I'm a 22 year old music major at Christopher Newport University. I think I'm getting a handle on this whole growing up thing. In two years I'll be graduated with a Master's Degree in Education and hope to teach High School Chorus.
I'm a pretty easy-going nice guy. A little nerdy. Still nervous around girls. I use big words. I'm a devout Catholic and liberal, but I still have a very open mind on most subjects. I like to help people, I guess that's why I joined. As Eek the Cat put so succinctly, "I'm here to help." :-)
Website: My Journal
Gender: Male
Location: Southeast Virginia
Occupation: College Student/Music Minister/Teacher
Age: 22
AIM: musickphreek
Member Since: May 3, 2004
Answers: 12
Last Update: May 15, 2004
Visitors: 1931
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How does one keep their voice in good condition during the three-month span of everyday musical practice? {ie, practice for a musical}
I'm aiming to a lead role and I want to know how to keep my voice intact. (link)
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Here's some things that I've learned over the years from being a singer:
Rule Number One: Don't ever overdo it. Start every voice practice with a good 15 minutes of warmups. And make sure you know when to stop. The voice is a muscle, and like any muscle, it needs to be trained regularly in order to do what you want it to. Your not going to sing opera the first day, but you might tackle something challenging if you pace yourself over several months.
Rule Number Two: Breathing is the Key. Way too many young singers are singing without taking into account how important breathing is to your singing. A lot of people think that singing comes from the throat. In reality, more of it comes from the ability to have good "breath support." If you make a conscious effort to take deep, low breaths (from your low ribs and belly, NOT from the shoulders) you singing will be more in tune,you'll hold notes longer, you will have a bigger volume, and sound more free and natural. The minute the throat gets in the way is the minute that it all goes down hill.
Rule Number Three: Don't try to sound like the recording. Given that your going for the lead in the musical, bring something of yourself and your own singing style your performance. Every young woman I've heard sing "On my Own" sings it like the Broadway recording. It shows no sense of originality, and not every woman sounds like that particular vocalist naturally. Not everyone does Hamlet the same, so why should everyone sing the same as the recording?
Rule Number Three: Good Body, Good Voice. If your body is somehow out of whack when you perform, chances are your voice will be. Get plenty of rest. Water or hot liquids like tea can be your best friend. Don't have too much caffeine, alcohol, or asprin before you sing, because they all dry out your vocal folds. Eat right, and avoid greasy foods or diary before a performance. Exercise not also helps you with weight problems, but with your breathing as well. If you have neck or shoulder tension, try to stretch or massage out the kinks.
There's books worth of information, but these things I find extremely helpful. Let me know what you think, and if they help.
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Who's better?
Britney or Christina (link)
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Neither.
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Why do people who don't know shit about music insist on "answering" some of these questions, when they have absolutely nothing to offer?
I mean, if I were to ask the best way to resolve a chord progression, there would be at least 4 people who would answer by saying that they have no clue. Why? Why do these people feel compelled to answer on subjects they don't know jack-shit about?
p.s. - if you don't play guitar, don't answer guitar questions. If you don't play music, don't answer questions about how to play something or about music theory.
Thank you, that is all. (link)
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Dude, chill out. This is Advicenators, your supposed to feel like you can answer any question you want. I'm not a guitar person, but I know enough about music from being a music major for four years to know what works. A musician's a musician. Don't just write everyone off....
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Hey. Im getting a guitar for my birthday. And the sad thing is that i dont kow how to play one. Which means i need lessons. But i am lacking in the monetry department at the moment... so im gonna be a laxy screw and get them off the internet or summink.
Does anyone here use those online guitar lessons?? Do you reckon theyre any better/ worse than real live people lessons??
Any tips on starting out on the guitar would be peachy too.
Thanks n stuff...
~ Mordak, she who has moved your cheese. (link)
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Well, Mordak, I think it all depends on what kind of guitar music you want to learn. If you want to learn how to play classically, you would need to take lessons. If you have your heart set on more popular music (rock, metal, punk, ballad, etc), you might be able to pick *some* of it up yourself. There are a thousand sites on the internet (which I know none of) that have hundreds of songs and chord charts and tabs and other things. And most of it's free.
Most of the people I know that learned how to play guitar picked it up rather quickly by themselves (I, on the other hand, know four chords), in at least six months to a year. But, the self-taught people that were really good had some things in common. 1. They practice a lot. 2. They always jam with their friends to pick up new songs and techniques (this is the best free way to learn, surround yourself with people who know it better than you). 3. They learn about technique, theory, and finger positions, even if it's through a little book they bought for $9.95.
Good luck with your new instrument.
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i am 19. i am in a 5 year relationship and we have a one year old son together. i am going to college to be a nurse. lately there have been a lot of problems between my b/f and i. well i was going to move out, until i found out that i am pregnant. now i have cancelled my new apartment and am staying here for now. i know that we will not be together forever and i do not want to raise two kids alone. i am considering abortion and have an appointment scheduled for next friday. my b/f wants the baby and is excited. everyone in our family already knows that we are expecting again. i am too young to give up my life completely. i do not know what to do. if anyone has any advice i would really appreciate it. by the way, i am 8 weeks pregnant and due on christmas. PLEASE HELP (link)
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Your situation is extremely complicated. You seem like a young, ambitious person who wants to make something for herself. At the same time, there is the unbelievable responsibility of caring for a child. Certainly, raising two young children by yourself with the added pressure of lectures and exams are a great deal to ask anyone.
Ultimately, it is you decision (I guess that's why they call it "pro-choice"). I will say that your options are not entirely set in stone. There is always the option of adoption, which would provide a home for your future child and prevent you from taking care of two children. I will tell you my religious convictions put me in the pro-life camp, but I am reasonable enough to see your argument and don't see a reason to convince you out otherwise.
However, whether or not you decide to have the child, do not stay together with your current boyfriend if you know that any chance of reconciliation with him is impossible. Too many bad relationships stay together, "just for the kids." In my opinion, it does more damage that good. And imagine, all that anger and fighting among the parents might hurt that child's perception on what a loving family ought to be.
I hope you come to a decision you can be happy with. Journaling, meditation, prayer, talking to a counselor, might all be things that might make your decision easier.
Good luck.
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which church is the best church 2 go 2? how do i pick a church thats rite 4 me? (link)
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That one's easy. Find a church that you feel best suits your needs: spiritually, socially, personally, etc. This might require some "experimentation," but you'll be happier for it. Just keep an open heart and an open mind, and you'll end up where you need to be.
Praying helps, too.
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why does god hate me?
(link)
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God doesn't hate anyone. But that doesn't say anything about life being 100% fair all the time.
Life is challenging. No one ever said it was easy. Whatever is bothering you, you should either try to accept it, or work to remove that suffering from your life.
If you have access to a counselor (school, therapy) I would suggest you get help.
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Why am I black? (link)
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Because that's who you are! :-)
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Every time I go to my friend she always jokes with me saying that "Oh here comes lil miss christian girl" and "Oh great your going to preach to us are'nt you." I know she is just playing but I wish I could witness to her without being made fun of. (link)
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The best way a person can be a witness to their faith is by example. The old saying is true "actions speak louder than words." I'm certain this friend is doing this to you because she has had negative experiences with other christians either trying to convert her, or chastising her for her sinning. But, being an honest, decent person who also happens to be a Christian may be the best conversion tactic in your bag.
Be yourself and others will respect you. Don't give up!
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i recently have been excommunicated out of a great church due to not following their rules i was happy there part of me wants it back but part of me wants to live the way i want to live how do i get it all to mesh together so i can be happy all the time i loved the church i really still do i miss it all what should i do if you need more details please let me know but i warn you it is long well if anyone can help let me know (link)
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I know it can be difficult to not be part a faith community. In a world like this, we all need something. The most I can suggest is to pray that God bring you into some other church, be it your former church or a new one. I believe that if a person is sincere in their faith, they will be led to where they need to go. Maybe this door is shutting so that new opportunities for you can be opened.
Praying is the best thing you can do right now.
Sorry for getting preachy.
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hey I have a question. What is the diference between a christain or a cathloc? I always thought that they were the same in general. but sence being on this site I have noticed people say they are in fact diferent.
and one more thing can somebody tell me what a pagan is? not to be rude or anything. i know that that is a religion but do magic or something.
so answering my question would really be helpful.
signed
confused Christain (link)
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To answer your question on paganism first:
Paganism is really an archaic term when you think about it. It was used in medieval times to descibe peoples who were not part of the Christian Church. Because most pagans were in Northern Germanic Tribes (ie: Barbarians) they were viewed as uncivilized and evil. Many were persected by governments and the Church, and led to some of the greatest atrocities carried out by Europeans.
Though I understand why you ask about paganism in this question.
It is the way of many ill-informed, and at times hateful prostestant leaders to note Catholicism as a pagan religion. They point to the "worship" of Mary and the Saints as an extention of the biblical worship of Baal and the Eygptian religions that persecuted the People of God in the Old Testament. Because of this, all sorts of insane theories on what Catholics believe and how it can be attibuted from sacrifice to satanism has been explored by the ignorant and bigotious (Mary is really the Goddess Isis, the letters "IHS" stand for Isis, Horace, and Seth).
However, this is very far from the truth of the matter. Catholics ARE just as much Christians as Methodists, Lutherans, and Baptists. They believe that Jesus was the Son of God who came to earth to die for the sins of the world. The idea that Catholics worship Mary and the Saints is proposterous. They pray to saints so that they may intercede to God on their behalf.
The major difference between Catholics (and the Eastern Orthodox Church, which has many of the same traditions) and Protestants are the way in which they express their faith. Rather than get into the nitty-gritty, it's simple to just say that 1500 years of faith has made the expression of faith very different from Protestant faiths only 500 years old (100 years old if you take into consideration some of the more fundamental and charismatic churches that have been gaining popularity).
Please to not let the opinions of others clout your judgement. Catholics and Protestants are two side of the same coin. Both faith systems should be respected and tolerated.
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OK me and my friends were having a discussion and one of my friends stated that the faith of catholic is just another branch of christianity, but catholics have very very different beliefs then christians do. Can someone help me make up my mind? (link)
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To agree with basically everyone in this room, Catholics are Christians--no further questions. The difference between catholics and "christians" (ie: protestants) is the way they EXPRESS their beliefs. For example, every christian believes that you must be saved to go to heaven. Catholics attest that salvation comes through the sacraments (baptism, communion or eucharist, confirmation, etc.), whereas some Protestants look more towards "being saved" as an event opposed to a constant process. There is no clear-cut answer to how catholic faith expressions differ from most american protestants, other than to say that about 1500 years of history has shaped Catholicism differently than only 500 years protestants have been in existance.
Instead of focusing on what's different, people of all faiths should seek to find common ground and celebrate their sense of spirituality together.
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