Voice Lesson #25

Well, My lesson this week, didn't go so great, mainly because I am still trying to get past this cold..or the back end of it. And unfortunately, my teacher has it too. Neither one of us needs to be sick! I am still having some trouble with navigating the head and chest voice in the Passaggio area, so we worked on that a bit, along with some of the usual stuff. But I just wasn't able to hit some notes and my head voice was not really there this week. Oh well..it happens. We did go over my two songs for the competition/festival, in February. They should go ok, if my nerves don't get the best of me. Originally, my teacher was going to accompany me on piano, but as it turns out, that won't happen. I will be by myself in a room with an accompanist and a judge that I do not know. Yes, it's scares me a bit, but I think it will be a good experience for me. I would love for my teacher to be there..it would surely make me more comfortable, but maybe this is what I need. We'll see how it goes. Of course, I will give a full report when the time comes. Not much else to report this week. It's only a week until Christmas and I have much to do, plus of course, PRACTICE! Praise God for Jesus, our Lord and Savior being born!! I love this time of year! Merry Christmas to you..and a very Happy New year! I have two weeks off from lessons, so I'll see you soon! Enjoy your holiday!

Voice Lesson #24

So, I'm on the back end of a cold, and had to miss last weeks lesson because of said cold. I really didn't think my singing would go very well this week but to my surprise I had some pretty good moments. My songs didn't go too well, but some of my exercises were not bad. I'm really trying to do better at my lessons, and get over my mental block..it IS getting better, praise God! Yesterday, we worked a bit on the mixed voice, which I have been having a lot of trouble with. It's the Passaggio area. It's as if my muscles do not want to do what I want them to do...they have sort of a mind of their own, but I am working on getting past that. My teacher assures me, I will. We also worked on my top a bit..well, not my very top, but close. The cold was a bit of a hindrance. We have one more lesson before Christmas break and then, when we come back, we will begin working on the songs for the NFMC festival. It's sort of a competition against yourself. The student sings in a room, before a judge. The only people in the room are the accompanist, the student, and the judge. The judge then gives you a rating on your performance. You have to sing two songs from a given list. You're given points over a period of time, (if you continue to participate) which can lead to a trophy. My teacher asked me if I would be interested in doing this and after thinking about it, I thought it would be a good thing for me to do, though I am completely terrified by the idea! So, once we come back from Christmas break, we'll have a month to prepare. Thankfully, my teacher will accompany me on piano. I really have to get my head straight, and remind myself that I can do this. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Though, the thought of singing before a judge in order to be given a rating, really makes me nervous, I'm actually sort of looking forward to it. For most of my life I sang in bands, performing in bars and clubs all around town, and the Gulf Coast. I was and still am friends with plenty of musicians. However, this is a whole different ball game. This is Classical Voice. It's a whole new world for me. I have begun making friends in this new world and I like it. They are just as wonderful as my band friends, but it's just a different part of the "musical world". I feel like I'm branching out into a whole new area. The old area, I know very well, but this new area is exciting for me and I am looking forward to meeting more people in the classical realm of music. It's just something completely different for me. I sang classical Choral music through out high school and we attended competitions and festivals, and I Loved it. But then, after graduation that world ended for me and a whole different musical world opened up. Bands, clubs, studios, songwriters, musicians, gigs..it was thrilling. But now at 45, this classical world, which is just beginning, is just as thrilling for me. I praise God for this opportunity! Though the learning is a long road, it's exciting to look ahead and to take in every moment. I truly feel like this is where I'm supposed to be right now. Thanks you, Jesus for your leading!

Voice Lesson #23

Today was a great lesson! We talked about and worked on some different issues, one being the mixed voice, which I have trouble with. I tend to want to be head or chest, but often times, I have to be mixed and my throat won't allow it. My teacher said that's a good thing...it shows my brain and throat are struggling with what to do, which is better than being all chest voice. She assured me I would get past it. We worked on my "EE" vowels, too, though all of my vowels need work. We also talked a little bit about how stress can greatly affect a singing voice. It can really hinder the technique. I noticed this all last week.. I was having so much trouble with a closed and tight throat...yep, stress can do that. Also, we started a new song, a really beautiful song by John Jacob Niles. I'm hoping I can do a good job with it. There is so much to work on! Now, one of the interesting things is that my teacher mentioned to me about a competition coming up early next year. It's with a teacher's organization, and they have it for kids and adults. Now, she didn't say it, but my teacher and I both know I will not do very well at this, if I decide to go, but I have been around her long enough to know that there is always method to her madness. I will talk with her about it and find out what the potential goal is. I think I may know what it is, but either way, I think it would good for me. The way it's done is the student, the accompanist, and the judge are the only three in the room, and you are given points on your performance. Of course, my teacher would accompany me. As much as the whole idea of being judged on my classical technique (or lack of), terrifies me, I do think it would be good for me to do it. We'll see.. I just think a conversation about it, is in order :) Oh, I do love this journey, as difficult as it is. I thank God for it, and for the people I am surrounded by, who encourage and support me in it. Praise Jesus!

Voice Lesson #22

I am still having trouble with "nerves". I am getting better, but it's still difficult for me to sing at my lessons, the same way I do at home. Not that what I do at home is great, but it is certainly, usually better. I told my teacher that it's got nothing to do with her, and that it wouldn't matter who was sitting there, which is true. I'm getting better, though. Today we worked and focused on breathing and trying to get in and stay in the head voice..also the shape of the mouth. What was good is that when we started working on songs, I showed some improvement when my teacher had me try different things. One thing was, she had me do some physical activity while we singing. We've done this many times before, and it usually, if not always makes a difference. It helps keep the breath moving and also helps to keep my mind off the technical. Just sort of keeps me loose. So that was a good thing! I was instructed to practice this way all week. We also tried something interesting.. She had me sit in a chair and sing as if I was talking to someone. It made a pretty big difference... she was happy, I was happy! It was a good vocal moment. This also helps to keep the mind off the technical. She mentioned to me that she knows I work hard on all the technical aspects, but sometimes it's good to not think about them so much, and that way, it helps me to relax so that what my body has learned, it can do on it's own without me getting in the way. Despite the fact that I get a case of "nerves" at my lessons, I am so thankful for my teacher. It is a blessing for me to be taught by her. She is brilliant at what she does, has an amazing voice, and much knowledge and patience. I am learning so much, and as time goes on, I will get better and better, and more and more comfortable with the technique, which will allow me to show her what she is teaching me. It's all a journey and a process, and I am in it for the long haul. My husband is a huge blessing to me, too. Without his support and encouragement, and apparent hearing issues, I could not do this. I know he loves me more than I realize..and Jesus loves me much more than that! I am grateful and humbled by all that God has given me... Thank you Jesus!

Voice Lesson #21

Really great lesson, yesterday. Not only was there great information, as usual, and much learning, but we had some good laughs, too. I enjoy everything about my lessons, including the good clean fun, we often have. We did work on AH's, OH's, and OOH's...oh, and of course the EE's. I've been struggling with tongue position on all of these vowels, so we discussed that to some length. I learned a great deal yesterday, now it's just putting it into practice. We also started a new song, by John Jacob Niles. He wrote some really beautiful songs...simple, yet complex. I'm excited about working on this one and others, in the future. We're using his "Low Voice" book, to work on moving the breath and vowel shapes and tongue position, while I work on finding out about my TMJ. My teacher wants to aggravate it as little as possible. I found too, with some exercises that my problem is more moving the breath, rather than the vowels themselves, which is good. I am still though, struggling with a high larynx, which we've determined is most likely caused by tongue tension. And also my diction needs work. I need to learn to exaggerate my diction. Right now I struggle with it because it doesn't "feel" natural..but the goal is for it to become second nature..and it IS getting better, I just have a long way to go. Learning classical voice is like be a Christian and running my race for God. There will be victories and failures, but I will be running that race until I reach the finish line. And the race takes endurance, patience, and discipline...so does classical voice. I will get there, though..I just may not be at the head of the pack, and that's OK, because I am IN the race. As long as you're not in the race, you can never win. Praise Jesus for the races in this life!! Thank you, Lord! Go get in the race!!

Voice Lesson # 20

Well, today My teacher and I spent some time discussing my TMJ, which is a problem with the jaw. Stress makes it that much worse.. and I've been under a lot of stress. I brought with me an excerpt from a blog I found, concerning TMJ and classical voice. I believe it was written by a voice teacher. She mentioned some of the problems it can cause a classical singer or student of classical voice. I seem to have most of those problems. Some of which are trouble with low and high notes, closed throat, tongue issues which create larynx problems, slow progress, etc..So, we discussed it a bit and then began doing vocal exercises, as usual, but the TMJ topic kept coming up. Then we actually began looking up the subject in some books on classical voice, and we found it. Yes, TMJ does cause problems. Most people are not aware of the extent of those problems, though. I began telling my teacher the issues I have that are not vocal involved, and she was surprised at how long the list of symptoms is... Most people would be. Aside from jaw pain and clicking and popping, it can cause ear pain, hearing issues, sinus problems, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, eye pain and pressure, numbness in the arms and hands, teeth pain, sore throats...and the list goes on and on! I have most of the symptoms. So, I told my teacher that I was going to start at my dentist, and go from there. She is going to consult her chiropractor for me. I already have a bite guard, but it is not enough. So, in the mean time, we are going to start working on songs that will be less aggravating to the jaw, (i.e. lower ranges) until we find out how to resolve this issue..or at least make it better. My jaw actually hurts as I type this. It's no fun, but I thank God for the struggles, because it will make the victories all that much sweeter! Thank you Lord Jesus for all the difficulties I am facing with Voice and for a teacher who is interested! Thank you Jesus, too, for my amazing husband and our precious little family. All are a huge blessing that I do not deserve, but sure do appreciate! Glory to God!

Voice Lesson #19

Great lesson, today..as usual! I am still not singing there, like I do at home, but I think I'm very slowly, getting better at it. I think part of it is that because I think I'm doing well at home, I don't wanna go to my lesson and do it like I do at home, and then be incorrect. So, if I do it incorrectly from the get go, I won't be disappointed. Does that make sense? It does to me. Anyway, We worked more on the "EE" and "A" vowels....They are certainly not perfect, and I have a long way to go, but today I kept thinking, man, I know I can do these so much better! But, it is what it is..I will get there, I will improve..in every respect. We worked on getting into and staying in the head voice, today, also. When there are notes in a phrase that can only be hit in the head voice, and I start that phrase in the chest voice..forget it, hitting those head voice notes is impossible! I have GOT to get into and STAY in the head voice! Also, vowel shapes are very, very important, and tongue placement. It all plays a role in getting the technique just right. If I'm in the head voice and get my placement right, but my vowel shape is off..forget it. If I have the vowel shape right, but my tongue placement is incorrect..forget it..and so on. Everything works together. We went over 3 of the songs we're working on, and started a new one, which is always fun! Having had lesson number 19, today, I can say that even though I am probably not sounding that much better at my lessons, I know I have come a long way in practice and I am going to make sure that my teacher hears it! I want her to hear what she is teaching me. Again, I will say that even though learning Classical Voice is very difficult, I love every aspect of it! Jesus never promised me a rose garden..He never said this or any aspect of life was going to be easy, but I know that with Him in the driver's seat, I can't go wrong. He has given my teacher amazing knowledge, ability, talent, and a patient and encouraging spirit...He has given me all of that by giving me my teacher..and He has given me an amazing husband to support, encourage, and love me. I am so grateful to Jesus! I am also grateful for the blessing that He took away from me, last week...our dog, Beignet. It was her time to go home. She was an amazing blessing to me for 14 years! A sweeter and gentler spirit, you will never find. I will miss my little Poopy until I see her again, in Heaven. I am comforted to know, however, that she is with Jesus and all of her sisters who have gone before her. I know they are all having a ball! I love you, Poopy..and I love you, Jesus!

Voice Lesson #18

Ok, so We're back, after a week off. Today my teacher and I talked a lot about different issues, including my mental block, which makes me sort of shut down, physically, at my lessons. It was great to discuss it with her. As we talked, I realized, that among other things, It must be, to some degree, a control issue, or lack of control. She agreed. See, I've been singing in front of people my whole life..since grammar school, with no problem. This however, because it's out of my comfort zone, I feel like I don't have control over it..which makes me shut down. I told her, "I HAVE to get over this!". she said, very calmly and confidently, with a smile on her face, "you will". So we moved on to warm ups, hitting trouble areas, as usual. Then, during more conversation, I told her how this past week, the "movement of the breath" hit me..how it works. This equates to breath support. This was a a huge revelation for me, and I feel like it took my singing to another level. I was excited about this and so was she! At my last lesson she asked me to record my practice so she could hear it...so she could hear what she doesn't get to hear at my lessons! I recorded some practice and sent it to her email. Turns out the link didn't want to work..so, I'll re-do it and send it a different way. I really want her to hear what I'm REALLY doing! She NEEDS to hear it! We also talked, at our last lesson, about how a lot of voice teachers stop getting on their students about different issues because they don't want to "nag" the students...I told her today, Please, stay on me about everything! Hearing the same things over and over are a huge help for me! She said, "Oh, I will!". All in all, it was a great lesson, and with each lesson I'm one step closer to improvement! I really love singing, making music, learning, and my lessons..but most of all I love Jesus and thank Him all the time, for the opportunity to do all of it! My teacher and I got to talking about stress, and different ways to deal with it. We got to talking about meditation..I said, the best meditation for me, is reading my bible...she said, yes, and prayer! Praise Jesus..He IS the greatest stress relief there is! Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28-30.."Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light". Again, thank you to my husband for his unending support and to my teacher for her extreme patience with me! hehe!

Voice Lesson #17

So, it's about 4 months now, that I've been taking voice lessons, and I sounded terrible today! That's ok though, because we talked about a lot of trouble areas and worked on them too. I had several questions from last week that we discussed, as well. I am still frustrated with myself because I practice all week and things are improving and sounding halfway decent, then I get to my lesson and everything shuts down. Try as I may, I can't seem to get anything to work. We were talking about breath support, today, and about how it is crucial to correct Classical Technique. I asked her, if she had to name one thing that is THE most important aspect of the technique, would it be breath support?...she said, yes! I have figured this out, this past week, and wanted to confirm what I thought. I told her that my breath support goes out the window when I get to my lesson, but at home, it's MUCH better..it's there! She told me she wants me to record some of my practicing because she wants to hear what I am doing at home.. I said, absolutely, I will! I want her to hear it too! I still believe it's completely a psychological barrier, I have. I tried today, on my way to my lesson, to sing, to sort of get myself in the frame of mind of, "I can do this, today", and it's as if everything closed up. Then, as soon as I left, I tried again, and it worked. The good news, however, is that everything she is teaching me IS working! I am definitely getting it..I just want her to hear it, too!! So, despite the fact that I did not sound good today, it was still a great lesson, as they are every week, because they are LESSONS.. I am learning! I am also improving, even if it doesn't show when I am there. One of these days it will!! One day I will go to my lesson and my teacher will be stunned at what I am capable of..considering what she has to listen to every week, with me. All of my trouble zones are improving as the weeks go on, though I still have a very, very long way to go. I am again, so thankful to God for bringing me to my teacher, for the talent and ability for teaching that He has given her, as well as her amazing and beautiful voice..but also for the all around wonderful person that she is. I thank Him also, for my incredible husband, because without his support and encouragement, I would have a much more difficult time with all of this..and I thank him for the love that he has for me, which I am certainly not deserving of...and even more, I am not deserving of the love that Jesus has for me. It's a love that I cannot begin to understand. Thank, Lord, for everything!

Voice lesson #16

A good lesson, today! I believe I am one tiny step closer to being able to sing at my lesson like I know I can at home, during practice..this is a good thing! Let me say this, too.. I have been working by myself for the past month or so, and I have been weighed down by stress. My husband and I used to work together, everyday. We did this for 8 years. However, now that I am on my won, work wise, I have plenty of time to listen to my lesson while I am driving. This has proven to be a very good thing! I normally listen to it at the gym and then again when I practice, but now I can listen up to 5 times day! I find that it is not only good to listen to it so much, but it has been a wonderful escape for me, from the stress. I have had a headache for the past week..a nonstop headache. Today though, when I got to my lesson, I noticed the headache disappear for that hour...nice! Voice, for me, is definitely a stress reliever. It's a great escape from the frustrations of the "day to day"..just as BBQ is for my husband. Voice and BBQ, who would've thought it? And even though we are both continually striving to become better and better at what we love to do, even the learning and failing is enjoyable...that's when you know, that what you are doing, is what you should be doing! So, getting back to the lesson..I have a lot to work on, as usual, but I really believe that if I could sing at my lesson like I can at home, we would make great strides! I'm getting there! We started a new song today, and the beginning notes are LOW! This is a dangerous thing for me, because the lower the notes, the easier I perceive it to be, which equates to "lazy" for me..at least the potential is there! This will cause me to focus, though, and that is always a good thing! One of my biggest issues is still squeezing from the throat..trying to squeeze the vowels out. I'm still trying to break that habit...it is a doozy, but I WILL break it! I can do ALL things through Christ, who strengthens me :) I also wanted to add in this post that not only do I love my lessons because of the learning and the singing, but my teacher is hilarious! She never fails to make me laugh! We are very serious about the lessons and they are work, but there is always a lot of laughter, too. I think laughter is a great sign...every great relationship has to include laughter. The only relationships that I have ever had that did not offer lots of laughter were the ones that were no good. Today, she had me in stitches over "rowing"..yes, rowing..and yes, it was singing related. Thank you, Jesus, for everything! A brilliant and hilarious teacher, a loving and hilarious husband, and a life that I am privileged to live for You! :)

Voice Lesson #15

Well, today was quite a frustrating lesson for me. I told myself, "ok, Caroline, this is the week you show your teacher what you can do...what all of hers and your hard work is doing!".. Well, it didn't quite work out that way. I was squeezing from the throat and trying to pull my chest voice up, everywhere we went with the singing. UGH!! I know I can do so much better...I do at practice, all the time! I told her this and she absolutely knows that I'm telling the truth...Praise God! It's that mental barrier that I just can't seem to break...BUT I WILL!! Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.", and I know this is true! One of these days, I'm going to go to my lesson and my teacher will shocked at what I have become capable of! Until then, however, I will keep chugging along. Today, we went over some new exercises and she gave me some interesting things to do at home, to try and get the tension out of my throat. A couple of these exercises with be a challenge. One of them was, today! It was a vocal exercise for agility, but she is hoping that it will free my head voice up. They are are not easy, but hey, nothing worth doing is ever easy! Tension is still a major source of my troubles..but also, the shape of my mouth with vowels and breath support. If I could get rid of all the tension, and get the vowels and breath support correct, we'd have a winner! My teacher is so patient, though, and I am so grateful for that! I think her patience helps me to not get as frustrated and I probably would..but I do get pretty annoyed with myself, anyway. I talk to myself, in my head, when I'm there, saying things like, "what's wrong with you?, you know you can do this better than that!", or "what's your problem? you did this so much better yesterday..you look like you're making no progress at all!". My teacher is very good at calming my nerves though.. she always seems to know just what to say to help me feel less foolish than I start out feeling. I continually have to remind myself that this is a JOURNEY, not a race. I will get there, when I get there...and I am definitely making progress, which is a wonderful thing at any speed. I just thank Jesus all the time for the privilege to be able to this at all, my brilliant teacher, and my super supportive husband... I am blessed! Thank you, Lord!

Voice Lesson #14

Hey there, y'all! Today was lesson #14 and it was good! I didn't sing well, but we talked about a lot of things I had questions about, we went over some good exercises and trouble spots...it was a really good lesson! One of the questions I had was, should every vowel have a forward placement? Apparently, my question was a good one! No, every vowel will not have forward placement, at least not as forward as some. It has to do with the tongue placement on each vowel..every vowel is not the same. And of everything we went over today, there was nothing that I was not aware of, that I am doing wrong. I told my teacher.."I'm with ya on everything!". I can feel what is wrong. Sometimes everything comes together, for a few notes and then I will lose it. Consistency is something that I am still working on, and will be for a long time! We will begin working on some exercises for agility next week maybe, which will help with breath control...and control, period. That is something I have much to work on with, breath control AND support! Sometimes, when practicing, my support is good, other times it's terrible...again, consistency. As always, practice is key...correct practice. Like my teacher always says, if you practice anything incorrectly, all the time, you will never learn to do it correctly..no matter how much you practice. So, as usual, I have a ton to work on, and I am excited about it! I always look forward to a new week of practice..and then a new lesson. I am truly enjoying this journey. God has blessed me so much with being able to do this. It's something that even a year ago, I wouldn't have thought I would be doing, but when God puts something on your heart, it's for a reason and He will give you a desire to it. He sure has done that for me, with Classical Voice. I can honestly say that I love it..everything about it. From my lessons, to my practice sessions, to doing well during practice and then doing terrible in front of my teacher. I know it sounds crazy, but I love it all! And one of the very cool things is that my teacher makes you feel comfortable with messing up and sounding bad. She's got an amazing gift for teaching..not to mention her incredible voice! My husband and I talk all the time about how God will give us things to do that He knows we love doing...and He will always make them work out perfectly! Psalm 37:4..."Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." This is so very true! Praise Jesus! God is so good, 24/7!! UPDATE.. I was listening to my lesson this morning, and though I already knew it was full of great stuff, I realized after listening that it is CHOCK FULL of awesome info!! My lessons are ALWAYS great, but this one was especially great! Thank you, Jesus!

Voice Lesson #13

So, today I had voice lesson #13! It was good! I mentioned last week that I have a major lack of confidence when singing for my teacher.. on one hand, it's normal to feel not so confident when singing for someone who is so outstanding at it, but on the other hand, I can't let it effect the way I sing because when I do, my teacher does not get an accurate look/listen at what I am really accomplishing. She is getting cheated, and I don't want that. So..I am working very diligently to get over this mental block. It's difficult but I will get there. She makes it easier, too, because she is so very patient and makes me, and I'm sure all of her students, feel comfortable with sharing our vocal inadequacies with her. Now, The Passaggio area is still difficult, especially with exercises that have their notes very close together... Leap exercises tend to be much easier. Tension is also still a factor. It's better when I am practicing at home, but I will improve with time, and lots and lots of PRACTICE!. My teacher told me today that I am definitely getting there..progress is taking place, it just takes time. And believe me, I realize this. She gave me some new things to try at home and since we have two weeks until my next lesson, because of Labor Day, I am looking forward to hopefully showing some improvement by the time I go back. I'm always excited to try the new exercises and techniques she shows me, always confident they will help. Everything takes time, though...and effort. Even the best exercises will not work without practice, and lots of it. If I or anyone else wants to become really great at something, whatever it might be...whether it's Classical Voice, Piano, Guitar, Tennis, Golf, Cooking..whatever it is, you HAVE to work at it, and work hard. My husband does professional Competition BBQ. He's heading into his 4th year. I have watched him fail and be disappointed, time and time again, but he has never given up. Persistence and determination to be the best BBQ cook he can be, has prevailed. He's not a quitter. It's the same with me and Voice. I will not give up. I will not slack. I will continue to go at it head on with determination, discipline, and perseverance. It's the only way to do it. However, there is one thing, that without it, for my husband and I, both, we can do nothing. That one thing is Jesus Christ. He is our Rock, and it's on Him we stand and rely. John 15:5 says that, without Him, we can do nothing. This is the truth, in our lives. Jesus has blessed Jeff with amazing BBQ coaches, who truly care and are incredibly talented and knowledgeable..and He's blessed me with a Classical voice teacher who is amazingly talented and knowledgeable, as well, and who sincerely cares for her students. She is also blessed with an ability to teach that is nothing short of brilliant. These people are all gifted by God and their gifting is a blessing from God to Jeff and I. Wow, how can we not thank Jesus for all of this! All glory to Him! So, to wrap up..today's lesson was good, I have much to work on, and lots of practice in my future! I LOVE IT!

An Update To Yesterday's Lesson Post...

If you read yesterday's lesson post, you'll know that I talked a little bit about my mental block, my psychological barrier, which keeps me from doing as well at my lessons, as I do at home when I practice. I brought it up with my teacher and she assured me that it's normal..no one does as well at their lesson, as they can do at home. I thought about this for a week, and decided that even though it's normal, it doesn't have to be. I told her yesterday that I am working on getting past this "block".. that it was cheating me AND her! So today, my husband, Jeff and I were discussing it, and the more we talked about it, the closer we got to what the bottom line is..finally we hit it! The problem is a "lack of confidence in my ability" issue! Yep, that's it! I have sung all my life, in front of audiences and never lacked confidence in my ability, until now. It makes complete sense, though. Learning classical technique is a whole new ball game for me. It's learning a completely different and new way to sing, which I am not yet all that comfortable with...not comfortable with my ability to do it, that is. That however, is because I don't HAVE the ability..YET! I'm learning. What happens is that when I'm at home, I am practicing alone, so I am comfortable with my mistakes and strange sounds, etc.. But then when I go to my lesson, suddenly my confidence level drops because I know, subconsciously, I believe, that the expert (my teacher) is listening and evaluating me. This would make any beginner lose a little confidence. My teacher has been singing, classically, for many years, with tons of training and has an amazing voice...and here I am, a complete novice! I am working on getting past this lack of confidence, however...with time and improvement, it will happen, for sure, but it has to happen sooner than that, because like I said, it's cheating my teacher AND me...and I do not want that. It doesn't do anyone any good. I know that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me! Thank you, Jesus!

Voice Lesson #12

Well, today would've been much better if I could only do as well at my lesson as I do at home! Aside from tension in the throat, my vowel shapes, my breathing, etc.. all the usual suspects, one of my biggest problems is a mental barrier that prevents me from doing as well at my lesson, as I do at home. Oh boy, is this frustrating! I talked about it a bit with my teacher last week and she told me that it's normal..that everyone is the same way. None of her students do as well at their lesson as they do at home. Well, I listened to her say this all week on my tape, and I began to think, wait a minute, this may be "normal", but it doesn't have to be! I realized that in giving in to this psychological obstacle, I am not only cheating myself, but I am cheating my teacher! She is not privy to what her's and my hard work is really achieving! Not that I am doing great, which is certainly no fault of hers, but I'm doing better than what she hears at my lessons. I don't want either of us to be cheated. I told her all of this today, and said that I am working on breaking past this mental block...it may take a little bit of time, but it's something that I must do! Everything else was about par for the course. I didn't do anything spectacular..no big break through's. However, she gave some new things to try and work on. I'm excited to work on these things, this week. I'm always curious to see if there will be any improvement. Hopefully, at my next lesson, I will be able to show her, a little bit better, what her teaching skills are doing. She has been gifted by God with vast vocal knowledge, an amazing voice, and a true talent and ability to teach. She deserves to hear from me, what's really happening, vocally. I am so blessed by God to be able to do this. Even though there is nothing easy about learning classical voice technique, I love the learning, the practice, making the mistakes and the not so lovely sounds, trying and failing, improving and failing again.. I love all of it! The truth is that even though God has led me to this spot, with these lessons, this teacher, this desire to learn after all these years, He is NOT 'giving" it to me. He is making me work, and work hard, Which I love! I wouldn't want it any other way, actually. The Bible talks about lazy people in many different places. Proverbs 20:4 says..."The lazy man will not plow because of winter; He will beg during harvest and have nothing.". You can't do nothing when things are tough and expect to get what you want in the end. If you aren't willing to work for the goal you desire, you will NEVER get there. As tough as voice is for me now, I can't and won't give up..my desire is to be the best classically trained singer that I can possibly be, for the glory of God..and for that, I must work..and work hard, everyday, which I do! Even when it's frustrating and it seems progress is nowhere to be found..I must forge on! I thank Jesus for putting the desire in my heart and making a perfect way for me to do this..and I thank, as always, my awesome and amazing husband, who I love, who supports me 100%..and my superb teacher for taking on such a challenge, as me! Thank you, Jesus, for it all!

Voice Lesson #11

So, today was voice lesson #11! Despite a somewhat frustrating beginning to my week of practice, I had a decent lesson..I'd actually say, it was good! Though I didn't do anything perfectly, or even as good as I know I can, the good news is that I KNOW I can do it! It might not be prefect but I am getting there! The Passaggio area still taunts me, but I will beat it, in time. I suppose what is good, is that I can see more clearly what my teacher is looking for in my singing. I may not always be able to do it, and in some cases I haven't done it yet, but I'm more clear on what she wants. This is a good thing! My brain is sort of making sense of things. Today, we were going over some different exercises and songs, and on a few spots, we went over them several times. At one point I said, I KNOW I can do this...as soon as I get home it will work! She totally understood that. I said that I think I sabotage myself to some degree, because when I'm at my lessons I can never seem to do anything as well as I can when I'm at home. She said everyone is like that, including her! She said that all of her students, when they come to lessons, their "ability" drops a level, then add an audience at a recital and it drops two levels. Makes sense to me, though I am working on getting past that, for myself. I want to do everything as well there, as I do it at home. I do think I'm making progress..actually I know I am, though it's still a slow process. I think, however, once everything clicks, look out! hehe! I'm looking forward to practice this week..I'm hoping it'll be good! We also put a couple of the songs we're working on, away till next time. My teacher says that sometimes if you put them away for a bit, they will be easier when you come back...things have a chance to click. So , we'll see what this weeks practice and next weeks lesson holds! Thank you Jesus for a great lesson, an outstanding and talented teacher, and the most amazing husband..you have blessed me so very much!

Voice Lesson #10

I, myself, do not think I could've sounded worse at my lesson, today..though I'm sure, in actuality, I could have. I think a big part of it is that I want so much to do everything correctly at my lesson, that I sabotage myself. However, I am not upset about it, but rather, I am happy...Why? For two reasons.. One, because I know that this past Saturday, when I went over one of my songs, at home, I was amazed at how well I sang it..stunned actually! And two, despite how bad I sounded today, my teacher saw and heard some good in it..Yea! So I KNOW I can sing these songs pretty well..not completely correct, but still pretty darn good, even if it's not when I'm at my lesson.. and also, she pointed out to me that even though I'm still having trouble with certain things, and I don't "sound" like I would like to sound at this point, there are aspects of my singing that have improved since I first began my lessons with her..and she says that is a very good thing! The fact is, we are continually working on my trouble areas, and until I over come them, which I can do with Jesus by my side, I will continue to get frustrated from time to time. It's all ok though, because overall, there is progress being made. She told me last week that just because I don't sing a song with the perfection that I want to sing it right now, doesn't mean that there aren't good things happening in other areas. She is right, and that's why I'm happy about today's lesson..because I KNOW that there are improvements being made, despite my failures. One thing is my mouth shape on certain vowels. I tend to not open my mouth enough on some vowels, when that is the only thing that will increase my volume and allow that particular note, to come out correctly. I have been "trained", for lack of a better word, to use a microphone, which means I never had to work for my volume..but now, I do.. so it means a whole new way of thinking about mouth shape and vowels, among other things. I also keep forgetting to support my breath...Grrrrrr, I frustrate myself with that because classical voice has everything to do with breathing and breath support. Without it, "I'm sunk", as my teacher would say. So still, there are many things to work on and think about, not to mention that singing classically is a very athletic activity!! It takes a great deal of physicality! It is also a tremendous mental game! I know that in time I will "get it", everything will click, my teacher tells me this, too..but I also know that I can do nothing without Jesus. He is the main part of this journey..it started with Him, and He drives it. He has put the teacher and the tools in front of me, to teach and mentor me, but He is the ultimate leader in all of this, without Him I can do nothing. Thank you, Jesus for this path you've put me on and the means, being my husband and my teacher, to become the best singer I can be, for You. See, Jesus knows that without an amazing husband to support me, and a brilliant and patient teacher to teach me and guide me through these uncharted waters, I am truly, SUNK! Thank you, Jesus..you rock!

Voice Lesson #9

I am writing this the day after voice lesson #9. I wanted to listen to the lesson once before commenting on it. It was good! I am definitely making progress! Last week was a very frustrating week for me, as far as practice goes. Sunday was great and Tuesday was good...every other day between lesson #8 and #9 was not very good in my opinion. I was just flat frustrated! I was having a lot of trouble staying in the head voice, because I would continually drop back into the chest voice. I was so frustrated that I found myself fussing at myself! hehe! We worked on this yesterday. If I want to keep in the head voice, I have to stay in the head voice, or at least allow very little chest voice to creep in on those lower notes. It's those bad habits still rearing their heads. Practice..or let's say, correct practice, will take care of that in time. And speaking of chest voice... I'm struggling with the passaggio area still, which again, is that middle voice area.. where the head and chest voice meet. It's a difficult area to manage. I feel as if I have little control of that area. I discussed this with my teacher yesterday, and we worked on this area a bit with repertoire. One song in particular has phrases that give me a lot of difficulty, so she told me to sing that as if I have never heard of head voice.. So I did.. it was a big, controlled chest voice sound. Big chest voice sounds are not a problem for me, but it's when I try to keep that passaggio area in the head voice, allowing even a small amount of chest voice in, that I get in trouble. Again, practice. The other thing is that I was hitting that F# with a good amount of ease, where as last week it was a problem. Yahooooo! I hit it well in my song and also in an exercise. As we were doing the exercise, we kept going up and up, and on the last scale my teacher said, that was the F#! I said, yeah??!! I was surprised because it felt so easy..I felt like I could've kept going! So, all in all, though I'm still having a hard time with staying in the head voice, I am accessing it much more easily and hitting some good notes. I also have to work on correct vowel shapes in the throat and with the tongue...they are still an issue, along with breath support, tension, and alignment. All of the these things are improving, but I still have a long way to go. All of these things have to become habit...they have to be as ingrained in me as much as the bad habits have been and are...and as the bad habits slowly disappear, the good habits will take over! Jesus is an awesome God! He is right there with me through the whole process. He knows I can't do this without Him, and He is very gracious with me! His Word says that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"..Philippians 4:13....this is truth! I am blessed by Him to able to do this at all.. to take lessons, to have a brilliant teacher who cares and is patient, and to have an amazing husband who supports me in this endeavor, no matter what! I am thankful for the blessings and that includes the trials and difficulties, as well as all of the good stuff! Thank you, Jesus, I'm getting there!

Voice Lesson #8

Today was lesson #8..Monday. My last lesson was last Wednesday, so I only had a few days to practice and it showed! Though I have made some improvements since I began, in May, I am still struggling with all the same issues. Tension in the throat being a major player! I just can't seem to shake it! I am also having trouble keeping my chest voice out of the picture. I guess I'm just having trouble, all the way around, with staying out of my own way. I am still trying to control the sound, which is something I should not be doing. And though I know I shouldn't do it, I can't seem to stop myself from doing it. It's as if parts of me have a mind of their own. Though, trust me, I realize that I am in control of every aspect of my singing, it's just a matter of making my body realize that! Some things were good today, though..I wasn't frustrated with everything. The Passaggio area is still difficult to maneuver but beginning a song last week with a higher tessitura seems to make a bit of a difference with the Passaggio area. Like I said though, I had only a few days of practice between lessons, so maybe next week will be better. My teacher also showed me two new songs that I will begin learning this week..so that will be five songs we're working on. Three of them are basically for the sake of exercise, and the two newest, for the sake of the song. The other thing is that I need to concentrate more on my breath support. With so much to think about, I tend to let my breathing go..which I cannot do...that is NOT an option! I need to learn to just RELAX. I seem to do better when I am practicing at home, but at my lessons, I seem to tense up more. I guess it's a bit of nervousness because I want to do well for my teacher..I want her to see improvement, so.... I tense up and everything comes out worse. But even at home there is tension. I tell myself, "don't do that"..but I do it anyway. I can get frustrated with myself, for sure, but then there are times where I think, hmmmm, that wasn't too bad. It's all just part of learning and practicing, and failing and improving. It's a journey that is difficult for now, but it won't always be. Like my teacher said, sometimes you can stay in the same spot for a long time, and just when you think you will never improve or get passed the difficulty, YOU DO! Just like that, you do! I told her today, that it seems as if these songs we're working on, are standing up to me and challenging me...but I told her, I WILL WIN! I was having difficulty with a particular note, today..an f#..I could hit it better at home, but just couldn't do it today. I told her, "I know I can hit that note...she said, "I know you can hit it, too!". And that is the gist of this entire journey....we both know that I can do it and I WILL..it's just getting there. With Jesus and a brilliant teacher,(who is also a class act) I can't fail! I want to thank her for having so much patience with me! I want to say thank you also, to my awesome husband, Jeff.. without his amazing support and encouragement, none of this would be possible! He listens to me practice everyday and hasn't once asked for earplugs..in fact, he says I sound great! THAT, my friends, is love..and possibly a hearing issue..hehe! I love you, Bup! :)

Voice Lesson #7

So, today we returned to our regular lessons. My teacher has been off for the past two weeks taking some much deserved vacation. Now, however, we are back in the swing of things, and today's lesson went quite well, I thought. I had taken lots of notes over the past three weeks..yes, three because there was the week right after my last lesson..so I actually had three weeks to practice, and hopefully show some improvement! I think I did, to some degree. I could tell from some of the looks on my teachers face that I was doing better on some things! Gotta love that! I am still having problems with all the same things, BUT, they are getting better! I noticed a lot things during my practice sessions and made a lot of notes for my teacher, but condensed it, for her sake..hehe! I think the biggest things were that I noticed that my tongue is doing everything we don't want it to do..which may not sound like a big deal but, trust me, it is! For me to see and realize this, is a good thing! I also think I found the correct relationship between the tongue and the "AH" vowel...as my teacher put it, it was an epiphany! Indeed, it was! She seemed very happy about this! I still have work to do on it, but the "AH" vowel is much easier for me at this point because the tongue, for the most part, is staying put. We were working on one of the songs, and I mentioned that I had particular difficulty with a certain phrase of the song..actually a certain word. The "eh" vowel is involved, and at a higher pitch. So, not only does the tongue want to kick up, but try as I may, I tend to want to bring the chest voice up to that note, which is NOT what I should be doing. I should be in my head voice throughout the entire phrase. So, bringing the chest voice up to that particular note causes me to STAY in the chest voice..it's like my voice becomes trapped, unable to break free to the head voice, where it SHOULD be. So, all this to say that we replaced the "eh" vowel with the "AH" vowel, as an exercise on that particular word and that caused me to be in my head voice from the get go, which kept me there for the rest of the phrase! Sounds insignificant, maybe, but it wasn't..it was awesome!! We also began a new song, today. It's in Soprano. She's doing this to help me with the Passaggio. Soprano, for me, is very high but I understand what she's trying to do...as I've said before, there's method to the madness. She is a brilliant teacher, so I have no doubt this will help me with the Passaggio, which is basically, the notes involved in the transition between the registers. A difficult area to maneuver in and around. Actually, the Passaggio is throughout the head voice. It's how you get from one note to the other. If you start off the first note in the wrong place..the following notes will be wrong as well. So, like I said, today's lesson went very well and I am looking forward to practicing this week. As I always say, with a Jesus and an awesome teacher, I WILL get this!

Just A Voice Update...

Well, one more week before my teacher's vacation comes to an end and my lessons resume. I hope her time off was very restful and enjoyable, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited for lessons to start up again! The good thing though, is that by next week, I will have had three weeks to practice and hopefully improve to some degree. I am still struggling with all the same issues, but maybe not to quite the extent that I was, two weeks ago. The real test will be to see what my teacher has to say. I have been practicing up a storm, as usual; the tongue, larynx and passaggio still giving me grief! I will beat them, though..they will not win out for long! :) That bothersome D4-G4 is giving me fits! But not to worry..with practice I will find that smooth transition..no problem. Ok, I had stopped writing this post, and gone to practice, just finished a few minutes ago. Wasn't too bad, tonight. I find that on the songs, if I am singing vowels only, It's not as difficult, but when I try to wrap the consonants around the vowels, THAT creates a problem..TENSION! Just more to work on. Two weeks ago I jokingly said that by the time my lessons started again, I would have two pages of notes to go over with my teacher..well, I think I can condense it to one :) No worries though...Like I always say, with a great teacher and Jesus..I can do this! Stay tuned for next weeks lesson update!

Some Good Observations During Voice Practice...

If you read my last lesson post, you'd know that my teacher is taking the next two weeks off for some much deserved rest, but in the mean time, I will post what I observe during my practice sessions. I've been taking lessons now for just about 7 weeks. The first couple of weeks I was practicing 40 minutes or so, each day. From the third week on, I was practicing a good hour, everyday. For the past two weeks or more, I have been doing a good hour and a half, everyday. The first couple of weeks I was finding myself very hoarse after 40 minutes, during the third week I noticed a small improvement. However, now, at 7 weeks, going for an hour and a half, each day, I am finding that I have very little to no hoarseness. This is huge!! It tells me that even though I am not doing everything correctly yet, I am improving and doing things closer to correct, than I was previously. I also noticed something yesterday that I hadn't noticed before. I always use a mirror when practicing and also at my lessons, per my teacher. It's a great tool!! So, I was practicing yesterday and noticed that when I sing certain vowels and as my pitch raises, my tongue backs up, which in turn raises my larynx, which creates throat tension. (Consonants cause tension too, but that's for another day). We have been working on throat and tongue tension quite a bit, but I had not noticed this before, like I did yesterday. My teacher already knows that my tongue is backing up, but for me to SEE it, was a good thing. I made some notes (questions) to talk to her about at our next lesson. I think that if we can resolve this tongue tension, it will greatly help with the throat, as well. These observations may not sound like much, but for me, they are huge! I think at this rate, I will have two pages of questions and observations for her by the time I see her again! :)

Voice Lesson #6

So, lesson #6 was today, and I am sooooooooooooo frustrated with myself!! My teacher is great..it's just all me! Again, I am having issues with head alignment, shape of the mouth with vowels, and of course my arch enemy...THROAT TENSION!!! I can't seem to shake it! She told me today that because I've had so much singing experience, for so long, using my chest voice only, that I have to be patient. I know this is true and I will continue to be patient, focused, and determined... I will NOT give up! My tongue is also giving me fits. We are working on all of these aspects and sooner or later, I will get there. There have been some small improvements, but it's taking time. I suppose it would be worse if I wasn't making any progress at all, but that is not the case..it's very slow going, however. Phlegm is not helping either..it is not my friend! My teacher told me today that though I am getting into my head voice easier than I was, I am still not comfortable with it, which is true. It will take more time. I understand what she tells me, I hear what it should sound like and understand how I should get to "that" sound, but my body won't let me do it, just yet. But oh, trust me, I WILL win! I will not be defeated by bad singing habits! Proper technique will win out, for sure! I will continue to practice and work on everything she tells me to do..I trust her completely. I know that I am in good hands :) Like I always say, with a great teacher and Jesus, I WILL do this! And for anyone who may be wondering, I practice over 6 hours a week. My practice sessions go anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half, six days a week (lately an hour and a half). I do not practice the day of my lesson, but I do listen to it afterwards. Also, no posts about lessons for the next two weeks, while my teacher takes some much deserved time off! :) I may post about practice sessions, though..we'll see.

Voice Lesson #5

Today was voice lesson #5. I seem to myself to have made about an atom's worth of improvement, from last week. My teacher said, however, that I am getting it and WILL get it. She is always so positive..I love that! No matter how horrible I sound, she always has something good and constructive to say. She really is an excellent teacher..and I am trying to be an excellent student, though the results are slow. But that is no reflection on her..it's all me. I am having trouble mostly, at this point, with keeping tension out of my throat and neck. The sound MUST come from below. I get that, intellectually, but executing it is a whole different matter. She told me today that it does take a long time. She said, even singers with no previous singing experience have a hard time with it, because the natural tendency is to want to sing everything in the chest voice, which is improper technique. So, me, having a lifetime of singing experience, and singing everything in my chest voice, I have an even MORE difficult time with this concept. But again, she assures me that I WILL get it..and I trust her. She is the expert. We did some different exercises today, a bit more difficult were some of them. We also worked on the tongue and did some exercises for that. The beginning of training it to do things it doesn't naturally want to do. We went over vowels, too. We talked about the "EE" vowel, which is the most difficult for me, especially in one of the songs I'm learning. She demonstrated how the "EE" should sound when done properly..WOW, you should've heard that note! Amazing! I can only hope to sing at that caliber some day. So, to sum it up, I am still struggling, yet still incredibly determined to learn this and do it properly and sound great when I do it. Like I always say, with Jesus and a great teacher, I can't fail! Oh, and the good news..I didn't delete my lesson, today! :)

Voice Lesson #4

Well, today I had voice lesson #4. There was a lot of great info in this lesson, but unfortunately, I DELETED IT!!!!! I will be kicking myself ALL week for this! For anyone who says, "why on earth would you delete your lesson?"..I didn't do it on purpose..it was a complete and horrible accident! Some of you may be thinking, "what's the big deal?..it's just a lesson". Well, no, it's not "just" a lesson. It's what could make the difference between progress this week or not. It's a very big deal. Now, everything that was said and shown to me; every bit of direction and instruction, and every sound I made, every question I asked and answer I got, is gone! Oh, I feel sick! But, there is nothing that can be done about it. I will simply do what I can remember and work on the same things from last weeks lesson, which yes, I still have. Anyway, the lesson itself was great, except that I still sound hideous. However, my teacher said she could hear progress, which is good, no matter how small it might be. I am still struggling with Larynx placement, breathing, vowels, head alignment, chest/head voice break, and the list goes on..so, everything, I guess. Plus, today we started working on the tongue. A very stubborn muscle! Learning classical voice is extremely difficult. My teacher told me today about someone she knows who thinks classical singers make way to much out it, that it isn't difficult at all. Well, that made me laugh because being one who is starting at the bottom of the singers latter, I know first hand that is it no easy task to learn this stuff. Well trained, classical singers, like my teacher, just make it look and sound so easy. I wish it WAS that easy! However, for me, these are not only lessons in singing and correct technique, but it's lessons in discipline, endurance, determination, humbleness, trust, steadfastness, and being a good student..it's learning that no matter how hard it is or gets, there's no giving up! Like I've said in previous posts, I am in this for the long haul! With God and my teacher, I can't help but get it! But man, I wish I had my lesson!

Voice Lesson # 3

So, today was my third voice lesson. Had to miss last week because of Memorial day. Anyway, I must say that after my lesson today, I was feeling quite discouraged. Not only is learning to do everything different, quite difficult, but I was also battling extreme Phlegm, today. Gross, I know, but a fact. As for technique, I am having a lot of trouble getting the sound to come from my abdomen, as opposed to my throat. I have extreme tension in my throat that just doesn't wanna give up! My teacher reminded again, though, that making "bad sounds" is just about as important as making good ones. Good thing! hehe! Now, not only did we go over some different vocal exercises, but we also started a song, which is fun, but difficult! The range is quite high for me...but my teacher is trying to keep me in the head voice, at least most of the time. That is where most of my problems seem to be, though we haven't explored the chest voice much at this point, but I'm sure there will be issues there, as well. The good news is that when I got home, I began to listen to my lesson and slowly found encouragement in her direction. This is what is so great about recording the lessons..not only do I get to go over everything we practiced, but I get to hear all of her direction, again and again. Just the reminders, of what to do and what NOT to do. Each week there seems to be more, seemingly small things to do..adjustments, here and there, but they make a huge difference in the long run. It's all part of technique. There is just so much to learn and so many bad or incorrect habits for me to break. I am reminded again today, that I am in for the long haul. This is going to be no easy feat, getting me to sing properly AND sound good. All I can do is keep practicing the way I am being instructed to, and hopefully, at some point, it will pay off..actually, I know it will, it will just take some time..ok, maybe a lot of time, but I will not give up and will not be discouraged...well, maybe for a moment I might get discouraged, but it won't last! I will not give up! Thank you, Jesus for a great teacher who is willing to take on a challenge!

Being Teachable...

In the three weeks that I have been taking voice, I have realized something. I've realized that there are three people that I am completely vulnerable and uninhibited with...One of them is my husband, Jeff, and one of them is my voice teacher, (all the ladies should know who the third one is). I was telling this to Jeff the other day, and being the former high school/college football player that he is, he said, that's what makes a person coach-able. I couldn't agree more! However, there is one other thing that makes a person "coach-able", and that is being able to admit to yourself that you know nothing or very little, and NEED a teacher in order to become the best that you can be in whatever it is you're involved in...football, voice...whatever. When I was 18 I took voice for a short time, but I wouldn't and couldn't admit to myself that I needed to learn, which in turn, caused me to be inhibited, and consequently, unteachable. I regret that now. I just wasn't in a space though, where I felt I needed help with my singing, after all, I was going to be a rock star, so who needed to learn technique or classical anything, right? Well, let me tell you, everyone who wants to sing should know technique..it's what's going to allow you to not only sing well, whatever type of music you get in to, but most importantly, it's going to allow you to keep your voice for a lifetime. Singing without proper technique has made a lot of people a lot of money, but in the long run, it will undoubtedly destroy their voices..it's just not worth it, in my opinion. So, if you sing or you aspire to, do yourself a favor and find a qualified voice teacher, who knows what she's doing. But first and foremost, you've got to admit that you NEED a teacher..and then allow yourself to be vulnerable with her..THAT is the beginning of great technique!

Voice Lesson # 2

Voice lesson #2 was great! My teacher is awesome and I am loving learning how to sing correctly! I feel like a sponge, just soaking it all up! If I could go every day, I would! I am working on breathing and learned about some new muscles to use. She is also teaching me about chest voice vs head voice, and what makes them different from each other. She got me two notes higher this week than I could go last week..awesome! She knows what she's doing! I have started recording the lessons, so I can go back and listen and remember everything. It's great! I listened to the whole thing today, in the gym..it's a great tool, to have that recording! I have much to work on, and incorporating everything is a challenge, but I am working hard to do it. One great thing is that she has me practicing in a mirror so I can watch for certain things. The key, I believe, is doing exactly what she tells me to do, and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! I know Jesus wants me doing this, so He will help me. He is awesome, and I am thankful for the opportunity and desire to learn to sing with proper technique, and for a super teacher.

Caroline Krieger/Songwriter: If You Sing, Do It Correctly!

Caroline Krieger/Songwriter: If You Sing, Do It Correctly!: If you've ever read my bio on this page, you'll know that I do not consider myself a singer, though I used to. I say that because at...

Voice Lesson #1

My first lesson was great! Well, not great as far as my singing, but great in that my teacher is awesome and I am sure I am going to learn a lot as time goes on! I was nervous but we got along great from the get go, so it made it easier for me. She took me through some vocal scales (exercises) to determine my current range, and also started to teach me about proper breathing..along with more vocal exercises. I realize that even after signing in bands and studios, and in front of audiences, most of my life, at age 45 I am a total rookie when it comes singing correctly! I am ready for this journey, though, and excited to learn to sing properly. I want to access the full potential of my voice! I want to be the best singer I can be, for my music, and most importantly, for Jesus! He gave me a voice but I am responsible for taking care of it and for too long, I have not. Now is the time! Stay tuned for next week's voice lesson post!

If You Sing, Do It Correctly!

If you've ever read my bio on this page, you'll know that I do not consider myself a singer, though I used to. I say that because at age 45, it's very difficult for me to sing..my control is almost non existent. It's quite frustrating! This is a direct result of singing incorrectly all my life. When I was 18 I took lessons for a short period of time, but again I was 18, so who needed technique...I DID! So, Monday, I begin voice lessons with a wonderful teacher!! I have GOT to do this if I want to continue to sing, and do it well. Right now, I do not do it well..and I know it. When I was much younger I could easily get away with singing, without using proper technique..but no more. I say this to encourage ANYONE who sings, but does not do it correctly, to go take some lessons from a qualified voice teacher! You will not regret it!! If you do not learn correct technique, someday you will surely regret that!

The Moment… A small piece of my experience as a member of the Chapelle Chorale

I’d like to share with you, a moment…a very special moment. Let me start by saying that I have very fond memories of my high school years at Archbishop Chapelle, with the fondest of all coming from my time in Chorale. Last night, April 22, 2013, my high school had its annual spring concert, but what made it extra special this year, is that some of the Chorale Alumnae, from the 80’s, made a very special appearance. Yes, under the direction of our former music teacher/director, we sang again, to honor her, and her up coming retirement! I was amazed that having not sung together in nearly 30 plus years, and with only 30 minutes or so of rehearsal, we sounded amazing! This is a direct result of having such a wonderful and skilled teacher, all those years ago. Getting back to, “The Moment”… My husband and I were talking about how great moments always have to start somewhere, and there is always going to be work involved. You won’t come by a memorably great moment by sitting around waiting for it to happen…you have to move! I’d like to share with you how last nights moment began, for me. Back in November of 1981, my mom and I attended an Open House at Chapelle High School. I knew nothing about the school except that my aunt, who was an alum (Class of ’77), seemed to have had a wonderful time there, and knowing it was the best school in the area, it seemed like a given that I would go there, too. At the Open House, we listened to different speakers talk about the wonderful aspects of the school, and the friends and memories to be made there. It was all very nice, but then it happened… the Chorale took the stage! I was mesmerized! As this group of singers was being lead and directed by their fearless leader, who I would later come to know as Mrs. Frosch, I knew that I had to be part of this elite group, as well! I grew up around opera singers, which included my parents, and had always been very interested in music, singing, and songwriting, so I knew this is where I needed to be! I took my placement test and to my surprise, did well enough to be accepted into the school! The making of the moment was moving ahead! I remember my first day of music class. Our classroom was located above the gym, of all places. I was excited and nervous at the same time, because the only music class I had ever known was my grammar school “once a week sing along and play various percussion instruments, badly”, class. I knew THIS was going to be a serious music class, and I was thrilled! When we met Mrs. Frosch for the first time, I knew she was a great teacher. She was obviously extremely knowledgeable about music and singing, but also was not going to put up with a lot of horsing around! She was a tough cookie and I was glad! I learned a lot about music during my freshman year and even more as a sophomore. As Sophomores, we were officially the Chapelle Chorus. I remember we got to wear the green robes for performances, which to me and I’m sure all the other girls, was a very big deal! We were moving up! Then finally, when we became juniors, we joined forces with the seniors and officially became the Archbishop Chapelle Chorale… black dresses and all! We had made it…I had made it! We were the singing “stars” of the school! By this time in our singing “careers” we had moved from the room above the gym, to what used to be the convent, aka, “the round building”, and we also knew Mrs. Frosch, very well. Not only could we read her Choral direction to a “T”, but we could read her as a teacher and a person, as well. We were a very close group… we spent a lot of time together working as a well oiled machine, with Mrs. Frosch at the controls. I can remember, many times, we’d be sitting on the risers at the beginning of class and everyone would be talking away, having a great time... my friend Barbara and I just sitting there looking at each other, just watching and waiting for it to happen, as Mrs. Frosch sat behind the piano, appearing to be calm and aloof to all the chatter…then it would come… the dreaded, yet classic piano “BANG!”, directly followed by the attention grabbing, “LADIES!!!!”. All talking would cease in an instant… It never failed to get our attention for the rest of class. Mrs. Frosch was brilliant, that way. So, for the next two years, she continued to teach us and make us a better and better group of singers, appreciators of classical music, and most importantly, young women. As a result of Mrs. Frosch’s amazing skill, we went to State competition two years in a row and took superior ratings both times. I know she was very proud of her girls, and WE were proud of her! I know that I speak for every girl in Chorale when I say that we had such pride in her being our teacher. She was ours! So, in 1986, we graduated, and for me, having to leave Chorale was bitter sweet. It was the most wonderful part of Chapelle. But all of this has led to the moment I was talking about earlier. Last night, April 22, 2013 a few of our 1986 girls, along with some other ‘80’s representatives came together to sing, once again, under the amazing direction of Mrs. Frosch! It was wonderful! For me it was like stepping back in time. Mrs. Frosch still commands attention and is still the same outstanding director she was when we were in school. None of that has changed! She began by warming us up with vocal exercises, just as she would do so many years ago… and what was so amazing to me was that no one skipped a beat… not Mrs. Frosch and not us. It was as if we had never left her class. We practiced our song, “Hitch Your Dreams”, which we had all sung under her direction in school, and we sounded amazing… all credit to Mrs. Frosch! After practice we all headed over to the gym, a place I had not been in since 1986…it was like stepping back in time. We all took a seat and the concert soon began. We watched the present music teacher direct her girls through various numbers, and they were wonderful! Watching them, I kept being brought back to when I was their age and standing on that stage under the direction of Mrs. Frosch… such truly wonderful memories! Then came our turn… the alumnae would take the stage. We walked up and took our places on the risers, with all eyes glued on Mrs. Frosch…our leader. We began our song, and I have to say, I savored every moment we were up there. I can’t even explain in words how wonderful it was to be there in the gym with old Chorale members and our teacher, doing one more time what we worked so hard to do all those years ago. It’s a night I will always remember and cherish. The look on Mrs. Frosch’s face, when we finished our rendition of “Hitch Your Dreams”, seemed to be the same look she had when we would compete at district and state competitions… a look of, “that’s my girls”…a look of pride. That look means a lot to me and I know we gave her the same look because we could not be more proud of our teacher, Mrs. Frosch… then and now! Maybe I am far too sentimental and nostalgic… maybe to a fault, I don’t know… but what I do know is that my years in Chorale with Mrs. Frosch meant more to me than I can express. Not only did she teach me the technical aspects of music theory and singing, but she taught me to appreciate discipline and hard work. She me taught me what it meant to be a team, and what good music is comprised of and how to perform it. She was a role model and mentor to me... and I know, to so many other girls as well. I am thankful to God for Mrs. Frosch and the days and years I was able to spend with her… and I am I thankful that they led to last night’s moment. A moment I will always, always treasure. Mrs. Frosch, I wish you all the best in your retirement and want to sincerely thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all you taught me and for putting up with me all those years ago! And thank you for including us, your girls, in your retirement celebration the way you did. It was an honor to be your student in the 80’s and again, last night! I know I speak for every Chorale member when I say… we love you with all of our hearts!

New CD is...DONE!

Well, I finally got the new CD done. Eleven songs for your easily listening pleasure! There is no charge for it. If you'd like one, just send me a note through my facebook page, and I'd be happy to send it to you. I have already started working on the next one..so stay tuned!