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!!