lesson 15
Today i had a lesson with Judith. We got through a number of different techniques for me to improve on my solo singing piece which is on the 26th of May. First of all, we spoke about my diction on some of the words in the song such as 'Knew' and to use tongue energy. We then spoke about the way I sing the phrase 'I've grown'. I had two choices of technique to use in which one was sliding the word or imagining the slide and then placing the note. We also used a lot of imagery to give me a better understanding of what i should be feeling and what the sound should sound like. We used images such as a slinky going down the stairs with the word 'Sleep' and a jellyfish for the word 'Burned'. To work on my lower notes we talked about a 'Quacking' technique with allows me to do lower notes. I have a tendency of holding back breath and sounding breathy which holds me back from singing powerfully. I was told to imaging having a large air of ballon around my upper body and above my head. For some of the words, i cut the sound off to soon for example with the words 'Grown' and 'Alone'. I was shown that i shouldn't cut them off till the very end of the phrase. We then talked about how i looked when sining and Judith commented on me moving my feet and hands a lot. She got me to stand like a 'Monkey' and i produced a much better sound since i wasn't moving around which is a distraction.
lesson 14
Today i had a lesson with Taylor. She got me to do a number of things during this lesson. We talked about air flow and to feel as if i don't need to take a breathe to help me stop gasping for air. We also tried to get a stronger sound which didn't sound breathy. A focused sound.
We also went over my final singing piece 'Empty'. My break was getting in the way at some points as the song jumps a lot. Instead of letting my voice just do what it wanted and flip, she told me to sing the part i was flipping my voice at as a scale. There are lower singing parts in the song (''Found'') which i was struggling with and Taylor gave me a technique of imagining the sound as quite narrow and creating the noise around my nose.
We also went over my final singing piece 'Empty'. My break was getting in the way at some points as the song jumps a lot. Instead of letting my voice just do what it wanted and flip, she told me to sing the part i was flipping my voice at as a scale. There are lower singing parts in the song (''Found'') which i was struggling with and Taylor gave me a technique of imagining the sound as quite narrow and creating the noise around my nose.
lesson 13
Today i had a lesson with Judith. I talked to her about my break when going from medium notes to higher notes and she told me that the tongue weighs the same as a bag of sugar and my tongue was weighing down on the latex. Judith then showed me a technique to help take my tongue of the latex (basically doing what should be happening inside) and this was by sticking out my tongue when i felt the need to (going over the break).
We then discussed my lower notes and how they weren't very strong. She gave me a technique of quacking. She explained that you say the word 'quack' you go deeper in sound.
We then discussed my lower notes and how they weren't very strong. She gave me a technique of quacking. She explained that you say the word 'quack' you go deeper in sound.
lesson 12
Today we had a group meeting with our two new singing teachers, Judith and Taylor.
We went through a number of techniques to help engage with the diaphragm and your breathing. We took notes on what our body was doing as we put the techniques into practice. For me, the strangest thing that we done that day was putting our hands up next to our ears (not covering them) and had to sing a scale. We got told to do this as our ears are ''liars'' and they are not good judges. I also learnt a new technique to get my breathing working better before i sing and my body engaged before i started to sing and this was 'running on the spot for 1 minute'. I now do this as part of my warm up before singing.
We went through a number of techniques to help engage with the diaphragm and your breathing. We took notes on what our body was doing as we put the techniques into practice. For me, the strangest thing that we done that day was putting our hands up next to our ears (not covering them) and had to sing a scale. We got told to do this as our ears are ''liars'' and they are not good judges. I also learnt a new technique to get my breathing working better before i sing and my body engaged before i started to sing and this was 'running on the spot for 1 minute'. I now do this as part of my warm up before singing.
lesson 11
Today we looked at my solo song and i had feedback from Anette of what i should be doing to achieve my own sound. We also look at an exercise in Italian which involves singing Be loa See Nyo Rra and going up and then sirening the Nyo down to the Rra (rolling my R at the end). This will help me to project my voice and really think about the notes i'm hitting. I found this exercise helped me with loosening up and having fun as i had to put on an exaggerated Italian accent and really go for it. For my final solo singing performance, I have chosen to sing 'Empty' by Lianne La Havas which is one of my favourite and more heart felt songs that i listen to. In preparation i had to find an HND to play an electric guitar but since that failed i have chosen to go with a piano based instrumental. I know the songs structure very i just need to try an sing it differently and make it my own.
lesson 10
Today we came up with an exercise for my break which involves jumping from e-c-f-c-g-c-a and then backwards g-c-f-c-e-c- then up to the octave C.
lesson 9
Today we looked at the song i have chosen for my final solo singing exam which is 'Empty' by Lianne La Havas. The song is very jumpy and Anette wanted to make sure i sang the song in my own way but using effects when needed. There is also a build up towards the end of the song where song song is much louder and belty and i am worried about the louder parts which involve me doing the 'crying' effect with my voice as i feel it's a challenge.
lesson 8
Today we worked on getting a focused sound with no air escaping starting with 'ng' and starting on a B and then dropping to an F and changing to 'ee' then to 'ah'. This will help me to have a less breathy voice and stronger sound. We also worked on helping me fix the break i have with sirening on 'ng'.
lesson 7
Today went over breathing exercises which involved little exercises of breathing in on the 2 beat out of 4 and then seeing how long i could make a 'hissing' sound for. I managed to hiss for 20 beats the first time but then when Annette got me to try the same breathing exercise but singing ee ad aw, more air escapes so i only managed around 14 beats.
lesson 6
Today we began the lesson by going over the sight singing song which i had been practicing. I had the first half memorized and then we moved onto the second half which had dotted quavers and semi quavers included which i find difficult to understand how long they are held for.
I was also told to sing through the song and not sing so abruptly. This means holding onto breath as i have a habit of letting too much air go. We then found out that my break (when my vocals chords do a weird flip thing from singing lower into higher ranges) could be worked on. It doesn't happen on the way down a scale but only on the way up.
I was also told to sing through the song and not sing so abruptly. This means holding onto breath as i have a habit of letting too much air go. We then found out that my break (when my vocals chords do a weird flip thing from singing lower into higher ranges) could be worked on. It doesn't happen on the way down a scale but only on the way up.
lesson 5
Today we went over projection of the voice and i was told to roll my R's and push it out into 'Aah'. This will help me engage with my diaphragm. I was also told to feel excited about singing as if i was going to run a race and this will also make my support become stronger.
I was also given a song which would help with sight singing and we began the song with Annette playing the piano and the song was proving difficulty only on the sight singing part which i will need to practice.
I was also given a song which would help with sight singing and we began the song with Annette playing the piano and the song was proving difficulty only on the sight singing part which i will need to practice.
Lesson 4
In this lesson we went over my research piece and looked at any parts i was having difficulty with. Annette was pleased with the sound i was giving but told me not to be afraid of the sound i was giving as i was holding back a little as the way the song is sung is very different for me. I now have to learn the whole song off by heart. I find this a little hard as there is only covers of the song online which means i will have to sight read the music and figure out how long i sing some of the words for. This will be an advantage as i can improve on my music theory and sight reading.
Lesson 3
In my third lesson i was given an exercise which involved going up the scale half way and then going up half the scale doing short quick breaths and then the whole scale. I would have to practice this using one breathe which would build up my core muscles and breathing techniques. I also went over my research piece which is called ''Ev'ry time we say goodbye'' by Cole Porter.
Lesson 2
In my second lesson i was told to sing up the scales starting from middle C and then do a short 'hehe' the second time i sung the scale which would help with my breathing and to engage my diaphragm which would help strengthen my core muscles. I was also given an exercise which is to sing the scales up and down in one breath and to speed up if possible which will help my breathing in the long run. We also looked at a research piece for my 'Solo Performance' class which is quite tricky and needs lots of practice but it involves using techniques i already have as well as pushing myself in areas such as breathing. We went over a few lines together and i will hopefully start to enjoy the piece more when i get more familiar with it.
Lesson 1
In my first lesson i was shown how to warm up the voice using different techniques which included 'Sirening' as loud as i can using both ('Oo' and 'Ee') as i siren going up and down the scale starting from middle C.
I was also shown different breathing techniques which would able me to sing properly and not run out of breathe. I was shown a sitting down technique which would mean i had to crouch over as i was sitting with my elbows on my knees and breathe in and out and feel where exactly the air was filling up and this would be how i should be breathing standing up.
I was also shown different breathing techniques which would able me to sing properly and not run out of breathe. I was shown a sitting down technique which would mean i had to crouch over as i was sitting with my elbows on my knees and breathe in and out and feel where exactly the air was filling up and this would be how i should be breathing standing up.