Hey, so I'm a huge music freak. I'm eclectic, meaning I love all music. The only thing I've noticed is that I don't have a lot of jazz. I thought I did, but I sure don't. So does anyone know any really great (or not so great) jazz artists out there that they'd like to share?
Luis Lopes Quartet, Charles Mingus , Papa Mambo. That's what I can think of off the top of my head to get you started. Don't underestimate good old iTunes to give you good advice too.
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I am a singer, but if I am not playing the part acting like someone else on stage, it is hard for me. I have to go on stage showing who I really am, and show my emotions through my music, but I get terrified because its like being naked in front of the world, and they can see my soul. Im the kind of person who generally keeps to myself, but my passion is to sing. I dont cry in front of people either, and singing for me is like that, because I am exposed. I dont have anything to hide, I am just causeous. Can anyone knock some sense into me per say, or knows of a way I can come out of this?
Yes, you're right. Singing with emotion and passion and making people feel your song IS hard. It's also arguably the most important part of singing.
Instead of seeing singing singing and emoting as two separate things, try to consider them as one and the same. Music making is essentially just another way to communicate and express your emotion, right? When there is no love behind it, the song is empty and useless. If you're not used to emoting on any other level, this can be your outlet.
There is no real trick to this. All you can do is start by easing yourself into it. Begin with practicing all alone in front of a mirror. If it helps, develop a stage persona, after all you said that you can play the part on stage when necessary. It's not really acting, your stage persona is just an extension of yourself. If you can separate what you would normally do from what you know you want to do, you can isolate it and concentrate your true feelings in a performance.
My band teacher always told us to "reinvent" our fear. If you can visualize this:
Take all of the fear you feel throughout your body. Imagine that you are taking the power of this anxiety and compacting it into a manageable form that you can hold, like a ball of light. Keep this "light ball" in your very core. This is now the energy that you will use on stage. You are no longer scared of anything, because all of the fear you had is now raw power that you will use to perform your heart out.
I've always thought it helpful to imagine that I'm by myself, especially when I first started singing.
It's scary, and hard to do at first. But when it gets right down to it, that's why we sing. We want everyone to know who we are, that we can be vulnerable and unstoppable at the same time. Everyone is supposed to get a good look at our souls. We connect that way.
Above all, take a chance, and never, EVER give up because you stumble. Work hard and try new things.
Good luck, and I hope this helped a little.
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I'm 13/f, and I think that I have a fairly developed and mature voice for my age. I got admitted to a very advanced choir when I was 11, which is pretty young for the choir. I'm a Soprano II, and the thing is, I can't help losing confidence around the 16+ crowd, especially when lots of them are really, really good and preparing to become opera singers and such. I know that I'm only 13 and my voice is developed for my age (emphasize "for my age." The older kids have much more mature voices), I shouldn't be compared to older kids and this is a dumb shallow worry when there are people starving in India, but I just can't shake my feelings. Does anyone know what I mean?
Haha, this sounds familiar. I'll make this short and sweet: Any problem you have is a legitimate one. The best you can do is take care of yourself, and take action. Start locally, and do whatever you can to help someone. Guilt is normal, but unhealthy, and instead of being guilty, try to focus on being thankful for what you have.
ANYWAY:
Don't worry about the 16+ crowd. You may not recognize it now, but the singing while working up to hardcore studies is small potatoes. They're aren't there to point and laugh at you. Believe me, being just being around older, more experienced singers is one of the best things you can have at your age. I used to copy EVERYTHING my older crowd did. Strange enough, comparing yourself is the smart thing. Just do it in a positive way. Not "Oh, they did this so much better than me". Instead see it as "I like what they did there. Why don't I try that later on in practice by myself?"
Also, don't freak out, but keep in mind that there is a very very good chance that your voice will change again. (Not the same as in puberty or anything, it's slow and subtle)
Basically, your voice will take another ten years or so "settling in". I'm 18, and voice is not quite there yet.
But in any case, the best advice I can give you is to just truck on through and really put yourself out there. Mind over matter, you know? There has to be a reason you have been put in an advanced choir, right? I would really like to hear you singing, if possible. IF not, thats ok too. Technology is a bitch sometimes. I hope this helps a little!
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I want to audition for my school's talent show with the song "I Hope You Dance"
please take a look at this video of me singing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70fi_0ZwtsE
please offer some suggestions!
Hey! I realize that this is kind of late, but I'll give you my critique anyway.
The first thing that I noticed was that you had a lovely stage face when you're singing, which is just wonderful. Unfortunately, what I also noticed first off was that you were quite flat, dearie. You pulled it in a verse into the song, however. This could be due to a couple things. Often when you can't hear yourself like, if the accompaniment is too loud, that will mess you up. This is remedied by taking a big-ass gut-extending breath. (Yeah, I know, basic stuff. But We all benefit from hearing it time and again). This will give you better control, and make you louder. Not to mention cure any flatness. Try covering one of your ears when you sing to get an idea of your pitch. Keep your face "open" (eyebrows up, eyes alert, mouth wide). If you can, sort of visualize the note you're wanting to sing, and imagine that you land on top of the note. (as opposed to sliding up to it). Does that make sense? It's really hard to explain it without doing it for you.
Next. There are two tones you have: really strong, and breathy. When you're singing, you're SINGING, however you seem to run out of steam at the end of a phrase. Does that sound accurate? Again, a good breath helps. There's not much to say here, suffice to say practice always helps this. Everyday try to sing long tones as long as you can. It will get better with time. Once you get the hang of this, you wont' be "ghosting" the ends of the verses.
And last, good old vibrato. I don't hear whether or not you can do this, because some singers choose not to use it in some pieces. This stuff takes a while to master.
I can't actually coach you on this because I am not there. But I can tell you what NOT to do.
-Don't shake your head, or jaw.
-Using your breath, like when making a breath accent doesn't work and sounds goofy.
The movement should be more in your throat. (A singing teacher or someone like that can help you with it personally)
Along with how to do vibrato, I also make a point of teaching my students WHEN to do it. As a rule, I would say during a longer note, and closer to the end of it. To get an idea, just roam around youtube and such. One person I love for her masterful vibrato is Lea Salonga, particularly when she was in Les Miserables.
I'm sure you've heard the folks who take it overboard, and vibrate the hell out of every note, long or short. When used properly, and in the appropriate times, it's much more effective.
This is all I can get into for right now. I hope this helps. If you want anymore advice on singing, just ask.
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