Suggestion for Vocal Training Video

Subject: RE: Suggestion for Vocal Training Video
From: Alice
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 08:00 PM

Another way to think about this is, instrumentalists use an object to make music - singers use one of the most delicate parts of their body to make music. Misuse can result in vocal nodes, even cancer, if the stress is prolonged enough. Because we speak and sing without thinking much about it, we don't realize that there is a science of how the voice works and many years of experience and research in how to use the voice in ways that preserve the health and sound of the voice.

See "threads on the singing voice" for more discussion.

Alice

Subject: RE: Suggestion for Vocal Training Video
From: Alice
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 07:56 PM

At her young age especially, the wrong vocal technique (even if she is making it up while she sings along to rock CDs) can have a very bad effect on her voice. Find a GOOD voice teacher, not just a coach, but a teacher... one who understands the physiology of the voice and how to work with individual students. Too often, coaches teach a "style" but have no idea what they are doing that can set up bad vocal habits and create problems for a singer.

Learning good vocal technique will preserve her voice for a lifetime at its peak potential - bad technique will ruin her voice, maybe even permanently. I know that sounds harsh, but it is true.

Contact your nearest University music department or your local musicians union to get referrals. Without having someone knowledgable to see and hear what your daughter is doing with her voice, there is no way to teach her exercises that she needs - it has to be a custom designed regimen based on HER voice, where she is in development, what type of voice she was born with, etc. Buying a tape off the shelf may be for someone who has a different type of voice than hers, most probably adult singers, and will not be a good way to go. Personal, face to face guidance is essential. The voice is a delicate thing and needs to be handled with care.

Alice

Subject: RE: Suggestion for Vocal Training Video
From: pluck & bow
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 07:34 PM

Thanks Folks,
Yes, she had a vocal coach too and quit after three months, I figured she was just too young. However, feedback IS important and it was amazing how much she learned and improved.....so hang in there Kris!

I'm thinking perhaps until she goes back to a vocal coach she can learn some warmup exercizes etc..

She sings rock, but I can usually talk her into singing some folk with me occasionally:)

Subject: RE: Suggestion for Vocal Training Video
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 06 Jan 04 - 04:08 PM

The important part of a vocal teacher is that the student can have his/her faults corrected. Feedback is extremely important in training the voice.

Frank

Subject: RE: Suggestion for Vocal Training Video
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 05 Jan 04 - 11:30 PM

Check out HOMESPUN

Subject: RE: Suggestion for Vocal Training Video
From: GUEST,KB
Date: 05 Jan 04 - 04:02 AM

Sounds like a good idea. It would be great to supplement that with some lessons from a good coach if possible - so that the coach can check that she is doing the warm-ups etc correctly.

What sort of thing is she singing? What style is she looking for?

I have a 12 yr old daughter too, and she sings trad folk & soft rock. She had some lessons a few years ago, but didn't like being told what to do (typical!). I keep trying to get her to go back for at least a couple of lessons just to get a couple of pointers - but no success at the moment. We do a lot of singing together though, and that seems to work best at the moment.


Kris

Subject: Suggestion for Vocal Training Video
From: pluck & bow
Date: 04 Jan 04 - 11:52 AM

Hi,
My 12 yr old daughter wants to sing sing sing! I thought perhaps Id get her a CD or Video with vocal warm-ups and lessons. I've seen Born to Sing! and a few others out there for sale, can anyone suggest a good CD or Video for a kid her age?
Thanks