How much should I practice?
Every bit of your practice counts!
For teens and adults, we need to vocalize and do the exercises regularly, for at least 10-15 mins, minimum 4 days/week. Optimally, 30mins for 5 days per week is great for efficient practice of the voice. We also usually don't practice for more than 60mins/session when including songs.
For kids (ages 9-12 or so) it's a good idea to think about the number of times the child practices her song, or sings 1-2 pages of a song. Aim to practice the song 2-3 times, for 3-5 days/week.
Rewards are also certainly a good idea (both for adults and kids!) In particular, for a child, a bit of praise, or a high-five can be very encouraging. Overall, make a point to positively notice every time you or your child cracks open a song book, or sings with a youtube track. :)
Please also read this great article on the "random practice" approach http://www.bulletproofmusician.com/why-the-progress-in-the-practice-room-seems-to-disappear-overnight/
What is Somatic Voicework™?
Somatic Voicework™-The LoVetri Method is a voice-science based singing method. It was founded by Jeannette LoVetri, who has worked with some of the most pre-eminent voice specialists, researchers, ENT's and Laryngologists in the US for over 25 years. Somatic Voicework™ is a "functional" training method. That is, it focuses on what a singer can choose to do with their bodies, face, etc., and through physical and deliberate training, singers can develop various popular music styles (Contemporary Commercial Music "CCM" styles) in a vocally healthy and sustainable way.
Every bit of your practice counts!
For teens and adults, we need to vocalize and do the exercises regularly, for at least 10-15 mins, minimum 4 days/week. Optimally, 30mins for 5 days per week is great for efficient practice of the voice. We also usually don't practice for more than 60mins/session when including songs.
For kids (ages 9-12 or so) it's a good idea to think about the number of times the child practices her song, or sings 1-2 pages of a song. Aim to practice the song 2-3 times, for 3-5 days/week.
Rewards are also certainly a good idea (both for adults and kids!) In particular, for a child, a bit of praise, or a high-five can be very encouraging. Overall, make a point to positively notice every time you or your child cracks open a song book, or sings with a youtube track. :)
Please also read this great article on the "random practice" approach http://www.bulletproofmusician.com/why-the-progress-in-the-practice-room-seems-to-disappear-overnight/
What is Somatic Voicework™?
Somatic Voicework™-The LoVetri Method is a voice-science based singing method. It was founded by Jeannette LoVetri, who has worked with some of the most pre-eminent voice specialists, researchers, ENT's and Laryngologists in the US for over 25 years. Somatic Voicework™ is a "functional" training method. That is, it focuses on what a singer can choose to do with their bodies, face, etc., and through physical and deliberate training, singers can develop various popular music styles (Contemporary Commercial Music "CCM" styles) in a vocally healthy and sustainable way.
What happens in a voice lesson?
You can expect:
- some physical movement
- posture alignment and stretching
- vocal scale patterns
- vocal sound exploration and training of different sounds or tone qualities of your voice
- of course - singing songs! We use a backing tracks for the songs.
Lessons may also include sight-singing training, music theory, practice training, performance techniques, song/text study, language study, exploration of song repertoire.
Will I sing classical music in my lessons?
Yes, but only if you want to explore and/or learn this style of singing. With all repertoire, in any genre, you will always be asked if you like the song well enough to learn it.
Do I have to read music?
This skill is dependent on an individual's needs. In part, it's based on what I hear happening in your voice and more importantly, on what your singing goals are. If you want to sing choral, classical, music theatre, or jazz, or even sing with a band, yes, having some music theory is required.
For most pop and rock styles, singers will find it very useful to learn basic notes and chords on the piano, or develop strong skills with basic guitar chords.
Also, if pitch is sometimes a problem, learning learning solfège ("Do-re-mi", etc.) is a typical training tool that I use.
I want (or don't want) to perform...
There are lots of performance opportunities for students. By sharing of our own experiences and emotions in song, it provides us a way to know and uplift ourselves and others. I generally encourage students who are ready to 'perform' to do so, but if you do not wish to sing publicly, I do not insist.
Smoking/Vocal Health
Whatever you breathe, various air molecules and air particulates pass directly by the vocal folds and affect them. Liquids and food do not touch your vocal folds, if they did, you would be choking all the time.
Ear Protection - If you go to a loud concert or loud clubs, please wear ear plugs to protect your hearing. (Even professional opera singers can lose some of their hearing, over time.) Anytime that you hear ringing/tinnitus in your ears after hearing loud sounds means there was some damage to your hearing occurring at that event.
If you can't hear properly, you can't sing well. Good hearing is absolutely necessary for singers.
"When a singer truly feels and experiences what the music is all about, the words will automatically ring true."
- Montserrat Caballé
You can expect:
- some physical movement
- posture alignment and stretching
- vocal scale patterns
- vocal sound exploration and training of different sounds or tone qualities of your voice
- of course - singing songs! We use a backing tracks for the songs.
Lessons may also include sight-singing training, music theory, practice training, performance techniques, song/text study, language study, exploration of song repertoire.
Will I sing classical music in my lessons?
Yes, but only if you want to explore and/or learn this style of singing. With all repertoire, in any genre, you will always be asked if you like the song well enough to learn it.
Do I have to read music?
This skill is dependent on an individual's needs. In part, it's based on what I hear happening in your voice and more importantly, on what your singing goals are. If you want to sing choral, classical, music theatre, or jazz, or even sing with a band, yes, having some music theory is required.
For most pop and rock styles, singers will find it very useful to learn basic notes and chords on the piano, or develop strong skills with basic guitar chords.
Also, if pitch is sometimes a problem, learning learning solfège ("Do-re-mi", etc.) is a typical training tool that I use.
I want (or don't want) to perform...
There are lots of performance opportunities for students. By sharing of our own experiences and emotions in song, it provides us a way to know and uplift ourselves and others. I generally encourage students who are ready to 'perform' to do so, but if you do not wish to sing publicly, I do not insist.
Smoking/Vocal Health
Whatever you breathe, various air molecules and air particulates pass directly by the vocal folds and affect them. Liquids and food do not touch your vocal folds, if they did, you would be choking all the time.
- Smoking - of any kind (cigarette or pot) - is hot and toxic please see: adai.uw.edu/marijuana/factsheets/respiratoryeffects.htm
- It causes drying and irritation which in turn causes the vocal folds to swell.
- The swelling makes it difficult, sometimes even after one smoking session, to sing a clear and flexible tone.
- Over time, singing (and talking) easily can become impossible for the habitual smoker.
- Some young peoples' bodies seem to be more resilient and they may not initially notice any ill effects on their voice. However, there is almost always some amount of damage that is being done to the vocal folds and airway. More importantly, the damage can be cumulative, and often cannot be reversed by the time the person notices problems when singing.
- My suggestion is to find a way to quit smoking immediately. And if you don't currently smoke, PLEASE DON'T START.
Ear Protection - If you go to a loud concert or loud clubs, please wear ear plugs to protect your hearing. (Even professional opera singers can lose some of their hearing, over time.) Anytime that you hear ringing/tinnitus in your ears after hearing loud sounds means there was some damage to your hearing occurring at that event.
If you can't hear properly, you can't sing well. Good hearing is absolutely necessary for singers.
"When a singer truly feels and experiences what the music is all about, the words will automatically ring true."
- Montserrat Caballé