Term 2 - Lesson 4 - 28th January 2015

Lesson 4                                                                                                             28th January 2015


Account of my practice:
This week I have learnt more vocal exercises which is useful so that I can develop different skills whilst preparing for my recital which will enable me to improve in my singing. Some of the exercises which I learnt: humming to a note followed by singing a vowel freely to another note openly and then ending it with a closed mouth, singing tongue twisters 'Comical economists', singing 123 up the scale in a minor chord, breathing in for 4 beats and then singing a note for 4 beats and then 6, followed by 8 and so on. Personally, I found it difficult breathing in to 4 beats and then singing a note to 12, I felt out of breathe and out of confidence. I am considering applying this exercise throughout my program in order to develop holding a note down longer comfortably.


In today's session, I was able to comment on other performances and took into count what others within the group pointed out. It was helpful in a way that I was able to realize what others are doing and reflecting on my own performances and how I want to portray myself whilst performing. Some of the comments were about maintaining in character and with the storyline throughout the song and I feel that sometimes I forget about what sort of character I want to be when singing a particular song, what emotion I want to portray and where I am in this imaginary world. In addition, another comment was about the positioning of the microphone. It is important to consider aligning the microphone to the mouth so that the words are clearer and the voice is heard. Whilst I am singing on stage, I tend to forget my posture as I'm focused on the song which is why, on my next performance, I would like to be more aware of it.


Preparation for my recital:
 I am already ahead of my program in terms of picking a variety of songs; I have selected an order of for my chosen songs and even created a story with the different lyrics, I have been familiarizing myself with the lyrics (4 of the chosen songs, I can sing without looking at the lyrics- but need to be more confident still), also I've made a choice about what songs I will be singing with the piano (Turning Tables & Way Back Into Love) however, I have to learn the notes from my first song and with the second song, I need to play different chords at a different pace throughout Way Back Into Love so that it maintains an excitement for the audience.


What has been useful preparing for my recital, is that when I am singing all of the songs (one after the other) I am taking into a count how my voice changes and whether it is comfortable, if it is still with enough breath. I found that my voice feels slightly tired after the 5th song and slightly out of breath which is why I will be practicing a few more times running through the songs in order for my voice to adapt. 


Program note of new songs:
I am quite familiar with the three other songs which I have chosen for my recital (Turning Tables, Fallen and I'm yours) so I have been practicing singing without lyrics to all these songs.





Brief new Program:

• Learn 'Sacrifice' lyrics by heart
• Practice other songs without lyrics
• Listen and learn Turning Tables on the piano
• Practice different chords and pace for 'Way Back Into Love'

Also, upbeat, not upbeated

term 2 - Lesson 3 - 21st January 2015

Lesson 3                                                                                                    21st January 2015


Chosen song
I have chosen 'Sacrifice' as my second song for the recital. I think it is an emotional, expressive song which fits with my tone of voice. Although I have to vary the songs for my recital, I have chosen another calm and softer tone however it is a different style and story. This song portrays a man and woman having problems in their relationship after being married and raising a daughter, they go their separate ways, the man raises his daughter alone- whereas the previous chosen song is about gaining trust and going 'back into love'. The reason I have chosen this song is because it creates a flow and story line for my recital.


When singing this second song, I felt comfortable and enjoyed singing the song confidently. I need to have a look at the original track of the song so that I am aware of the tune and the style. Also, I need to ensure I learn the lyrics by heart so that I can portray emotion during my performance.


Next thing to focus on
I am creating a list of more up-beat songs and singing the chosen songs, being aware of which ones I feel self-assured and practice them. Furthermore, I need to practice 'way back into love' on the piano, ensuring I feel comfortable singing the bridge and playing at a different pace and tune on the piano.


List of songs which are more up-beating:

• "Turning tables" by Adele
• "I'm yours" by Jason Mraz
• "Valerie" by Amy Winehouse
• "Fallen" by Sarah McLachlan

Reflecting on my programme-
Personally, I feel that my programme is clear and that I am keeping roughly to the plan however, I have realized that as the weeks go, there's always something new to focus on which is why my weeks will vary. Constantly, I have been revisiting my blog and ticking what I have done and making sure that I am on track.


Exercises which I found useful today
Today, I enjoyed our lesson as we had different tasks to complete whilst singing such as for instance, including a word within the song whilst singing, singing with someone else on stage, singing in the audience. Looking at others completing these tasks and experiencing it myself made me realize how  different techniques make a difference to the performance and I need to practice to focus on what I what the audience to feel and how I am meant to be feeling depending on the lyrics.


In addition, I realized that I am not always able to distinguish singing minor and major chords, which is why I am considering practicing singing scales in major and minor accompanied by the piano.

Term 2 - Lesson 2 - 14th January 2015

Lesson 2                                                                                                       14th January 2015

In my mock recital I chose a song that was slightly up beated and another that was calmer which i accompanied with the piano. I found that the mock recital was useful as it prepared me for the recital; memorised lyrics and chords as well as focusing on my posture on stage. Because I felt comfortable singing these songs and had good comments about the variety of tune and pace made me choose for certain 'way back into love'.


This week
 I have been focusing on the song I've picked for my recital 'way back into love'. I think this song goes well with my voice and even though I find singing the bridge difficult and high. This is useful as it will ensure I develop and strengthen the high notes with exercises such as singing 'e' and 'z' throughout the song.

Furthermore,  I have learnt the lyrics by heart which has helped with my confidence and I have been practicing playing the piano adding different paces to vary the song. I think it is important to vary the tune on the piano so that the audience will maintain interest.

Exercises;
• Breathing with diaphragm, singing 'ha, ha' and feeling the puffs of air to support my singing throughout the whole song.

• Humming my lowest note, then moving up to my highest note. This has helped me sing above my bridge and expriment my voice humming different notes and identifying where I felt the most comfortable and others which I don't (practicing singing the notes which I don't feel as confident)

• Yawn on high notes, allows me to set up the back of my mouth/ throat and confidently sing the higher notes

Term 2 - Lesson 1 - 7th January 2015

Lesson 1                                                                                                                   7th January 2015


How did the mock recital go?


Two songs were sang in my mock recital which were 'Just a kiss' by Lady Antebellum and 'Way back into love' by music and lyrics. The chosen songs were varied and I made sure to demonstrate a transaction of melodies and genre through playing the second song on the piano. Overall, both songs fitted well with my voice.


I thought the performance went exceptionally well, although I was nervous in the beginning but throughout I began to feel comfortable singing with the microphone. Furthermore, I was able to memorize the lyrics which resulted in a good posture to sing during my performance. In addition, I think I managed well my breathe throughout which demonstrates an improvement as before I was unable to maintain a note for a long period of time because of my breathing. I have achieved this through the various practices in the beginning of the sessions as well as at home. However, particular vowels I felt were popping in the microphone throughout the song which was part of the feedback which I received from the audience.


Brief preparation for recital:


First week: Listen and practice singing different songs and list a few songs which fit with the voice and that are enjoyable. Choose one particular song which will definitely be sang in recital and practice the lyrics and with backing track/ piano.


Second week: Sing the chosen song and write own feedback on how you felt about singing, whether you were able to sing comfortably throughout the whole song, if the backing track was suitable and make sure your learning the lyrics. By doing this, it will help in choosing particular exercises to practice so that you feel comfortable with the chosen songs. And, begin to choose two other songs for recital and begin practicing the lyrics.


Third week: By this week, two songs would have been chosen, with two backing tracks/ piano chords. Sing each song without looking at lyrics and choose another song which will be sang at the recital- keeping in mind in choosing a variety of genres and songs.

Fourth week: Practice the previous two songs chosen, singing with backing track/ piano without  lyrics sheet. This will help improve confidence and give a sense of where I am. Begin to chose another song to sing in recital and begin learning the lyrics.

Fifth week: Practice singing the songs without lyrics and identify which one you don't yet feel comfortable about singing without lyrics. Practice any exercises in order to help with any song which seems a struggle.

Sixth week: Make an order of which songs you will be singing and sing them in that order without lyrics to see whether you have learnt the lyrics, whether the different songs flow and also if you are able to sing them in a row without straining voice.

By the end of these six weeks:
I would have 5 songs prepared with a backing track and memorized chords and lyrics. In addition, should be able to sing comfortably each of the songs; whether they are high pitched, notes have to be more strengthen when sang or holding a note down longer. 


Practice over the holidays
- Exercises which I find useful is singing 'e' and 'z' throughout the songs so that my voice feels comfortable in singing different notes. This has helped me in a song call 'leave that light on' where there is a lot of high notes in the chorus. I would like to be able to sing the high notes without any struggle by the end. Now, I certainly feel a difference singing the song as I am confident and as well I feel that the high notes are more supported however, I will continue practicing singing these vowels and 'z' sounds throughout the song and consider using in my recital songs.


- The body posture whilst singing is something I have practice a lot during the holidays as before I felt that I would elongate my neck or curve my shoulders inwards when singing high or low notes. I have completed exercises such as raising arms upwards, tipping toe and then slowing releasing the arms. In the way which this has helped me is that I felt less tension and more relaxed, avoiding tension in my throat when singing.