Recording your voice

Recording your voice

This week’s article looks at recording your voice and is aimed at those who have never recorded their voice before.

Recording your voice is important so that you can analyze your progress and also have a record of what your voice sounds like. When you are singing it is very difficult to know how you really sound.

Have you ever thought how rock singers find their pitch when the drummer, lead guitar, bass guitar and the rest of the band are playing and singing?

Good singing is not always about how it sounds, it’s also about how it feels.

When you first hear your voice played back it is normally quite a surprise. Some people feel

they never want to hear it again and others are shocked how good their voice is. Give yourself time to get used to hearing your voice back. Once you become used to it then you will be able to pick out your strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to practice and achieve it next time.

When?

Did you know the Bee Gees would not record in the morning or afternoon? They would only record in the evening, or late at night. This is because your voice takes time to warm up through-out the day. You will find your voice is better in the summer than the winter, due to how warm your body and vocal chords are. Have you ever wondered why you sound so great in the shower? The same reason, the moisture in the air lubricates your throat and vocal folds, and the heat relaxes them enabling you to sing brilliantly!

Ideally you should have a good vocal warm up and then record your voice in the evening, when you are in a good mood. It may sound silly but if you are stressed it will make a difference to your voice.

How?

It is not important that the recording is the best in the world but it does need to be clear. Try recording your voice without any backing and then with backing so you can hear the difference. Karaoke machines are great for doing this but the microphones are not always the best quality, so you may want to invest in a good microphone, like a Shure SM58 or ask your singing teacher to help you. Don’t use any echo or effects machines so you can get a recording of your natural voice.

How often?

Try and record your voice every 3 months. As you mature your body changes and as you practice your sound strengthens and can change. If you record your voice too often you will not really be able to notice the difference.

What to record?

Try to record a couple of songs. Something that is perfect for your vocal tone and range alongside a song that is a challenge for you. The first song enables you to really understand your own voice and get used to how you sound and the second song enables you to study the areas you need to develop, your flexibility, range or breathing technique for example.

Firstly record the songs without music then with. This will help you determine whether you have good pitch and timing.

For more chat and singing tips from Vocaltutor keep coming back to the blog. here: http://vocaltutor.wordpress.com

1-2-1 Singing lessons available throughout the UK – www.vocaltutor.co.uk 

 

Think you can sing – Singing Course Harrow Arts Centre

Think you can sing?

Starts Wednesday 20 January

This is an introduction to the basics of vocal techniques to increase your awareness of how to sing in a healthy and enjoyable way. The techniques covered including posture breath, control and physical exercises to encourage a sense of rhythm. This is a 10 week course.

Start Date: 20 January 2010 Day: Wednesday
Time: 10am – 12pm  Fee: £81 (£64.50 concessions)

Start Date: 21 April 2010 Day: Wednesday
Time: 10am – 12pm  Fee: £81 (£64.50 concessions)

How to enrol on the course:

In person:
Come along to the Harrow Arts Centre between 10am and 4.30pm.  If you think you are eligible for a reduced fee (concession) you must bring proof of this.

By telephone:
You may reserve a place on any of our courses simply by calling 020 8428 1182.
Your reservation will be held for 7 working days. To confirm the reservation you must submit payment within the 7 days in person or by post.

By Credit or Debit Card
Please call 020 8428 1182 with your credit card details

Adult and Community Learning @ Harrow Arts Centre
Harrow Arts Centre
Uxbridge Road
Hatch End
HA5 4EA

www.harrowarts.com

New regular post – Resources & Software for singers and singing teachers

I am pleased to present a new regular post here on the blog… Resources and software for singers and singing teachers.

Bringing you some of the newest, some of the free ist, and easy to use products inc software for singing teachers and singers.

The first product Vocaltutor wish to tell you about is Finale & Finale Notepad.

I have been using it for some time and it is so simple to use.

According to Finale – the world’s most powerful music notation software. Compose, arrange, notate, and print engraver-quality sheet music. Here are the features… click on the links for more….

Features

Getting Started Getting started is easy. Whether you’re setting up your score or watching a QuickStart Video, Finale guides you to perfection. Learn more. Entering Notes Enter notes your way – from MIDI to your mouse, from scanning to Finale’s exclusive MicNotator®, no other software offers you more note entry options. Learn more. Adding Markings, Lyrics, and More Finale automates and streamlines the process of entering everything besides notes, too. Learn more. Hearing Your Music Finale includes world-class instrument libraries and several innovative tools to make sure your music sounds as good as it looks. Learn more. Sharing Your Music In addition to printed pages and audio files, Finale helps you create electronic documents that anyone can edit, print, and save. No one offers more ways to collaborate and share your music. Learn more.

Educator Tools With exclusive features like SmarMusic® support, customizable music education worksheets, and the Exercise Wizard, Finale offers music educators more ways to save time. Learn more. Time Savers Save time with Linked Parts, Multiple Page Editing, and other innovative features that automate tasks and streamline your workflow. Learn more. Composing and Arranging Tools Exclusive idea-generating features and essential tools like transposition and range checking are all included. Learn more. Production and Sequencing Tools Finale is able to open or save as a standard MIDI file to work in conjunction with the industry’s most in-demand production and sequencing programs. Video support and Finale’s built in mixer are just two of many tools inside of Finale that help you prepare your score for final production. Learn more. Engraver Tools Finale is the industry standard because it offers ultimate control of the printed page. Learn more.

Download a demo here……..http://www.finalemusic.com/Finale/Demo.aspx

Rock Challenge UK

Rock Challenge UK is a series of performing arts events which promotes healthy life choices.

In the 2007 UK Rock Challenge® there were 4 primary school events, 27 secondary school/college events, and 5 secondary school/college Grand Finals. Over 15,000 young people took part. A school / college team (made up of from 20 to 100 performers, 20 stage crew and 14 support crew – smaller numbers for Primary schools) decides on a theme, reflecting the personalities, concerns, hopes, dreams and interests of those who create it. They then create the choreography for their five to eight-minute dance-drama performance, select and record the medley of music for their soundtrack, and design and make their sets and costumes. On the designated show day, the competing schools and colleges in that region assemble for a wonderfully friendly day of interaction, rehearsals and fun. In the evening they perform to a usually sellout audience of their peers, families and community members, and their performances are judged by a panel of specialists from the performing-arts industry. The winning team is invited to take part in a UK Southern or Northern Grand Final. For the first time ever in the UK, teams who do well in those Southern and Northern Finals will additionally be invited to take part in the 2009 all-UK National Grand Final to be held at the Sheffield Arena in July. The challenge is for the students and their teachers to create and be involved in their own production from conceptualisation through to the live performance. The challenge is also to be the best that they can without the use of nicotine, alcohol or other drugs, and there are penalties for anyone who fails that challenge on any event day and for their team too. Feedback / research indicate that the concept works, with young people clamouring to return year after year to take part, with improved relationships with teachers at school, with a reduction – or even cessation – of substance abuse by team members and with a lower incidence of substance abuse generally within participating schools. The Rock Challenge® communicates health and social education messages in a positive and supportive environment.

For information on the 2010 Tour click here………

Singers of the Future Forthcoming Shows

Due to the massive success of Vocaltutors – Singers of the Future Nights we are now planning to expand the events all over the UK! Vocaltutor will keep you informed!

Singers of the Future nights are for Vocaltutor teachers and students to get up on stage and gain valuable experience, while showing off what they can do. There is no cost to be involved and no cost to attend! So why the hell not! Plus we invite plenty of local entertainment agents, to help the singers get future work.

If you want to perform at one of the events listed or which would like to organise an event in your area, contact vocaltutor here………… 

Here are the forthcoming planned Singers of the Future nights:

November 29th - Junior Night

Selby Railway Club, Station Road, North Yorkshire.

Performing are:

• Girlz, Girlz, Girlz – Charlotte Lowery, Danielle Atkinson, Emily Atkinson, Ellie Hill-Brown
• Ellie Hill-Brown
• Charlotte Lowery – new website click here…………
• Danielle Atkinson
• Brooke Knight
• Paige Alexandra
• and returning father and daughter duo – Enchanted. Website…Click here…

The event will be presented by Georgina Hill-Brown – Vocaltutor Founder

20th December – Christmas Special

Selby Railway Club, North Yorkshire

Performers:

• Tom White - Website ….
• Kurt Turner – Website….
• and the amazing competition winner Kortni Turner - Website….

9th January 2010 – Huddersfield Special

Moldreen Liberal Club, Huddersfield

Performing are: (TBC)

• Abbi Smith
• Laura Jane – ‘Aura’
• Girlz, Girlz, Girlz
• and Enchanted

 

17th January 2010 – New Artists!

Selby Railway Club, Selby, North Yorkshire

Introducing:

Holly Coulson & Charlotte Green

MORE SINGERS REQUIRED – IF YOU WANT TO PERFORM CONTACT VOCALTUTOR NOW!!!!

 

 

Finally just confirmed – 12 February 2010 – Ossett WMC, Fern House, Ossett, Wakefield…..

SINGERS REQUIRED – IF YOU WANT TO PERFORM CONTACT VOCALTUTOR NOW!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Manchester Facebook Group

Want to be kept  informed of whats going on in Manchester?

Talena Smith (Associate Singing Teacher) – expert is rock and heavy metal singing, has set up this new group and will be keeping the Manchester teachers and students updated of events and more in and around Manchester.

Please join the group and tell your friends!

Click here to join……………………………..

Talena Smith’s most recent band video… Gone til Winter! Awesome!

Gone til Winter website……….click here……….

Vocaltutor New Students

Alex-Alicia

Vocaltutor has gained quite a few new students this week, as we do most weeks. Here is just one who is being mentored by Georgina Hill-Brown…….

Alex-Alicia

Alex-Alicia is 15, born 27/04/1994 – youngest of six, started dancing at age three, ballet, tap, modern & theatre craft, started singing at age 7 with Verity Keyes (X-Factor) at age 13 she moved to the Northern Academy of Performing Arts in Hull (www.northernacademy.org.uk) to continue her dance education with the intention or progressing to a full-time performing arts school at 18 – she currently studies Ballet & Modern at Grade Advanced One (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance), her dance teacher is Julie Lovewell is a big inspiration, she also studies Tap, Street Jazz, Song & Dance, Greek & Character Dance. She has private Musical Theatre lessons with Heather Pearson (www.heatherpearson.co.uk) & his currently studying for Grade 5. She takes part twice yearly in various Dance Festivals where she has won many awards over the years. She has also taken part in many competitions including Talent Quest & Search for a star making the final in both, Festival for Stars & Talented Youngster of the Year. She has recently been entertaining customers at The Boaters Beach Restaurant, Cleethorpes.

She attends the Oasis Academy Immingham for her academic studies & has been predicted A’s & A* in both Performing Arts & Drama. She regular entertains at school events demonstrating both her Vocal & Dance ability.

Alex is extremely dedicated to her goals for the future, when she is not attending dance or singing lessons, or gigging or competing she is usually to be found practising.

For the future Alex has so many goals, she is looking forward to recording some new Original Material under the guidance of Georgina Hill-Brown, she wants to continue gigging & developing her voice in order to start auditioning for the west end which is one of Alex’s biggest ambitions where she will get to combine her passion for Singing, Dance & Drama. At eighteen Alex hopes to go away to the bright lights of London & continue her study of the ARTS full time!

Last week’s XFactor

At last we lose Jedward from XFactor!

I don’t know if your family were cheering in your front room when the twins were voted out but my family certainly were.

Strangely enough I have come to kind of like them. Let’s face it, they were fun, and you were sat on the edge of your seat wondering what bazaar performance they would do next. I spent the first performances trying to guess what Wham song they were going to do. I was convinced it would be Club Tropicana, but yeah of course it was ‘I’m your man’. I have to say the twins do have something; it’s certainly not skills in singing though!

I loved the camp, over the top performances and the choreography, they spent some much time perfecting (apparently).

What is going to happen to them now? Cheeky girls style fame, and a children’s party album or will they become children’s TV presenters. I guess we will have to wait and see. I am pretty sure Louis knows exactly what is going to happen next. Even thought Louis comes over as a bit annoying and vacant, ok very annoying and vacant he really does know what he is doing. Under pressure though on screen his comments are always so funny!

What does the future hold for XFactor now the twins have gone? I bet the performances will become even more choreographed with stunning stage settings, as there will be a hole now the twins have gone. One thing I must say I admire about the twins though, is that they went into the competition open minded and just had fun and ‘didn’t they do well’? as our Brucie would say.

Who do you think will win XFactor? Actually who cares!!!! I personally predict it will not be Lloyd; he is going to be the next to go, followed by Danyl. In the final will be Olly, Stacie and Joe. Joe may be the winner. He has not missed a note. He has sung exceptionally well in every performance. Oh dear Olly though, I know he has a huge following but what happened with his vocals. Olly was off in places and missed the point of the song completely. It should have been soulful and full of emotion. Olly sang it like a pop song, not something with meaning.

What did you think of the guest performers then? Susan Boyle & Mariah. I thought Susan Boyle was incredible. Wild horses is so haunting and she performed exceptionally well. I have actually tried singing the song myself this week, and it is not as easy as it seems. I never rated Su Bo, when she first burst onto our screens. I felt it was more about the way she looked rather than how she sounded, that got her onto the screen. But blimey Wild Horses is something very special. Over the Mariah next…. She sang live!!! I couldn’t believe it! It’s been years since she has sung live, especially in the UK and she was awesome. Some singers lose their abilities (Whitney Houston!) but Mariah is still going strong. Yeah the song is an obvious choice, but her whistle register is incredible. Nearly so high only dogs can hear it! To sum up XFactor last week, it was frustrating, enthralling, and whole load of fun. Will i still watch now the twins have gone? Hmm not sure. I will definitely be watching the results show though if last week is anything to go by.

For more chat and singing tips from Vocaltutor go to http://vocaltutor.wordpress.com

 1-2-1 Singing lessons available throughout the UK – www.vocaltutor.co.uk

FESTIVAL4STARS Talent Competition – APPLY NOW!

Good afternoon,

Please find here the application forms required for Festival4stars. A fabulous UK wide talent competition.

Vocaltutor have been involved in the competition for many years, judging and doing sound and light.
Our students have done very well in previous competitions. I have been lucky enough through working with Festival4stars to meet and judge – George Samson, Farryl Smith, MD Productions, Alice Barlow (whom I taught personally for a year – now on Hollyoaks) and many more.

Please ensure you add the school name as Vocaltutor on the form.

You can enter in as many sections and at as many regions as you wish.

For more info on sections, regions and the competition in general go to: www.festival4stars.com

Enchanted have recorded a few more tracks!

As you probably are aware now, I am working with Enchanted – Jason & Justine Bowker.

They recorded four more tracks to complete their album.

Here is one of them. Please let us know what you think.

done