Term 1 - Lesson 8 - 19th November 2014

Lesson 8                                                                                                                19th November 2014


We focused on Folk music today, learning about what things make a song Folk. I've found this session useful especially because I was unaware of what Folk music actually is. Folk music consists of messages and has passed on through generations (Oral tradition). Generally, it is easy songs and melodies and the reason for this is so that young children as well as people, can easily sing the song. I find Folk music personally, an entertaining and gathering type of music. What also makes up Folk music is the guitar.


What I have learnt today:
A new technique of opening the back of the throat, is by holding your nose whilst singing notes. After having done this exercise I felt that the back of my throat was vibrating and opening. This made me feel comfortable in singing as I felt that I could sing anything. Another exercise we did was singing vowels 'e' and 'u' with the piano. I've learnt that we can sing the same vowels with opening or closing mouth. This made me realize how effect vowels are and how sometimes I struggle with singing clear vowels.


What I have been practicing:
My aim for singing is to be able to have a strong voice even when singing high notes. Through the sessions, I have been able to learn different warm ups and practices which I can try for myself such as for instance, maintain a relaxed but straight back when singing high notes, singing 'z' sound throughout a song furthermore, I have been observing when I sing high notes, how my jaws become tensed, which is why I have been practicing to relax and sing not through my voice. A song which I initially found difficult to sing in the chorus: 'leave the light on' by Beth Hart. Through these practices, I am now being able to sing the notes more comfortably.


My aim next week:
- Singing 'z' throughout a song
- Singing 'a' through chords
- Holding nose and singing vowels
- Making appropriate posture when singing high notes
- Practice singing with piano

Term 1 - Lesson 7 - 12th November 2014

Lesson 7                                                                                                                  12th November 2014





In today's session we looked at Latin music presenting different Latin solos, and commented on whether it was Latin and why. Usually people would assume that Latin music includes speaking Portuguese or Spanish however that isn't always the case.

Types of Latin music:
- Samba
-Tango
- Bossa Nova
- Salsa
- Rumba

Things to consider when singing Latin music:
- A dance music
- syncopation in the beat
- from south/ central America





What else did I learn:
- There's a particular style to Latin music containing a dance rhythm throughout
- Not all Latin music is in Spainish

Term 1 - Lesson 6 - 5th November 2014

Lesson 6                                                                                                         5th November 2014






Half term:


During half time, I have been practicing humming the lyrics to a song applying "z" to strengthen my voice. I have found it difficult however, with practice I gradually became more comfortable in humming "z". I have also been practicing maintaining my breathing when singing and felt that I have improved in my breathing; when I do sing now, I feel that I don't have to breathe so deeply after one line of sentence.






Features of blues music:


- Repetitive lyrics throughout the blues
-Generally sad lyrics
-Minor chords are used to make it sound more upsetting
-They use similar chords throughout

Solo (Latin & Christmas):

Latin

Hoy by Gloria Estefan  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mCOH9SAUS0


Christmas

Term 1 - Lesson 5 - 15th October 2014

Lesson 5                                                                                                                 15th October 2014


First entry:

How did the performance go:

I personally felt that the performance went very well, I enjoyed performing as a group as I felt that we all had the right energy as we were all optimistic. The response from the audience was also good as they joined along to our song. Furthermore, I felt comfortable whilst on stage as a group which made it enjoyable. However, a weak point was not everyone remembered the lyrics from "rather be" and as a group we needed practice on memorizing the words.

How did practice help you to prepare for the performance:

Working on the harmonies repeatedly, allowed us as a group to distinct each harmony during the rehearsals as well as in the performance. Also during rehearsal, the fact that we were taught new warm ups, allowed us to improve our singing such as humming chords allowed and helped us to project our voices. Furthermore, observing and analysing different famous artists and how they make a good singer, resulted in a confidence performance as a group, as we were able to apply most of the techniques.   

How can you improve your practice over the course in order to develop:

Constantly rehearsing the lyrics of the song and learning them off by heart is essential as it allows us to focus more on the voice, and different harmonies for when performing. Another practice is applying different warm-ups to see which one fits different people.

Second entry:

Humming the notes throughout the song, ensured I reached high notes when singing and allowed me to project confidently my voice.

In terms of my posture, I have realized that I tend to forward my shoulders when singing particular notes, and therefore, it is important to sing with a straight back. I have been practicing constantly my posture as it also ensures I sing clearly and loudly.

Term 1 - Lesson 4 - 8th October 2014

Lesson 4                                                                                                          8th October 2014

During this session we focused on our vocals in order to prepare to practise our group songs. It is always essential to do a warm up so that we are confident in singing.



Vocal exercises and technical work:

-Scales

-Humming chords

-Posture

-Descending scales



After the warm up, as a class we were revisiting 'rather be' in order to familiarise with the lyrics, we harmonised the song and made sure everyone had different notes to sing. The way in which this worked was by running through the verses and gradually sharpening different sections of the song. For instance, the second to last chorus, most people were singing a different note to the original song. As a result, we came to a conclusion as a group on how we would like to end the last note, whether it was high or low. In the end, it worked well and everyone was clear on what to sing.



Furthermore, we arranged the different harmony groups, each group had a micro-phone divided between each other. This prepared us for the performance as we were aware of where to stand on stage.



Here is a run through the first and last rehearsal:

First run through                                                  Final run through
http://youtu.be/Gm8hAq-tmmA                           http://youtu.be/SOFRUn9Hvtc

We then had a run through 'Will you still love me tomorrow' with the teacher accompanied by the piano. In this rehearsal we arranged the group of people who were going to sing the melody and organised the different harmonies. This also organised where we were positioning ourselves on stage.



New things which I have learnt

I have learned that by doing different vocal exercises such as humming ‘z’ throughout the song ensures I feel confident in singing all of the notes. By humming ‘a’ with chords ensures I exercise my vocals and open them when singing a note. Furthermore, it ensures I hold the note longer which was useful as it was a weakness of mine.



Strengths and weaknesses:

What I enjoyed and learned in rehearsal was that everyone was engaged in singing and the rehearsals were useful as we practised harmonising, which I believe is a weakness of mine.

One of my aims was to show more confidence on stage by avoiding both hands in front of me, instead relaxed on the side. The fact that as a group we were discussing how we were going to stand helped me practice that skill of having my arms and hands relaxed on the side. Overall, from the videos recorded I think that I am improving although I still need to feel more relaxed with my arms.

My aim now

-Strengthening notes by humming ‘z’ throughout the song

-Humming ‘a’ in chords in order to learn to obtain control on holding the note

-Singing with my arms and hands relaxed on the side

Term 1 - Lesson 3 - 31st September 2014

Lesson 3                                                                                                   31st September 2014




Regular warm-up:


-Humming chords is useful to make me feel confident in singing every note whether it is high or low notes


-Posture ensures I project my notes out loud; this is useful as I have the tendency to sing through my throat


 - 1-2-3 scales ensures I am clear when singing the lyrics


 What makes a great singer?
Ella Fitzgerald
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbL9vr4Q2LU


 Strengths
Ella Fitzgerald is an extraordinary vocalist who engages with her audience throughout the performance. She is constantly looking at her audience even though it’s a semi sphere stage. Throughout the performance she uses a technique of clarity when singing is useful and makes her a great singer. In addition the ability to maintain her breath whilst singing is fabulous because it ensures she doesn’t miss any notes.




 Aretha Franklin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STKkWj2WpWM


 Strengths
Aretha Franklin is another person who controls her breathing throughout and doesn’t lose her breath when performing. Many times she’s looking at the audience to sympathise with them. When she is singing she is able to hold her notes down for a long period of time which gives an effect to the whole song.



Sandy Denny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQiWL0HfIJs


Strengths
Although Sandy Denny doesn’t sing songs which require a lot of strength and vocals, her soften voice makes her music sound charming and smooth. She sounds fabulous because of her ability of clarity hence singing a soft song. Ability to sing and play at the same time shows that she’s capable of focusing on both things at the same time. Furthermore, she’s able to emotionally connect with her audience and the song which is witnessed form her facial expressions and also the smoothening of her vocals.



Jessye Norman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOIAi2XwuWo


 Strengths
Ability to project her voice without micro-phone is an extraordinary technique which makes her sound incredible with a lot of power in her voice. I’ve learnt and observed that as an opera singer, you have to practice elongating and erasing vowels which is witnessed in her performance. Her breathing technique is another great strength as she is talented in holding her notes for a long time without losing her breath.


 Who I consider a great singer?
Sinead O’Connor has a sweet voice but very stabled vocals and when she sings she portrays this through the high notes as seen in ‘No Sacrifice’. Various of Sinead O’Connor’s songs require high notes and long notes. In her performances she is capable to hold her notes for a long time without getting out of breath. I find her amusing because of the ability to reach every note with such meaning.