ABOUT YOU AND SINGING.
Why have singing lessons?
In the same way that you might want to improve playing an instrument, it’s important to know how to use your singing instrument.
Don’t go out there leaving your top notes and stamina to how you feel on the night, but rely on a sound technique.
We all know the tired and pushed voice syndrome.
I know what this is as I have been there myself, but that was many years ago, before taking voice lessons myself. I learnt technique and how to support and project the voice with ease.
Who would be the best teacher?
The best teacher is someone who has had a professional career, and has been teaching successfully for a number of years.
It may be tempting to chose a teacher that seems to have lots of energy and enthusiasm, but ask yourself if they really know what the fundamentals of technique are.
TESTIMONIAL :
Over the space of 8 years Barry has taught me to sing to a level that I would never have expected to achieve, and although I elected to just take lessons without sitting exams, I am now at a stage where I can sing songs that would be classed at the most difficult level for singing exams.
My musical tastes are quite wide ranging and I enjoy singing Country, Pop, Rock and roll, Soul, Classical, Blues, Motown and Irish Ballads. I have never been wary of bringing any song to Barry as, although he is opera trained, he has always accepted all my choices without hesitation and is completely adept at switching from one style to another with complete ease. Vince.
VOICES ARE UNIQUE
Each singer comes from a different point in their development. Some may have vocal problems, or difficulties pitching notes. Others need to work on interpretation and presentation of their songs for audition or performance.
We use vocal exercises and we put this technique into your songs.
THE THREE PILLARS OF SINGING
There are 3 inescapable principles for ALL voices in any style of music:
1: Warming up the voice and placing it correctly is essential.
2: Keeping the voice supported with the diaphragm and intercostal breathing is essential. You cannot place the voice without properly supporting the voice.
3: Keeping the voice on the level at which you speak is essential. Singing is not shouting or raising the larynx.
Then of course, these principals have to be put into every song. Every song has its different challenges.
There are many variables in singing a song:
The notes.
The timing.
The pitch.
The dynamics.
The words.
The meaning.
The preformance….and more
In a typical lesson we will go through the above with vocal exercises which will last you a life time.
We will put this technique into the songs you like to sing.
I can help you to chose repertoire if needed.
I play the piano, and do not use backing tapes, like most other teachers. I then can isolate difficult passages and go over them, whereas using a backing tape cannot do this.