Diaphragm: The Singing Muscle

What is the diaphragm?  The diaphragm is commonly called the “singing muscle” but we use it when we speak as well.  It is a sheet of muscle that extends across the bottom of the rib cage.  When you take a breath, the diaphragm contracts (shrinks and moves downwards), allowing for your lungs to expand and to allow air to flow.  As it contracts, it kind of squishes the intestine and internal...

New Location: Santa Monica

Dear Students & Potential Students, I’m very excited to announce that I have found a new location for my studio. I have loved being downtown, but have found a perfect space near the highway. At last I will have a real piano in the studio. I think you’ll love it! Here is the address: 3019 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA   [google-map-v3 width=”500″ height=”350″...

What Singing Vocal Cords Look Like

VIDEO: This is a video of a laryngoscopy. A laryngoscopy is a medical procedure where a camera is inserted usually through the nose, down the throat to record the vocal chords. The vocal cords come together and vibrate very fast when you sing or speak. They are so fast you can’t see it on a camera. That is why they look like they are moving in slow motion. The higher you sing, the more stretched...