Over and over last night in the women's figure skating competition, the announcers repeated this refrain: "This score represents her personal best." Kim Yu-Na of course, with her record breaking score, but also Joannie Rochette (performing after a huge personal trauma) and the two Americans Rachel Flatt and Mirai Nagasu. Flatt and Nagasu didn't medal but they were as pleased as if they had. Why? Because they performed their personal best. They put in the long hours of practice, honed their skills, and under the intense pressure of an Olympic audience they performed to the best of their capabilities. That's just as admirable as winning a medal, and for those of us who will never be Olympic athletes it's a great goal to strive for.
Are you performing your personal best? Are you putting in the practice hours to get better? Are you spending time where it's needed so that you can sing to the best of your ability? Are you asking questions to find solutions to your vocal difficulties? Are you seeking out new material that challenges you and gives you room to grow as a singer? Take ownership of your voice and your progress. Aim each day to say, I performed my personal best.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
On staying motivated
In singing as in most other crafts, staying motivated is often the biggest single hurdle to achieving our goals. Whether it's trying to unlearn a bad habit, develop new muscle memory, remember the words to a new song or even just sing that one stupid measure correctly, there often comes a point when we feel like giving up.
In those moments the best thing to do is often to simply step away for a bit and come back to it later. But what happens when you're going through a particularly frustrating phase, when you feel like you've hit a plateau and the next level is nowhere in sight, when you're wondering what's the point? It can be hard to feel motivated to practice when it doesn't feel like you're getting anywhere.
I wish I could tell you that there's one easy answer, but we all know that doesn't exist. Instead, here are a few of my favorite ways to troubleshoot those annoying measures, get motivated to practice, move through the difficult moments in singing and get back to having fun.
*This list is by no means extensive and may not address your individual needs. Consult a voice teacher for your best results.
Troubleshooting - general guidelines
Support
Having trouble with a long phrase? Take it back to the breath. Sing through your pieces on a lip trill or tongue trill; if you have trouble with the trill, try a simple voiced consonant like a super loose "v", making sure to allow the air to gently move through. Remember: Air before sound.
Sing silently
Trying to nail down a specific passage? Don't kill your voice singing it over and over again. Sing it silently - read through the music, envisioning the best, healthiest way that you will sing it, and taking care to be precise with the rhythm. You'll be amazed at the amount of progress you can make on a song without having sung a note out loud.
Talk it out
Speak the words to your songs as if they were poetry or dialogue. You'll get a sense of how to sing it when you really feel the emotion and impact of the words. Alternate this with speaking the words in rhythm - it's much easier to learn tricky syncopations, language, etc. when you take the pitch component out. Put the notes back in once you've got the rhythm down.
Mix it up
There's a time for focusing intently on one song or a few difficult notes, but it's not usually when you're feeling frustrated. Take a break from the hard stuff and sing something silly. Sing an aria and then a musical theater number. Sing some Christmas carols or a cheesy pop song. Switch between trills and vowels, or your favorite warm-up and that pain-in-the-butt measure.
Take a breather
There's no shame in taking a break for a few minutes. Step away from the keyboard, make a cup of tea and go back later.
Getting motivated
See a show
Hearing a new singer or going to see a favorite band can often be just the motivation you need. Watching others having so much fun onstage reminds us why we work so hard - so that we can have that kind of fun too. And with cover charges usually $15 or under it's a pretty cheap way to get inspired.
Sing with others
Join a choir. Take part in ensemble class. Sing karaoke with your friends. Sharing the experience of singing brings us closer together and is just plain fun. And on the learning side of things, you'll improve your ear for harmony and be exposed to music you might not otherwise hear.
Read a book
There are loads of great books detailing the trials and tribulations (and techniques) that singers go through. Some of my favorites: A Soprano on Her Head, The Inner Voice: The Making of a Singer, Great Singers on Great Singing. This is a tiny, tiny selection of what's out there, so if you look you're certain to find a book that resonates with you.
Having fun
Acknowledge your work
It takes time to develop muscle memory and to train your body to work as efficiently as possible. Even when things aren't going as easily as you'd like, it's important to remember that you're putting in the time and that it will pay off, probably sooner than you think.
Enjoy every minute
Becoming a successful singer is as much about process as it is about product. If you only narrowly focus on your shortcomings, you wind up missing so much else. What else are you learning? Moving through the hard stuff teaches us patience, self-forgiveness and acceptance of ourselves and our voices. If you can remember to enjoy those lessons as much as the specific vocal goals you have, I guarantee you'll enjoy singing a lot more.
In those moments the best thing to do is often to simply step away for a bit and come back to it later. But what happens when you're going through a particularly frustrating phase, when you feel like you've hit a plateau and the next level is nowhere in sight, when you're wondering what's the point? It can be hard to feel motivated to practice when it doesn't feel like you're getting anywhere.
I wish I could tell you that there's one easy answer, but we all know that doesn't exist. Instead, here are a few of my favorite ways to troubleshoot those annoying measures, get motivated to practice, move through the difficult moments in singing and get back to having fun.
*This list is by no means extensive and may not address your individual needs. Consult a voice teacher for your best results.
Troubleshooting - general guidelines
Support
Having trouble with a long phrase? Take it back to the breath. Sing through your pieces on a lip trill or tongue trill; if you have trouble with the trill, try a simple voiced consonant like a super loose "v", making sure to allow the air to gently move through. Remember: Air before sound.
Sing silently
Trying to nail down a specific passage? Don't kill your voice singing it over and over again. Sing it silently - read through the music, envisioning the best, healthiest way that you will sing it, and taking care to be precise with the rhythm. You'll be amazed at the amount of progress you can make on a song without having sung a note out loud.
Talk it out
Speak the words to your songs as if they were poetry or dialogue. You'll get a sense of how to sing it when you really feel the emotion and impact of the words. Alternate this with speaking the words in rhythm - it's much easier to learn tricky syncopations, language, etc. when you take the pitch component out. Put the notes back in once you've got the rhythm down.
Mix it up
There's a time for focusing intently on one song or a few difficult notes, but it's not usually when you're feeling frustrated. Take a break from the hard stuff and sing something silly. Sing an aria and then a musical theater number. Sing some Christmas carols or a cheesy pop song. Switch between trills and vowels, or your favorite warm-up and that pain-in-the-butt measure.
Take a breather
There's no shame in taking a break for a few minutes. Step away from the keyboard, make a cup of tea and go back later.
Getting motivated
See a show
Hearing a new singer or going to see a favorite band can often be just the motivation you need. Watching others having so much fun onstage reminds us why we work so hard - so that we can have that kind of fun too. And with cover charges usually $15 or under it's a pretty cheap way to get inspired.
Sing with others
Join a choir. Take part in ensemble class. Sing karaoke with your friends. Sharing the experience of singing brings us closer together and is just plain fun. And on the learning side of things, you'll improve your ear for harmony and be exposed to music you might not otherwise hear.
Read a book
There are loads of great books detailing the trials and tribulations (and techniques) that singers go through. Some of my favorites: A Soprano on Her Head, The Inner Voice: The Making of a Singer, Great Singers on Great Singing. This is a tiny, tiny selection of what's out there, so if you look you're certain to find a book that resonates with you.
Having fun
Acknowledge your work
It takes time to develop muscle memory and to train your body to work as efficiently as possible. Even when things aren't going as easily as you'd like, it's important to remember that you're putting in the time and that it will pay off, probably sooner than you think.
Enjoy every minute
Becoming a successful singer is as much about process as it is about product. If you only narrowly focus on your shortcomings, you wind up missing so much else. What else are you learning? Moving through the hard stuff teaches us patience, self-forgiveness and acceptance of ourselves and our voices. If you can remember to enjoy those lessons as much as the specific vocal goals you have, I guarantee you'll enjoy singing a lot more.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The Voice Box Recommends - February 11 - 14
Lots of local art in action this week. Seattle company Backwards Ensemble is bringing in Brian Copeland for a 4-day run of his popular one-man show; experimental music group The Fisher Ensemble (of which I am a member) performs excerpts from Garrett's new opera; and musicians from all over town gather to raise money for victims of the Haiti earthquake.
*****
NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN
Theatre Off Jackson
February 11 - 14, 8 pm
$20 - 50
Valentine's Day special - 2 tickets for $35
From Backwards Ensemble Theater Company:
Fisher Ensemble Artwalk Benefit
Cafe Metropolitain
Thursday, February 11, 7:30 pm
Suggested donation of $5-15
From The Fisher Ensemble:
Seattle Sings for Haiti
Brahms Requiem
Friday, Feb 13, 7:30 PM
St. Mark's Cathedral
$10 suggested donation
From Seattle Sings For Haiti:
*****
NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN
Theatre Off Jackson
February 11 - 14, 8 pm
$20 - 50
Valentine's Day special - 2 tickets for $35
From Backwards Ensemble Theater Company:
The longest running solo play in San Francisco Theatrical History comes to Seattle for a very special limited engagement!*****
Brian Copeland's first solo show, NOT A GENUINE BLACK MAN, reveals a little-known chapter of Bay Area history. In 1971, San Leandro was named one of the most racist suburbs in America. Congressional hearings were held. The next year, the then eight-year-old Brian Copeland and his African-American family moved to San Leandro. In a monologue that's both funny and poignant, Brian explores how surroundings make us who we are.
Fisher Ensemble Artwalk Benefit
Cafe Metropolitain
Thursday, February 11, 7:30 pm
Suggested donation of $5-15
From The Fisher Ensemble:
Come join the Fisher Ensemble in a celebration of new art & performance!*****
In February we'll be performing our new piece, At the Hawk's Well in Seattle, and then in Boston and New York in March. Bring a friend, stop by for a drink and help us get there! Suggested donation: $5-15.
More info about the show: http://www.fisherensemble.org/atthehawkswell.html
The benefit will be in conjunction with the Capitol Hill's Artwalk; we have invited Seattle artist Garima Naredi to introduce us to some of her new work which will be on display.
http://www.garimanaredi.com/
Performing:
The Fisher Ensemble (excerpts of our new piece)
The Endeavors (http://www.theendeavors.com/)
Kathryn Hightower & Steel Grace Dance
Vanessa deWolf
Ines Andrade and Marchette DuBois
Rosalyn DeRoos
Amy Schrader
We hope to see you there!
Seattle Sings for Haiti
Brahms Requiem
Friday, Feb 13, 7:30 PM
St. Mark's Cathedral
$10 suggested donation
From Seattle Sings For Haiti:
SEATTLE SINGS FOR HAITI
Combined Choirs of Seattle, members of Orchestra Seatte and NW Mahler Orchestra to perform at St. Marks Cathedral in Haiti Benefit Event
On February 13, 2010, at 7:30 pm, the city of Seattle will sing for Haiti.
The Northwest Mahler Festival, in collaboration with Orchestra Seattle and the Seattle Musicians' Haiti Benefit Project, will host a benefit concert in which Seattle's own George Shangrow will conduct Johannes Brahms' Requiem (entitled "Ein Deutches Requiem," Opus 45) before a chorus of combined Seattle area choirs and members of Orchestra Seattle and the Northwest Mahler Festival Orchestra.
St. Mark's Cathedral, which can support an audience of over one thousand, will donate the use of their sanctuary for the event.
Representatives from the aid organization Friends of the Orphans will be in attendance to collect donations for their work in providing aid to orphaned children in Haiti. Friends of the Orphans has ongoing projects in Haiti, and suffered the loss of several staff members and volunteers who were working in Port au Prince during the Haiti earthquake.
Donations will be collected at the door and 100% of all proceeds will be donated to Friends of the Orphans.
If you are unable to attend the upcoming gala performance at St. Mark's Cathedral, but would still like to donate to Friends of the Orphans, please visit their 2010 Haiti Earthquake Relief donation page, found here. Please indicate that you heard about Friends of the Orphans through Seattle Sings for Haiti.
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