Who are you listening to?

Posted on | December 29, 2009 | No Comments

I hope everyone is having a relaxing break. I love this time of year. Reflecting on what worked last year, and what didn’t. Considering what changes I need to make to lessons to enhance the learning experience for students. Catching up on journal reading, new texts and listening to beautiful singing.

One of the best things we singers can do in our down time is listen to great singers. It helps to create a singing library in our body / mind. When you listen to great singers often you unintentially mimic the singer. You begin to breathe in the same places, open the throat up for those gorgeous open vowels, all while simply listening. You create an idea of the type of sounds you want to make. Often, if you listen to not so great singing, you feel your throat tighten, your breathing restricts, as you mimic the physical actions that singer is using to create that sound. Does it matter? Well, if you want to belt high and well, but listen to tight, heavy function belting you could be subconsiously absorbing that technique and damaging your own voice in the process. I know this may seem a stretch, but put on a beautiful singer, sit down and close your eyes and just listen. Does your body feel more open? Do you feel like singing? I always feel inspired and NEED to sing after listening to someone wonderful. I rarely feel inspired to sing when listening to a tight, tense voice. Be careful whose voice you listen to!

So, who am I listening to at the moment? I have been enjoying some Alison Krauss. Her music makes me smile, her voice moves me and her lyrics take me somewhere else. I love listening to her chat with the audience and band in between songs. I plug in my ipod and I feel like I am there.

Send me your suggestions of singers you love.

All continuing students will be contacted by mid January to confirm their timeslots, and any remaining times will then be advertised on my availability page. Should you be interested in lessons they should be commencing in February, and I will be contacting existing and new students to confirm lesson times in mid January.

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