Confessions of a Singing Teacher Episode 2

So, this week I have braved the dark and foamy depths of the Studio 5’s recording booth, and I have to say I feel exhausted! I am not a recording artist by any means, the stuff that can be found of mine in the world is limited to embarrassing childhood performances, (there is a taped recording of Eliza Doolittle somewhere underneath a bed gathering dust courtesy of the 14 year old me), wobbly videos of live action theatrics, and also somewhere a drunken version of Anthem from Chess… involving an actual chess set and two rather tipsy friends, ( sorry again Mum!), so as you can see, it’s not really a collection to celebrate. Never being one to shy away from a challenge though – I stepped boldly into the scariest box in the world and gave my current favourite song a good old go. So, there I am, bopping along, probably getting a bit carried away, when the music abruptly stops and I hear the, (already slightly exasperated), dulcet tones of my singing teacher turned producer saying …. ‘NOOOOOO Sadie!!!!!’ This is not an unfamiliar turn of phrase to me whilst under tutorage, so I wasn't unduly alarmed – or indeed surprised, however I was swiftly disabused of my optimistic fantasy that I would walk away at the end of the day the proud owner of a new track… Now – don’t get me wrong – recording a track in an hour to your own satisfaction is perfectly possible, however those of you who read the inaugural ‘Confessions’ blog will know, I am after vocal perfection.. every phrase every note is going to be spot on… if it kills me.. or my teacher does – whichever comes first…. Only problem is it’s really hard!

A brilliant director once said to me that stage time is precious….. us performer types should make the most of every moment we get. Another wise soul, (guess who), said to me that recording time is also a precious thing. Holding your vocals up to a microscope and hearing what others hear really can take you those last few steps down the road to awesome! 

So – a couple of paracetamol later, my note to self is: Get back in your box, keep calm, and sing on!

Sadie x

Auditioning for The Voice and/or The X Factor this year? Read This!

Shows like The X Factor and The Voice scout for singers year round, day in day out. The X Factor scouted auditions took place today and it got me thinking about what my experience of auditioning for these shows has taught me. 

Here's a few tips on what I learnt from going through the selection processes of both shows last year:

1) Be on time and then be prepared to wait…for a long time. Leave plenty of time to get to the audition venue (I'd recommend checking TFL and planning the day before) Make sure you have water with you (a big bottle), a phone charger and (non dairy) snacks. The Voice team take care of their auditionees better than The X Factor do, but even so both shows usually have two stages to the audition process which means two lots of hanging around.
2) Be prepared to sing in front of a group of other singers. The Voice & The X Factor open auditions are always first in a group. Each person steps forward and sings ninety seconds or so whilst the rest of the group think about either a) how their performance went or b) what the starting note of their song is. It's a short amount of time so make sure you put everything into your performance.
3) Song choice is so important! Choose a song that shows what your voice can do but that you are comfortable singing. There is no point singing a song that is too 'safe.' I'd also recommend learning four songs accapella. One slow, one upbeat, one old and one current. Go to your vocal teacher and try different songs a good month before the audition. From those four song choose one that you'll sing in the first round and a second one that you'll sing when, fingers crossed, you get through to round two.
4) Make friends but don't let them rattle you. The great thing about audition processes is that you can meet really amazing peoples just like you. However, I'd keep in mind that they are competing against you for a limited space in the show's lineup. The worst thing you can do is talk about song choice, your singing ability, your singing experience etc and begin a one upmanship between you and everyone else auditioning. It's like when you prepared for an exam as a teenager and everyone beforehand talked about what they've studied. Nerves build in a group! Don't join the hysteria! This is your journey and those ninety seconds in line are yours to impress.
5) Don't change your song choice. Sounds obvious but SO MANY singers change their song choice after finding out what songs other people are singing and due to last minute panic. Go for one that you can connect with so that the words of the song are helped along by your nervous energy.
6) Don't compare yourselves to others. You can't go to the bathroom without hearing other voices at these auditions. Just remember: if you are well prepared, sing from the heart and be yourself it's mission accomplished no matter whether or not you make the selection.
7) Stay positive. Don't let auditions make you feel lesser. You are more as you have gained more experience as a singer. Keep in mind what Matt Henry (Finalist of The Voice Series 2) told me: 'At the end of the day The Voice (and The X Factor) are TV shows. They are looking for a story not just a voice. You have to fit their mould and tick their box.' They might have someone very similar to you this year. You might not be quite ready yet. There's never just one shot. There are many auditions, many TV talent competitions and so many opportunities. Remember you are auditioning them too! Do they fit your mould and tick your box? It's a two way audition.

Laura 

Choosing a Song

So, I find that when it comes to question, " now what would you like to sing ? ", most students find themselves utterly bewildered by the enormity of the question! Every song ever written starts floating about in thought bubbles over their heads, all immediately being dismissed as too hard/easy/high/low/mainstream/off the wall and a million other reasons why it's not the right choice.

Just a little tip. We teachers love songs. There is no judgment in our studios over your choice of music. Whether it's cheesy 80's pop, old school musical theatre, rock standards, R&B or in the case of one of my students, electro punk... All we really care about is whether you want to sing it, and whether it is a good choice for your vocals at that point in your training. 

No need to worry one little bit about what it is, but do have a little think - just a little one, before you come to your lesson, about songs you might like to have a go at - it will save you having to panic as your brain goes from concentrating on the minutia of the 1.5 octave Nay Nay Nay... to filtering through every song you've ever heard.. ever...

Hope this is helpful!

Sadie

Choose your mentors wisely, protect your precious ideas, and when the time comes, eau de Own It!

Choose your mentors wisely, protect your precious ideas, and when the time comes, eau de Own It!

Smart people know the power of having a supportive team around them including mentors and coaches. They also know only to go to the right kind of people for the right kind of help. They know to only approach a qualified coach and mentor who specialises in the area they’re seeking to grow.

They wouldn't go to a depressed cynical friend for advice on personal fulfilment, they would know that it would be wiser to consult a successful personal development mentor or life coach.

For business development they wouldn’t seek support from a cousin who’s never run a business before, they would know to go a qualified business advisor with a proven track record.

For money worries, they wouldn’t consult a broke old buddy, they would go to the bank or a reputable financial advisor.

For health and fitness, they wouldn't ask in the bakery, they would see a doctor, a certified personal trainer and nutritionist.

For emotional difficulties, they would know it would be wiser to consult a qualified therapist than the same family member they have a conflict with.

It all seems very obvious in those fields, but we don’t seem to apply this same principle when it comes to our creativity, and many of us seek artistic approval and support from our competitors and those who are least qualified to judge or support us. Yes of course it is wise to study all the work of those musical artists whom inspire you to be your very best, yes you should study with the best musical teacher you can afford, but ultimately only you are qualified to be the judge of your own creative art. That is what being an artist is all about. You have to eventually get to a place where you know you are good enough, and not seek validation from others who will perceive a request for approval as a sign of weakness and lack of confidence on your part. Only then will your art be desirable to your audience. You must please and approve of yourself first.

Smart people also know to only share their million £ ideas and creativity with successful optimists, and only once the idea or skill has grown strong enough to withstand passing cynics. While your new singing vocal abilities or songwriting ideas are delicate seedlings in their infancy, you must protect and nurture them as a gardener does in a nursery, safe from passing naysayers and jealous predators who may want to nibble up their tender leaves for breakfast, declare that they will never grow to be big and strong, or break their little hearts with a cold frost!

We've all met people who don’t appear particularly conventionally or symmetrically beautiful, and yet they exude a magnetism that makes them confusingly attractive and popular. What is that secret scent they’re wearing? It’s called ‘Confidence, eau de Owning It, by Not Seeking Anyone Else’s Approval’, and I suggest you start wearing it.

Protect your self and your art, use mentors and coaches but be selective about choosing the right person for support, be smart and know when the only qualified person is you! 

Hazel Sim

Confessions of a Singing Teacher

Students have no fear, I'm not about to reveal your secrets, you are quite safe. It is, in fact, about my own lessons, as I have a confession to make. It turns out I have the ability to be a truly dreadful student. I say this without emotion or drama, tis fact. I can be a right old nightmare. 

It occurred to me during my last lesson, when I found myself kneeling on the floor and banging my fists on the carpet in abject frustration at my utter inability to achieve vocal perfection that I was perhaps not behaving very well… My teacher, one of Voxbox’s finest merely looked on with mild amusement and waited for the tantrum to pass. (It was short lived – I do have some control).

In fact over the course of the lesson, mild amusement, general cajolery and one , “ just get with the programme !!!…” were all I received in return from my remarkably patient teacher. Deciding to face up to this and listen back to the recording of the lesson, I had to turn it off after about 40 minutes. There was simply no more, “ but I AAAAAAAM doing that”, “ I AAAAAM dropping my jaw”  and “ AARRGGHHH GGRRRRRRR!!!!!!,”  I could listen to without feeling I needed to call my mother and apologise for shaming her with my unacceptable manners.

Lessons can be seriously frustrating when you just can't break a habit, or find a way through a problem, I have seen it in the faces of my own students when I know they would really like to tell me where to go with my corrections, but are too polite to do it, (many thanks for that by the way!). However when you've calmed down, and let the information assimilate – you can find it all comes together, and generally speaking, teacher was absolutely right. 

So, note to self. Get up off the floor and get with the programme. 

Horizontal Thinking

A lot of singing is all about visualisation. Many singers at the very beginning of their singing journey equate scales that go up to climbing a huge mountain. 

They preempt the top notes: Their eyes look upwards as they sing higher, sometimes their whole head tilts upwards. They back off the top notes in fear sometimes flipping as a safety mechanism. Some singers also increase the volume at the top note unnecessarily. There are many MANY examples of this idea of 'reaching' the top note. When you 'reach' in your mind your larynx is sure to rise and you are definitely more likely to squeeze or pull.

If you listen to the best singers on the planet you'll notice that they all treat every single note value the same. (Unless they choose not to for stylistic reasons) If they were to sing a major scale they wouldn't suddenly crescendo the top note. They would sing evenly throughout. It is balanced voices we are drawn to. Those that are agile and able to spring all across their range with ease.

Here's a tip that can help you: Think horizontally. Imagine you are driving down Route 66 every note of the song is straight ahead of you. There are no hills, mountains or even speed bumps! Every note you sing is right there for you to access in front of you. No need to panic as you can see everything for miles and miles. There are twists and turns, as with a melody of a song, however, ultimately everything is stable. 

Try this: When you sing move your hand forward and backwards as you go up and down the scale. Try to keep each note the same and the volume of your voice constant throughout. Now try with a song!

Happy singing!

Laura 

From karaoke to original cover song

From karaoke to original cover song

When you sing a cover song find your own way of doing it, no one wants to hear an attempted carbon copy, which usually ends in a failure to get even close to the original artist.  Everyone has their own unique approach, their individual way of communicating, styling and phrasing.  Find yours, that what we want to hear!

Here are some things you could try make a cover song your own

1. Change the instrumentation
Very often when singing a song to a produced karaoke track the style of the original artist can be hard to get away from. Try singing the song to either a solo piano or acoustic guitar, strip away the production and get to the core of the song.

2. Pick the right key for you
Don’t be afraid of changing the key of the song to suit your vocal abilities. Sometimes the change of a key does wonders and can really change the mood of the song

3. Play with the melody and rhythm
Don’t be limited by the melody of the original artist, it may be that you can do things that they couldn’t! Play to your strengths, if you can hit those ever coveted high money notes than make sure you include them. Sometimes using a harmony line rather than always sticking to the tune can create interest and variation.  Don’t be afraid to play around with your vocals.

4. Rearrange the structure
Try starting with a chorus instead of a verse or vice versa. Or play around with speed, and emotional quality of the lyrics. Try writing your own verse or even a slight change to the chorus lyrics, a slight structure change can be interesting.

5 Change the genre
Changing the style is often used.. Artists and bands regularly revamp songs from previous decades or alternative genres and update them.  Recently a trend has been to take a modern song and restyle into retro version for example The Postmodern Jukebox.  If the song is folk, get into power chords or perhaps speed up the song, or you could turn a pop song in to a cool jazz or swing track.  Boyzone had a whole career of revamped country songs!

6. Pick a song sung by the opposite sex
Choose a song that was originally done by the opposite sex. George Ezra has done a fantastic cover of  “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” by Cindy Lauper.

So find a song that you already love, and mess around with keys, timing, dynamics, personality, melody lines, rhythm and genre.  Dare to be different!

Examples:

Change instrumentation and speed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSKT75m2AiM

Changing Key and melody structure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg7SY8AyLdA

Change genre – pop to Jazz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uE3xa752mI