The Singing Tutor

BBC Singing Lessons

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:50:00 +0000

All this week I will be working for the BBC, teaching Aggie Mackenzie from the hit television show "How clean is your house" how to sing. By her own admission she can't hold a tune and therefore steers clear of anything to do with singing. She told me she went for a lesson with a top vocal coach in London but left at the end of her lesson no better.
My challenge is to get her good enough to sing live on the Macauley and Co. radio show on BBC Radio Scotland on Friday. You can find out how we got on and if I managed to get her to sing confidently and in tune by tuning into the show each day at 10:00am.

Xtra Factor 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:15:00 +0000

I got a call last week from the producer of Xtra Factor (the sister program of reality talent contest show X Factor)asking me to appear on their show. unfortunately they wanted to film the following day as the show was being aired on the sunday evening. I reluctantly had to decline their offer of using my services as vocal coach as my schedule was full on the day of filming. These things happen at times!!!

Nadia Howard-Does it Again

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:14:00 +0000

My singing student seventeen year old Nadia Howard from Glasgow received a standing ovation at the X Factor auditions in Breahead Arena, Glagow yesterday and got Four "Yes's" from Simon Cowel, Luis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue.
She sang the Joe Cocker song "you are so beautiful". Her singing lessons and practice with me have certainly paid off as she is now on her way to boot camp on the 26th July. Simon Cowel told her "you should go far in this competition" while Dannii Minogue said she was the best that day.
Only time will tell whether Nadia can go on to win X Factor 2009 but if she continues to do her singing exercises daily as well as regular singing lessons she should go all the way.

Robert Wishart

Nadia Howard Up In Front Of X Factor Judges Again

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:51:00 +0000

Seventeen year old singer Nadia Howard from Glasgow is to audition in front of X Factor judges Simon Cowel, louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole on the 12th July 2009. She has already performed for these judges on the 8th June and wowed them with he talents. She has been getting singing lessons from me for only a few weeks and she has worked hard to perfect her singing. You can watch her practice at a lesson with vocal coach Robert Wishart. It is important to learn to sing with the correct technique.

Singing student prepares to meet Simon Cowell

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:48:00 +0000

Now that one of my singing lessons students senteen year old Nadia Howard from Glasgow has been told officialy that she has to audition in front of Simon Cowell and his panel of judges for this years X Factor on the 8th June, it'stime to get her voice in top condition.
Today I worked with her on her techniqe for the songs she will sing and getting her breathing sorted.
We recorded the song and worked on some parts which were not perfect. Nadia has a great voice and if she follows my instructions, singing tips and practices her singing exercises she will have a fantastic voice. She is full of enthusiasm and wants to learn to sing> to the best of her ability. Her next singing lesson is on Tuesday 2nd June.

X Factor Auditions 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Thu, 14 May 2009 08:52:00 +0000

Congratulations again to one of my pupils seventeen year old Nadia Howard from Glasgow for getting through her second audition for X Factor on Sunday (11th May 2009).
Nadia has worked very hard in a short period of time to perfect her songs and it just goes to show that her singing lessons have paid off. As a vocal coach I get as excited as my students when they succeed at an audition. Watching them improve as they learn to sing and hone their vocal skill to their best. Well done again Nadia.

X Factor Result

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Sat, 09 May 2009 16:13:00 +0000

Well done to one of my students seventeen year old Nadia who has just phoned me from Hampden Park in Glasow to tell me that she succeeded in getting through to the next round in X Factor 2009. She is over the moon and so am I as she has only had a four singing lessons from me before her audition. She sang the song "You are so beautiful"

Well done againg Nadia I am keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Susan Boyle

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:29:00 +0000

well done Britains Got Talent hopeful Susan Boyle. she certainly took us all by surprise with her excellent performance of I dreamed a dream.
I am looking forward to her next performance on this show.
If you would like to be able to sing like her then you should take singing lessons from a good vocal coach.

Wedding Band Glasgow

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:37:00 +0000

Wedding season is getting busy now and I like nothing more that performing with Blazing Pianos Wedding Band Glasgow.

Working with fellow band members keyboard player/singer Kenny Campbell and superb female vocalist Diane Barry.

Working within the glasgow and surrounding areas of Strathclyde, Lanarkshire, Bunbartonshire and Ayrshire we are kept very busy. This along with my vocal coach work keeps me very busy.

X Factor Auditions 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:42:00 +0000

Hi,

It's almost time again to be preparing for auditions for the xfactor.

Learn the secrets of exactly what they are looking for from top Vocal Coach to TV's Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus and Fame Academy winner David Sneddon.

There are usually around ten thousand people who turn up at each audition so get the edge over other contestansts by finding out how to succeed in the X Factor auditions.

Good Luck

Robert Wishart

Vocal Coach

Dancers should learn to sing

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:39:00 +0000

I was listening to an interview on Radio 2 with Elaine Paige who was interviewing dance choreographer Anthony Van Laast who was the choreographer in the stage and film versions of Mama Mia to name just one of the many hit shows credited to his name.

Anthony was telling Elaine how important it is nowadays for musical theatre dancers to be able to sing as well as dance and also for singers to be able to dance.

He went on to explain that with the tight budgets nowadays in the theatre and film industry, producers can no longer afford to employ dancers and singers and it is easier to get a job if you can do both.

Anthony is now spreading the word to dance schools to tell the dancers to have singing lessons with a good vocal coach as he is no longer interested in auditioning people whoc can't do both.

So if you're a dancer and you want to succeed in todays market of musical theatre I would suggest that you learn to sing. Anyone can be a good singer if you get the correct singing tuition.

Don't SHOUT-Sing!

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:45:00 +0000

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.

BBC choir sing live on radio

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:48:00 +0000

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.

BBC Children In Need Day

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:20:00 +0000

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.

Singing Student Supports Sydney Devine

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:33:00 +0000

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.

BBC Children in need

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:36:00 +0000

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

singing exercises helps muscles

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:12:00 +0000

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

Singing Audition

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:20:00 +0000

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

Singing Can Improve Your Health

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:06:00 +0000

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

Jordin -American Idol Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Sun, 27 May 2007 11:24:00 +0000

Congratulations to Jordin on winning this years American Idol.
I have watched this seventeen year old throughout the American Idol series and was blown away with th mature sound of her voice.
With such an incredible voice and looks to match she was destined for stardom.
It just goes to show that with determination and training someone as young can take America by storm.
I think that runner-up Blake will not drift into obscurity but with his personality and ability should go on to have a great career in the music industry.

www.thesingingtutor.com

Keep singing !

Professional singer

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:22:00 +0000

To sing for fun whether it be at a karaoke bar, in a local choir or just for friends is a far distance from performing on stage and getting paid for it.There are so many other things to consider other than singing, it can almost be thought of more like acting.Let's take a look at the requirements to be a good professional singer.No matter what type of singer you wish to make as your profession, the basics are the same.
The Voice... Read More

P.A Equipment

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:59:00 +0000

The most common question I get asked by professional singers is, "how do I set up my P. A. (public address) system to achieve a good sound?"
It saddens me when I hear a singer with a good voice and well produced backing tracks have their performance ruined by a poor sound caused by their lack of knowledge on how to set up the sound system... Read More

Equipment

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 23:24:00 +0000

A singer is only as good as the equipment they use.
You can be the best singer in the world but if you sing through an inadequate P.A system, no matter how good a singer you are your sound will not be good.
The same rule applies to being able to use the equipment to it's best.
In other words you can have a great voice and top of the range sound system but if you don't know how to set a good sound it will still sound terrible.
Read more in my article http://www.thesingingtutor.com/equipment.htm

New Joseph

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 09:51:00 +0000

I see James McCracken whom I sometimes work with is down to the last 50 in the new reality TV show which is looking for the new joseph for the musical "Joseph and his amazing techicolor dreamcoat".
Well done James and good luck you deserve to win.

Keep Singing!

Todays Tip On Good singing

noreply@blogger.com (Robert Wishart) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:34:00 +0000

Don't take any dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter or chocolate on a day when you are going to sing.
Taking dairy products causes a sticky film to form on your vocal chords and makes it extremely difficult to control your voice.
Make sure you drink plenty of water in order to keep your vocal chords hydrated.

Taken from The Singing Tutor E-Book

Keep Singing!