Comments for Vocal Music Advice http://vocalmusicadvice.com Advice about singing, vocal development, vocal problems, vocal exercises, vocal technique, learning how to sing, Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:13:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on I know I speak too low. What can I do? by TnYMary http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/04/13/i-know-i-speak-too-low-what-can-i-do/#comment-4344 TnYMary Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:50:21 +0000 http://vocalmusicadvice.com/?p=58#comment-4344 This is I guess a common problem. Some weeks ago I wrote as well but about classification; now I find this very good article. Indeed, looks like many speak too low! I am just here for saying: yup, you will need someone else to hear you. It's not very pleasant -at least not for me- but my teacher urge me to speak not to low -he said I was talking as if I were a contralto... it's a hard work what we have since we're working on correct my speaking voice as well ._. But I am not complaining I am grateful 'coz I indeed used to have got pain after speaking no more than an hour! This is I guess a common problem.
Some weeks ago I wrote as well but about classification; now I find this very good article.

Indeed, looks like many speak too low!
I am just here for saying: yup, you will need someone else to hear you.

It’s not very pleasant -at least not for me- but my teacher urge me to speak not to low -he said I was talking as if I were a contralto… it’s a hard work what we have since we’re working on correct my speaking voice as well ._.

But I am not complaining I am grateful ‘coz I indeed used to have got pain after speaking no more than an hour!

]]> Comment on To ‘would-be’ teachers of singing: on inexperience and charlatanry by TnYMary http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/06/29/to-would-be-teachers-of-singing-on-inexperience-and-charlatanry/#comment-4343 TnYMary Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:26:29 +0000 http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/06/29/to-would-be-teachers-of-singing-on-inexperience-and-charlatanry/#comment-4343 Amazing experience indeed. That's exactly why it took me a lot to find a teacher and not just a graduated singer. I am glad I have stood the anxiety, the prize was so worthy! Amazing experience indeed.
That’s exactly why it took me a lot to find a teacher and not just a graduated singer.

I am glad I have stood the anxiety, the prize was so worthy!

]]> Comment on Could my “soprano” classification be wrong when I’ve always thought I was mezzo-soprano? by TnYMary http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2010/01/24/could-my-soprano-classification-be-wrong-when-ive-always-thought-i-was-mezzo-soprano/#comment-4341 TnYMary Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:05:01 +0000 http://vocalmusicadvice.com/?p=80#comment-4341 First thing to do is to say, thank you for replying gently and for give us some of your valuable time. Honestly, thank you so much! 1. Yes. I was able to sing alto parts but not comfortable; actually i'd told my elementary school teacher about it. So we tried soprano parts and, that was all, it worked better (i was 'lucky', listening what my body tells me.. it saves me more than once). 2. Oh, I see! I guess i will listen my mature voice until I reach my 30-40. I was certain it will be a long and unfinished path but never had thought I would learn hearing again... it's -somehow-exciting. 3. :D I was anxious about it (so immature from my side). What I can say is that I shall keep away from Wagner; I don't like the idea but I must trust my teacher, "Do not even think of trying Wagner, and never by your own." he said and I trust him C: Yes, thank you indeed! I really feel better and my confusion is practically gone. Thank you so much for the caution, that has been my philosophy as well: "if it feels bad, then it's wrong". Thank you so much!,hope someday you can listen to me, will do my best-twice, your words will not be forgotten C:! First thing to do is to say, thank you for replying gently and for give us some of your valuable time. Honestly, thank you so much!

1. Yes. I was able to sing alto parts but not comfortable; actually i’d told my elementary school teacher about it. So we tried soprano parts and, that was all, it worked better (i was ‘lucky’, listening what my body tells me.. it saves me more than once).
2. Oh, I see! I guess i will listen my mature voice until I reach my 30-40.
I was certain it will be a long and unfinished path but never had thought I would learn hearing again… it’s -somehow-exciting.
3. :D I was anxious about it (so immature from my side).
What I can say is that I shall keep away from Wagner; I don’t like the idea but I must trust my teacher, “Do not even think of trying Wagner, and never by your own.” he said and I trust him C:

Yes, thank you indeed! I really feel better and my confusion is practically gone.

Thank you so much for the caution, that has been my philosophy as well: “if it feels bad, then it’s wrong”.

Thank you so much!,hope someday you can listen to me, will do my best-twice, your words will not be forgotten C:!

]]> Comment on A young man, a teen has a deep voice - is this strange? by admin http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2010/01/08/a-young-man-a-teen-has-a-deep-voice-is-this-strange/#comment-4340 admin Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:10:44 +0000 http://vocalmusicadvice.com/?p=79#comment-4340 James, it sounds as though good choices are already being made if you are pursuing the bass, bass-baritone roles of Gilbert and Sullivan and in Music Theatre. As long as the songs by the composers you list are all easily within your range and comfort zone (tessitura), German lieder as well as Italian art songs and 20th Century art songs will be very good for you. At 14 you will need to be careful not to be too ambitious in pursuing music for mature voices (very much opera). Sounds to me like you're on the right track. The only genres I would suggest that you include in addition to those you've listed are solos from religious music, if you are a religious person. You can also, with care, choose songs from popular songs as well, but these are usually like a "sugar" diet musically speaking, and sticking to "meat and vegetables" (i.e., the music you listed above) will keep you growing musically. Best wishes. Dr. A. James, it sounds as though good choices are already being made if you are pursuing the bass, bass-baritone roles of Gilbert and Sullivan and in Music Theatre. As long as the songs by the composers you list are all easily within your range and comfort zone (tessitura), German lieder as well as Italian art songs and 20th Century art songs will be very good for you. At 14 you will need to be careful not to be too ambitious in pursuing music for mature voices (very much opera). Sounds to me like you’re on the right track. The only genres I would suggest that you include in addition to those you’ve listed are solos from religious music, if you are a religious person. You can also, with care, choose songs from popular songs as well, but these are usually like a “sugar” diet musically speaking, and sticking to “meat and vegetables” (i.e., the music you listed above) will keep you growing musically. Best wishes. Dr. A.

]]> Comment on A young man, a teen has a deep voice - is this strange? by lechanteur http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2010/01/08/a-young-man-a-teen-has-a-deep-voice-is-this-strange/#comment-4339 lechanteur Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:43:52 +0000 http://vocalmusicadvice.com/?p=79#comment-4339 I would like to thank you for my encouragement for becoming a bass, and although my school (alas) doesn't have a choir, I have spoken to the music teachers and I am part of a theatre group that is doing Les Misérables (I'm playing Javert - a bassbaritone role, which isn't too high). My repertoire mainly consists of Gilbert & Sullivan, Mozart, Puccini, Brahms' Lieder, 20th Century Composers (Glass/Bernstien/Gershwin) and then Jazz. I really want to expand my repertoire, is there anything you can suggest? I would like to thank you for my encouragement for becoming a bass, and although my school (alas) doesn’t have a choir, I have spoken to the music teachers and I am part of a theatre group that is doing Les Misérables (I’m playing Javert - a bassbaritone role, which isn’t too high). My repertoire mainly consists of Gilbert & Sullivan, Mozart, Puccini, Brahms’ Lieder, 20th Century Composers (Glass/Bernstien/Gershwin) and then Jazz. I really want to expand my repertoire, is there anything you can suggest?

]]> Comment on I don’t have “breaks” in my range! Is that bad? by admin http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/10/10/i-dont-have-breaks-in-my-range-is-that-bad/#comment-4331 admin Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:07:57 +0000 http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/10/10/i-dont-have-breaks-in-my-range-is-that-bad/#comment-4331 Maddie, As you see from the above comment, different teachers use and prefer different terminology ... and feel strongly about what they do. However, know that your questions are safe with me regardless of the terminology you use. I should say that with regard to the subject of "breaks" "lifts" "transition points" "passaggi" I tend to opt for the choice of the above teacher in avoiding that jargon when possible. But, your question is a good one, worthy of a straight answer. Blessings. Dr. A. Maddie, As you see from the above comment, different teachers use and prefer different terminology … and feel strongly about what they do.

However, know that your questions are safe with me regardless of the terminology you use.

I should say that with regard to the subject of “breaks” “lifts” “transition points” “passaggi” I tend to opt for the choice of the above teacher in avoiding that jargon when possible. But, your question is a good one, worthy of a straight answer. Blessings. Dr. A.

]]> Comment on I don’t have “breaks” in my range! Is that bad? by rachelvelarde http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/10/10/i-dont-have-breaks-in-my-range-is-that-bad/#comment-4330 rachelvelarde Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:16:48 +0000 http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/10/10/i-dont-have-breaks-in-my-range-is-that-bad/#comment-4330 As a voice teacher of primarily high school students, I agree completely! However, I avoid using the terminology "break" in my studio. Yes, it's a yodel, and it's a pathway that you need to learn how to negotiate. If your passaggio/transition points are smooth and you feel connected from top to bottom of your register, Brava! That is an accomplishment. Also, I have found that frequently young singers don't "feel" much of anything in the voice, when it is free of tension. Don't worry. DO analyze the sound you're producing: is it clean, clear, consistent, confident (my "C list"), free, easy to produce, dependable? These are what you should be listening/feeling for as you sing. It sounds like you're in a good situation - continue to be aware of what YOUR voice does when it's at its best. You do not need to compare it to anyone else's - as your body is different, so is your voice. Take care & continue singing! As a voice teacher of primarily high school students, I agree completely! However, I avoid using the terminology “break” in my studio. Yes, it’s a yodel, and it’s a pathway that you need to learn how to negotiate. If your passaggio/transition points are smooth and you feel connected from top to bottom of your register, Brava! That is an accomplishment. Also, I have found that frequently young singers don’t “feel” much of anything in the voice, when it is free of tension. Don’t worry. DO analyze the sound you’re producing: is it clean, clear, consistent, confident (my “C list”), free, easy to produce, dependable? These are what you should be listening/feeling for as you sing. It sounds like you’re in a good situation - continue to be aware of what YOUR voice does when it’s at its best. You do not need to compare it to anyone else’s - as your body is different, so is your voice. Take care & continue singing!

]]> Comment on To ‘would-be’ teachers of singing: on inexperience and charlatanry by Weekly Gathering | Beginning Singer http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/06/29/to-would-be-teachers-of-singing-on-inexperience-and-charlatanry/#comment-4329 Weekly Gathering | Beginning Singer Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:53:45 +0000 http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/06/29/to-would-be-teachers-of-singing-on-inexperience-and-charlatanry/#comment-4329 [...] Vocal Advice’s Article on “Would-be” teachers of singing. It’s calm but hard-hitting: To ‘would-be’ teachers of singing: on inexperience and charlatanry [...] [...] Vocal Advice’s Article on “Would-be” teachers of singing. It’s calm but hard-hitting: To ‘would-be’ teachers of singing: on inexperience and charlatanry [...]

]]> Comment on To ‘would-be’ teachers of singing: on inexperience and charlatanry by admin http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/06/29/to-would-be-teachers-of-singing-on-inexperience-and-charlatanry/#comment-4326 admin Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:53:58 +0000 http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/06/29/to-would-be-teachers-of-singing-on-inexperience-and-charlatanry/#comment-4326 Thanks for the encouragement Susan. I'm grateful to find your blog too. Best wishes. Ken Thanks for the encouragement Susan. I’m grateful to find your blog too. Best wishes. Ken

]]> Comment on To ‘would-be’ teachers of singing: on inexperience and charlatanry by Susala http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/06/29/to-would-be-teachers-of-singing-on-inexperience-and-charlatanry/#comment-4325 Susala Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:27:52 +0000 http://vocalmusicadvice.com/2009/06/29/to-would-be-teachers-of-singing-on-inexperience-and-charlatanry/#comment-4325 Thank you for this!!! Some great information that is clear and concise! Singing tends to be the discipline that is so often hacked into easily...we need to keep the education and information out there! Susan Eichhorn-Young www.susan-oncemorewithfeeling.blogspot.com www.susaneichhornstudio.com Thank you for this!!! Some great information that is clear and concise! Singing tends to be the discipline that is so often hacked into easily…we need to keep the education and information out there!

Susan Eichhorn-Young
http://www.susan-oncemorewithfeeling.blogspot.com
http://www.susaneichhornstudio.com

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