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!