Music Teacher Veronica Wakeling
Music TeacherForum Replies Created
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A blown up balloon to each ear in turn,then each note from the scale of C major to start,go up the major scale very slowly with the resonation vocalised as “NING NING.When the brain accepts that note resonation,go to the D, one by one up the scale.Repeat as necessary until accepted.The voice from NING NING is in head voice with no distraction from interference.Will not work with every student,though I have had great steps forward with mine.
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I have 4 long term students now 9 years.They first were college students in my classes.They each have gone from middle of the road ,to now singing opera both technical and performance.Through all the stages both female and male ,.Amazing ,and I may add is now over 70 years old.1 latecomer.,had a voice like sandpaper ,now sings like a dove…….
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Hi Phil,I find this works for me,the highs and lows of family finances can change dramatically,
I never charge for missed tuition with a genuine reason.I keep overheads to minimum,with free sheet music bespoke backing tracks.Entry into performing arts,and performance.With the economic situation at the moment,I encourage multi student tuition with reduced cost or free.
I realise not all teachers are in a position to work this way,but it really is rewarding when some students worthy of training would never have had that chance.
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Depending on her ability to digest technique,forget voice and tell her to use her voice as a tool box,perfecting each technique,one by one,then voice will look after itself.It works with mine ,but most are older…
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Oh Lydia it is vocal rest time .Then change your technique ,making sure you place everything you sing before you actually sing it ,through the nose to feel the vibrato in that place.Well away from the larynx and softly only.First of all get well…..No singing and only talking softly with plenty of breath even air is a healer.They found that out from patients with severe bed sores.A steady stream of oxygen to the bedsores worked much better than any topical application.Let us know how you get on.
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Brush up on your own technique of singing “in the mask”I feel sure you know this method,I never have a problem,because I use this method.
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I have mostly male students,Firstly I must be satisfied that they have a good breathing and support with muscular tension ,on the intercostal support,for that I use kinetic exercises of lifting a heavy stone with each arm up to chest level in order that they feel the rise.Then taking in a good breath through the nose keeping the voice above the larynx release going from the lowest comfortable register up the scale ,both sharps and flats on nggggggggggg.This also raises soft pallet.No pushing …no tightening…just a steady controlled air flow.This method was used by Jane Eaglan a dramatic soprano who had a throat operation and was told her career as an opera singer was over….It wasn,t…….
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As a singer/performer/tutor,a very experienced tutor of classical opera I was lucky enough to study with,told me a sweep of vaseline in both nasal passages traps the pollen ,dust etc which then cannot affect the voice…take it out with a good blow before working, performing in your field……IT WORKS
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I don,t know if this will apply,not knowing your student,I focus on singing as a tool box like a mechanic and we learn tool by tool in the box ,because you will be as anyone who takes on any job,you are trained for it,including health and safety,so each dynamic is a tool ,not the notes not the voice just the dynamic,and when it is correct before you close the toolbox,just show that dynamic or tool in action…..
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at 12 years of age the voice is not matured.The vocal cords are not matured.Stay with nature,if high notes are not coming into being when all other stages of technical training,are correct,let the voice work naturally to where it is comfortable.Incidently you havent mentioned what the high notes are?
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A doctor is taught never take anything on face to face value.Ask for a report on the condition,and a verification from the medical consultant that she can in fact be allowed to have singing lessons.That way there can be no comeback on you,or a lawsuit.
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Change the word tuning to technical “placing”There are many reasons why a student has this problem.E.N.T Ear nose and throat,any of these factors could in fact play a part.So I trust you have the ability to teach place through pure air stream,using headvoice and sinus structure.
The bottom line is you can guide but you yourself as a tutor cannot complete the job for the student.They themselves must be able through a placing, when the sound is correct.In time this works.The methodology is actually vibration.
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I reply only once.If the real interest is there,they will take up the offer.
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Belting can easily turn into shouting.The student must be technically correct in all dynamics of singing and able to use open throat technique with a dropped larynx….for safety.Much the same as a dramatic tenor uses the voice for power,.Breathing technique from the core is essential.Hope this helps.
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From a perspective,90 minutes or 2 hours is too long.My students have an hour or children half an hour,if they run over time because they want to,there is no extra charge.I have a teacher who has fell on hard times ,because of personal problems,she pays for half an hour ,though has a full hour until times get better.I realise some tutors have more overheads and often is only income.So everyone has a different agenda.Nothing worse than a student who wants to get out.
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How to pick the right notes out of the air,like magic.The song Doe a deer,Ray a drop of golden sun,Me a name I call my self ,Far a long long way to run,Sew a needle pulling thread…etc…is in the key of C Major,so as long as the student has the song in the head with Do the lead note they are able to change that to cdefgabc drmfsltd.So if you ask for E flat its,me a name I call myself in the song …The clever bit follows of sharps and flats too..if you like it …come back Cheers Veronica.
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Would happily contribute,.
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Would contribute happily especially for opera training.
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Would contribute happily especially for opera training.
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With our singing students,everyone is different in voice and level,eg I cannot teach a lyric tenor with the same technique as a dramatic tenor.So the last dynamic they achieved is what they practice.We are tier 4 lockdown at the moment,so there is no in studio work,and for us zoom does not work well.Everyone can have tracks with no charge and hard copy sheet music for which there is no charge.If we can drop to tier 3 we would hopefully go back in studio,until then we are as we are.,We are booking auditions and performance for 2021 though.Will keep you posted as of change.
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Take good luck at your own technique.You are working it seems to capacity.An opera singer is often singing either solo or in chorus for 2 hours,so they do not use voice at all in periods of no required usage.Rest the voice…then rest it again…..
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I haven.t increased the price for my students.I keep costings low with a low fee for our studio.Hear of so many forums pricing themselves out ,and losing so many students because of cost.I know every teacher situation is different financially but this works for me including high end professional and classical opera technique and performance.£25,00 per hour £15 half hour.Hope I can hold this as long as possible.
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I have 4 students who are slightly hard of hearing.One method which we use is a blown up and tied off balloon.Placed on the ear ,whichever one or both have the distortion,the vibration from the sound as long as you have taught technique well will echo through in most cases.The head is the natural resonator,made of bone with holes….This works for the 4, I mentioned.I can go deeper into the technical aspect but for now hope this may be of assistance. Veronica Swindon.
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It is imperative that the right safety techniques are taught,for what may be called screaming ,which when properly taught it gives the right effect without”screaming” safety of the layrynx. !! Yes I do teach it.It does depend on the holistic makeup of the student though.Many dynamics to consider.Some wish to but never will.
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Word of mouth is really the best It takes time.Do not expect an influx all at once.Be able to tailor your cost to those who want to train but are not financially able to pay a silly amount.It pays off.Let your students do the talking.Hope this helps. Best Hopes for you.Keep calm and carry on. xx
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Great topic. With children I teach for only half hour. 15 MINUTES TECHNICAL BREATHING. No straining of larynx. Vowelisation all 3 disciplines as fun. From there 15 minutes of songs which demonstrate those actions. As they progress more techniques but always as fun. Songs to incorporate the new dynamics as well as the previous.
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They will understand that you only offer the very best of tuition.Lockdown is preventing,not you. Meanwhile all tracks and sheet music is available at no cost. Just keep in touch and most will return .You will not take money for a service less than excellent.Hope this helps x
