Dear all,

I know some of you are singing and playing guitar at the same time and having some difficulties. I have found a video on youtube that may be helpful.

Let me know if this works for you.

Happy Singing

Charlotte

Dear all,

Please check out the ABRSM forums. These are great places to share ideas and experiences relating to music and ask questions. ABRSM is an examining board but you don’t have to be taking an exam to be involved in the forums. There are sections for Parents, Voice, Theory, Adult learners and Teachers as well as other instruments.

http://www.abrsm.org/forum/

Happy Singing

Hello,

 

Here is a link to some beautiful music by Elgar which you may well know, followed by a link to a very interesting and interactive BBC programme which goes into depth about Elgar and his music. I hope you enjoy these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngcxp4yn_Fg

This is the link to the programme about Elgar’s music:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zxhfyrd#ztnv34j

 

 

For those of you interested in sight singing, this blog is brilliant:

http://webduck.webspace.virginmedia.com/sightsinging/srpage000.htm

Happy Singing

Did you know Pavarotti was very funny? Should have had a stand up show.

Watch and enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zjrgbCaC1U

Dear all,

Here are links to various new musical acts from Folk, classical, jazz etc. I hope you find something you like. Creativity knows no bounds, go forth and make music.

Folk

http://www.mishapedpearls.org/

The above is ffrom an album called ‘Silver and Wood’ by Jaquelyn Hynes and is available from Hobgoblin records.

http://ayyf.co.uk/

Home

About

Classical

http://lizchiyenliew.com/

World

About

Jazz

THE BRISTOL EUROPEAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE

http://edwardleaker.com/listen/elb-listen/

Happy listening

 

 

 

Dear all

Here is a link to the wonderful Kathleen Battle singing ‘Where ere you walk’ by Handel from his opera Semele.

Watch her wonderful poise and elegance whilst singing and listen to how she emits so much feeling into the text but has a beautiful legato line. Also, the open throat singing and abdominal recoil breathing.

Here is a link to a pdf of the text if you want to follow it.

http://javanese.imslp.info/files/imglnks/usimg/5/50/IMSLP146805-PMLP44373-Handel_-_Semele_-_Where_er_you_walk_VS_Sibley.1802.16201.pdf

Happy singing.

Charlotte

Dear all,

Below are some choirs you might consider joining. Remember, the more you sing the better it will become:

http://www.allsortschippenham.co.uk/

http://www.thecausemusicandarts.com/world-music-choir/

http://bathminervachoir.co.uk/

http://www.choir.musicatchippenham.org.uk/

http://www.chippenhammethodistcircuit.org.uk/welcome-page/mask/

http://www.chippenham-clogs.co.uk/

http://www.organumchoir.org.uk/

http://www.poundarts.org.uk/pound/HirerDetails.aspx?artid=972

These are just a few. There are many more

Happy Singing

Charlotte

Dear Parents,

Here are some tips on how to help your children practice their singing:

1) DON’T CALL IT PRACTICE- everyone hates this word.

2) Encourage them in a creative way. Ideas for this include phrases such as ‘ Can you sing me that lovely song you were learning in you lesson’ or ‘shall we try and do some of those warm ups you were doing with Charlotte, I would like to try them too’.

Encouraging development of pieces could include things like ‘ I loved the way you sang that song, shall we just look at this part of the song and try it in different voices, louder or quieter, a witchy voice’ etc.

3) 2 stars and a wish. Try to do this with a different song each day. The child sings a song and the parents/ siblings/family member say 2 things they liked about the performance and 1 wish to improve.

4) A little every day is better than 1 long session. They really don’t need to do 30 minutes a day. 10 minutes a day is better for younger ones. If they can manage longer then great but don’t worry. The main thing is that they enjoy singing and sing daily. As they get older this can increase and more diligent practice should be expected.

5) Set a goal. Perhaps this is singing the song to Grandma or family on the weekend or a full performance with a pretend stage. A small performance goal is good if the child likes performing.

6)Privacy. Singing is very personal and children do not want to feel pushed into it. They may need a private space where they feel safe to explore their voices and their music without interruption.

Please speak to me if you are having trouble getting your child to practice. Singing is very personal to the child and they are not always able to tell someone why they don’t want to practice. A song may make them sad, or they don’t like it or they just don’t feel like singing today. That is okay.It is my job to try and understand this and help to turn things around if I can.

Children are natural singers and often sing when really compelled. It is our job to make the right environment for this compulsion to thrive so they feel they can express themselves through singing without judgement but with encouragement.

Above all, remember that singing should be a pleasure. It is important to foster this idea and make it seem natural and fun. It is not like learning any other instrument.The voice is affected by mood, health, psychology, personality and environment. It is very much attached to the well being and personality of it’s owner  and as such needs support and positivity to help it grow.

Charlotte

 

 

 

Dear all,

This is great. If you don’t know who Dame Janet Baker is then please youtube her and listen to her extraordinary singing. The wonderful Joyce Didonato is interviewing her and she is a brilliant singer too. The importance of the text is highlighted here.

Enjoy

Charlotte