Monday, August 24, 2009

So tomorrow is a new lesson

I am going into my lesson tomorrow with the practise from this past week. I worked on my onsets. I guess my over blown onsets (surprise to me - I thought my onsets were good) were contributing to my vocal fatigue much more than I realized. I feel so fresh this week after practising for two hours. Before, I was done after two hours.

He gave me hints on my posture too. I know after the car accident last summer, I was left with back, shoulder, and neck pain. This new posture pointed out something that I was actively trying to fix in myself, but I could not find on my own. I hope I have been emulating his advice well. Breaking old habits is hard. I don't feel comfortable in the new posture. It feels weird. I feel so... centered. I know I should be, but new body positions call a myriad of question into play. How do I breath in this new posture? Is my sternum still raised? My resonance feels weird now? What do I do with my head? ...

Isn't that just the case when it comes to breaking old habits? Oh the joy of learning and being a dynamic creature.

Did I mention that this will be my second lesson?

Friday, August 21, 2009

Staccato

So I had my first meeting with my new applied instructor. I am very excited about it.
One of the things I gleaned from my meeting is that staccato is still vibrant. It is still possible to have vibrato on the fast notes. I must not hold or go straight tone while releasing staccato. Staccato is like a slow laugh. Enjoy it. It is not the abdomen slowly moving inwards with an exhale, but a bouncing.
Funny thing is I thought I was already doing that. Interesting how the sounds inside our head differ from what people hear. Why do I feel like this could be a running theme. "But, I thought I was already doing that." Well I guess that's why I'm going back to school. Education here I come, bring it on! :)

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Stand up straight.

No hip sagging, chest slumping, or excessive head elevation. Give the body the freedom to create sound. Let it breath and stretch as it needs to.
This also means to be as flexible as possible. Be sure that you are not rigidly holding the body in one shape. A noble posture is also dynamic.