Everyone who watches television on a regular basis is familiar with the hit show American Idol, where contestants sing for fortune and fame. Some of the singers have excellent pitch voice and some are so far off pitch that it seems questionable as to how they passed the earlier levels of competition. Vocal pitch is one of the most challenging areas for most singers because it can be difficult to determine when one is singing off pitch. Even top vocalists have relied on coaches and voice teachers to help them with their singing pitch.

Recently, stop vocalists have begun using real time pitch software to provide instant feedback about their pitch. While this software can not easily be used in performances, it can be an invaluable tool for training a singer to sing on pitch. The biofeedback provided by this pitch software actually trains the singer, presumable by building new neural pathways that reflect the visual stimulus provided on the graph. Top voice teachers are also beginning to use pitch software in their studios with their students. Previously a teacher could listen to the student and provide feedback after the fact. This meant verbally pointing out a few notes here and there. With the software, the teacher can now help the singer identify problematic patterns and suggest remedies. The combination of the singing software with professional coaching is the best combination for becoming a top vocalist with good pitch voice.

Delightfully, the Chinese Elm is also one of the easiest bonsai to grow, indoors or out and that makes it an outstanding selection for a beginner.  Best of all, the Chinese Elm (which in case you’re wondering is resistant to Dutch elm disease) is going to make a great Christmas gift idea – this year in particular – since it’s one of the most affordable bonsai trees.