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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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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Collaboration is key to the success of any industry.  No one makes it alone.  So, I wanted to give you this little gym.  Network with other vocalists & musicians.  They can add something different to your set, track, song, etc.  For instance, an R&B singer could very well get some acoustic set.  All he or she has to do is network with some other acoustic musicians.  That skillful guitarist can turn that soulful track into an acoustic story right on stage.  Now, you've broadened your audience with just that simple tweak or experiment.  A country singer could very well link up with a pop or urban producer and do a remix version of an original track.  So many examples I could....The point is to work with each other & GROW!  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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Facial expressions and body language when singing is just as important as the notes you hit.  A good tip is to practice in front of the mirror.  As you sing your words, focus on your face.  Make sure your posture supports good breathing.  Some of the legends did several things while singing, like pointing to the crowd, holding their arms out wide, kneeling on the ground during an emotional point in the song.  All these can add to your performance and make it more believable.  Now, of course you won’t master everything in one night.  So, pick one or two things and master them over a week.  The next time you perform after rehearsing, be sure to record it.  Critique yourself and determine what worked.  Improve on the things that didn’t.  Remember the Young Stars Performing Arts Camp begins this summer.  Sign up at http://www.dileesahunter.com/summer-camp.html


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Many times, people respond to things according to our own perception.  So, as an artist if you have a negative perception towards a song, blogging, social media, etc, then your audience will to.  Your newsletter list shouldn’t just be a list.  Think of it as an electronic text message to all your fans.  We all text.  It’s convenient, fun, and does the job when traditional talking isn’t an option.  It’d be very difficult to call your fans every time you want to talk.  So, the newsletter does just that.  Tell them funny anecdotes, update them on shows, give them exclusive access before the general population, etc.  The main thing is to keep your view positive so they will too.  Your talent got their attention, but you have to work to keep it!  Remember the Young Stars Performing Arts Camp begins this summer.  Sign up at http://www.dileesahunter.com/summer-camp.html


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Not everyone can sing.  Not everyday is promised.  When you hit the stage, sing into the mic, or write your next song, do it as if it's your last.  Put your all into it.  Dig deep.  Your sound and music will be so much better.  Don't take your gift, art, or craft for granted.  The beauty of music is that there's no color, culture, or boundaries.  Everyone all over the world dances, goes through bad relationships, struggle, succeed, etc.  So, remember your music will touch someone.  It will turn someone's life around.  Your voice will be the light to someone's life.  Stay humble and always focus on making the best music you can.  Just think if after your last studio session or show, you were no longer alive.  Give your audience the best of you so that you can make a lasting impression!  Remember the Young Stars Performing Arts Camp begins this summer.  Sign up at http://www.dileesahunter.com/summer-camp.html  

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Imagine getting selected for a tour featuring some of your favorite major artists.  You work to get sponsors.  Your fans are excited.  You make plans for each city.  Then, you’re on a social network only to find that none of the major artists are confirmed for the tour.  When you get to each city, you have to pay to perform.  The people behind the tour have very limited experience in the industry.  Unfortunately, this is a true story.  So, be sure to do your research. Then, when your research is done, do some more research.  It’s bad that the music industry includes crooks and thieves that don’t take your passion seriously, and they look at you to take your money.  Some of that can be avoided if we continue to educate ourselves.  Save yourself some pain and heartache by finding out who’s behind an event.  Find out if they’ve done events before.  Is there name attached to other events?  You owe it to yourself to know everything you can.  Remember the Young Stars Performing Arts Camp begins this summer.  Sign up at http://www.dileesahunter.com/summer-camp.html  

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