Originally, Inuit throat singing was a form of entertainment among Inuit women while the men were away on hunting trips. It was an activity that was primarily done by Inuit women although there have been some men doing it as well. In the Inuit language Inuktitut, throat singing is called katajjaq, pirkusirtuk or nipaquhiit depending on the Canadian Arctic region. It was regarded more as a type of vocal or breathing game in the Inuit culture rather than a form of music.
Inuit throat singing is generally done by two individuals but can involve four or more people together as well. In Inuit throat singing, two Inuit women would face each other either standing or crouching down while holding each other’s arms. One would lead with short deep rhythmic sounds while the other would respond. The leader would repeat sounds with short gaps in between. The follower would fill in these gaps with her own rhythmic sounds. Sometimes both Inuit women would be doing a dance like movement like rocking from left to right while throat singing.more
Sounds produced can be voiced or unvoiced and produced by inhalation or exhalation. Both Inuktitut words and meaningless syllables are used in Inuit throat singing songs. However, when words are used in throat singing, no particular meaning is placed on them for a song. When meaningless syllables are used, they are often portrayals of sounds the Inuit hear in their natural environment such as animal sounds or even water running down a creek. Popular Inuit throat singing songs are usually identified by the first word or sound that is produced in each song.

Inuit throat singing is a skill that has to be taught and developed. Inuit throat singers try to show their vocal abilities in a fun competitive manner and the first one to either run out of breath, stop or laugh is declared the loser of the game.

Each game usually lasts from one to three minutes. In a group of Inuit women, the overall winner is the one who beats the largest number of her competitors in this fun filled activity.

Unfortunately, there is no written record of when the Inuit first developed their form of throat singing which differs from the type found in Mongolia and other parts of the world that has some form of throat singing. The Inuit did not keep any written records and history was simply passed down from generation to generation orally.

It was reported that at one point in time, Inuit women would actually have their lips almost touching while using each other’s mouth cavity as a sound resonator. This technique is not used anymore.

Inuit throat singing was actually forbidden by Christian priests for almost 100 years but since this religious ban was lifted, there has been a resurfacing of this traditional activity in the Inuit communities during the last 20 to 30 years. Interestingly enough, there has been a lot of interest among the younger Inuit generations in this revival in addition to the Inuit elders who are trying to bring throat singing back as part of present Inuit culture. Many of the young Inuit women who have taken up throat singing claim that it is a way for them to express their Inuit identities in the modern world where many Inuit traditions have already been lost.

The revival of Inuit throat singing has been so popular that in September of 2001, the first throat singing conference was held in Puvurnituq, Nunavik where different types of Inuit throat singing from different Arctic regions of Canada were demonstrated and shared. There has even been a small number of Inuit throat singing CDs produced

Aspiring to become an entertainer everyone knows that it is tough to break into the business. This goes for all types of entertainers including singers. Many singers have the talent, the dedication and the drive to succeed, but what is the best way of getting started in the music industry. These are some methods that other entertainers used to get exposure.

Don’t waste time going after the dream of becoming a singer, follow your dream. The next step might be to consider some type of lessons to analyze what your strengths and weakness are. Holding a music degree or getting an education in music is sometimes helpful but not necessary. A great method of getting exposure is to join a chorus, choir or a community production.more

Community organizations and theatre groups are a great way to get experience and exposure. Performing in local talent shows could easily give you a big break. It isn’t unheard of for talent scouts to attend talent shows looking for just the right person.

Another advantage to joining these groups is the contacts you will make within the industry. Choir directors and lead singers often know other people in the industry and can potentially open doors for you.

Having a good self esteem really helps in the industry. Everyone by this time has seen “American Idol”, kindness from judges doesn’t really exist, you need to take criticism well and use it to your advantage. Many people say this but it is so true, you need to believe in yourself.

When auditioning the criticism always seems worse than it really is, and sometimes they will tell the artist they don’t have talent. The only thing that really counts is your inner voice, this will be your strength to get through it. When hearing these negative critiques, the artists needs away to overcome them.

Singing is obviously a passion for you. Use that to your advantage. Go to clubs and scout out the local music scene. There are some amazing talents in this group and you could learn a lot from them. Who knows? One of these bands may be looking for a new singer. Check out open mic night. You might find it helpful to just watch the first few times to get a feel for what works and what doesn’t.

After that, jump in with two feet and see what happens. Either way it is excellent practice for your singing future. Odds are good that you have good friends who are interested in this profession as well. Consider performing together. You may find better success and less stage fright performing with others. The important things are to get experience and stay positive.

Never give up on the dream of becoming a singer or starting a music career. By using all the resources around the community, talent shows and now YouTube the dream of becoming a singer can be realized, never stop believing and the dream will come true.

Have you ever had your voice lock up as you’re singing a song? Do you hear singers who sing easily through their full range and wonder what is holding your voice back? Have you ever felt your voice getting tired and scratchy after a night of singing? Most people have the same problems with singing, but don’t have the right information and training to fix them. I have developed a simple, effective technique for improving your singing that will keep your voice healthy and strong for the rest of your life. It’s the JDSMethod of Singing. more

In this vocal method, you’ll learn the secrets that allow your voice to flow freely with maximum range and power. I’ve been training singers and voice instructors for the last 18 years, and studied under some of the best teachers in the world. I’d like to share my secrets with you, to show you how you can begin improving your voice right away with these simple principles.

The Most Common Problem With Singing

Most people have the same problems with singing. You’re fine for some parts of the song, then comes the high note. You see it coming, feel nervous, leap for it, and then boom–your voice cracks. You try again, push a little harder, lunging up with hope for a good result, and it’s even worse. After a few more tries, you have less range than when you started, and the next day, you dont want to practice because your voice is scratchy and tired. What happened?

What I just described to you is called constriction, which is your body’s attempt to sing notes using the wrong muscles. When this happens, muscles around your larnynx squeeze in, and your vocal cords get tired and begin to feel scratchy and weak. The common problem that everyone has is the weak link of the vocal cord in the system of singing. With weight lifting, you push your muscles to the limit and they grow back stronger. With your vocal cords, if you push them to their limit they swell up, and don’;t resist air effectively.

Think of your as a five speed car, with some basic controls that affect the gears: gas, clutch, steering, and some signals With constriction, it’s like you’re stuck in second gear trying to get onto the freeway! When it comes time to sing to the high note, it’s essential that you’re able to change gears, and activate the small unique muscles that allow the voice to go into the very highest notes with ease and freedom. Many singers are not able to access all the gears of their vehicle, or even know that they exist.

Chest Voice and Head Voice

Put your hand on your chest and say “Wow”. Now sing “Woow” in your head voice. Notice the difference between these registers. There are three approaches to deal with the break between chest voice and head voice:

1.Pull up the chest voice

This is the most common pitfall, and the most damaging to your voice. Even ten minutes singing while you’re pushing hard at the top of your chest voice range can tire your voice and leave you feeling scratchy and hoarse.

2. Flip into falsetto

Falsetto is a state where your vocal cords have blown apart, and your voice sounds airy and “false”. It doesn’t really hurt your voice, but it sure sounds odd to you and everyone else.

3. Blend your chest voice and head voice, and sing at the Balance Point.

When you sing at the Balance Point, there is no break between the chest voice and the head voice. There are already some popular programs that teach you how to sing in your mix, mainly by Seth Riggs and Brett Manning. I know those teachers and their methods. I believe my method is unique, in that it reveals some common pitfalls that students of those methods encounter, namely tension in the jaw and tongue that prevents key muscle groups from activating.

Back to the car analogy, if you’re hoping to change gears as you get onto the freeway, you’d better know how to work the clutch and the gas at the same time, and know where the gears are. In the JDSMethod, I show you how to balance your head voice and chest voice by awakening you to the control elements that allow your voice to function at it’s fullest. Did you know that hidden tension in your jaw can inhibit the small but powerful muscles that allow your voice to transition smoothly from chest voice to head voice? Did you know that a little coordination of your nose can multiply your power by three or four times? Many singers study voice for years without becoming aware of the secrets that I will share with you in this vocal method. In it, I outline the major control elements of the voice:

Vocal Cords
Larynx
Air Control
Outer Muscle
Pharynx

Have you ever noticed the way your favourite band or favourite singer dresses while on stage? They tend to look pretty good, or they at the very least dress in a way that suits the type of music they play. It’s one thing to be able to sing, but part of learning how to become a singer is taking your image into consideration. Image is one of the most overlooked aspects of becoming a musician/singer, and is usually one of the easiest aspects to fix. The importance of your image will vary depending on your goals, so if you only want to become a singer for the fun of it then it isn’t something to worry about. However, if your goals involve record labels, such as being in a signed band, or becoming a pop star, then you should really take your image into consideration.

So what exactly does it mean to have good image? All it really comes down to is putting some effort into your appearance, as well as making sure it fits the music you are singing. It does not mean dressing like someone you’re not, nor does it mean dressing in a way you are uncomfortable with. Nothing is worse than a phony or uncomfortable looking singer. For example, if you were going to an audition, then wearing one of your best outfits would suffice. Consider going to a hairstylist if your haircut doesn’t suit your look. If you are unsure of what good image looks like, have a look at some of your favourite artists and musicians for some inspiration. You can even look at the finalists on the Idol competitions, as they are also always pretty well dressed.

Why even bother with image? Shouldn’t your voice be enough to carry you to singing stardom? Your singing is obviously the most important, but if your look really goes with the music, it makes your music and performance that much more believable. Take Lady Gaga for example. Lady Gaga is definitely on the extreme end of the spectrum here, but imagine if she dressed like plain jane while on stage. Her music wouldn’t be nearly as effective. This doesn’t mean you need to start dressing outlandishly, or start wearing things you normally wouldn’t though. Take Taylor Swift for example. Her look is far more simpler, but it still works and looks great, especially because it matches her music. more

When people go to work, they dress a certain way. Be it a uniform, business suit, whatever. You wouldn’t go to work without it. The idea is similar with becoming a singer, because it shows you care about what you do and you put effort into the little details. Same idea with handing in a project at school. The project that gets handed in with a folder, title page, pretty cover, usually gets a good mark because of the effort put into it, and the attention to detail.

Social singing is the act of singing in an informal setting with others. It can be one person performing karaoke at a local bar or it can be a large group of people singing the national anthem at a ball game. In either case, singing can be a very enjoyable pastime.
Social Singing is a creative outlet that allows us to join together with others and engage in camaraderie with our fellow peers. It can relieve tension from a hard day and remind us that we are part of a harmonious group. more
Harmony
Harmony is the key to social singing. I believe it is this harmony that we find while engaging in social singing that is the strong draw for many people to engage in the act of social singing. Through harmonious singing we can all join together regardless of age, sex, religion, nationality, or preferences. The pure joy of social singing is universal.
In this time where we find ourselves becoming more and more alienated from our fellow man, it is the joy and fulfillment that we find in creating a bond with others through the act of social singing that is so appealing.
Where can you join in social singing?
Finding social singing opportunities are not hard to find. Just look around, the opportunities are everywhere that are both formal and informal in nature. There are community choruses, church choirs, barbershop singing groups and musical theatre groups. For informal social singing, there are karaoke nights, ball games, private parties, and of course, birthday parties.
Not sure if you’re ready to sing in public?
Although we all have the necessary equipment for social singing, some people are more comfortable singing that others. Sometimes it has to do with your background. Were you exposed to music as a child and did you engage in social singing in your younger years? If you do not feel comfortable, there are tools to help you gain confidence in social singing. There are books, software, and private lessons available to assist you in gaining confidence in social singing.
Whatever you choose, I strongly recommend that you engage in social singing. It is great fun and a good way to socialize with others. They do call it ’social’ singing for a reason.