Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York

Subject: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: Nick
Date: 11 Nov 05 - 11:14 AM

My mum would like to buy me a singing lesson(s) for Christmas. I live about 10 miles north of York and wonder if anyone has any recommendations of anyone within the vicinity.

I've looked on Yorkshire folk arts and there is a guy called Dave Dewar who can't be far away and a producer called Amanda Lowe but they are names I don't know.

I attempt to sing a range of things at the moment (Fairporty stuff/James Taylor/the odd unaccompanied thing/some Tom Waits/some bluesy things).

Any suggestions would be useful

Subject: RE: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 07:28 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 11:58 AM

Why not go allong to clubs or singarounds? Be very wairy of what "voice teachers" will try to impose apon you. If you are aiming at next years X Factor they may be of help but if it's "folk" material you want to perform ? Rember the three things that all good singers have in common. Tone - find out what your's is and don't try to sound like a coppy of someone else. Timeing - from Frank Sinatra to Bele Stewart, from Bob Davenport to Iris DeMent, timeing is one of the delights of a great singing style. Material - good singers and good songs go together. And as a ps. keep listening to songs and singers and let the songs find you. cheers

Subject: RE: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: R. Padgett
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 04:01 PM

Chris Coes running something I believe very shortly, must have been from an Email from Ryburn Three steps just received
Ray

Subject: RE: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: Willa
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 04:24 PM

Try this website; there are some well known names amongst those who belong to the network. You might find it useful to try a workshop event to see if it's the type of thing you're looking for.

Subject: RE: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: Willa
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 04:34 PM

Here's the reference to the Chris Coe workshops.

Subject: RE: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 06:31 PM

Something missing I think Willa.

Subject: RE: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: Nick
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 06:00 AM

Auldtimer

>>Why not go allong to clubs or singarounds?

I do

>>Be very wary of what "voice teachers" will try to impose upon you. If you are aiming at next years X Factor they may be of help but if it's "folk" material you want to perform ?

The implication of what are you are saying is that it doesn't matter how you sing if you are singing folk material. Is this what you meant? It seemed to be somewhat at odds with your last paragraph where you point out things that apply to all sorts of material.

My aim in going to a teacher is to produce a better/nicer sound out of me and to have someone who knows what they are doing point me in the right direction to reinforce what I do well and improve on the bits I do less well. I sing reasonably at the moment so that people listen when I sing and don't throw things or yell abuse but I'm sure I could make a better sound than I do now. I could breathe better I'm sure. I could sing more evenly across the range I sing. I could improve my tone and phrasing. etc etc

If I knew how to do it myself I would (I record and listen to myself on tape so I have some clue of what I sound like), but I would like someone who could not only point out the bits that are good and bad but also how to fix the bits that don't work so well.

My wife had the pleasure of some time with Janet Russell a couple of years ago where she was given some help and tips (Janet doesn't do one to one lessons but was kind enough to see her) and it was really helpful to her.

Subject: RE: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 02:08 PM

Hi Nick, "are you are saying is that it doesn't matter how you sing if you are singing folk material" NO NO NO It realy matters how you sing. That's why I said be wary of what voice teachers will try to impose on you. You should sound like you. For many years in Scotland the only acceptable way to sing "Scottish" songs was with a mock operatic style AKA Moira Anderson or with a cheery chappy style AKA Andy Stewart. A formaly trained voice is the death nell for a traditional style. There are many singers "in the folk world" who can and do attempt to pass on ideas and information but you have to search out and formulate the bulk of YOUR singing style YOURSELF. Listen to the old singers and recordings it is unfortunate that so many of the old singers are no longer arround they could wipe the floor with almost all of the current "stars". cheers

Subject: RE: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: Willa
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 03:27 PM

Yes indeed, Jane! http://www.ryburn3step.org.uk/singing.htm

Nick. janet was the first one I thought of; she's an excellent singer and teacher. The local community choir in Beverly (about an hour from York) has a workshop lined up with Janet in January that you might like to try.

Subject: RE: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: Gedpipes
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 04:03 AM

Actually Nick
I think you've got a good voice now.

Subject: RE: Anyone recommend a voice teacher nr York
From: Nick
Date: 15 Nov 05 - 10:55 AM

Ged, that's kind of you to say.

But I still would like to do it hugely better than I do currently and think there is huge scope for improvement, and feel that the help of a dispassionate professional would move me forward. I will continue to try and find someone!