I’m going to draw inspiration for this article from my
personal experience with giving singing lessons to my pupils via my free WhatsApp
training program. It has given me a lot of food for thought as it were, because
for some reason, some of my pupils’ inability to follow instructions, as it
happens, is the number one challenge I face. Don’t get me wrong, not ALL of my
students are like that. However, an increasing number is, and this is reason
enough for concern. In this article, I will aim to analyze the reasons why I
think this is happening in the first place, and how—if this is happening to you—turning
things around for yourself can be as easy as three simple steps.
Let me begin by reiterating one small detail that some of
you home learners may be overlooking. Doing the scales isn’t about shouting
your way to the top of your range—in fact you don’t get there by shouting. It’s
about working with the piano—in key—to ascend and descend through your range.
So if this isn’t happening, then spend as much time as is necessary to figure
out what the demonstration tape is illustrating with voice and piano. So be
sure to have a good listen to ensure you have full understanding of what is
going on. I’ve received hideous voice notes from some of my students—quite
alarming to say the list, and completely off the rails. And that’s putting it
mildly. So use your ears. Listen and observe, in order to understand what
you’re required to do.
I’ve mentioned this before on numerous occasions. If you’re
doing your scales off the headset on your phone, don’t expect results. Because
you’re training a couple of things at the same time here, your voice and your
ear. Your ear has got to hear the sound of the piano for the voice to
replicate, and vice versa—in that you need to also hear your voice in order to
know whether or not you’re singing in key. So imagine what you’re going to hear
when your ears are plugged. Oh yes, you’ll be missing out on one of the most
essential elements in voice training—your ear.
And here comes the solution. Use a sound system. But be
careful. The last thing you want is a large PA system. It’s too big. Something
like a home theatre or a boom box would suffice. Because the decibels have got
to be on the level of a human voice for you to get the full benefits of your
vocal training with the prerecorded piano. And do your workout inside a room.
Never do your training outside, in open spaces, like the beach. That would be the
fastest way to ruin your voice. Imagine not hearing yourself at all because of
the wind and the sheer vastness of the space you’re in? You would end up
shouting.
If you’re the kind of person that wants to acquire my recommended
vocal training programs to guide you to successful singing lessons, read my article Joett Vocal Training Product Review for Home Learning.
You are the instrument, learn to sing like a pro!
JOETT
Vocal Coach & Author
"Letters from a Vocal Coach"
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