On several subjects:
Mary: If you are intimidated by this man you should not be studying with
him. Also, right before a competition is NOT the time to mess with
technique. It takes time to change vocal habits. Under stress you will
certainly revert to the old habit. He says you are singing in falsetto?
That term is normally used to describe a man's voice singing in a woman's
range (usually). Only the edges of the folds vibrate. Women don't have
falsetto, if you're using that definition. Most people do use that
definition. What do you mean by head voice? What do you mean by falsetto?
It sounds like this guy doesn't know what he's talking about. What are his
qualifications?
How to practice: I find it helpful to concentrate on one or two skills.
Ask your teacher how to practice a specific skill. I also find that short
practice sessions more often are more productive than one hour long session.
Get a book called "Power Performance for Singers" There are several
chapters on practice.
Jaw tension: Don't underestimate the power of clenching your jaw in your
sleep. A student of mine actually cracked his teeth doing that, and his jaw
was really sore, like yours. It's good that you got a mouth guard.
JMH
>From: "Mary" <borntosing77@y...>
>Reply-To: vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com
>To: vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [vocalist] New to group and need advice
>Date: Wed, 16 Oct 2002 05:24:56 -0000
>
>Hi there. My name is Mary. I'm 25, and a stay-at-home-mom of 2. I
>live in Anchorage, Alaska. I've been singing since I was 9 and had
>singing lessons in Hawaii when I was 14. I am taking them once again
>with someone who is a better teacher.
>
>I joined because I have numerous questions that have never been
>answered. And I'm afraid to ask my vocal teacher, because I'm
>somewhat intimidated by him.
>
>Anyway when I first started seeing him in February we started working
>on a song, for a talent competition in Los Angeles. Well just a
>couple months ago, he told me I've been singing in *falsetto* this
>entire time. And he told me I've probably sung that way all my life.
>Now even though I had been in choir all my teenage years, I never
>learned what that word meant! Of course I came home and looked it up,
>but was shocked to learn it mostly applies to young boys voices.
>
>My question is - what is so bad about falsetto? My teacher told me he
>didn't want me to sing this way. But when I sing in my "head voice"
>(? is that what its called?) I sound terrible and I can't hit any of
>the notes! I'm wondering if I'm doing this wrong.
>
>This is terrible for me, because I've been singing my entire life in
>this so-called falsetto way and now right around competition time (I
>leave for L.A. on Halloween!) I have to change everything!? My
>confidence has been totally shot down because of this and whenever I
>hear a song on the radio I try to sing it without falsetto and end up
>sounding bad. So I give up on singing.
>
>I used to love singing but now I'm not so sure I want to do it, if
>I'm going to sound bad - singing it in the way I am supposed to.
>
>Can someone help me out?
>
>Thank you
>~*Mary
>
>
>
>
>
>
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