This is one of a series of summary posts around a specific topic, bringing together five relevant posts from the past.
This summary is all about vocal range: how it’s relevant to being in a choir and how you might go about finding where you fit. I’ve already referred to five older posts in the first part of this series.
A guest video from Michaela Bartoskova reminding us all of why we sing.
“We sing to taste the freedom that music brings.”
Many of us choir leaders are constantly on the look-out for new warm up ideas.
Whenever I look on the internet, I always come across sheet music for vocalises. But these are only a small part of what a warm up should be.
I’ve caught some bug from all my recent travels and workshops. I have a sore throat amongst other things.
But I have a whole weekend of singing to prepare for and need to sing through the arrangements. What can I do?
I was singing along with my electric shaver the other day – as you do.
I realised that it was a great way to explore harmonising in the privacy of your own home.
Lots of people often tell me a similar story: someone they know is planning to go professional, but they can’t sing in tune.
Should they be told, or be allowed to make a fool of themselves in public?
This is one of a series of summary posts around a specific topic, bringing together five relevant posts from the past.
This summary is all about looking after your voice, especially in the winter months or when you have a busy concert season or if feasting is involved.
Last week I wrote about the notion of being “good enough” and how it could be applied to choir leaders: The good enough choir leader.
This week I want to look at how singers can usefully use this idea.
I was honoured to be invited for a video interview/chat recently with New Zealand singer, musician and composer Tony Backhouse.
One of the things we discussed was how we like music to be honest, gutsy, muscular and authentic. But how to describe exactly what we mean?
In a recent blog post, Robert Sussuma urges singers to “stop warming up, doing exercises, and practising.”
He is being a little provocative, but it has prompted me to reflect on whether singers need to warm up or not before singing.
I believe that proper preparation for singing is vital.
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But sometimes I forget to explain why to singers who come to my one-off sessions. This is what I should remember to tell them.
Many singers in community choirs choose for themselves which part they sing. They are not allocated a part by having a vocal range test.
This might work for a while, but what if you’ve chosen the wrong part? Also, voices change over time. Maybe it’s time to change parts?
Being in a choir and singing with others is very controlled. There are other voices to blend and balance with, and fixed harmonies to follow.
But from time to time I believe it’s important to really let your voice soar.
Here in England, we’re limited to a maximum of six singers rehearsing indoors.
When restrictions are finally lifted (in three weeks we hope), many choral skills will have gone rusty over the last year or more.
