Archive for the ‘Posture’ Category
|Just The Right Amount of Air
Thursday, March 24th, 2011
Not Enough Breath To Get The Job Done?
TOO MUCH AIR?
When a singer begins performing publicly there is a tendency to push too much air. It is often the result of adrenaline, combined with the unfamiliar feedback from monitors and house speakers. If you take in too much air, then push it out too fast, it can compromise pitch, tone quality and more.
TOO LITTLE AIR?
Then, there are those who suddenly get timid as they hear their own voices through the sound system and are unsure of how to react. Some singers are so distracted they actually forget to breathe and find themselves panicking as a result.
THE GOAL IS . . . JUST WHAT YOU NEED
The goal is to provide the larynx with just the right amount of air, and air pressure to get the job done. That means, of course, that the brain has to know what the demands of the phrase are. The vocal range, length of each note, volume and even the style. Once that is understood, as a result of studying the song, the brain can tell the respiratory system exactly what to provide. As long as the breathing mechanism has been exercised the right way it will have the agility and stamina to do the job.
Sound complicated? It is. But, most of this will happen automatically if you will spend some time training and exercising the different parts of your singing mechanism. It also requires that you spend some time working with and analyzing what you want to do with the song.
60' Tall Inflatable Slide. Just the right amount of air brings joy to all!
SOME PEOPLE DO IT SO EASILY
“But,” you might say, “some people seem to do it so easily and naturally.” True, but it probably took them a few years for it to become “easy and natural.” Many artists and athletes appear to become overnight successes, but it seldom happens over night. You just hadn’t heard about them while they were struggling through the training periods.
SOME TIPS FOR MASTERING THE AIR FLOW
- First, remember that the voice is a wind instrument. A moving column of air, traveling between the vocal folds is what makes the sound. Therefore, the way you move the air has everything to do with your success. As you look at the pictures of the 60′ tall inflatable slide it becomes clear that the right about of air is necessary if it is to serve its purpose. Too little will collapse it. Too much could pop. But, just the right amount brings joy to hundreds, just like good singing.
- Balanced posture allows you free, efficient breathing. Slouching, or sticking the head out over your toes will limit your chances for success.
- Practicing breathing as its own skill, using sipping and hissing exercises while watching for a still posture gets the muscles ready. That, in turn, leads to good muscle memory.
- As you inhale, remember to feel it down and out. That is, feel your inhalations expanding fully around the waist area, front, sides and into the lower back.
- As you exhale, keep the back and sides stable. Allow the frontal abdominal wall to come in as needed but keep the back and sides comfortably expanding.
IT’S NOT MAGIC
REMEMBER: Even with singers who seem to have an almost “magical” touch when they perform it’s really a matter of Preparation, combined with Inspiration and experience. Do the work . . . the right way . . . and you, too, will get good results.
DON’T MISS SPECIAL OFFERS
Don’t forget to check the Vocal Coach Store for current special offers and make the most of your instrument. If you’re looking for a tool to get your breathing squared away take a look at the COMPLETE BREATHING CD. To see other special offers check out the HOME PAGE.
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, breath control, breath support, Breathing, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com
Posted in Breathing, Posture, Singing Subjects, Soloist, Tone, Uncategorized | No Comments »
FREEDOM + CONTROL = SUCCESSFUL SINGING
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010
I love the concept of FREEDOM UNDER CONTROL. It applies to most areas of our lives including social interaction, eating, our spiritual lives and most definitely singing.
When a singer has vocal freedom there is no restriction caused by bad mechanics. The voice doesn’t tire, and the notes at both extremes of the range are always accessible. The result is that whatever the singer wants the voice to do, it does. When this freedom is combined with self-control and wise restraint, great communications occur.
Why is it difficult for singers to achieve freedom under control?
Think of it as being like a college freshman that goes away to school. Suddenly, there is enormous freedom, but often it is not in balance with the ability, and even desire, to make the most of the learning experience. Hopefully, in time, the balance is achieved. For some, unfortunately, it is after a lot of time and money have been wasted.
In singing, the same holds true.
Many singers learn how to use the mechanics of the voice, and that’s it. They open their mouths and let it fly with nice tone and range, but little expression. They don’t have the discipline and musical knowledge to finesse the phrases into powerful tools of communications. Other singers totally get the emotions and expressions that really sell the song, but never master the mechanics that allow them to consistently get the job done.
As I said in the opening, freedom under control applies not only to singing, but also to most areas of life, including how you eat and how you relate to God. And, here’s the beauty of it: If you are willing to openly pursue both freedom and control, you will be more successful at everything.
The best singers I know take the time and make the effort to master the mechanics of the voice.
- Learn to hold the instrument (posture).
- Control the energy (breath management).
- Shape the phrases (dynamics, rhythm, tempos).
- Deliver the words (diction).
Do the above, and you are half way there. Then, study those who are masters of communicating songs. Listen, imitate, experiment and be on the lookout for mentors: Those more experienced than you, who can guide and challenge you all along the way.
FREEDOM + CONTROL = SUCCESSFUL SINGING. It’s a formula that can change the way you sing, forever.
Posted in Breathing, Choir Directors, Diction, Duets to Groups, Posture, Singing and Voice Lessons, Worship Team | No Comments »
WHAT IF YOU WERE ALWAYS BEING RECORDED?
Tuesday, November 16th, 2010
24/7 RECORDING?
What if every word you spoke and sang at home, in the car, in rehearsal and in performance was recorded? Then, at the end of the day you would be given an evaluation of how you did in areas with your tone quality, appropriate volume, clarity of your words, use of breath and more. Would that change the way you use your voice?
For some, the very possibility of being recorded and evaluated would lead to paranoia, not to mention less speaking and singing. For most, however, it should give birth to a fun, challenging and very fulfilling game called, “I will prepare mentally and physically before I open my mouth.”
THINK ABOUT IT
Every time you make an audible sound you are reinforcing your physical process be it right or wrong. If you’re like most people you speak without ever thinking about the actual sound. Hopefully, that’s because you are focusing on the message.
The fact is, we have the mental capacity to think about content and voice at the same time, and that should be our goal. Even as we begin the process we can quadruple the power of our communications by matching content with appropriate tone, volume, diction and inflections. Any time we don’t have all these elements working in harmony we risk a partial disconnect between what we think we are saying and what actually gets heard.
MAKE A LIST
It begins with you actively listening to and defining your own voice. What does it sound like? Is it rough, smooth, pitched high or low or in between? Is it soothing or alarming, unnecessarily loud or too soft to be heard? Are the words clear and easy for others to understand, or are they mumbled, requiring repeats of what you’ve said? Write down these observations. If you have the courage, ask several others to give their feedback on the above list of possibilities. Keep this list handy as you begin the Exercise In Voice Awareness.
FOR SPEAKING
- Using your new list begin to make the changes you are capable of.
- If you are straining your throat while trying to speak at too low a pitch (you can put a hand there and feel it) stop it. Allow your speaking voice to be slightly higher.
- If you are always hyper and loud when you speak, relax. Get softer. It will be easier on the listener and your voice. It will also give you room to build and grow your sound when that is appropriate.
- If you mumble your words, slow down and use the lips, tongue and teeth. With a little listening and effort you can be clear.
- Adjust other obvious areas, then begin “hearing” your tone and voice quality before it comes out, then speak.
FOR SINGING
- Before you make a sung sound think about it. What should it feel like (posture, breathing, tone resonance, diction)? Then, consider what it should sound like. Mentally anticipate and “hear” the sound before it comes out. This is a skill that you can develop.
- Whenever possible, record yourself speaking or singing, and be objective as you listen back. Ask yourself what areas met your goals and what didn’t? What can you do about it? Even many smart phones can record with surprisingly accurate quality.
REMEMBER THE GOAL
As you mentally record and evaluate your voice, you will grow in your vocal awareness. Your goal is to be “hearing” your voice even before the sound is produced. This will help the different parts of the vocal process (posture, breathing, tone, diction, and volume) deliver exactly what you want rather than whatever default sound happens to come out.
WHEN WILL YOU SEE THE FRUIT?
You can start benefiting almost immediately but it will take a little time before it happens automatically. In my own experience I began just thinking about and enjoying the sound and physical sensations of the voice. Before long it was always in the back of my mind. Now, it just happens and things adjust in milliseconds before sound comes out. Because it is on autopilot, I can put all my thought into content and delivering the message whether speaking or singing.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?
Let me know your thoughts and questions at moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc and be sure to visit our FaceBook page by clicking the icon in the upper, left-hand corner of this page. While on the FB page click the “Like” button at the top of the page.
Tags: chris and carole beatty, chris beatty, speaking voice, vocal coach, vocalcoach.com
Posted in Breathing, Choir Directors, Diction, Posture, Singing Subjects, Soloist, Speaking Tips, Tone, Uncategorized, Vocal Health, Voice Fatigue and Strain, Worship Team | No Comments »
HAVEN’T SUNG FOR A WHILE, BUT NOW YOU ARE?
Tuesday, September 28th, 2010
A SINGER RECENTLY WROTE: After being a worship leader for many years I had a season of very little singing. Now I’m back to leading worship and teaching again. Moice tires easily and has gotten a bit “fuzzy,” compared with what it used to be. I might add that I’m not getting any younger and wondered about how age affects the voice. Also, I took some Aspirin and Tylenol. While my voice then felt and sounded better, I still wanted your opinion and more guidelines.
VOCAL COACH THOUGHTS: What a great question and you’re not alone being in this situation. Due to the fact that what we call “the voice” is a combination of physical, mechanical and acoustical functions, all working together, aging will have an impact. But, with a little knowledge and some new habits you should do just fine. Consider these points:
1. Aging does impact the voice. As we age we become less flexible, can lose stamina and our bodies have a harder time maintaining moisture and lubrication. Everything from our eyes to our skin gets dryer. Solution: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and avoid caffeine. At least half your body weight in ounces of water, per day. (180 lbs=90 oz water.) Also, consider using Entertainer’s Secret Throat Relief Spray (ADD LINK) as a way to topically moisturize the sinuses, nasal passages, and upper throat.
2. What we call “the voice” is really a number of physical, mechanical and acoustical systems working together. The muscles involved can get weak. If unused for a long period they can suffer a gradual decline of effectiveness due to underuse or neglect. But, don’t panic. A rebuilding process can change all that, so read on.
3. Regaining or rebuilding the voice simply means understanding and applying the right concepts and exercises. This means identifying the foundations, getting those foundations in order through systematic exercises and finally owning them. How long might this take? One minute to begin; several months to own. You achieve success by constant vocal awareness throughout the day combined with short periods of focused exercises.
4. Pace yourself and your voice usage. Don’t try to go from 0-60 too quickly. Get in the habit of daily, systematic and sensible warm-up. When you can, let your voice rest before and after singing. Especially while your getting back up-to-speed. And remember: Talking is using the voice, often with less awareness of what you’re doing than during singing.
5. Caution: If your voice is tired and raspy after singing give it a day off from unnecessary use. But, don’t whisper as that is more harmful than just speaking softly in a normal voice.
6. Aspirin and Tylenol. This reader did mention that these medications helped when his voice got rough. That’s because he had overworked the voice to the point of some minor inflammation, or swelling. The anti-inflammatory medication would help that, but there could also be a side-effect of more drying. When in doubt, breathing steam might be a better way to return the leading edges of the vocal folks to normal and get rid of that rough, raspy sound. The Vic’s Personal Steam Inhaler is a great, inexpensive tool for that. I always have one nearby for those times when I’ve taxed my voice a bit too much.
ABOUT THOSE FOUNDATIONS
1. Posture is where it all starts. Sloppy posture undermines everything else. Be upright and relaxed. Visit the “Posture” category in the Vocal Coach Blog for more.
2. Good Breathing, or Breath Management will become natural as you understand and exercise these strong muscles. Check out “Ten Steps To Better Breathing” on our Free Singing Resources page. Also, read other Blogs in the “Breathing” Category. If you want a powerful resource get the CD or download for Complete Breathing.
3. Tone, is the sound quality of your voice. The goal is to use minimal breath and good acoustics to easily project your voice to the point you are as efficient as a baby or child. They have no problem getting their messages out there with no voice fatigue.
Click here for a short Vocal Coach Video on Tone called “What Does Your Voice Sound Like?”
4. Warming up your voice is critical to getting the most out of your instrument without sacrificing it. Starting the day with humming in your middle range is a good way to get things awake and moving. From there (with good posture, breathing, and light buzzing tone) move higher and lower in your range. Moving to the lip-thrill, and finally songs, should get you ready to sing and speak safely throughout the day. Complete Warm-Up is a powerful tool to educate and exercise you and your voice.
Finally, here is the THE VOCAL COACH “BEFORE I SING” CHECK LISTWe use in our Vocal Coach Classes and private coaching. Print this out and carry it with you.
1. I’m an upright Child of the King, and should stand and sit like it all day long.
2. As I inhale I breathe down, expanding front, sides and back. As I exhale the ribs and chest remain stable.
3. I am a sound system with my own resonators and amplifiers that I can feel.
4. I warm up my voice like the vocal athlete I am, starting in mid-range, then moving higher and lower.
Humming and Lip-Trills are the best start.
5. I make my words easy to understand by using my lips, tongue and teeth. This takes stress off my larynx.
6. By being vocally-aware throughout the day I will be establishing good Muscle Memory.
Tags: chris and carole beatty, chris beatty, vocal coach with chris and carole beatty, vocal coaching, vocal training, vocalcoach.com
Posted in Ask the Coach, From the Coach, Performance, Posture, The Senior Voice, Uncategorized, Warm-Ups, Worship Team | 3 Comments »
VOICE PROTECTION for TEACHERS and SPEAKERS
Saturday, August 28th, 2010
Every Fall I get emails from teachers complaining of voice fatigue, and sometimes even voice loss. In these next few minutes I’ll share some ideas and exercises that are good for teachers, salesmen, pastors and anyone who uses their voice consistently throughout the day.
To begin with, remember that what we call “the voice,” is really a physical, mechanical and acoustical instrument. It is designed to work in a specific way and involves a number of different organs and systems of the body. Posture, breathing, articulation, projection and more are involved every time you speak. Here are some thoughts and exercises to help you prepare and maintain your speaking instrument:
- The voice is a complex, physical instrument.
- Physical systems need to be warmed up and cooled down.
- Understanding how your voice projects, takes the pressure off.
A Physical Instrument
Since your voice has always just “been there,” it’s easy to mistreat. The fact is, the voice is a series of physical systems that need to be maintained and cared for. Posture, breathing and articulatory muscles are all involved.
Warm It Up and Cool It Down
Because we are dealing with muscles, tendons, cartilage, membrane and more, you should warm up your instrument before you hit the classroom or office. Just how does a teacher or speaker warm up the voice? Here is a checklist that will help:
1. Hands Up! Prepare the instrument, which is you, by lifting your hands straight up over your head to align the body. It will feel good, while at the same time, prevent tension in the neck and larynx that can tire the voice. Muscle memory will help you maintain this posture throughout the day.
2. Check the Power Source. With hands still up, take in four sipping breaths and feel the entire waist area expand. Now, expel the breath on four hissing sounds. Sip, sip, sip, sip, hiss, hiss, hiss, hiss etc. You will quickly realize where you should be feeling the breathing. Muscle memory will help you use these same muscles throughout the day, rather than leaving the chest up and down.
3. Hummmmmm. Relax the arms and start humming anything you want – a song, or just sounds. Go high and low, reaching into all parts of your range.
4. Cool it Down. At the end of your teaching or work day, do some more Humming on a simple melody. The goal is to allow this physical instrument to gradually return to normal resting size and temperature. The obvious parallel is sports. Those who cool the muscles are more protected from injury.
Use the “You” Sound System
You are the sound system. While you were humming you could dramatically feel vibrations in the face, head, neck and chest. These are the acoustical chambers of your body amplifying and projecting the sound. The great part is that it doesn’t take a lot of air. Instead, it naturally amplifies the sound if you don’t over-push it.
As you respect your voice, warming it up and allowing it to naturally project, speaking becomes much less stressful on the voice. To learn more about ways to preserve and maintain your voice check out the FREE RESOURCES page of our site. If you have questions you would like to have answered just email moc.hcaoclacovnull@sirhc . Need some training tools? The Complete Breathing, Warm-Up and Diction and Daily Workout CD’s are perfect for teachers and speakers. The are fun and easy to use. Check them out by clicking here.
Tags: chris beatty, protecting the voice, singing lessons, speaker's voice, teacher's voice, vocal coach, vocal lessons
Posted in Choir Directors, From the Coach, Performance, Posture, Tips Tailored for You, Tone, Uncategorized, Warm-Ups | No Comments »
HOW DO I FIX MY UNSTABLE VOICE?
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
Question from Blog reader:
Chris, I am having a voice problem and need your input. I’ve been using your training CD’s for a few years now and they have helped me a lot. But, here’s my problem: When I first start a song I feel short of breath. My voice feels unstable. After a few words it gets better, but I still have a problem with my voice breaking or quivering. It’s not solid, or stable. Is this a throat problem, breathing or ??? Your comments would be greatly appreciated.
Vocal Coach Answer:
When a voice is unstable, wavering, tentative or breaks and quivers there are several possible causes. Here are some likely ones and some solutions
1. Anxiety. When you are mentally or emotionally unsure about what is going to come out when you open your mouth it can interfere with breathing, posture, diction, tone, expression . . . everything. The solution will be found in being more mechanically solid than you are anxious. In other words, having such secure technique in the posture, breathing, tone and diction that nothing can interfere. Solid muscle memory, of right techniques will be your friend every time.
2. Posture. If your posture is bent or broken it will interfere with breathing, tone and self-confidence and how the listener perceives your confidence. By lifting your arms straight up over your head you will discover your balanced posture. As you slowly bring your arms back down be sure to maintain the upright alignment. The shoulders should be completely relaxed, not pulled up or back. The feeling is one of being “athletically alert,” with a comfortably upright chest. Feel like you have a long back of neck and a shorter front of the neck. The head is back, over the shoulders, with the eyes looking straight ahead. Don’t let the chin lift for high notes or fall for low notes. Keep the head position neutral. Once you can sing your songs comfortably in this position you can look anywhere you want. Just don’t move the head to help you hit a note; it won’t.
3. Breathing. Securing good breath management will help you sing through the nervous times. The muscles will just continue to get you the right amount of breath. Not too much; not too little. Good breathing starts with good posture. A good first exercise is to get on your back, on the floor and feel what parts of the body are naturally engaged when you breathe in, and out. Then start sipping the breath in through an imaginary straw, and out on a SSSSSSS sound. After you have memorized where the breathing is naturally felt, stand, check your posture and repeat the exercise with a still chest and ribs.
4. Tone. Getting your posture and breathing more secure opens the possibility for your best vocal sound, or tone quality. The physical sensations of good tone are a relaxed throat, and lots of buzzing resonance (harmonics and overtones) vibrating through the face, mouth, sinuses and nasal passages. These are all sensations that you can physically feel, memorize and reproduce. A gentle hum will begin the sensation. Adding a chewing motion to the humming will keep the face and jaw more relaxed. And, don’t be afraid of all the vibrating you feel in the face. That’s a good sign, and means you are allowing the voice to work and not forcing it. These are aspects of your vocal sound you can “feel,” and that means you can reproduce them using muscle memory.
5. Diction. Another important area is diction, pronunciation or enunciation. It just means that the listener gets the message, not just the music. The other bonus of clear diction is this: As your own ears hear clear words coming out they tell the brain to tell the larynx to just relax and keep giving the pitch. If, on the other hand, your ears hear mumbled words they often tell the brain, and the brain (for some unknown reason) gets the larynx involved. That just leads to useless tension in the throat since the larynx can’t help diction. So, when in doubt, over-pronounce a bit so that even the least attentive listener hears your message.
So, there you have it. A systematic approach, to freeing up an unstable voice by paying attention to your POSTURE, BREATHING, TONE and DICTION. Needless to say, there’s a lot more to be said on all these topics. If you want to go deeper, with principles and exercises just go to the main site at vocalcoach.com and look for the Vocal Coach Singer package, or individual subjects by title.
If you have thoughts or comments leave them in the space below. Thanks.
Tags: breathing technique for singers, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, larynx, performance training, Singer, singing lessons, vocalcoach.com, voice lessons, voice training
Posted in Ask the Coach, Breathing, Choir Directors, Diction, Duets to Groups, From the Coach, Performance, Posture, Singing Subjects, Tone, Voice Fatigue and Strain, Worship Team | 3 Comments »
Finding The Magic In Your Voice with Better Posture and Breathing
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
“When something exceeds your ability to understand how it works, it becomes kind of magical.” I recently heard that statement in an online demonstration of the Apple iPad. It occurred to me that the same descriptive applies to the human voice.
Here’s what I mean: Aren’t there times when you hear a singer that just amazes you? One who can do things with their voice that you can only imagine doing, but never actually do? That’s the “magical” aspect of the voice. The part that defies analysis, or duplication by the average listener, and even the average singer.
But, what if you really, really, really want to at least come close to delivering that kind of magical performance. And, what if you are willing to invest the time, effort and resources to take the voice as far as you possibly can. What are the steps?
In truth, it’s no different than choosing to absolutely maximize your athletic performance, or your intellectual performance. It takes sacrifice at all levels. Sacrifice that most of us, frankly, aren’t willing or able to make. Sacrifice that would make having a normal family life and job almost impossible. Like being an Olympic athlete in training. It takes all that you are, often at the expense of normalcy.
Discouraged? Don’t be! No one is asking you to give up family and friends to compete for “World’s Best Singer. But, there is sacrifice and investment involved in becoming a better, more consistent singer. And, it starts with constant, non-stop awareness of your daily posture, and the way you manage your breathing in speaking and singing.
You see, many people compromise their posture throughout the day, and that leads to poor breathing. Then, they “get straight” for singing and wonder why it feels so stiff and unnatural. The key is being upright and aligned every waking hour. I don’t mean standing at attention. I just mean being upright, like any two-year-old. It’s natural, and how we were designed to function. And, it’s one of the first things to go if we don’t get daily reminders. For years I would go so far as to put reminders in my calendar to check my posture and breathing. Seem extreme? Not if you’re really serious about being your best.
When it comes to breathing it’s a matter of management, not power or push. Untrained, three-week-old babies do fine with sharing their vocal messages to the entire household with no formal training whatsoever.
Tags: breathing technique for singers, chris beatty, vocal coach, vocal training, voice lessons, voice training
Posted in Breathing, Posture, Singing Subjects | 2 Comments »
I’m A Singer and They Say I’m “Pitchy.” What Can I Do?
Friday, January 15th, 2010
When someone says you’re pitchy, you need to listen.
Being flat, sharp, north or south of the note etc., is worth looking at. Being pitchy means you are not centering your pitch on the pitch center, which is one of the non-negotiables in singing.
Everyone has occasional inaccuracies, and even major recording artists often let the recording engineer “fix it in the mix.” That’s where they look at a graphic of the note and literally “drag” it up or down to fix it. In truth, there are a lot of problems that are fixed “in the mix.”
If you have constant pitch issues, it’s another matter, and you need to take some immediate steps to try and fix the problem. It could be a simple matter of inexperience. In rare instances, however, you may not have the natural gift, or ability to know if you are on, or even near the right note. That’s called tone deafness.
In that case, you have a long road to go, and even then you may, or may not be able to accurately sing the right notes. In the same way that some people will never be good athletes, painters or electrical engineers, some will never be accurate singers. But, as long as you’re not picking up a microphone, and claiming to be a good singer, sing on! God listens to the heart, and those hearing you sing in the shower love your spirit and heart.
Here are some steps you can take to evaluate what’s going on and get things moving in the right direction:
You need accurate feedback to know what’s happening. That can be either from another musician who can immediately tell where you are in relationship to the note, a recording of you singing, or, ideally, a combination of the two.
Once you are convinced of the need for fine-tuning your pitch accuracy, you need to look at some foundations of singing and go through the “Singer’s Pre-flight Check List.” All of these areas can have an impact on your pitch:
- Posture. Check it by lifting your hands over your head and going up on your toes. This is your most efficient, balanced posture. It needs to be who you are when standing. When you’re sitting, stand from the waist up.
- Breathing. Inefficient breathing can make you inconsistent, and tentative. Good breath management will free up the voice and also helps with pitch.*
- Diction. If your words are sloppy, with unclear vowels and consonants it can get your throat busy trying to fix things. The throat can’t fix diction issues, and if it tries it can drive pitch up or down.*
- Do singing accuracy exercises. Pitch matching exercises are a great way to challenge and fine-tune your pitch accuracy. Start with playing (or having someone else play) single pitches and simply matching them. Then go to two notes, then three, and finally, a series of four or more. You may need someone else to judge your accuracy and point up or down to help you center your pitch.
- There are software packages that work on ear training, but I’ve not used those with students and can’t recommend a specific one.
In summary, all those who sing in public need to have good pitch accuracy. It’s a gift and skill that can be enhanced and refined in most singers, and it’s worth the effort.
Let me know your thoughts and experiences in this area. Also, let me know if you have ever worked with any of the ear training software programs.
May the Lord bless you as you seek to be the best, most efficient communicator you can be, in singing and speaking.
Tags: Flat, Pitch, Pitchy, Sharp, Singer, Tone Deaf
Posted in Breathing, Diction, Posture, Singing Subjects, Tone, Worship Team | 4 Comments »
Help! I'm Leading By Example And I'm Not a Very Good One
Friday, January 15th, 2010
A choir director recently called me and said, “Help! I’m Leading By Example & I’m Not a Good One!”
We all do it. Lead by example, that is. It’s just the way things work. Our children learn how to speak by imitating those who raise them. That can be good, or that can be bad. Our moral judgments, values, eating habits, attitudes and more are also passed on to those under our care.
When it comes to any kind of vocal group the same is true. The leadership who takes their voices, and how they use them seriously will be constantly sharing good foundations as they speak sing and lead. Those who don’t may be creating confusion as they ask for one thing and demonstrate another. Now, I’m not suggesting that choir directors need to be great singers. But certain, non-negotiable foundations can be maintained by almost anyone at any age.
I strongly believe that one of the most influential vocal leaders in today’s society is the high school choir director. During this time in a singer’s life he or she is in the “learning mode” and very vulnerable to what is being taught. In college only the music or voice majors pay much attention to voice technique and as we get older the percentages get even smaller. Yet we all continue to use our voices for a lifetime.
Why this power at the High School level? Perhaps it’s because choir is a contrast to English, French, algebra or biology. It’s a place where the audio senses can engage along with a different kind of social interaction. And, like sports, it has an element of team interdependency and that is an important skill to learn.
Second only to the High School setting is the church youth choir. Here, with the addition of the spiritual is a place where a supernatural unity can develop in sound and spirit, and it doesn’t get much better than that.
What’s the point of all this?
If you are in a place of influence over singers, whether as a choir director, worship leader, voice teacher or public school music teacher at any level, YOU ARE LEADING BY EXAMPLE WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT. Those under your care are not just listening to your instruction. They are observing your posture, breathing, facial expression and more. They are listening to the tone and pitch accuracy in your voice.
Your desire should be to continue to evolve as a singer and leader, and that takes commitment and time. It is, I believe, necessary if you are to continue to be the best possible influents you can be. And, here’s a bonus: You will be experiencing personal satisfaction every step of the way.
Tags: choir, good foundations, habits, leadership
Posted in Breathing, Choir Directors, Performance, Posture, Tips Tailored for You, Worship Team | No Comments »
Let us know what you think
Loading ...