About Music Blog

The Nook vs Kindle Fire debate is a major one in the eReader world. The Nook Color is sold by Barnes and Noble and the Kindle Fire is sold by the largest online books retailer Amazon. Both these companies hold a huge reputation in eBooks and the launch of their custom designed eReader tablets is sure to create waves in the marketplace and invite obvious comparisons. So which one is the right one for you? Well, there isn’t any single answer to this question. Both the Nook and Kindle Fire come from a heritage of successful names on the eBook world and both offer some top notch features. At the same time, both have a few shortcomings too. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your preference and taste. Here are a few details on each one to help you better explore your options and find out you winner from the Nook vs Kindle fight.

Contrary to its earlier grayscale image, the new improved Kindle Fire sports a 7 inch color display with a vibrant touch screen that makes reading fun. The Nook color too comes with a similar 7 inch LCD display with brilliant colors and again, a very responsive touch screen. The Nook might have a brighter display however, allowing you to read your favorite books easily even under very bright lights like a subway terminal or even daylight. This cannot be a discriminating factor in the Nook vs Kindle war though as they both offer great display.

Talking about storage capacity, the Nook does seem to have an upper hand here. With it, you get a huge 16GB internal memory as well as an SD slot to let you expand the storage space many times. Kindle seems to make up for its loss by its cloud memory which is quite an innovative feature. Although the Kindle by itself offers only 8GB of internal memory which isn’t much, the cloud storage allows you to store your data on the Amazon server. This way, you can save your music and files on their server and access them from a computer that has an internet connection.

The Nook vs Kindle debate is after all, all about eBooks. So what’s most important is which one gives you better access to maximum number of eBooks. The Kindle Fire seems to win this hands down as it comes from the house of the world’s largest online book retailer Amazon. Kindle offers you thousands of books at a small subscription fee of $79 for an entire year. You can download from the millions of books available on Amazon and even borrow books from Amazon for a period of a month. Nook offers a slightly limited number of books and doesn’t really have a dedicated app store of its own. You must therefore find your own content to store it on your Nook.

Kindle also seems to sweep clear in terms of price as it is almost a hundred dollars cheaper than the Nook. Kindle does seem like a winner here, but once again, it’s all about your choice and preferences. Check out both to find out who wins for you in the Kindle vs Nook fight.

Playing the piano is an attainable dream. People who live in rural areas often do not have access to piano lessons as much as people larger cities have. People who do not have the chance to take piano lessons in their towns can now take online piano lessons.

These types of lessons are a wonderful opportunity for people who want to learn how to play the piano. There are several benefits to taking online piano lessons. Unlike traditional lessons, taking lessons online can be done at anytime of the day. Taking an online piano tutorial works wonderfully for people who have work at odd hours or are in school.

Another benefit of taking online piano lessons is that it is often cheaper to take lessons online. There are people who even teach the piano online for free. They do this just to continue the art of piano music.

If this is something of interest to you there are ways to research your options. If you are willing to pay, you can download lessons to your computer. This will give you a lot more options in the style you wish to play. This may not seem like something you want to do but it will cost a lot less money than paying for online piano lessons weekly.

There are ways to learn how to play piano online for free. These sites need to be completely researched to make sure they are not scams. This may be the best option if you are unsure how far you want to go with this type of education.

For small children or just a hobby, the free online piano lesson is a good idea and you have nothing to lose. The downfall to free lessons is, if you are looking to really learn how to play more than just a simple tune or two, you may not get that option. To really get a good education, you may want to consider buying a program that comes with video instructions. Depending on what you are looking for, you may find the cost to be reasonable.

Another benefit to receiving online piano lessons is that you get to practice in your own time. This can be more productive if you do not feel rushed to get somewhere or too stressed one day to actually concentrate. For those who want to enjoy the feeling of learning to play piano, this is a relaxing way to go about it. If you are a parent who wishes for their child to learn, this can be very helpful. Sometimes a child does not do as well when they feel pressured. In a setting that requires going somewhere to have a teacher, it can seem like more work than fun for them.

Children learn a lot quicker and keep an interest in things if they find it fun. Online piano lessons are perfect for children and adults who have a busy life. They can play at their own pace and do not have to feel like they need to give up the things they like to do just to learn to play piano.

By Nik Aleksandrov

Before getting confused between the two, being aware that an electric keyboard is not the same as a digital piano is a helpful tip. Digital pianos are as close to a real piano as one can get. They look, feel, and even sound like the real thing. Only a professional will know that the notes be played are from an acoustic piano and not a real one.

Generally speaking, a digital piano is less expensive in comparison to its acoustic counterpart and even though most of the models may be light and small, big and bulky versions can also be found in the market. An advantage that this kind of piano has over acoustic piano is that this one does not have strings and so no tuning is required. Some of the digital pianos also have other instrumental sounds such as those of organs, guitars, strings and so on in addition to the sounds of a piano.

There are several brands in the market that offer digital pianos, such as Kawai, Korg, Roland, Casio, Yamaha to name a few. Interesting enough, all these brands are from Japan. Each of these brands belongs to its own distinct genre of pianos. For a basic digital piano, you can rely on Yamaha, but if you wanted something more high-end then you can go for Roland or Korg but be warned that these brands require a higher financial investment as well.

A digital piano is generally characterized with 61, 76 or 88 keys. If you do not want something fancy, but a basic entry-level piano then go for the one with 61 keys. However, if you are one of those who do not want to be limited then you can go for the ones which have 88 keys because those will allow you to transpose the notes down or up an octave and thus enable you to play a few complicated classical pieces.

If a digital piano is fortified with a speaker then it is a luxury and hence it isn’t necessary for you to buy one which has speakers since you don’t need them. In case you do require speakers for your instrument then get one whose quality and power is of your liking. Suppose you belong to a band or you share the piano with other people then you will most likely need to have a piano that has tuning capabilities. This is because the need for transposing to different keys, changing the tuning and temperament, i.e. the frequency distance between the notes would be required.

As compared to an acoustic or traditional version, a digital piano is definitely a good buy because it has a lot of unique and beneficial features which the others do not have. Firstly, digital pianos generally offer a MIDI connection, which allows the user to let other sequencers and instruments control the piano or vice-versa. Some also come with an external media slot or a disk drive.

Secondly, such pianos tend to have an in-built sequencer which is a huge help when one is composing a piece using the piano. Thirdly, these have illuminated keys, which make it very easy for a beginner to learn how to play the piano because they can simply play a musical piece by identifying the lit keys and hitting them.

Thus, a digital piano is definitely a must-buy for those who love to play this musical instrument. The fact that these have more features than the traditional models makes them so much more tempting and easier to handle not to mention gain proficiency.

If you want to find the very Best Digital Piano, and get access to the latest digital piano reviews, offers and information,then you need to go to Best Digital Pianos website. You will get instant access to the newest digital pianos available today.

By Dimi Nikilov

Very few people are aware that it is possible to identify an acoustic electric guitar on the basis of the sound which it emanates. Since this unique characteristic is attributed to the type of wood used, every model emanates a tune which acts like its own identification and can be used for pinpointing the particular instrument as well. The steadfast nature of this trait can be gauged by the fact it holds true even when the guitar is played by various users or manufactured by different companies.

There are a few points which you should think about before purchasing the acoustic electric guitar. When walking into an instrument store the first thing you will notice is there are many sizes and shapes to choose from. You are looking for something that feels right when holding it and playing your music. Some instruments may be uncomfortable to hold, but can easily emit the tones that are being sought after.

When looking at the acoustic electric guitar there are a few different items that might come with it. There might be a preamp or even an in-built pickup. These are in place for people who are going to play a concert for a huge audience. It helps to throw the sound out into the air. The preamp is usually found in one or two places. It could be on the side of the guitar in a hole or located directly in the sound hole.

Hold the neck with your hand and spread your fingers. Are you able to easily maneuver the fingers up and down the neck for hitting the proper notes? The neck of the guitar comes in a variety of widths along with thickness so the onus is on you to find one which is suited to your built and hence facilitates easy playing.

At times when an acoustic electric guitar is playing sour notes it usually means the fret is off. This normally happens somewhere above fret 12. Sometimes a professional can fix the guitar while other times the guitar is considered useless and a new one will have to be purchased.

After playing the guitar for sometime you might notice one day that a note is sounding different. This means the instrument is out of tune. It is usually best to take the guitar to a professional for tuning it properly. They will know what adjustments would be required to be made so you can get the proper notes flowing again.

The actual body will determine the sound an acoustic electric guitar is going to emit. The body can be made from a variety of different materials. If you were to play a rosewood guitar than one that is made from cedar the tones will be totally different. One thing to remember is the rarer the wood is the more expensive the guitar is.

An acoustic electric guitar can be enjoyed by all ages for playing music on. Even though the body might not fit just perfect in your arms it is the neck that you should be concerned with. While holding the neck in the palm of your hand the fingers should easily wrap around and be able to hit all the notes. All guitars sound different and it does not matter if the same person makes them all. The notes will fill the air and sound beautiful unless the instrument is out of tune. While keeping all these little facts in mind you will be sure to find the right fit for the music you are about to play.

You can visit Best Acoustic Electric Guitar website and find information of the top 10 Best Acoustic Electric Guitars on the market today.

By Jonnie Kemp

If you are looking for a great night out, Tampa nightlife has never been more plentiful! Whether you want to meet up with buddies, entertain a date, or meet new friends, Tampa nightlife certainly has a lot to offer. No matter what your desire, Tampa has plenty of nightlife options to keep you dancing, dining and mingling well into the night. Here are a few outstanding options for your next night out in the city:

The Castle

If you like to dance and mingle, The Castle located in Ybor City, is one of the leading spots for Tampa nightlife. Each night of the week at The Castle is dedicated to a special era or style. Regardless if your style is Indie rock or classic tunes from the 80′s, there is a night just for you at this dynamic club. There’s even something for the dark side in you; The Castle shakes it up with a Goth night every Saturday, with enough leather and fishnets to invigorate your devious side. Whatever you’re seeking in Tampa nightlife, The Castle can keep you satisfied with drinks, dancing, and lots of diversity.

The Improv Comedy Center

If you’re hunting for a great stand-up act, the Improv Comedy Center right down the road has the shows that will leave you breathless. This Tampa nightlife institution offers great drinks, an assortment of lighter food options, and an assortment of both national and local comedy acts to entertain you. If you have dreams of getting on the microphone, The Improv Comedy Center can be your launch pad; the club opens up the mic to beginners often. If you’re looking for the latest faces in humor, you’ll find them here. Some day in the near future, you may be able to say, “I saw that guy play his first show!”

Bar Louie

Many times you’re just looking for a spot to kick back with friends and watch the tournament, or grab a bite with a special somebody. Bar Louie breaks out of the rut of national chain eateries, and offers a Tampa nightlife spot ideal for when you just want to relax and have fun. Louie gets your night started with a huge and impressive beer and wine list, and follows it up with great dishes served in a laid back atmosphere. You can pick from great pasta dishes, impressive burgers, and a great assortment of classic and re-imagined pub fare. This is also a great spot to catch the game! With an assortment of food and beverage, and high definition tvs broadcasting all the best sports events, this will become your normal hangout for laid back Tampa nightlife.

Café Dufrain

If you’re seeking entertainment on a more refined note, dinner and drinks at Harbor Island’s Café Dufrain offers an exceptional meal in a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The restaurant serves upscale food with a French emphasis, expertly combining Tampa’s best fresh seafood and steakhouse offerings with touches that make a dinner at Café Dufrain a singular experience. This is the place to go for an excellent bottle of wine and excellent service. For a truly enchanting meal, ask to be seated in their beautiful outdoor section overlooking the canal.

Tampa nightlife has a place for everyone, whether you’re into grooving, laughs, or just a great meal.

Jonnie Kemp is an account representative with Out Tonight, an elite dining and entertainment card to take advantage of Tampa Nightlife. In order to look at a complete list of eateries and venues and receive a free THIRTY day trial to the card visit http://www.outtonight.com

By Ronald Hoff

Are you amazed how a DJ manipulates his music? A turntable is a DJ’s most important tool. Without this important equipment you might not be able to enjoy the astounding way a DJ plays his music. If you are looking for a high quality turntable for your gig, check out the Audio Technica Turntable.

Those who know good quality turntables rely on Audio Technica Turntable units. If you want an affordable turntable which offers great outstanding performance, this one is for you. Why choose Audio Technica? With almost fifty years experience in the business, the company is devoted to manufacture, market, and distribute high quality audio equipment. This is not just a single company but a group of companies from all over the world which offer anything from high end microphone units to headphones, mixers, wireless systems, and electronic products including the most well loved Audio Technica Turntable.

Every turntable from Audio Technica offers superb performance. The design and construction of every unit passed through careful and meticulous attention to detail. As a result every unit bears the seal of quality which the company is known for and the tradition of excellence which is passed on from generation to generation.

Some of the high quality Audio Technica Turntable units available in the market include the AT-LP120 USB, AT-LP240 USB, AT-LP60, and the AT-LP60 USB. Each of these units offer features which every turntable enthusiasts would love to have.

The Audio Technica AT-LP120 is a professional direct drive turntable. The unit comes with a selectable internal stereo phono preamplifier. Additionally, this turntable comes with both USB and analog output capabilities. Use the USB output to easily and quickly connect to your computer. This also offers both forward and reverse play with three speeds, and a platter made of cast aluminum. The motor offers a direct drive with high torque capacity. Any DJ or music enthusiast will certainly love the AT-LP120 with its high quality phono preamplifier which offers better sound quality. The rotational speed is always accurately maintained by the DC servo motor.

The AT-LP240 USB is also a direct drive turntable which offers high performance. This is both a USB and Analog turntable which comes with a motor that offers high torque multi-pole direct drive performance. The unit comes with audacity recording software. The S-shaped tone arm comes with anti-skate adjustment and a tracking force which can be easily adjusted. Moreover, this comes with a stroboscopic platter which is made of damped cast aluminum. Other features include a removable stylus target light and a dedicated ground lug among others.

If you want a fully automatic stereo turntable system, then you might me looking for the Audio Technica AT-LP60. This is an affordable turntable yet offers so much including a built-in switchable phone preamp and a durable belt drive which is completely automatic. Connect your turntable directly to your computer easily without even using a dedicated turntable input.

Anyone who wants transfer their album to digital files may want to consider getting an Audio Technica AT-LP60. This is an LP-to-digital Recording system perfect for preserving your old LP albums. This also comes with USB output for easy connection to your computer when you want to transfer files.

Finally, the Audio Technica Turntable is the right choice for those who want inexpensive yet high quality turntables loaded with great features. It is time to unleash the DJ in you with a new turntable from Audio Technica.

If you’re considering the purchase of the Audio Technica Turntable be sure you click the link for a more extensive review http://www.audiotechnicaturntable.org/

In order to start off actively playing a bass guitar, or any sort of instrument for that matter, it usually is wise to learn pretty much everything about it first. Why? Simply because you need a bit of a background and some terminologies to survive a guitar class.

The terms weren’t built to make your life more technical, believe me. They’re actually meant to make learning achievable by being familiar with every aspect and knowing its function. This ought to be the first thing that you excel at while studying how to play the bass guitar.

If you have zero knowledge, this article can teach you a bit of the terms used. This is indeed the best time to be familiar with your bass guitar. Creativity is essential, however it will be a lot better to get a hold of the guitar so we can evaluate its elements one by one. To start our first lesson, you need to hold the bass guitar with it’s head up, where the logo is printed.

Headstock- is the place where the brand of the guitar is normally seen. This portion supports the turning pegs as well as the nut.

Turning Pegs- also called machine heads. It supports the opposite end of the strings, so that it is possible to twist the knobs to modify the key of a particular string when necessary.

Neck- is the part of the bass guitar which contains the fretboard and the frets. It’s long; it has the strings crossing it and is connected to the body of your guitar. In the neck is the truss rod, which supports in decreasing pressure around the neck.

Frets- are slim metals linked to the fretboard, which happens to be on the neck of the bass guitar. It really is employed to alter the extent of the string’s vibration, creating the sounds different in every strum.

Body- is where all of the controls as well as transistors are. It is where you can see the pickups, a pair of rectangular bits situated right after the tip of the neck, that enables the conversion of sound for amplification. The bridge is in the body as well, keeping all the strings together.

An additional thing on the body of your bass guitar would be the knobs, which obviously manages the quality and volume of sound. Finally, the output jack is the small thing that sticks out of the guitar. It is the place you attach a wire associated with an amplifier for a greater sound effect.

Now that you know the elements of the bass guitar, you’re prepared to begin reading through self-help books to be able to play it. You should not stop and search for meanings to be able to comprehend it. And so, what are you waiting around for? Let’s rock ‘n roll!

In order to start off actively playing a bass guitar, or any sort of instrument for that matter, it usually is wise to learn pretty much everything about it first.

Though almost all youngsters play make-believe, it’s the girls who, more often than not, continue the fantasy and seriously think about acting as a profession. For parents of these teen and tween girls, a summer acting camp is a good way to help them toward realizing these dreams. Attending anywhere from one week to two months, girls can easily learn every aspect of the acting craft, from performing to writing, directing and set construction.

Typically, days are loosely scheduled, with set times for meals, rehearsals, lessons and shows, but with plenty of leisure time for reading, resting or active participation in games and outdoor activities. Free swim periods are always available, as are horseback riding, hiking and related outdoor activities. For the most part, however, girls who are specializing in acting are kept occupied learning lines, blocking plays, enhancing their skills and in other ways enveloped in learning all aspects of their craft. Every evening includes the opportunity to perform and exhibit their newly acquired knowledge while entertaining their fellow campers.

The teaching staff is comprised of professionals in all phases of acting, from both film and stage. Writers, directors, producers, actors and every other role in the considerable network of show business members are represented at acting camp for kids. One-on-one lessons are available as are small group workshops in each niche of the art. Rehearsals and productions are refined and delivered in a purely professional manner, often attended by agents and directors who are always looking for new talent. Acting camps also give campers instruction in the art of auditioning which includes the kind of self-presentation that will benefit them in many other situations. Also frequently present are guest speakers who may be well-known actors, directors and writers from both live theater and motion pictures.

Parents have a wide array of choice with regards to the length of time their kids can attend camp, anywhere from a single weekend to the entire summer. During the shorter terms, lessons are highly concentrated on a particular aspect of acting, while long-term sessions spread out the educational experience and allow campers to dabble in other areas of interest like art, singing and dancing as well as to enjoy regular camp activities such as sports, games, campfires and socializing.

Whatever the duration of her stay, any girl who aspires to be a star can learn and fulfill her dreams at a top-rated summer acting camp.

Reproduction permitted only if all active links are maintained and byline is preserved, and/or your byline is omitted. 2012 All Rights Reserved.

Planning happenings and events needs a complicated process together with multiple responsibilities and precise tasks. However, reliable events planning offer various techniques so as to give an excellent and hassle-free event or occasion. A lot of complex planning, proper skills, attentive and exact details, and some precise follow ups are required to have an admirable event since every occasion must be unique.

Constantly, it is a tough job for planners to gather people together. However, there are dependable coordinators that can handle the complicated works and challenges of event production. Also, in order to achieve a memorable event, there are numerous processes required such as some techniques that can collect active participations, and carefully organized details. These processes together with hard work, creativity, and careful awareness to details are important in order to obtain a successful production.

Numerous procedures and supplies are needed in organizing and managing different events. Generally, organizers take the responsibility of managing and providing the required supplies such as invitations, themes, a venue, a menu, and entertainment. Hence, it is significant to know the appropriate processes and identify the needed supplies in order to accomplish an excellent happening.

Usually, the menu is the most significant aspects in organizing events. Organizers provide various high-quality food options and services, which is helpful in selecting the desired group or kind of foods that must be served up in the occasion. Certainly, organizers have enough experiences in handling productions so as to offer the most suitable foods and the best menu options for a particular happening.

Moreover, one of the things needed in organizing events is the theme. There are a lot of themes offered for a specific occasion, which includes decoration, props, and a host complementary to the theme. Organizers also offer a lot of particular themes in order for customers to have their desired theme.

To inform visitors, invitations are also important in managing a happening. Organizers offer a wide collection of invitations so as to meet the budget and needs of customers. Usually, experienced graphic designers and printers provide affordable and unique invitations, which can also match the theme of the particular happening.

Choosing a venue is also one of the main aspects in planning an occasion. There are numerous venues offered, which can be helpful for customers to choose the appropriate venue for a specific theme. Hence, there are exciting and fun venues available such as yachts, night clubs, and conventional centers.

Entertainment is another aspect in organizing occasions, which adds thrill and excitement to the occasion since it normally includes skilled entertainers. Planners offer lots of entertainment genres so as to suffice the budget and desires of customers. Plus, entertainments usually include various entertainment tools such as live music, and unique talent shows. Hence, knowing the essential aspects of planning and organizing an occasion is really helpful in order to select the finest and greatest event services that can provide the desired event production. Also, having the best organizer is helpful since organizing and planning tasks are less stressful when skilled professionals are in work.

The singing voice is one musical instrument that we can all play, as we all come with the equipment needed (except in a few unfortunate individuals). This is one of the wonderful things about singing: you don’t need to any expensive equipment to take part. This is completely different from other musical instruments, such as the flute, the drums and the keyboard, which all require you to own (or hire) an instrument in order to practice – and practice makes perfect!. But we’ve all got what’s needed to sing.

All forms of producing music are about producing sound. Sound is created by making air vibrate. Changing the frequency of the sound (the number of waves or pulses produced per second, measured in Hertz or Hz) changes the pitch. Changing the amplitude of the sound (the “height” of the wave if the wave is measured on an oscilloscope) changes the volume. Changing the shape of the wave gives a sound its unique tone. When you use an oscilloscope to view the shape of a pure sound tone, it looks like a smooth sine curve, but a noisy, more distorted sound (e.g. a discord on a distorted heavy metal guitar) is jagged and rough. Every instrument – and every different human voice – its individual shape or wave form, which is changed to give expression and meaning. Changes in the volume, frequency and shape are created on outgoing breaths as they travel through the respiratory tract.

Most of us take our vocal chords and respiratory system for granted. However, if you want to get the most out of singing lessons, it pays to know how your “instrument” works, the same as you would for any other musical instrument. A lot of the upper body is involved in singing – all the body from the diaphragm just above the stomach to the ears and the nose, as well as everything (almost) in between.

Let’s start at the bottom with the diaphragm. This is the powerhouse for singing. The diaphragm is the body organ that controls the volume and allows you to take deep, long breaths. A common mistake made by many beginning to sing is to rely on the throat and lungs to provide the volume. This often leads to vocal strain and sore throats, and produces a poorer quality of sound. Singing lessons will teach you how to breathe properly using the diaphragm so you can hold long notes and turn up the volume.

The lungs – the next step up – are certainly involved in singing. Air comes from the lungs to the higher bits of the respiratory system. We cannot sing on an ingoing breath, so when we sing, we need to control how the air goes out. Normally, exhalation (breathing out) and inhalation (breathing in) have roughly even lengths. When we sing, we need long exhalations and short, deep inhalations. The lungs control this.

Next comes the larynx, which is the technical name for the voice box or the Adam’s Apple. This is located in the trachea (the “windpipe”) in the throat. The larynx holds the vocal cords, which are what set the air trembling, creating sound. You can test this yourself very easily. Put your fingers on your voice box and breathe normally. You won’t feel anything. Then try singing a single note. Now, you will feel your voice box vibrate. Because the voice box controls the vibrations in the air, it also controls the pitch of the note. This is done by changing the length of the cords using tiny muscles. In men, the vocal cords are longer (which is why the male voice box is more prominent, giving the characteristic “Adam’s Apple”) and therefore the voice is deeper. The larynx is also involved in controlling volume, although to a lesser extent.

The mouth and the nose give shape to the sounds that come out of the mouth. This is where we form the consonant and vowel sounds. The most important part of the mouth for shaping speech sounds is the tongue. Normally, we can only see the front part of the tongue, which is called the “blade”. But there’s more to the tongue than that. The root of the tongue – the bulgy part at the back of the mouth – is also very important. If the root of the tongue changes so that it is more bulgy towards the back, we produce what are known as “back vowels” – the vowels in “boot”, “bought”, “bot” and “boat”. If the bulge is more towards the front, we produce “front vowels”: the sounds in “beet”, “bet”, “bit”, “bat” and “Bart”. If the root of the tongue touches the velum (the soft part of the roof of the mouth (which we normally only notice if we’ve got a head cold or sore throat), we produce the consonants G, K, NG and a couple of others (such as the hissing J sound in Spanish or the CH in the Scottish “loch”). If the air escapes around the sides of the tongue, we get the L sounds. Good singing and clear speaking, where the listeners can understand you properly, is a case of really working your tongue muscles.

But we don’t just use our tongues to produce consonant sounds. Our lips and teeth get involved. The lips produce the consonants P, M, W and B, while placing the tip of the tongue on the back of the front teeth gives T, D and S. When the lower lip touches the bottom lip, you get the V and F sounds, while a TH sound is made by putting the tip of the tongue between the front teeth. The lips can also be spread wide or rounded to alter vowel sounds – look in the mirror and sing “Me”; change to “You” and watch your lips take on a more rounded shape.

The tongue is very flexible and can alter shape very subtly to produce a huge range of vowel and consonant sounds. Linguists (those who study language) have counted 65 basic consonant sounds and 28 vowel sounds. This doesn’t count the diphthongs – blends of two vowel sounds, such as in “ear”, “air” and “out”. And it doesn’t count the French nasal vowels or some of the other subtleties in the consonants. No single language has the complete set of sounds, but each language has its own repertoire, and if you are taking singing lessons with the goal of singing opera in Italian or German, it may also pay to learn some of the unique sounds of these languages as well.

Last of all comes the nose and the nasal cavity. The nose, obviously, is involved in inhalation and exhalation, and some air comes out our noses when we produce nasal consonant sounds (N, NG and the Spanish ñ). When we sing higher notes, the nose acts as a resonance chamber or natural amplifier.

Totally Vocals can teach you how to use your “instrument” better. (Click now to get SEO for real readers, not robots, using Semantic Writing by Rick Rakauskas)