Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Crowhugger
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 10:10 PM

LOL, yes Dennis, I meant the big, salty pond.
~CH.

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 01:46 PM

Cheers Brian,
we are a patient lot at Wath.

Crowhugger I presume, unfortunatly, its not the pond at the RSPB Old Moor Wetland Centre, but one considerably larger.

Dennis

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Brian May
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 08:11 AM

Dennis the Elder,

Thanks for the input. At the moment we are a bit bogged down with 'life' getting in the way.

Sounds good, I shall appraise 'she who must be obeyed' of this option and see how she feels. I am adopting a truly 'softly, softly' approach to this.

Appreciate all the input, so thanks all.

Best wishes,

Brian

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Crowhugger
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 07:36 AM

Alas I'm on the wrong side of the pond...

Steamin' Willie is possibly right that many a vocal coach would tend to a classical approach. I favour--and recommend she seek out--a "find your voice" approach. Maybe her voice suits folk or jazz or blues or Lieder but why jump to any conclusion until she's finding her own way through a variety of songs to see how they feel to her. The supportive singaround mentioned by Dennis sure sounds like a great place to jump into the thrill.
~CH.

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 04:29 AM

Brian, just a little update on the Wath folk Club.
It has been agreed to start a beginners/welcome session at 6:30 before the folk club starts officially. This is to give newcomers a chance to sing/play for the first time; also if a singer/player is required we can accommodate some time to practice/teach skills required. So if this will benefit you please feel free to come along. Ian, Brian, Graham, Bryan have agreed to be early to meet anyone interested.
If your wife is interested.

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 02:04 PM

The Hardest Singing Gig for ANYONE is the First one - My Baptism of fire was being put down for a song spot at an EFDSS weekend by a 'Friend' from the local Folk Dance group !
( WONT mention the name , to protect them - THEY are to blame for me getting into song at all)
But a song or two in your local club is as good a way to start , with or without any 'Formal' training !
   Amd singing round the house , or walking the dog or anywhere else is good practice !

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 01:30 PM

Hi Brian,
There is also a good Folk Club in Wath, where I sing.
Songs and music of any type are welcomed. I believe my confidence has improved much in the time I have sung there and I hope my singing has improved also.
It is a very non judgemental club and encouragement is the rule.
The is an organised Event on Sunday, pop through and meet those present.
pm me if you require further details.

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Brian May
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 09:59 AM

If Anita was singing, then I most certainly didn't know about it and can only apologise.

I must admit, I've probably spent too long on the top of high buildings with my electric and ignored everything around me!

Seriously, folks, thanks for the advice.

We're currently sifting it - I'm getting her singing in the house, out loud - which is always a good starter as it's a bit quiet in the folk club if you only sing in your head.

However, you're perfect every time there . . .

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 18 Jun 10 - 05:09 AM

Here, hang on a minute!

If you are Brian May...

The we have heard your Missus sing. Didn't she put a song in the charts to the tune of the theme from Eastenders???

Happen you could teach me some guitar tricks for that matter......

Sorry, nobody else had made the connection so I thought I would fill the gap as it were....

I'll log off now and put the kettle on. Sorry.

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: GUEST,jennyr
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 05:46 PM

I'm not in Doncaster but know of at least two decent singing teachers in Sheffield, if that's any good? My dad and I are both into (different kinds of) traditional/'folk' singing and have found lessons really useful.
For me, a lot of it was about having just enough technique to get through an evening without losing my voice, but I've got a lot more out of it than that. I don't think there's necessarily a contradiction between classical training and folk singing, it depends how you use the training and how you approach the songs

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: migginz
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 05:42 PM

Try a singing weekend with David Burbidge of Lakeland Voice. You could all go and have a lovely weekend.

Or look for other Natural Voice practitioners

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Brian May
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 02:06 PM

Thanks all who replied, we'll certainly look at those options and then make up our mind. We really appreciate your time.

I steered away from saying 'Singing coach required' - afraid of what responses I'd get! Although I must admit the Oxford Dons Glee Band made me smile mightily.

As for:

"Of course, being trained to use the voice as an instrument and then adapting that for a more "folk" style gets you everywhere. See Maddy Prior for details...."

I tend to use mine as a weapon!!! And most of us will remember 'El Kabong', I'd hate to do that with a Martin, however, if needs must . . . ;o)

Whilst small and intimate, Doncaster Folk club in the Mason's Arms on Tuesday evenings is about as friendly and non-judgmental as it gets. Sheena has promised to learn a 'little' song for next week. We'll see, hopefully SHE will enjoy herself. Let's face it, that's what it's all about.

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: GUEST, Jim Hancock
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 05:03 AM

Hi There

http://www.yorkshire-folk-arts.com/directory/learning.html

Has a list of people who teach music and song in Yorkshire.

All the best

Jim Hancock

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: GUEST,Steamin' Willie
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 04:54 AM

There is singing and there is singing.

A more classical approach would be pitch perfect, a minim lasting the length of a minim, a crotchet half that time etc. Of course, this does not mean that heartfelt emotion is ripped out, (feel the anguish in tragic opera!) but most classical approaches are about the uniform pitch & timbre rather than relating a good story with feeling.

I could possibly describe that better by suggesting you listen to the classical singer Andreas Scholl work his way through "English folk songs" on some of his albums. (Preview in iTunes store and you will know exactly what I mean about the voice as an instrument being pitch perfect but stripped of soul.)

I was classically trained on the violin, and if I played a piece by Vivaldi, my style, length of notes, even posture would be very different to playing Irish jigs & reels. I even tried (for my benefit) to distinguish between violin playing and fiddle playing. Sadly, after an accident, I play neither as I cannot get my wrist to twist round enough.

Folk on the other hand..... I am not a good singer in the instrument sense and if unaccompanied can wander into keys that don't exist. My guitar style is based on hearing a bass pedal note to stop my voice wandering off to the next village. But... people like what they hear, because it would appear I put "feeling and respect" to the words. (Other's views!) I live near Doncaster and can say that there are some fine singers around happy to get up in a pub and take a deep breath.

I do think that voice coaching would by definition veer to the former rather than the latter. Not a bad thing in itself and if your idea of folk is interpretation of Vaughan Williams, such singing would more than fit the bill.

Of course, being trained to use the voice as an instrument and then adapting that for a more "folk" style gets you everywhere. See Maddy Prior for details....

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 04:32 AM

Quote from Quack
One mistake new timid singers make is to learn the most long and difficult songs they can find (or that is how is seems to a listener), with no chorus or joining in bits. All this does is expose any weaknesses they may have, including the fact that the more words, the greater chance of forgetting one. I am a great believer in keeping it short with plenty of chorus.
Unquote

I fully agree there Geoff.

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: GUEST,Geoff the Duck
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 04:11 AM

Brian.
I don't live in Doncaster, but know various people who do. I would suggest that a good start would be to get to folk events in the area. A useful source of info is the Yorkshire Folk Arts web site ( List of folk clubs). I am also aware thet something happens on a Monday at the Ukrainian club DN2 4AD . This may be a mainly tunes session, but I do know singers who go there.
A good way to build up confidence is to find a crowd who are friendly and encouraging. The Barnsley folk club are a good bunch for that.
One mistake new timid singers make is to learn the most long and difficult songs they can find (or that is how is seems to a listener), with no chorus or joining in bits. All this does is expose any weaknesses they may have, including the fact that the more words, the greater chance of forgetting one. I am a great believer in keeping it short with plenty of chorus - mind you they said I had a good voice for silent movies...
Best of luck finding what you need.

By the way - isn't a singing coach what you get on a char-a-banc bus trip coming back from Blackpool?

Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 06:19 PM

I'd suggest she join an informal group that sings for pleasure, just to get her confidence up. I know of a good group in Lincoln on a Monday evening but that may be too far away for you. The group learns by rote so there is no sightreading to be done. Also the style of music is very varied.

If you think it might be of interest, please pm me and I'll find some specific details for you.

Happy singing!

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: mousethief
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 05:25 PM

When I read the thread title I had this mental picture of a bunch of Oxford dons forming a glee choir.

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Brian May
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 05:10 PM

Right, I do see your point. Our daughter who was doing a degree in music said to my wife: Mum, don't sing, you've got degree qualified listening.

So let's just say 'folk orientated' singing. She has no confidence (there's a surprise) and is certainly not looking at choral.

Sorry to be a bit vague, but even she's not sure.

'Untrained sound' - describes my singing perfectly!

Subject: RE: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 08:18 AM

Singing coach?
Like many questions asked on Mudcat, the answer may depend on what you are looking for. If you give an idea of what sort of singing, it may give clues for people to point to the sort of advice you want.
For instance - if her interest was folk related, in general, people go for an untrained sound even if they are in full control of their vocal ability. Choir stuff, on the other hand, is a different bag entirely.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: Singing tutors in the Doncaster area?
From: Brian May
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 08:03 AM

My wife is showing an interest in singing and I'd like to find a singing coach for her.

Does anyone know of any in the Doncaster (UK) area?

Thanks