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I wrote:
>> I have tried putting my pupils onto Vaccai Exercises, especially
>> the semitone one (which has been the downfall of many a western
>> singer , by the by).
Ingo replied:>
> Why has that been the downfall of many a western singer? (Just
> curious.)
>Ingo
>
>
Only those who are just hanging in there anyway with regards to
pitch.Somehow the
problem isn't as noticeable when singing an ordinary song, but when you
concentrate exclusively on semitones, all is revealed!!:-)
James wrote:
I would like give a suggestion for ear training singers that might help with
those who are used to non-western music or just singers who don't play other
instruments. Try having your students sit at a piano or other western
instrument (that is in tune, of course) and go through the tedious process
of playing the exercise, singing the exercise while playing it, and then
singing the exercise alone. over and over and over and over. The step in
this very simple solution that is usually missed, is that teachers often
play the exercise for the student. This is not as helpful, because the
student doesn't get the physical connection between action and sound.
Yup, I've done just that with the technical exercises that the students are
required to sing in their second year (melodic and harmonic minors,
shudder). It takes an awful long time and lots of patience, because they
don't play the piano either, but it does pay off in the end. Don't quite
know what I'm going to do for the third years, though. Even I have trouble
playing those scales!!
I would stick to a keyboard instrument though, as it is easier to visualize
the intervals.
Jacqueline suggested:
Often, I think it's a combination of improper
support, tension, not knowing where or how
to focus the sound and perhaps being a
lazy listener.
If you can come to pinpoint where or what
may be causing the problem, then targeting
specific exercises should help.
I had a youngster who sang only pop and country music and sang it flat. She
also had no head voice, only hot air. Once we got her to use a "mixed"
voice, she sang in tune and can now sing up to a top B. ( not that she uses
it for her type of singing, but at least she can if she wants to for
effect).
Regards and thanks for your imput
Susi
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