5 de abril de 2013

How to Learn to Sing

To sing well, you need to practice daily. Singing lessons are not always available for many people. If you can't go to singing lessons, consider practicing on your own or using a vocal training program. Here are some things you can do on your own to become better at singing. It will take time, but you should begin to see the fruits of your labor soon.



Steps



Part One: Starting Off



  1. Begin with breathing exercises. Breathing exercises will allow you to better control the pitch and duration of your singing. It's no surprise: singers who can breathe deeply and consistently get better mileage out of their voice.





    • Practice opening your throat opening. Relax and open the jaw like a fish might out of water. Start flexing your facial muscles a little bit in between.

    • Try the following breathing exercise before you warm up:


      • Begin by inhaling a couple deep breaths of air. Imagine that the air is really heavy as you breathe it in.

      • Let the breath fall below your belly button, into your diaphragm. Exhale and repeat several times.

      • Get a light pillow-feather and practice keeping it in the air, sort of like you're juggling a feather with your air stream.[1] Gradually blow the feather really high up, and try keeping it there.

      • Don't let your chest collapse as you keep the feather in the air. Try to keep the air stream coming from your diaphragm.





  2. Next, start warming up. Your vocal chords are a muscle, just like your biceps, and need to get stretched before you do any heavy lifting. You can warm up in a variety of ways.

    • Practice your major scales, starting with the middle C, moving down in half-steps before moving up. Don't push yourself before you're actually singing, and try to move slowly. As you continue to warm up, you'll get better at articulating all the notes in the scales.


      • The notes that you will hit start off as C-D-E-F-G-F-E-D-C and move either up or down one half-step for each new scale.





  3. Find your range. Your range is the measure of pitches you can sing between your lowest and highest notes. Try any number of classical musical scales (you can easily find them with a simple online search) and see which notes on the bottom and which notes on the top are impossible for you to clearly sing.

  4. Try singing along to a song that you like with a voice recorder nearby. Make sure the music is quiet and your voice is the real thing that the recorder picks up. After you're done singing, check if you are singing on key. Also check to see if you are:

    • Articulating words, especially vowels, clearly. In the beginning, over-articulate the words; really practice on getting them right.

    • Breathing correctly. Hard vocal parts will require you to stretch your voice out over a longer period of time. You'll need to be a strong breather for this.



  5. Drink plenty of water. Drink lukewarm water for best results, as this will loosen your vocal chords. Give your body time to absorb the water. Avoid dairy products or thick drinks such as smoothies immediately before singing.

  6. Practice daily. Every day, practice your breathing exercises, warm-up routine, and recorded singing. Listen for parts that you don't hit with your voice and keep chugging. It could take several weeks of practice just to get a single song down pat.



Part Two: Developing Your Voice



  1. Learn to use your nose. Good singing involves partial nasal placement; it is our body's soundboard. To avoid sounding nasal to others, however, your throat must be wide open with your tongue out of the way (slightly forward, touching the backs of bottom teeth when singing vowels). Nasality can often be heard in country singing and some R&B/Gospel, but can be unappealing to listeners.

  2. Learn to "cover the voice" for a fuller sound. Resonant, rounded sound is formed by opening the throat and by limiting the nasality. This is called "covering the voice." Be careful, however. If you cover it too much, it may become to airy and mushy sounding.

  3. Practice singing your vowels. Again, try to vocalize by using your diaphragm. The vowels, not the consonants, are what you really have to pay attention to.





    • Do not involve your neck muscles in your singing. Try to keep your neck upright but relaxed.

    • Practice keeping the back of your mouth open when you vocalize the vowels.[2] Practice voicing the "ng" sound in training; the back of your mouth is closed. Now practice voicing the "ah" sound, like you're opening your mouth at the dentist. The back of your mouth is now open.



  4. Practice hitting the high notes. High notes are the icing on top of the cake: not always necessary, but really wonderful when done right. You probably already know your range by now, so you also know which high notes you can hit and which ones you can't. Be sure to practice hitting the ones you can't yet reach. Practice will make perfect.

    • Envision jumping as you hit the high note. Perhaps you're jumping onto a trampoline, or maybe you're just jumping up into the air. Imagine hitting your highest point as you reach the high note. Take an adequate breath and keep your mouth open. Hitting a high note doesn't mean you need to increase how loudly you sing.



  5. Continue your breathing exercises. Make breathing exercises an ongoing training opportunity. The better you get at breathing, the easier your vocal training will be.

    • Try this breathing exercise[3] where you breathe in and hiss out. Make sure your hiss is very even and consistent. The goal is consistency:


      • Breathe in for 4 seconds, and then hiss the same breath out for 4 seconds.

      • Breathe in for 6 seconds, and hiss out for 12.

      • Breathe in for 2 seconds, and hiss out for 10.

      • Breathe in for 4 seconds, and hiss out for 16.

      • Breathe in for 2 seconds, and hiss out for 16.

      • Breathe in for 4 seconds, and hiss out for 20.

      • Breathe in for 2 seconds, and hiss out for 20.







Part Three: Putting It All Together



  1. Enter a local singing competition. Be reasonable about how you expect to perform; if you've been singing for less than 3 months and have no formal training, it'll be difficult — but that's what you want, right?

    • If you're serious about becoming a singer, you'll have to get used to singing in front of a large crowd of people, and in stressful situations. It's one thing to sing to yourself in your bedroom; it's another thing entirely to sing in front of dozens or maybe hundreds of people.



  2. Be sure to get a good teacher if you're serious about developing your skills. Voice coaches will be able to give you really good feedback in real time, as well as tips and tricks. They will set a schedule for you and help you meet goals that you set for yourself. A voice coach is absolutely essential for anyone who wants to seriously become a singer.

  3. Once you're confident, perform a song unaccompanied and upload your video to YouTube. The positive feedback you get will most likely far outweigh the negative feedback.







Video



Tips



  • Don't force breath out. Your breath should be flowing.

  • Any time you think of it, practice breathing correctly.

  • Stay within the key. It is similar to singing harmonies when other notes can be sung in conjunction with the main note. Experiment! The voice is to simply expand as the vocal voice comes up as your real singing voice. To sing imagine that everything in your voice is to speak louder to project your voice is to expand it by inhaling and exhaling properly.

  • To aid with the practice of this breathing technique, (which is also used for meditations) place hands on the tummy to feel the correct movements. For men a tight belt can also be worn to push against.



Warnings



  • Clearing your voice by harshly rasping coughs hurts the voice.

  • When singing for long periods of time, it is worth taking a sip of honey cough medicine, or sucking on a sweet cough drop.

  • Do not smoke. This damages your lungs and voice and you need both for breathing and singing!

  • Do not hold the lyrics sheet because that will stifle your styling/selling of the song. Keep your head up and glance around most of the time, but do not latch on to people's eyes or expressions.

  • Do not drink milk before singing as that causes sticky mucus to form in the mouth and throat.

  • Do not sing too much for too long at the start. Vocal chords are muscles and need to be built up for strength and agility.



Things You'll Need



  • Buy a tape recorder with a built in mic, or find one that a microphone can be plugged into. A karaoke machine works great.

    • You can also use the recording function of your mp3 player if the quality is good to check your use of a microphone.



  • A portable CD player or mp3 is needed to play the singer of your choice and the songs you wish to learn.

  • Lyric sheets of the song you will be practicing.

  • Music stand (or willing helper) for the lyric sheet.

  • Water.



Related wikiHows




Sources and Citations



Article Tools








via Jonathan's starred items in Google Reader

How to Calculate Simple Interest

Simple interest is the amount of interest paid based on only the original amount lent or borrowed, rather than being based on accumulating interest. The formula for this is very simple: I=PRT, where I is interest, P is Principal, R is the percentage rate expressed as decimal and T is time, which is generally expressed in years, assuming your rate is an annual rate. This article shows you how to use this formula to calculate simple interest.



Edit Steps



  1. Find the Principal. This is the amount of money borrowed or lent at the start of the year which the interest will be calculated for.

  2. Find the Rate as a decimal. This is the percentage of the Principal you will pay back each year. Divide the percentage by 100 to give the decimal value.

  3. Specify the Time in years over which you want the interest calculating.

  4. Multiply Principle × Rate × Time to calculate the simple interest. This is the money you will pay/be paid on top of what was lent or borrowed.

  5. Finished.



Edit Video



Edit Tips



  • This formula can be rearranged to allow you to work out the Principle (P=I÷RT), Rate (R=I÷PT) or Time (T=I÷PR)



Edit Related wikiHows




Article Tools








via Jonathan's starred items in Google Reader

How to Be Self Sufficient in a City

Whether you dream about living in the wide open space of the country or getting away from the throw-away society, you can still be more self sufficient at home in a busy city. Self sufficiency is all about developing resourcefulness, saving money, injecting more wisdom in the ways that you live and work. Part of becoming more self sufficient in the city environment involves working out what you're most dependent on and how to make more use of local community resources and your own skills. At the end of the day, you can still dream of living in the country or running a completely self sufficient lifestyle, but it's a good start to improve on what you have now if its not possible to leave the city.



Edit Steps



  1. Start at the bare basics. Work out where you're currently dependent on existing services. You don't have to do without them, but when striving to be a little more self sufficient, it is wise to consider the following basics that most people need to do, or already can do easily. It's not necessary to be a professional, but if you have basic skills or no skills at all in these areas you can look to expand your abilities to be more self sufficient.






    Keeping your home clean and tidy makes a big difference to your health and well being, but it also tests your responsibility. Self sufficiency needs motivation to do little things we often put aside.



    • Can you keep your place clean and tidy and do maintenance about the house? Tasks related to this might include basics such as painting and decorating, drilling, furniture assembly, plumbing, and so forth.

    • Can you drive and do car maintenance? The tasks involved may include cleaning your car, changing the oil, batteries, keeping tires in check, and so forth.

    • Can you manage your own finances? The tasks involved may include keeping a budget, filing your own taxes, keeping a spreadsheet of income and expenditure, etc.

    • Can you manage to incorporate a health or fitness program into your daily life? Maintaining your health is a key underpinning of remaining self sufficient and if you can make and stick to your own fitness program rather than relying on the gym or a coach, this can be helpful.

    • Can you be an organized person? Most often this is about making a home maintenance roster as well as external appointments and job rosters, as well as plan storage methods to save space. This is arguably the most important part of staying self sufficient and on top of everything.



  2. Investigate to see if you can grow some of your own produce. You certainly don't have to grow everything from scratch and in a city environment it is simply not possible to feed one person in the average home or apartment space. But you can always keep a pot plant with perennial culinary herbs and spices such as chillies. It's always possible to grow certain vegetables in pots if you have a small porch or balcony, such as tomatoes, beans and peas, beetroot, carrots and the like. And if you like to try natural remedies, you can also grow medicinal plants or fragrant herbs such as lavender.





    • Ensure there is adequate lighting, water and heat for any plants you grow indoors or in a confined space. Check this before you start; if you have concerns about warmth, be aware that there are a wide variety of small plastic vinyl portable greenhouses that can be sourced from hardware stores, or you can make your own.

    • Find out if it is possible in your apartment complex to use unused space, or if there are other neighbours who want to join in to make a community garden. Compost bins and rain-water catchment tanks can be quite compact and many plants can be grown compactly and very well if planned for companion planting.



  3. Make your own produce and grocery items. There are many essential items and value-added food products that you can make yourself provided you learn how and make the time. For example, you can make your own soaps and ointments, breads, cheese, yogurt and preserves. And you can fix things instead of replacing with new, such as repairing old clothes and fixing buttons up, right through to furniture restoration and tinkering with your bicycle.






    You really don't need much space to make preserves. Some can even be made in the microwave!



    • There are a lot of night classes and different craft projects you can look into. The internet is a wonderfully generous resource for those seeking to be self sufficient, as the many people who care about this ideal share their knowledge and information.

    • Also look at your local city services website to see who you can talk to in order to find out about DIY and self-sufficiency projects. Some local councils have community vegetable gardens, run volunteer classes, or can direct you towards local groups who run these projects.

    • Some DIY or self sufficiency projects are more about fun than saving money, as the labour content, tools or ingredients cost far more than is feasible compared to a pre-made thing, which sometimes may be better made. But some are actually much cheaper to DIY, satisfying to do and can be made to suit your lifestyle. And if you discover you're good at making something, there may be a business opportunity in the making!



  4. Recycle your throwaway objects. Consider ways you can personally re-use items. For example, plastic bottles can be used to make small pots or terrariums for seedlings, while the top half can be used as a funnel. Once you start researching how to repurpose old bottles, containers, books, clothing, etc., you'll discover that the range of craft and DIY possibilities is really extensive, giving you many opportunities for turning your old junk into craft wares and gifts. And even if an item appears to be past its usefulness, you may be able to discover yet one more use before a final discard; for example, old clothes and towels can be used for dusting cloths or rags for cleaning machines, broken crockery can be used for mosaic craft work and so on.






    Recycle depots can be anywhere.



    • Even if you can't recycle things on your own (for example, making your own toilet paper from recycled pizza boxes is somewhat extreme self sufficiency beyond the average householder), you should be able to find ways to dispose of the items somewhere that will ensure they get recycled. If your local council runs a recycling programme, make use of it to its full extent.

    • Where it's not possible or desirable to buy more equipment in order to make one craft project, or to take up storage space saving up for projects you don't have time or a commitment to make. Therefore, it's useful to connect with local craft or interest groups in your local area that would be grateful for the donation of recyclable items.



  5. Ensure that your home is stocked with adequate tools and appliances and invest in ones that you need. Many homes lack essential maintenance tools; this forces you to throw away things that could always be repaired, or to pay for another person to do it for you. While in small apartments it is not always feasible to purchase many tools for as wide a host of needs that a large house and garden may need, it's still worthwhile considering tools to adjust door hinges, assemble furniture and so on.





    • Secondhand markets, estate auctions, abandoned storage facility auctions and charity stores can be a great place to find good tools.



  6. Invest in stocking your kitchen with durable equipment. This space is where a lot of money can be wasted if you frequently rely on consuming takeaway or frozen meals. Many modern kitchens have very little space or facilities beyond a refrigerator, sink and maybe a microwave. If funds are available, invest in a small slow cooker, a crockpot, compact or benchtop oven and a griller (some even have hotplates or hobs on top for added utility - these are well worth their money). And if you can, buy a food processor (while not essential by any means, it is certainly a time saver). Other basic tools that are vital include pots and pans, decent stirring spoons, mixing bowls and small items like can openers and cheese graters; many such items can be sourced cheaply from secondhand markets, online auctions and estate sales.





    • If you can't cook for yourself, teach yourself how, as it is not hard. For example, read cookbooks, watch cooking instruction shows, make use of free online cooking schools (such as Delia Smith's[1] ) or attend classes.

    • If you don't have a pantry or larder, utilise other existing furniture to store food such as long-life milk, tinned foods etc.



  7. Invest in a first aid kit. A first aid kit is important for treating minor home ailments, such as headaches and colds, insect bites, treating small cuts and scratches. First aid kits can also be used to store healthcare needs, such as a digital blood pressure monitor, sun-screen creams, vitamin pills and so on. And always keep a copy of the numbers of your local ambulance service, doctor and hospital in case of major injuries or health problems.






    You can buy them or make one!



    • A basic survival kit is also recommended. This can be a basic box to store your first aid kit, candles and matches or a battery powered torch or lamp for a power cut, blankets and other things relevant to your needs. Many councils maintain lists of emergency supplies that a home should keep, especially if you live in an area vulnerable to such events as earthquakes, floods or wildfire.



  8. Get to know your local area well. The simple option is to get a map and study it and learn what businesses and services are in your area. But if you walk, ride a bike or catch a local bus, train or tram service instead of driving, you can explore a lot more without having to pay attention to driving your own vehicle. Being able to walk around and know your area gives you confidence and bolsters your independence; this is helpful when you need to find your way around your local area and ensures that you can give directions to other people too.






    You never know what's out there until you look.



    • Exploring your area may reveal interesting gems of places to see and spend time in. Walking around your neighborhood and learning more about it is a fascinating way to occupy yourself if you're ever feeling bored, and is something healthier to do than watch TV or play computer games.



  9. Keep a roster or household "to do" list. This might be on your computer, in a diary or on a board. This way you won't miss appointments or allow yourself to be double-booked. Of course, routines should be flexible, to allow you to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Moreover, always look for ways to get more out of each trip you make from home, such as when going to the store to buy groceries, what other things can you do while there? Keep a list of things needing to be done in specific locations so that when you plan to go to that location, you can check off each to-do while there.





    • Quite often it is wise to group together with family or friends to do a combined trip to save time and money. Doing this can make the experience far more enjoyable, as it also serves as a way to spend time with family and friends.



  10. Maintain a regime to protect your mental and physical health. There are numerous easy ways to keep your mental and physical health in top shape. Physically, stay as active as possible and eat healthily most of the time. Instead of slouching the evening away, get up and walk around the neighborhood or throw ball with your kids. Use cleaning as a form of physical exercise; this can make the work seem less a chore and more like self-care! Your mental health includes teaching yourself to dispel negative attitudes towards your life and the world around you; remind yourself of what is good and what matters in life whenever the bad thoughts seem to be looming too much. And keep your brain challenged––do word and number puzzles, play complex games, talk a lot with other people and read widely. The portions of the brain used for problem solving are a "Use them or lose them" thing so its best to exercise the mind often in order for it to stay healthy and dynamic.






    It is wise to remember that looking after your health saves for your future.



    • Relax more often. Let your body and mind recuperate through relaxation and concentration exercises such as meditation.

    • Exercise makes it easy for the mind to stay flexible and alert.

    • Socialising often with friends or talking to people helps you to remain independent. This is as important for people in married or long-term relationships as it is for people living alone––we all need a wide group of friends and acquaintances to be able to bounce our thoughts and ideas off.

    • As we age or become sedentary, the muscle groups become weaker and the bones become less dense; this can lead to osteoporosis and mobility problems later in life, as well as potentially reducing the metabolism and undermining the immune system. See your doctor or health care provider whenever you have a need, but also to find ways to be more self-sufficient in improving your health.

    • Consider your motivations for self sufficiency and how you interact with others. Often, people want to be self sufficient due to self-perceived problems related to interacting with others, or when they simply cannot rely on others and/or look for a way to avoid people. There is a wide range of reasons people choose to be self sufficient aside from reducing waste and being more responsible as a human being. And sometimes less-altruistic or inward looking motivations can create other problems which may ultimately prevent a person being truly self sufficient. You can generally gauge your own willingness to reach out and stay connected with your community by how often or willing you are to ask for help when you need it. If you stay inside a cocoon, this can cut you off from other people and create a difficult life; try your best to find a way through any such alienating motivation, such as talking to others, reaching out to community services or even seeking therapy.



  11. Always consider new ways that you can be self sufficient within your means and space. Self sufficiency ultimately comes from within and how you live with what you have. That's part of the fun and some of the best ideas come from simple needs. By looking at your local area you and seeing gaps in self sufficiency, you can improve your own self sufficiency, which in turn helps to improve your city's sufficiency in reducing waste. And by being less dependent on other services, your reduced dependency can go towards those services better serving people in greater need.







Article Tools








via Jonathan's starred items in Google Reader

3 de abril de 2013

How to Cure the Common Cold Naturally


Natural, time-tested cold remedies like drinking warm fluids and giving yourself a steam treatment can alleviate cold symptoms just as well as expensive, chemical-laden syrups and sprays. Learn how to treat your cold with natural techniques that will have you feeling better before you know it.

Edit Steps



Treating a Cold with Water and Steam



  1. Drink warm fluids. The reason your nose runs when you have a cold is that your body is working to expel the cold virus from your system.[1] Drinking warm fluids thins the mucus, allowing it to flow more freely.[2]

    • Drink warm water with lemon and honey. This basic natural remedy hydrates the body and encourages mucus to flow through your system, carrying the virus away.

    • Drink herbal tea. Chamomile, mint, and ginger tea each have properties that soothe the throat and act as mild decongestants.

    • Drink warm soup. Chicken soup is called "comfort food" for a reason; it helps clear your sinuses and provides nourishment when heavier foods don't seem appetizing.[3] Garlic soup is also beneficial, since garlic can act as a decongestant. Saute garlic in olive oil, add chicken or vegetable broth, simmer for ten minutes, and drink warm.



  2. Take a warm bath or shower. The steam from the water helps loosen mucus and soothe pressure in your chest, throat and sinuses.[4]

    • You can also give yourself a steam treatment by heating a pot of water. Bring a pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Place your face over the pot and allow the steam to enter your mouth and nose. Add a few drops of peppermint or another essential oil to aid in decongesting your sinuses.[5]

    • Try dipping a cloth in warm water and laying it over your face until it cools if you're away from home and need a quick steam treatment.



  3. Use a neti pot. This natural treatment is used to flush mucus from your system using a simple solution of water and salt in a process called nasal irrigation.[6]

    • Neti pots can be purchased at most drug stores or health food stores.

    • Make a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt and one cup of water. Fill the neti pot with the solution.

    • Stand over a sink, tip your head to one side, place the spot of the neti pot in one nostril. Pour the solution into your nostril and let it flow out the other nostril until the mucus in your nasal cavity is discharged.

    • Fill the neti pot again and repeat with the other nostril.





Treating a Cold with Herbs and Natural Medicines



  1. Dose up on herbs. Several herbs commonly sold in health food stores have been shown to help prevent and cure the common cold.

    • Echinacea can help alleviate the symptoms of respiratory infections.[7] It is sold in a variety of forms: as an extract, a tea, or an ingredient in natural lozenges.

    • Take ginseng. Nibble on ginseng root when you feel a cold coming on, or drink it in the form of tea to soothe your throat.

    • Drink elderberry tea. This European cold remedy is made with elder flowers and peppermint leaves. It boosts the immune system and helps cold symptoms go away faster.[8]



  2. Use natural lozenges. Health food stores sell lozenges made with honey, mint, and other natural ingredients. They sooth your throat and provide essential nutrients you need to beat your cold.

    • If you don't want to buy lozenges, you can make your own at home.

      • Pour 1/2 cup of honey and a few drops of peppermint extract into a small pot.

      • Place the pot over medium high heat and bring the honey to a boil, stirring the whole time.

      • Use a candy thermometer to check the temperature, and remove the honey from heat when it reaches 300 degrees F (149 degrees C).

      • Use a teaspoon to pour drops of the honey onto oiled parchment paper. Allow them to harden, then use them as cough drops.





  3. Make a hot toddy. Many people swear by the medicinal effects of hot toddies, cocktail drinks made with brandy and lemon. This homemade cough medicine will clear your sinuses and help you sleep better. Mix up the following ingredients and enjoy hot:

    • 1 ounce of brandy

    • 2 Tablespoons of honey

    • The juice of 1/4 lemon

    • 1/2 cup hot water





Preventing a Cold



  1. Wash your hands frequently. The best way to keep yourself from getting a cold is to wash your hands a lot during cold season, especially after you've been in a public place like a school, bus or airplane.

    • Make sure you wash your hands before eating or touching your face.

    • Carry hand sanitizer for the times when you don't have access to a sink with soap and water.



  2. Keep your body in good general health. Make sure you're getting the vitamins and nutrients you need to keep your immune system strong. Eating well and keeping in shape by exercising will help your body defend against the cold virus. If you do get infected, you'll be well equipped to overcome the cold quickly.



EditTips



  • Avoid dairy products when you have a cold. They increase mucus production in some people. [9]

  • Blow your nose frequently. It sounds simple, but blowing your nose a lot helps end your cold faster, since you're helping your body get rid of the cold virus.[10]

  • Avoid touching your face. Many germs enter your body through your eyes and mouth via contact with your hands.



Edit Related wikiHows




Edit Sources and Citations




Article Tools








via Jonathan's starred items in Google Reader

How to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Icing

For delectable cupcakes or a special birthday cake, top your sweet confection with homemade strawberry cream cheese icing. This delightful concoction will be a hit at any party or gathering.



Edit Ingredients



  • 1 (8 oz/225g) package of cream cheese

  • 1 cups unsalted butter (softened)

  • 1/4 cup of strawberry preserves (choose the type of preserves based on your taste for consistency—some preserves are chunkier and have more actual fruit)

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 4 cups confectioners (icing) sugar

  • 1 pinch of salt



Edit Steps



  1. Combine the cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl. If possible, use an electric mixer set at medium speed.





  2. Allow the cream cheese and butter to combine for up to three minutes or until fully combined.





  3. Slowly add strawberry preserves little by little. Add until fully integrated into the mixture.





  4. Add the vanilla. Allow the mixer to continue to run until you no longer see the vanilla inside the cream cheese.





  5. Integrate the confectioner’s sugar and salt. For best results, add the sugar in small increments to avoid having it splash outside the bowl. Consider adding it in 2 tablespoon amounts until you have added the entire 4 cups.





  6. Finished. It's now ready for spreading on your cake or other baked confection.







Edit Video



Edit Tips



  • Create a fluffier icing by whipping for a longer amount of time.

  • Swap out confectioners/icing sugar for granulated sugar and cut the amount to two cups.



Edit Related wikiHows




Edit Sources and Citations




Article Tools








via Jonathan's starred items in Google Reader