Being a professional singer is much like having a traditional job.  If you're expected to be at work at a specified job, then, that's the time people expect to see your face.  While you're at work, you are expected what your job requires of you.  Then, once the day has ended, there's a time where you're expected to clock out and leave.

Well, as a professional singer taking vocal lessons, recording, having a photo shoot, etc.....It's the same idea.  In the professional singing world, most of this stuff costs money.  So, time is utterly important.  If you pay for two hours of time, that's what you'll get.  The person you're working with has organized their schedule just for you.  If you try and get more time without paying, you are no longer viewed as a professional singer.  

Word of mouth travels fast, and the industry isn't as small as we think it is.  So, you will be known as the professional singer that wants to get more than what they pay for.  Who wants to be known as a professional con artist?  Good luck on that if you want gigs or a career.....

So, if you agree on a start time and end time, do what's expected.  This is your career.  If you don't take it seriously, no one else will.  

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The Essence Music Festival is just days away.  My itinerary is finalized.  I’m packing bags.  Now, I just wait until the day I leave for the festivities.  Can you tell I’m excited?  I can’t wait to share pictures, stories, and video with you.  This is sure to be a great time for us.  So really quickly....I’m in the South with this brutal, summertime heat.  My tip for you is to drink plenty of water.  Please stay hydrated.  If you don’t, you can risk permanently damaging your vocal chords.  So, when you wake up in the morning, drink you some room temperature water.  Throughout the day, especially if you’re going to be in the sun, drink plenty of water and liquid.  Stay healthy & keep that gift in tact!  


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Once again, I want to say thank you for all the votes in the Mary Mary & WEtv singing contest.  Because of the support, I am going to the 2012 Essence Music Festival.  I’m glad I stepped out on faith.  I hate contests so much, but I was lead to enter this contest.  Many times in life, we are our own stumbling block, mountain, or door.  You have to do different things to get different results.  I did just that.  So, whatever you have going on, just step out on faith and try something that you’ve never done before.  You’ll be very surprised at the good results you’ll get!


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The identification of pitch accuracy while singing or playing music is intonation.  Pitch can either be flat, sharp, or both, simultaneously.  If your vowels aren't formed correctly, the result is definitely bad intonation.  So, practicing the vowels, ah eh ee oh oo, will help you to significantly improve your intonation.  Get in front of your mirror, which as a singer, should be a close friend.  Practice.  Your mouth should change a little when singing the various vowels.  Singing in tune and on the right pitch is detrimental to the singer and musician.  If your performance is going well and you've taken your audience to a place, that bad note is equivalent to getting into a  sudden car accident.  That's not to say that bad notes won't happen, but practice can minimize them.  So, that's my quick tip on intonation and how to improve.  Continue to get better daily!  I believe in you!   Remember the Young Stars Performing Arts Camp begins this summer.  Sign up at http://www.dileesahunter.com/summer-camp.html 


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Here's a great example of tempo change.  It's almost as if you're listening to a different song, but it makes perfect sense & was done magnificently!  Tempo changes done right are superb!    Remember the Young Stars Performing Arts Camp begins this summer.  Sign up at http://www.dileesahunter.com/summer-camp.html 


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There are six primary emotions, no matter what language we speak: fear, anger, joy, sadness, surprise, and disgust.  Specific to a singer, musical performances depend on acoustical cues to convey these emotions.  They include tempo changes, sound levels, timing, intonation, ariticulation, timbre, vibrato, tone attacks, tone decays, and pauses to communicate those songs.  So, the next time you're preparing for a performance, writing a song, getting ready to record, etc, critically think about the song.  What would you like your audience to feel?  How did you feel when you wrote it?  How does the song make you feel?  What kind of story is coming from the song?  Write down the emotions.  Then, study to see what acoustical cues match those emotions.  Put your own touch on it.  You'll end up with the right performance for your listeners.   Remember the Young Stars Performing Arts Camp begins this summer.  Sign up at http://www.dileesahunter.com/summer-camp.html 


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Every now and then I get an opportunity to watch Glee.  I was able to catch the episode where they did Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”  I have to say I was very impressed with the amount of emotion that was expressed not just vocally but on the face as well.  Watch the video with and without audio.  Whenever you sing your face and vocals should match in regards to emotion.  She does just that.  
Remember the Young Stars Performing Arts Camp begins this summer.  Sign up at http://www.dileesahunter.com/summer-camp.html


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