to give you a quick tip when you are practicing.. RECORD YOURSELF! As I get ready for Friday's show, I record run through's of my songs and then play back and analyze the recordings. I write down parts that I can improve on and note parts that sound awesome! Its important to keep your performance spontaneous, but if you record your practice sessions, then you'll be able to gain a MUCH better idea of how you will sound like! What you hear while you are singing is not really an accurate representation! Only recordings can recreate what the audience will hear!

Hope this tip helps! I will be back soon. =)

Katrina

Diva of the Week: Adele

Adele has the voice. She can belt a song with intense power, emotion and character. She is this generation's rising diva simply because of her absolutely, incredible voice. Sometimes, you're just born with it.

The Solution to Sore Throats: Ricola

As a singer, having a cold or sore throat can be very uncomfortable and inconvenient. Regardless of whether or not I am sick, I still need to use my voice on a daily basis. Besides my Throat Coat tea recipe, another solution to sore throats is Ricola cough drops.

I recommend the Ricola Honey-Lemon with Echinacea flavor. The combination of honey, lemon and echinacea is the most gentle on the voice. Echinacea is a natural ingredient that helps fight colds and flus. The honey serves as a great lubricant for the vocal cords and the lemon helps stimulate the immune system.  

I woke up today with a sore throat and you better believe it that I'm going to the store to get my own bag! I've been using these cough drops for years and they never disappoint! Not to mention, they are really yummy, too!

Diva of the Week: Jessie J.

Jessie J. is fresh, talented and quirky, not to mention she has an incredible voice! Being a diva is about being a great performer, not just a vocalist. Let your personality shine through your songs, no matter how silly you think you may be. We will love you!

Home Remedies For Your Voice: Steaming

During this time of the year, a lot of us suffer from allergies and congestion. One home remedy that we can do for our voice is something called steaming. Just simply do the following:

1- Boil 2 cups of water.
2- Add 1 teaspoon of salt.
3- Breathe deeply into the steam.
4- Repeat 5-10 times. Clear your nose in between if you need to.

I learned this trick from my old voice teacher in college and it works! The steam will loosen up your congestion and the salt will serve as an antibacterial. Try this whenever you feel yucky. It'll clear up your passageways and allow you to breathe and sing a lot better!

Diva Tip: Be sure to pull your hair back and take off your mascara! One time my eyelashes almost melted and that's not fabulous! Hope this helps to keep you singing this summer!

Men Can Be Divas, Too: Marc Anthony's National Anthem Performance

Being that I was born and raised in Miami up until two years ago, I was very excited that my hometown team, the MIAMI HEAT, made it this far in the series. (Even though I am technically a Magic fan, we shall wait til next season!) Anyway, I was even more excited to hear Marc Anthony sing the national anthem! I gained respect for him after I saw his portrayal of Hector Lavoe in El Cantante.

Anyway, his performance was exactly what every diva should do when asked to sing at a championship. Not only does he sound absolutely incredible, his delivery was passionate, powerful and appropriate. Too many singers butcher this song and he did it just right. Marc Anthony performed the National Anthem with bravado and confidence. This just proves that men can be divas, too. :)