How to sing better

Here are some simple advices on how to be a better singer:

1. Standing posture
Stand up straight with your feet apart. Next, suck in your stomach, push your hips forward and stick your chest up. You want to be standing in an upright and comfortable position. It’s a bonus to have a full-sized mirror in front of you, so you can see yourself while you’re singing.
2. Breathing:
Proper breathing comes from your belly, from the core. Your shoulders shouldn’t go up when you’re breathing. Try to practice breathing slowly in with your stomach, and not with the chest. When you’re doing this right, you notice your stomach slowly contracts inwards. Take several deep breaths before you start to sing. Imagine blowing a candle without putting out the flames.
3. Song choice:
When choosing a song to sing, consider your range and choose a song that suits your voice. You need to feel comfortable with this song, and it’s not too high or too low for your range. Pick an artist and a song you like and enjoy to sing. But remember to challenge your voice. This is hardly recommended for everyone who wants to be a better singer. Try to sing a notch higher than you would normally do, to increase your vocal range. If you’re running out of breath, take a deep breath before you enter long notes.
4. Listening:
When learning to sing, a good method is to sing along with a song, and try to identify the pauses, and tempo of the song. You would learn how to sing any song much faster when you become familiar with the lyrics and the beat of the song.
5. Record your voice:
In order to become a great singer, you need to listen to your voice so you can make improvements and ingest your style. It’s important to know how you sound.
6. Practice:
Sing anywhere and everywhere, not just in the shower, where no one can here you. Then you will have a lot more possibilities to practice a lot more often. If you’re shy, you can of course start in front of the mirror.
7. Warm up your voice.
This is very important to not strength your voice. Singing is like a sport. Like before a soccer game, you should always run and warm up especially the biggest muscle groups, before the game starts. Therefore, before singing demanding songs, you should always warm up.

Do you like to sing? If you have any more tips, please let us know!

Insomnia?

Here's a list of songs and bands that helps you relax and fell asleep faster:

- Coldplay (Fix you, Yes, Viva la vida)
- Enrique Iglesias (have a lot of songs, fex: Say it, Hero, Addicted)
- Radiohead (Reckoner)
- Lifehouse
- Enya (Adiemus, Relaxation, Now we are free)
- Josh Groban
- John Mayer (one of our favorites - Your body is a wonderland, Free fallin', Daugters, and so on)
- The fray - How to save a life
- Eva Cassidy ( more appealing to girls, but has a beautiful, relaxing voice)
- Celine Dion (I want you to need me, Think Twice, I am your Lady, ..)
- "Fast car" ( You should download Mutya Buena's version, it's much better then the original, I think)

...And, if you haven't felled asleep after all those songs, you can always try to count sheeps. Good luck!

Here's a video of relaxing music. If you feel stressed, it's amazing how much it can help to lay down for 9 minutes, (the time this video takes) and forget about all the things you have to do today. Think through your body, muscle by muscle, and try to relax them as well as you can.
- Or, as our brilliant teacher Richard recomends as relaxing,go and hug a tree!!:)

Here's a contribution from our teacher Richard. Thank you!



Feel free to add your personal favorite "sleep-songs" to the list!

Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift in her speech at MTV's Music Awards 2009

Kanye West, who is known for being an outspoken person, outdid himself by storming the stage after Taylor Swift was announced the winner of the Best Female Video. As the thrilled country singer began her speech, Kanye grabs the microphone from the stunned 19 year old, and announces that Beyonce was the one who really deserved the award for her “Single Ladies” video. Beyonce looked horrified and the crowd booed as the camera cut away from the rapper. But later when Beyonce won for the Video of the Year, in an all so classy move, she asked Taylor to come up on the stage and have her moment.

Taylor Swift walked on staged and gave Beyonce a hug, before she finished where she left off.
Later, Taylor told the reporters that she was standing on the stage and was really excited because she just won the award:” And then I was excited because Kanye West was on the stage! But then, I wasn't excited anymore, after that..”

Kanye, who was seen drinking before the show, apologized to Taylor Swift on his blog, saying:”I'm so sorry to Taylor Swift, her fans and her mom.” But, only couple of days later, the apology was nowhere to be found.

What do you think of Kanye West's behavior?

This week's artist!

This week's artist is the new and very young talent  from Canada; JUSTIN BIEBER !

The last six months, the Canadian sixteen-year-old boy Justin Bieber set the American music industry on its head in a way not seen since Britney Spears released "Baby One More Time". The little charmer's mother posted videos of her little superstar singing on You Tube, were he was discovered by Scooter Braun, who later became his manager.  Braun flew Bieber to Atlanta, Georgia, to consult with Usher. He soon was signed to a joint venture between Braun and Usher called Raymond-Braun Music Group. There was no big surprise to us when he was listed as one of the top 10 You Tube stars of the 2000s decade. 

His breakthrough single, "One Time", was released in the summer of 2009, and charted within the top thirty in over ten countries. Here's some other hits from Bieber:

-"One Less Lonely Girl"

- "Love Me"

- "Baby"

This kid is obviously going to conquer thousands of little girls now that he's a celebrity, but we think he was "cuter" when he was sitting on a chair with a guitar playing cover-songs. Here's two videos of him, one of his old from You Tube and one of his new hits, now you can determine if he's as cute now as before!

What do you think? Still cute, but not that innocent maybe?

Party song of the week!

It's time for party song of the week; TREY SONGZ - SAY AAH !

The 25 year old man from New Jersey has already made his mark in the U.S., and has also worked with Stargate and Espen Lind (known Norwegian artist). It seems that he is now ready to conquer the rest of the world, and releases the song "Say Aah" which we think you'll like.

ENJOY!

Spotify

Have you ever heard about spotify?

-If not, take a look here

Spotify is a music streaming service from a Swedish company. It allows instant listening to specific tracks or albums, with virtually no buffering delay. Music can be browsed by artist, by album, by record label or by created playlists as well as by direct searches. It's currently only available to providers in Sweden, Spain, Norway, Finland, France and the United Kingdom.

Spotify comes in three versions; 

1. The normal one that's a hundred percent free, but with some short commercial clips. o get this version you need an invite, but if you just google "spotify invite", it will take you 5 minutes to get one.

2. The daypass version where you can get the same advantages as with an premium account for about 10 NOK for 24 hours.

3.The premium version is premium with no commercial for around 100 NOK pr month. If you have the premium version, you can also use it as an application on a iphone.

Spotify also has a blog to keep you updated; Spotify blog

Interested? If you have any questions, just ask!

The man who always raises again

One of Norways most famous singer is Jan Teigen, born 27 September 1949. No other Norwegian artist has had that many hit songs on the "Vg lista" as this man. He started his carrier in 1977, as a solo artist and participated his first time in Melody Grand Prix with an unforgettable skeleton costume.

Last year he gathered his 40 greatest hits on a complementation release.

In this year's "Spellemannsprisen", which is an award to Norways greatest music artists, he won the most coveted prize, called the honorary award.

We are sure we haven't seen the last of him yet. This man is never gonna give up.

Some of our favorite songs of Jan Teigen:
-"Det vakreste som fins"
-"Optimist"
-"Mil etter mil"

Golden?

"Golden" by Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy is an American rockband from Chicago that was formed in 2001. The band consist of Pete Wentz, Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley. We personally like this band a lot, because they make lyrics with deeper contents, and they have amazing voices.

Here's "Golden", one of our favorite songs of Fall Out Boy

How cruel is the golden rule?
When the lives we lived are only golden-plated
And I knew that the lights of the city were too heavy for me
And though I carry karats for everyone to see

And I saw God cry in the reflection of my enemies
And all the lovers with no time for me
And all of the mothers raised their babies
To stay away from me

Tongues on the sockets of electric dreams
Where the sewage of youth drown the spark of my teens
And I knew that the lights of the city were too heavy for me
(too heavy for me)
And though I carry karats for everyone to see
(everyone to see)

And I saw God cry in the reflection of my enemies
And all the lovers with no time for me
And all of the mothers raised their babies
To stay away from me
And pray they don't grow up to be me

What are these lyrics really about?

Pete in the band has been depressive since he was 6-year old, and still hasn't come to terms with it, and wrote this song.

We believe that the lyrics are about Pete Wentz himself, and also an eye-opener for everyone else to see behind the curtains to the perfect world, and the image we are all trying so hard to reach. We think the first sentence “How cruel is the golden rule” describes this point perfectly. Further, he sings “And I knew that the lights of the city were too heavy for me, though I carry karats for everyone to see”, explains that he was aware of the challenges on his way to achieving fame, and that even he didn't manage to avoid the “golden rule”. 

The chorus's message is that God is ashamed of him, and that with a hectic life of a full-time artist, all the people you once cared about and loved, have found new lovers, or new friends. He sings about his pressure on himself and his fear for being a bad role model for the kids. 

In the second verse, we believe that he's trying to explain how youth are so close to achieving their goals, and that they have such a big possibility if they try hard enough. 

We think this song is kind of a warning for those who seeks the spotlight, or just hope for richness. No real love, fake hopes, everyone that judges you, and at the end a disappointment.

Lady Gaga

BOLD, BOLDER, BOLDEST

Lady Gaga (born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta; March 28, 1986) is an American recording artist. Lady Gaga is inspired by glam rock musicians such as David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, as well as pop music artists such as Madonna and Michael Jackson. She has also stated fashion is a source of inspiration for her songwriting and performances.

Lady Gaga's music videos has brought out strong reactions and debates on-line. She's well known for extremely bold videos with sexy costumes or simply just underwear.

Her new music video "Telephone" feat Beyonce Knowls, is by our opinion one of the boldest videos she has ever made. The main scenery is a prison for females, where Lady Gaga walks around more than less naked. 

What do you think of her bold choice of clothes in her videos? Have you seen Telephone - Lady Gaga ft Beyonce ?

Here's a photo from the music video where she's more than less naked climbing in the jail cell:

Party song of the week!

Here's this week's party song: "Trying you on" by Anine Stang 

Anine Stang is "X-factor" judge and well known manager, Peter Peters' new project. Peters really believe in Anine, and recently recorded  her new music video with his two previous "projects"; X-faktor participant Pernille svendsen Øiestad and the rap-group Madcon. We thought it was especially fun to see Pernille in the music video, since she is an acquaintance of us and goes to SVGS.

Anine was born in Oslo Februar 25th 1985. She was given the name Anine Victoria Stang, but chose to change her first name to Anina, which is the international Version of Anine. She has a record-contract with Norway's biggest record company "Universal".

Have you heard some of Anine's songs? What do you think of them?

If you haven't seen her new video, take a look here:

Here's also a link to Anines own blog: http://aninestang.blogg.no/

This week's artist

Every week we're going to post the week's artist.
This week, it's our King of Pop, our beloved

Michael Jackson!

Michael Joseph Jackson was born the 29th August 1958 in Indiana, and sadly, he died last year the 25th of June.
The reason why we, and certainly millions of other people, love Michael Jackson, is because of his varying music. He has made at least one song of each music category:

- Songs that makes your feet dance, regardless of your mood:
"The Way You Make Me Feel", "Beat it", "Thriller", "Bad", "Wanna Be Starting Something", "Black or White", "Beat It","Shake Your Body"
- Songs for the sensitive ones:
" I Just Can't Stop Loving You", "We Are The World", "Free Willy", "You Are My Life", "Speechless"
- Songs that can be threatening to a sore throat in the shower:
"Dirty Diana", "Man in the Mirror", "Another Part Of Me", "Billy Jean", "Smooth Criminal", "Morphine"
- Songs that suits perfectly to a relaxing, sunny day: "The Girl Is Mine", "Rock With You"

Since our King of Pop died last year, it's been made movies, a lots of t-shirts, new songs to him, and some have even committed suicide because of his sudden death. So we suppose you know a lot about him... Therefore, we made this list with 10 facts you may didn't know about our Michael:
1. In 1984 he won eight Grammys – the joint highest amount ever won by one person in a single year
2. He had eight brothers and sisters
3. His marriage to Lisa-Marie Presley lasted only 19 months
4. His middle name was Joseph
5. In 1993 Jackson's dermatologist said he had a rare skin disease called vitiligo, which causes sufferers to lose pigmentation in their skin
6. Thriller is the world's best-selling record of all time with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide
7. Billie Jean was the first video by a black artist to air on MTV.
8. He has sold more than 300 million records worldwide
9. The moonwalk was picked up from street dancers
10. Jackson was a vegetarian

To see more surprising facts fallow this link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5649814/Michael-Jackson-100-facts-about-the-king-of-pop.html



Here's our top 10 list of Michael Jackson's songs:
1. Dirty Diana
2. Black or White
3. I just can't stop loving you
4. Man in the mirror
5. Earth Song
6. Billie Jean
7. The way you make me feel
8. They don't really care about us
9. Beat it
10. Free Willy


Rest in peace, MJ

"We are the world: 25 for Haiti"

Once again the biggest stars in the United States gather together to help a disadvantaged country by recording a new version of "We are the world". The original is of course extraordinary, but we don't think this version, designed to raise funds for the Haiti disaster, makes shame on the original video at all. The 2010 version is full of young and hip artist, which we believe makes it reach out to the younger crowd as well . Many of the "good old" artists are still participating, and adds depth to the song. And of course we felt that it was extra nice that they had kept Michael Jackson's verses from the original, and even embedded him in the video. We both get goose bumps when we see him standing there with a golden voice and silver glove.

Here's a list of all the soloist in order of appearance:

• Justin Bieber
• Nicole Scherzinger
• Jennifer Hudson
• Jennifer Nettles
• Josh Groban
• Tony Bennett
• Mary J. Blige
• Michael Jackson (stock footage)
• Janet Jackson
• Barbra Streisand
• Miley Cyrus
• Enrique Iglesias
• Jamie Foxx
• Wyclef Jean
• Adam Levine
• Pink
• BeBe Winans
• Michael Jackson
• Usher
• Celine Dion
• Orianthi (on guitar)
• Fergie
• Nick Jonas
• Toni Braxton
• Mary Mary
• Isaac Slade
• Lil Wayne
• Carlos Santana (on guitar)

• Akon
• T-Pain
• LL Cool J (rap)
• Will.i.am (rap)
• Snoop Dogg (rap)
• Busta Rhymes (rap)
• Swizz Beatz (rap)
• Iyaz (rap)
• Kanye West
  
  
  
  
  
  

If you want a complete list of all the 85 artist, just click on this link!

What do you think of the new hit? If you haven't seen it yet, you should take a look here:

Language in lyrics

Personally, we believe that it depends on what type of music the song is. R&B songs are more dependent on the rhythm and beat of the song, but ballades and blues should include deeper and more meaningful lyrics, to really drag us into the song.

If we focus on the R&B, Hip Hop and Rap categories, we can find words, that aren't appropriate to use in our daily lives. We made a top three list witch includes the three songs with the roughest terms:
1. Bitches on my dick, by Bishop Lamont
2. U don't wanna fuck with me, by Snoop Dogg, Nate dogg, DXM, Ja rule, 2Pac, Xibit and Eminem
3. Lollipop by Lil Wayne

Party song of the week!

This is the party song of the week. We just love this song, it really make us come in the right mood. We're going to update you every week on what we're going to party to. You're welcome to come with suggestions!

What kind of music do you like do party to?

-Birgitte

Welcome to Karoline & Birgitte's music blog!

Welcome to our new blog about music. We created this blog as an English lesson, and will keep updating it throughout the school year. We're going to post new songs, links, photos, biographies and so on. You're welcome to comment and give us feedback.