I had an email from a girl asking my advice on singing the Biork song "Oh so quiet"
She wanted to know how to scream or shout at the louder parts of the song without damaging her vocal chords.
My reply to her was...
... don't ever scream or shout when singing. You will eventually damage your vocal chords.
What may sound like screaming or shouting in a song is a controlled for of singing.
As a vocal coach I know only too well that lots of people who don't learn to sing properly or have any form of vocal coaching will attempt to sing loudly without knowing the correct singing technique.
Anyone who wants to sing should find a good singing teacher, vocal coach in order to sing properly.
Friday 5 December 2008
Thursday 20 November 2008
BBC choir sing live on radio
Here is a utube link to hear the MacAuley and Co. choir singing live on Radio Scotland.
They were coached by myself (the singing tutor) in only six hours.
They were coached by myself (the singing tutor) in only six hours.
Friday 14 November 2008
BBC Children In Need Day
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Nine days ago I was asked by BBC Radio Scotland's MacAuley and Co. show presented by radio and T.V. personality Fred MacAuley, to help some of the shows co-presenters and producers form themselves into a choir, as they wanted to learn to sing live on the MacAuley and Co show for the BBC Children In need charity day on 14th November 2008.
None of the presenters were in any way shape or form singers and so the challenge was set and they began their singing lessons.
My job as The Singing Tutor, was to teach them to sing, in tune, in time, in unison and in harmony with only seven hours of rehearsal time.
I have to give these guys credit, they worked exceptionaly hard and with a great determination to succeed.
Last night they sang for the first time ever, live in Buchanan street, Glasgow accompanied by the children in need mascot Pudsy the bear and managed to collect £123.00 to add to the many thousands still to be donated by various other events throughout the BBC network.
Today they closed the special children in need edition of the MacAuley and Co show with the song which we had been rehearsing (Lean On Me) and the choir really stepped things up a gear and sounded fantastic.
They were a credit to themselves, to the show and to me. They were a joy to work with and I can't thank this group enough for their dedication.
Nine days ago I was asked by BBC Radio Scotland's MacAuley and Co. show presented by radio and T.V. personality Fred MacAuley, to help some of the shows co-presenters and producers form themselves into a choir, as they wanted to learn to sing live on the MacAuley and Co show for the BBC Children In need charity day on 14th November 2008.
None of the presenters were in any way shape or form singers and so the challenge was set and they began their singing lessons.
My job as The Singing Tutor, was to teach them to sing, in tune, in time, in unison and in harmony with only seven hours of rehearsal time.
I have to give these guys credit, they worked exceptionaly hard and with a great determination to succeed.
Last night they sang for the first time ever, live in Buchanan street, Glasgow accompanied by the children in need mascot Pudsy the bear and managed to collect £123.00 to add to the many thousands still to be donated by various other events throughout the BBC network.
Today they closed the special children in need edition of the MacAuley and Co show with the song which we had been rehearsing (Lean On Me) and the choir really stepped things up a gear and sounded fantastic.
They were a credit to themselves, to the show and to me. They were a joy to work with and I can't thank this group enough for their dedication.
Thursday 13 November 2008
Singing Student Supports Sydney Devine
Well done to one of my former singing tutor students Dyane Barry who is appearing in concert with country legend Sydney Devine at the Pavilion Theatre Glasgow from Thursday 13th November-Saturday 15th November.
Dyane has come a long way since her tuition only two years ago.
Dyane has come a long way since her tuition only two years ago.
Thursday 6 November 2008
BBC Children in need
I have been asked by BBC Radio Scotland to take ten of their radio presenters from the MacAuley and Co. programe which is hosted by Fred McCauley and teach them to sing in aid of their Children in need day.
The presenters will sing live on the MacAuley & Co. show on Friday 14th October.
They are all non singers and so this is a challenge and I only have a total rehearsal time of five hours during a ten day period.
Kenny Campbell of mp3 Backing Trax put together a specially arranged backing track for the choir to sing to and if you want to know which song I have chosen tune in on the show on Thursday 6th October and all will be revealed.
We started our first rehearsal on Monday 3rd October and you can listen to how that went, along with an interview which I had with Fred MacAuley by going to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland/presenters/fred_macaulay/
Can I succeed in getting these non singers to sound good enough to sing live on radio?
Tune into the MacAuley and Co. show on Radio Scotland on Friday 14th October at 10,00am to find out
The presenters will sing live on the MacAuley & Co. show on Friday 14th October.
They are all non singers and so this is a challenge and I only have a total rehearsal time of five hours during a ten day period.
Kenny Campbell of mp3 Backing Trax put together a specially arranged backing track for the choir to sing to and if you want to know which song I have chosen tune in on the show on Thursday 6th October and all will be revealed.
We started our first rehearsal on Monday 3rd October and you can listen to how that went, along with an interview which I had with Fred MacAuley by going to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland/presenters/fred_macaulay/
Can I succeed in getting these non singers to sound good enough to sing live on radio?
Tune into the MacAuley and Co. show on Radio Scotland on Friday 14th October at 10,00am to find out
Wednesday 29 October 2008
singing exercises helps muscles
Hi,
I just thought I would let you all know that one of my pupils who has been coming to me for only six weeks for singing lessons told me that he has been visiting a Chiropracter with back probelms.
The Chiropracter had noticed that there was more blood going to the muscles in his back due to the breathing exercises which he had been practicing thus helping his recovery.
Even more proof of the benefits of vocal coaching.
Robert
I just thought I would let you all know that one of my pupils who has been coming to me for only six weeks for singing lessons told me that he has been visiting a Chiropracter with back probelms.
The Chiropracter had noticed that there was more blood going to the muscles in his back due to the breathing exercises which he had been practicing thus helping his recovery.
Even more proof of the benefits of vocal coaching.
Robert
Wednesday 10 September 2008
Singing Audition
Hi,
i just wanted to share a couple of tips that may help you is you are going for a singing audition.
BE PREPARED!
Too many "singers" turn up at singing auditions unprepared. They haven't given any thought to what the audition is for ie: what type of job it is pop band, solo, choir, stage play etc.
Do your homework before you go and find out as much about what the auditioners are looking for.
Be prepared with at least two short songs (no longer than 2 minutes each).
Be well dressed and take a bottle of water with you.
Don't be put off by rejection, this could be because of anything rather than you singing ability eg; you could be too short, too tall or any number of reasons.
Many singers fail many auditions only to go on and have fantastic a singing career.
Robert
The Singing Tutor
i just wanted to share a couple of tips that may help you is you are going for a singing audition.
BE PREPARED!
Too many "singers" turn up at singing auditions unprepared. They haven't given any thought to what the audition is for ie: what type of job it is pop band, solo, choir, stage play etc.
Do your homework before you go and find out as much about what the auditioners are looking for.
Be prepared with at least two short songs (no longer than 2 minutes each).
Be well dressed and take a bottle of water with you.
Don't be put off by rejection, this could be because of anything rather than you singing ability eg; you could be too short, too tall or any number of reasons.
Many singers fail many auditions only to go on and have fantastic a singing career.
Robert
The Singing Tutor
Tuesday 2 September 2008
Singing Can Improve Your Health
It's been a while and I've neglected my blog so a slap on the wrist tom.
I just had to let you all know the latest news about singing.
A top british doctor has said that singing is good for your health and should be available on the NHS.
Apparently singing can help prevent depression and also help people who suffer bronchial problems such as asthma to breath more easily.
I remember about twent or so years ago my singing teacher (who is now 83 years of age and still singing) telling me that a doctor came to him for singing lessons and when he was given some of the exercises for correct breathing, he decided to use thes vocal exercises with his patients as he said the would benefit by helping their breathing.
I will write an article about this in my nextpost which will be soon..
Robert
I just had to let you all know the latest news about singing.
A top british doctor has said that singing is good for your health and should be available on the NHS.
Apparently singing can help prevent depression and also help people who suffer bronchial problems such as asthma to breath more easily.
I remember about twent or so years ago my singing teacher (who is now 83 years of age and still singing) telling me that a doctor came to him for singing lessons and when he was given some of the exercises for correct breathing, he decided to use thes vocal exercises with his patients as he said the would benefit by helping their breathing.
I will write an article about this in my nextpost which will be soon..
Robert
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