Author Archives: Natalie Baker

Props for Singers: Why I Love My Balance Board

Let me tell you about this one because I think it’s a little less well-known! Drumroll… the balance board! What is a balance board? It’s a wobbly platform meant to practice balance or intensify a workout. I found mine for $6 on an impulsive trip to Daiso (I can’t find the exact one on theirContinue reading “Props for Singers: Why I Love My Balance Board”

Props for Singers: Why I Stopped Singing in Front of Mirrors (for a while)

Why I Quit Singing In Front of Mirrors (for a while) I have (quite a lot of) thoughts about props in the singing studio. This post is the first of my series on the various props that find their way into the singing studio! Today I want to talk about one so ubiquitous it isContinue reading “Props for Singers: Why I Stopped Singing in Front of Mirrors (for a while)”

Your Singing Voice and… Tea!

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I kind of love tea. A lot. I am constantly trying new kinds, experimenting with flavor combinations, and appropriating it for summer by pouring it over ice (try living in Texas without drinking iced tea!). As always the most important thing you can do for your vocalContinue reading “Your Singing Voice and… Tea!”

Teaching Legato: The Paintbrush Exercise

Have you ever tried to explain the concept of legato using words and gotten blank stares in return? I am often comparing legato to spreading smooth peanut butter (not crunchy), a swan floating on the water, or simply saying “legato means smooth and connected”. But most kids need to learn in a way that isContinue reading “Teaching Legato: The Paintbrush Exercise”

Teaching Kids to Sing: Best Resources for Teaching Musicianship

What is musicianship and why should kids learn it? By “musicianship”, I am talking about the rudiments and vocabulary of music: note reading, writing, and ear training. The middle ten minutes of every lesson I teach is designated workbook time, but often the skills we learn in that middle overflow into technical exercises and repertoireContinue reading “Teaching Kids to Sing: Best Resources for Teaching Musicianship”

Teaching Kids to Sing: Where do I Start?

In my time lurking through voice teacher facebook forums, I often see the same question repeated. “I’m about to start a new job teaching voice lessons to children–where do I start?”. There seems to be such an influx of people asking the same questions that I wanted to compile a comprehensive list of resources toContinue reading “Teaching Kids to Sing: Where do I Start?”