For all my solfege friends and students :)

Run-through or Practice?

We, music educators, so often bring up the concept of practicing. One of the reasons we remind our students of it so much is because we know it works - not only have we seen it work for our students, but it has worked for us personally. The interesting thing about being a music educator is that we have also had the experience of taking a very personal form of expression and invested in it to get the best outcome for ourselves. That devotion and investment is part of the reason we feel so inclined to inspire others to do the same. But we often forget to specify what we actually mean when we use the word "practice." So, in this post, I will try to break down the areas that define "practice."

All too often, I find that students assume they already understand HOW to practice, because they have "learned" a song or 2 (or 50) in the past. But let's first define a "run-through." Running through a song is just singing it from start to finish with no real focal points, questionable areas or attempt at change. If you find yourself singing over and over again with no idea what else to do, you are probably just doing a "run-through." I don't want to negate the value of a run-through. Sometimes, it is helpful to run through a song in order to refresh one's memory. But a run-through should not be classified as practice. True practicing involves sight reading, dissection, intentional warm-ups, attacking focal points, adding or modifying dynamics, flow, and sometimes, effects as well as performance technique.

SIGHT READING
Sight reading is when the singer takes a new or relative new piece and reads through the key signature, melodic/pitch movement, rhythm and tempo and lyrical phrasing. Sight reading is critical if you are attempting to practice a song you have never, or just recently heard or sung. Having written music (on staff) is extremely helpful, but even if you don't have that, at least try to write out the lyrics and leave spaces between lines for chords, notes (solfege, numbers or letter names) and personal reminders.

DISSECTION
Dissection is a term I use to refer to the process of breaking the piece down into smaller sections, giving the singer the opportunity to see and appreciate details where issues may lie. Songs can be dissected into verses, choruses and bridges, but they may also be dissected even further into phrases. I find phrases to be more effective when searching out the specific problem areas.

INTENTIONAL WARM-UPS
Of course, every singer should warm up their vocal chords before singing, but intentional warm-ups are those that include exercises which specifically focus on problem areas recognized in dissection. For example, if the singer has a specific issue with a vowel sound, then they should incorporate that specific vowel in their warm-up. They could sing that vowel all the way through their range or specifically on and around the pitch where that vowel is found in the piece.

FOCAL POINTS
Once a piece has been dissected and the singer has warmed up, it is probably helpful to run through the piece at least once to find where and how the problem areas are involved in the piece. Once they are pinpointed, the singer should separate those sections out and practice the actual problem or problem area. Some examples of attacking the focal points are pitch and/or rhythm correction, manipulating the shaping and placement of vowels, enunciation of consonants, and areas of inhalation or contraction while singing. If you are in lessons, your teacher has, no doubt, suggested various focal points. If something has been suggested, don't shrug it off. If it was obvious enough to be heard or seen, it's important enough to be practiced.

DYNAMICS, FLOW, EFFECTS
After the singer has pinpointed specific dissected areas, the song needs to come back together as a solid and moving piece. Some ways to affect the entirety of the musical piece are to add or manipulate the dynamics (volume + intensity). The flow of music is how the separate parts of the song link themselves together to create fluid understanding and musicality. There are many types of effects that can be utilized in singing to draw attention or give specific meaning to certain phrases, lyrics, melodic or harmonic movement, and so on.

PERFORMANCE
Unfortunately, many times audiences judge the singer before they've even heard a note sung. First impressions are important, but so are the impressions and perspectives as the piece moves along. Performance is a generic term I apply to anything having to do with the communication of a piece of music to the audience. Facial and corporal expression, use of stage and props, and emotional reality and commitment are all aspects of performance. Practicing in front of a full-length mirror is a fantastically effective way of perfecting performance techniques.

As you can see, true practice takes time, repetition, dedication and consistency. I usually recommend singers to practice at least 3 times as long as their weekly lesson. If you are not currently in lesson, shoot for 2-3 hours a week. After that is consistent, add 5-10 minutes to each practice and continue to add to them every time you feel confident in the consistency. Dedicated, professional singers practice upwards of 6-8 hrs a day! I hope this has all helped to focus your practice times more and give you some encouragement to continue and have faith in these exercises that have proven to be effective,

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

Well, tomorrow is the first day of school for many of you. I know I have a lot of high schoolers going back tomorrow and some college students back tomorrow or next week. What are the feelings you have associated with starting "back" to something? I know many students who take lessons and then need to take a break for one reason or another. The "coming back" seems to be a nervous experience for most.

A few helpful hints when going to (or BACK to) lessons:
*Remember, your voice is with you all the time. And even if you haven't been singing, it is still there to be used and it is unique. No one on earth has, has had, or ever will have a voice like yours.

*Remember, nerves only create tension and tension closes down your ability to sing freely and with flexibility. Before walking into your lesson, take a few deep breaths and remind yourself to relax. You can also do some light stretching, neck and shoulder rolls as well as "shaking off" any tension or nerves.

*Remember how much you LOVE to sing. Remind yourself how it makes you feel to express yourself through music. Think of all the times you were able to release your emotions through a great song. If you need to, before walking into your lesson, sing through a little of your favorite song.

*Remember that this investment will be beneficial to you for the rest of your life. Maybe you will find a lifelong profession in music such as becoming a recording artist or teacher. You may find a paying or non-paying hobby like community theaters or church presentations. Maybe you will sing your children or grandchildren to sleep. You might even find the love of your life through a special song! As long as your voice stays healthy, you can sing at any age, in any circumstance - even if you find yourself in a hospital bed one day, singing can bring relaxation and release. The time and financial investment might weigh on you a little now, but will more than pay for itself when you are able to use music to its fullest potential!

Keep on singing!!!

Vowels, Breathing and Pronunciation - Have Patience! :)

I'm Still Singing!

Well, hello there!

Yes, I am still here, still singing and still teaching. I have been quite busy this past year, so though I am sorry I was not able to update this, I am glad to blame it on being busy with great students!

So, what's on my mind? Nothing technical. I'm actually thinking about all of you. If you watched any of the show "Why Not? With Shania Twain," you probably noticed that what happens with you personally can truly affect you musically.

I'll leave you with a simple word. Think about yourself. Think about your life. Is there anything tragic now or from the past that haunts you and keeps you from becoming what you are meant to be? What is it? What emotions does it bring up? What physical reactions does it bring up when you sing? Write down your thoughts. Make an action plan. Get some input, maybe some counsel or coaching, and get some support. No man is an island - we all need people to help us be better people. Be free to move. Staying where you are will keep you from becoming. Then.....sing. Sing, sing, sing! The more you use your body, mind and spirit in cooperation, the more you will become the most authentic and purposeful version of you!

Do you have questions - abstract or concrete - about singing or music? Feel free to comment here. I WILL be checking in.

believing in you - your coach,

rachel

EMOTIONS

The latest poll proved what one might suspect - your favorite aspect of singing is the emotion! Ahhh, me too! It's an odd thing though, most of us enjoy the emotional expression, but when it comes down to it, we tend to hold back. And any audience can pick up on a performance that is lacking in emotion or even one that is overly dramatic. So, how do you maintain control of all the technique and still emote effectively?

I don't have a simple checklist for this one. This is a very personal aspect of singing. But there are a few things you want to keep in mind:

- the audience wants to feel something

- the audience will NOT receive if you have nothing to give

- constantly closing your eyes is a way to close yourself off from your audience and have a personal experience without allowing them to participate

- the audience will feel offended if there is too much drama and not enough technique to accompany it

A concept I tend to use is the internalization/externalization method of expression. This means that first, you must know what your lyrics mean and what emotions you personally can attach to those words. Try to find a way to personally connect with the music for your own emotions. When you truly connect with your own feelings attached to the song and "LIVE" that moment, your body will automatically respond to your inner emotions and outwardly express what you inwardly feel. In addition, remember to use your eyes as tools of expression and find faces to look into in an attempt to externalize or "give off" the same emotion to your audience.

Take note, if you are not accustomed to outwardly showing your feelings or "opening up," performance might be one of your most difficult tasks. Don't be afraid to cry, or laugh, to get angry or excited as you practice, but practice lots so that those emotions don't override your technical ability. Technique and performance are best as balanced equals.

Breathing Warm-Ups

Breathing is probably one of the most important parts to singing, yet many times one of the most neglected. Here are some warm-ups you can do to increase lung capacity and strengthen muscles that support your breathing.

1. Stretches -

a. Clasp your hands with your fingers intertwined out in front of you. Turn your palms outwards. Stretch arms forward and take deep breaths. This should stretch out the intercostal muscles of your back and as you breathe you should feel your back "expand."

b. Clasp your hands with your fingers intertwined behind your back. Turn your palms to the floor. Stretch arms back and take deep breaths. This should stretch out the intercostal muscles of your chest and as you breathe you should feel your chest "expand."

2. Ab Toning -

a. Laying flat on the floor with your knees slightly bent and your hands cradling (NOT pulling) your head, crunch upwards. Ab crunches can truly strengthen and tone the muscles needed for support of your sound.

3. Breathing -

a. While sitting or standing in a tall position, take deep breaths in. The inhalation should make your lungs fill in the LONG, downward position which in turn will make the belly "pooch" outwards. (Note: Your shoulders should NOT move when inhaling.)

b. After taking a deep breath in, allow it out through a very small circular opening in your mouth while contracting your abs. (Hint: It feels like you're blowing up a balloon.)

c. After taking a deep breath in, "punch" it out through your mouth with a quick and strong contraction of your ab muscles. (Hint: It feels like someone punched you in the stomach.)

d. Count in your mind from 1 to 10 and back to 1. First count quickly and each time you start over count a bit more slowly. While ascending in the numbers (1-10), inhale. While descending in the numbers (10-1), exhale. Each time you arrive at 1, you should immediately start the next count. Beginning with quick numbers and slightly slowing down at each repetition means your lungs are being forced to fill with more air (in other words, it takes more time to inhale and exhale) which stretches your lungs and diaphragm.

e. After a few of these breathing exercises, feel free to repeated them while singing any given COMFORTABLE note. The note should be in your mid-range.

f. After becoming more comfortable with these exercises, try regular melodic warm-ups (such as going up and down, i.e. 123454321 or Do Re Mi Fa So Fa Mi Re Do) while singing the syllable "Ha" on each note. Make sure the "H" is a HARD "h" where you hear air escaping because of a quick contraction of the ab muscles. You can also substitute other vowel sounds, such as: "He, Hih, Hee, Hoh, Hoo."