helpful kids

The kids were so cute today. I asked them to pick partners and do homeschool. They couldn't decide who to pair up with so they made stations so everybody could have a turn to work with the other. What does this have to do with this blog? I actually had a big chunk of time to sing up for singing success on-line. So I got to watch some recorded lessons. I like it better than real lessons. Instead of having to sit there and look interested and polite and can listen and do sit-ups or something else useful. My multi-tasker's dream! William rolled around on the floor to keep me company.

Yesterday I went to a local recording studio to record the music that I've been working on with Jessie. I have pictures but I'm too tired to post them now. It was a lot of fun and hard work too. I haven't been able to hear the finished product yet. Looking forward to that.

no more big chunks

I look at last week and how busy I was, just keeping up with everyone at home, and I feel grateful that I was able to practice as much as I did. A couple of reasons...my wonderfully helpful son Sam was cooking and helping out. The other kids keep Caitlin and Grant entertained. And I followed some advise from the Artist's Way; stop looking for big chunks of time. When I thought about practicing...piano, guitar or singing I just did it, even just a few scales or one song.

I got to the third vibrato CD and found it very helpful. The excerizes aren't fun because vibrato is such a tricky thing...but I can apply them to the arias and they seem to help. I also did a lot of breathing exercizes that I made up myself while doing some similiarly self-made-up yoga positions, pulled a few muscles, but kept up with it. I hope they help! I'd like to be a good breather. Haha.

I've been trying to "coerce" some original material out of myself...not with much success. But today I made some progress on a piece of music I am arranging from a friend's hymn. We'll see.

First week of summer vacation

I've made it to the end of the 12 CDs and I've moved on to the vibrato CDs. I'm going to listen to it either while making dinner, or organizing my drawer, which ever comes first. I went on the Singing Success website and spent some times reading the tips of the week. I think I will join Singing Success on-line after I finish the CDs and DVD.

My appointments and reservations for plane and hotel are all scheduled...thanks to my "manager" Rob. He is very supportive and I am very grateful for that. I am excited but now a bit concerned about doing all that I can to prepare..so I don't get tips that are already in the back of my mind. I want to do the things I am thinking about doing now...so they can give me new suggestions.

So material is a big issue for me and just knowing what style to move towards.

style CDs

This week I focused on the style CDs. I particularly like the lessons on improvising over chord progressions.

I set up appointments for voice lessons in Nashville. Now to make the other arrangements.

I managed to practice guitar several times during the week.

I need to be better about keeping up with the classical practice. I also want to prepare program notes for the next time we perform the recital.

grateful for friends and family

I am grateful that the recital went well. I have happy memories of preparing the room, buying flowers with Sam and the kids, making banana bread and cookies and buying juice and cups. The room looked so spacious and clean. I turned Grandpa Alden’s picture in my direction….also thinking of Uncle Ed and knowing my mom would
love to be there as well. I am grateful for supportive parents, husband and children, and the sweet friends who took the time to come.
There were a few songs that made me feel a bit nervous. I felt like I had too much weight to carry them off gracefully. I need to lighten up a bit on them or maybe practice them more. I am thinking of the Dove Sono especially. I always wish that it were over when I’m only mid-way through. Heavy songs that don’t move much are what I need help with.
I moved on to CD#7. I am excited that it is a bit more challenging. I didn’t finish it all before getting tired…it was almost eleven o’clock at night. I’ll go back to it today.
I am eager to hear back from BMS…excited to set up an appointment for lessons.

one day to my living room recital

I have had a hard time getting myself motivated to practice the arias for the recital tomorrow. Maybe its because I've been working on them for over a year now so I don't feel the need to cram. I also didn't want to wear my voice out and there's the whole time constraint thing.

In the morning I put on CD#6 again, I didn't want to focus on new things since I am performing tomorrow. I really find the last few exercises a good challenge. Practicing keeping the edge in the head voice helps me maintain a sensitivity even when I go legit on the classical pieces.

I have been pleased that I haven't felt my usual pre-performance feelings of dread....just kind of eager. Now I am getting a little nervous because I just watched Susan Boyle perform Memory on Youtube and felt both excited by her performance and vicarious nervousness. Also, Sam is riding the overnight train with his sixth grade class tonight. They are coming home from their trip to Shanghai. So I feel a little anxious about that. But I feel fairly confident that after a few songs I will feel comfortable. It was great to see Susan Boyle overcome her few moments of stage fright and really give a powerful performance with great connection to the audience. The smile on her face was like she was sharing it with one person...very honest.

I practiced guitar and sang today for William and got a few scales on the piano in before the kids started getting up for school. Tonight I made a ton of banana bread (tomorrow I'll make cookies) for the recital. We moved the furniture around in the music room so the piano is in the right direction etc. I practiced ebben n'ndro lontano a little and listened to the itunes version....I forgot the woman's name.

more CD#6

My access to Blogger has been off and on so I haven't written much lately.

I have been going over CD #6 and the second style CD lately.

It interests me that the exercizes help my classical sound as well. Even the ones that are designed for the more popular sound.

I managed to get to the piano this morning...just for about fifteen minutes of scales. Then the field trip, then I played guitar and sang for about one hour while Caitlin played nearby. I've started into CD#6 but got distracted by baby William. I'll try to get back to that. One morer day until my open house/ recital. I hope a few people will come.

I e-mailed BMS about coming out for a visit in the summer.