By Felix Lehmann

The Dragon has been an integral part of the folklore of several countries for centuries together now. While there are legends galore surrounding them, the question as to whether these creatures really existed is still not clear. While some people say that they are just figments of imagination, there are many who swear by their existence. The debate has been going on for centuries now with no conclusive answer in sight.

The mention of these fearsome creatures can be found in almost all the major religions of the world. There are references to them that can be found in the Holy Bible. You can also find several mythological characters being dragons in other major religions of the world too. In fact , they seem to be most popular in the oriental culture. One of the striking aspects is the various different sizes , features and colors of these often monstrous creatures that are popular.

Traditionally the western dragon has often been portrayed as being evil. It has been associated with all things bad and negative in western civilizations. The depiction of the creature too derives from this concept. It is usually a winged animal with a long neck. More often than not, it would also breathe fire wreaking havoc with the others. There are many legends which also show them as having magical powers. For example, they could change their color and shape at will according to some legends prevalent in western countries. They were also depicted as being blood thirsty. They would usually eat cattle or sometimes even humans, particularly in instances when they had some sort of vengeance to wreak.

When it comes to the eastern dragon, the varieties are more. There are the ones which have got serpentine body. They could fly and often spit fire on its enemies. They also have four legs , just like their western counterparts. Their body shape would more or les resemble that of a reptile or a snake. The claws would resemble that of a kite or an eagle. In some pictures they are often depicted having claws of a lion. Another unique thing about them are their horns. In certain religions they are also shown as having the ears of an elephant too.

The major difference between the different types that are found in eastern civilizations seems to be in the number of toes that they had. For example, in the case of Japan the dragon will always have three toes. This is not the case with the Chinese ones , which usually have five. The Indonesia and Korean ones have four.

Contrary to what many people think, not all of them were evil. There are many legends that tell us that there were good ones too among them. In fact, in a vast majority of the eastern civilizations they were shown as being very docile , unless they were provoked into doing something violent. While the debate about their existence continues endlessly, there is no denying the fact that these creatures have become a part and parcel of our lives.

About the Author: I am basically a graduate at the University of Hamburg and you can get awesome articles and valid information from the ones which I submit specially for you to take a look at. Check out

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Submitted by: Sarah C. Tan

Performing and studying any kind of art can be difficult, especially if you mean to pursue it as a full time career. A musical career is not for everyone and for the few who actually make it to the top, there are a large number of people struggling to continue their passion. Let us see what challenges a person taking opera singing tutorials can face in the future.

Pressure

Opera singing is a very high pressure career, which might impact advance level students who are already performing. If you make any mistake, it is immediately picked up and the word goes out quickly. Students are also given more exposure today to shows and events. It can be a very good thing as it helps you make connections and learn new things, but it is also a huge drain on your time and energy. The fact that you have to excel every single time means that the pressure just builds up gradually. Unless you know how to deal with this, you might face some major problems.

Throat problems

Opera singers can face muscle tension, stiffness and pain in the throat, jaws, tongue and neck. Everything from your posture to faulty singing techniques can aggravate your problem. Besides these, you have to be very careful not to put any strain on your respiratory system. Throat infections are also common among opera singers. But these are not insurmountable problems. By developing a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, exercising, doing breathing exercises and getting timely medical consultation for any problem that arises, you can prevent or limit the damage.

Expense

Opera singing can be very expensive, because it is a highly technical skill that can only be taught by trained teachers. Apart from this, students taking opera singing lessons also have to pay their way through a number of different classes including acting, language, instrument, etc. The cost adds up quite quickly, making opera singing an expensive investment. As if this were not enough, opera singers are also required to maintain a certain image onstage, so there is no going in wearing your daily clothes!

Multitasking

An opera singers life is full of juggling different schedules. Performance dates must be remembered and you need to show up for rehearsals. In addition, you must continue your opera singing classes because it is essential to continue working on your skill. Traveling is usually required when it comes to grabbing opportunities for being onstage. All this can leave you with very little time for your regular employment or life. Problems arising out of your hectic schedule can be managed effectively with a little discipline and making provisions in advance.

Image

Nowadays, apart from your singing abilities, you also need to look a certain way in order to get an audition. Audiences expect you to look the part of the role you want to fill. This is certainly a challenge as you want to explore as many options as possible. What you can do to overcome this stumbling point is to ensure you are able to act out different parts well. If you can sing with conviction, this criterion can be overlooked.

In conclusion, there are many challenges in an opera singers life but it is also a very rewarding one. If you are planning to go ahead with your advanced opera singing classes and work hard at it, you will definitely find satisfaction, if not great success, though that might happen too!

About the Author: Sarah Tan is a music instructor in Singapore who loves to share her extensive knowledge of music and the art of performing to her students and blog readers. Visit her site at

singinglessonssingapore.com

or call (065) 8168 8251.

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