Valde Voice Studio
  • Home
  • Meet Me
  • Work With Me
  • Contact Me
  • Join My Book Group
  • Blog

Why you should take voice lessons

4/21/2014

0 Comments

 
You're a grown-up, you've had great vocal training and you have a solid vocal technique, so, why do you need lessons? For the same reason athletes have trainers and dancers continue to take class. It's easier and more efficient to stay in shape when you have someone holding you accountable. With the very busy lives we all lead, it's too easy to push our creative goals to the back burner, no matter how much our emotional survival may need them. It's much harder to do that when you have to carve out time and money AND stand in front of someone to be answerable for how you have or have not honored your goals. 


It's also helpful to have another pair of ears. Voices are inextricably interwoven with who we are. It's almost impossible not to be blind to what needs help and/or be overly judgmental and harsh with ourselves. A voice teacher can help keep things in perspective, gently helping you to appreciate your gifts or giving you a kick in the butt when you need it.


Most importantly, singing is about communication. We spend so much time texting, tweeting, Facebooking and emailing, but, singing goes deeper. It speaks to the soul. It is a much richer experience when you open up your heart to sing to have someone standing beside you as witness, cheering you on and saying, "Yes, I hear you."  
0 Comments

5 Things You Need to bring to your next audition

4/15/2014

0 Comments

 
You've chosen and rehearsed your songs and you have your headshot and resume ready to go. As you're getting yourself organized for your next audition, consider bringing these five additional things with you.


1.) Your back-up plan. The call may have asked for two songs in contrasting styles but are you ready for Sophie's Choice when they cut it down to one song? How about 32 bars? 16 bars? 8 bars? I'm not kidding. I've had it happen to me more than once and it's not the kind of decision you want to make on the fly.


2.) Your water bottle. Please help cut down on the plastic and get a quality reusable water bottle to bring with you. It may be a little heavier to tote around but the planet will thank you!


3.) Earbuds. Use your phone to it's full advantage while waiting. Listen to a lesson you've recorded, an audio-book, an inspiring playlist, play games - whatever helps you block out the chaotic energy of the waiting room. Just stay off of social media. Studies have shown that many people experience a dip in confidence after spending time on social media sites and an audition is NOT the place to try to deal with that. Try the Self Control for Study app for droid users and just plain old self control for those of you with iPhones.


4.) Money for parking, tolls and passes. Maybe it's just me, but I spend so much time focusing on the artistic preparation for the audition that I forget the practicalities of actually getting there. Having to deal with last minute distractions and hassles can throw you off your game so be sure you have money on your train pass, gas in the car and money & a plan for parking.


5.) A snack - personally, I like some sort of protein and some fruit. Sometimes you're lucky enough to be called into the audition room right away or find out that you have enough time to leave and come back but there are often times when you are just stuck there. It's good to have a little sustenance and to do a bit of stretching & deep breathing to help keep your energy up.


BONUS ITEM FOR WOMEN: A second pair of shoes. Heels are great for the actual audition. Flats are great for getting to the audition AND to have on hand when they are typing people out and you are taller than all the men. 
0 Comments

Be Zen

4/7/2014

0 Comments

 
"You have all the attributes to do this thing right now, Valde. What you need to do is go study Zen."
                                                            -Doug Duncan

This was said to me by my undergrad voice teacher in a moment of frustration. The technique of singing is something one spends a lifetime perfecting but it is easy compared to getting out of your own way. There is a difference between knowing what to do and knowing how to do it and there's an even bigger difference between knowing how to do it and being able to do it. In singing you need to be aware of your mind's patterns so that you can change them. You need to be able to practice concentration and detachment and you have to be able to let go enough to allow singing to happen. So, if you are stuck, if there is something about the technique of singing or auditioning or performing that you can't quite get - stop, breathe. It probably goes deeper than you think but the solution will probably be easier than you think once you stop banging your head against the brick wall.
0 Comments

    Archives

    December 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    Anatomy
    Doug Duncan
    Larynx
    Mind Set
    Performance
    Practice
    Self-reflection
    Stress
    Tension
    Zen

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.