27 February 2003

Singing Practice Tips:

Practice Tapes:

Recording each singing lesson is a good way to recall what the teacher says each lesson and gives the student a record of the exercises, making it possible to practice at home in between lessons.

We ask the students to bring along a blank cassette tape to each lesson. The recording facilities we have at the Studio provide the student with a good record of their lesson to practice to.

Singing Practice:

Practice obviously helps the improvement process.

As the singing process can be physically demanding, we suggest to our beginners to practice no more than 40 minutes per day. Two to 4 quality practices each week gives the voice the opportunity to improve without overdoing it.

In experienced singers, the vocal muscles are more developed (part of 'vocal stamina') thus the voice can benefit from longer practices; up to 45 minutes a day.

However, the body responds better to shorter, more frequent practices, e.g. 2 - 3 practices a day, up to 15 minutes each.

The practice must be quality practice. That is, consciously applying techniques you've been taught.

Never let your voice get to the point where it is hoarse at the end of a practice session (or singing lesson). This hoarseness is usually due to incorrect singing and/or too much of it. If this is happening, supervision by a singing teacher is recommended.

Happy and healthy singing!

26 February 2003

Our teachers, apart from their qualifications, go through an extensive in-house training before they start teaching. This is our Teaching Philosophy:

At the LHSS we always endeavor to understand why a given technique works physiologically and how to apply it correctly. We believe that if a teacher does not understand the physiological reasoning behind a technique, the a risk of passing on incorrect (or worse, harmful) techniques and wrong ideas to a student is

In our view, the use of empirical (or 'hit and miss') teaching methods, at best, limits the students' ability to reach maximum potential and, at worst, may lead to long term damage.

If any of our current teaching methods are shown to be incorrect, or require modification, in the light of scientific research then our teaching material will be

reviewed and updated and our staff will be re-trained. Where there is scientific evidence to support certain techniques we believe that it should be acknowledged and applied to the teaching process. At the LHSS we are always open to the latest sound methods of teaching from various sources around the world in our effort to maintain the highest level of teaching and achieve the best results possible from the students.

18 February 2003

Performance Opportunity

The Music Teachers Association of South Australia hold a few Performance Days each year to enable students of Members (Leanne Hoad is a member) to gain performance experience in front of an audience.

Four LHSS students have the opportunity to sing at the Concert Performance Day No.1, held on Saturday 10th May 2003 at 1.15pm or 3.15pm.

A maximum of 5 minutes is allowed per item.

A non-refundable fee of $10 is payable to LHSS to confirm participation.

Copies of music are required where possible.

Please call Leanne on ph 8364 0773 for more details and to confirm participation.

Closing date for entries Monday 14 April 2003.

Singing Tip: Vocal Warm-ups
Vocal warm-ups should be done at the beginning of each singing session, whether it be before a singing lesson, a singing practice at home, a gig, or a rehearsal involving singing.

It is easy to bypass warm-ups to get straight into singing, but with my experience I have found that the voice suffers. Therefore we do them to:

•  Develop vocal stamina (strengthen the muscles of the larynx (voice box)) so the singer is able to outlast the long haul of singing and the physical demands placed on the voice.

•  Prevent overextending the voice and causing short or long term vocal damage or vocal abuse due to the strain and stress on the larynx muscles.

How do we warm-up the voice?

The voice type will determine the amount of time spent on warming up the voice. I believe a minimum of 10 minutes to 25 minutes for a 'heavier' deeper voice is required. Ultimately, as the singer starts to understand his/her voice, they will know for themselves at what point their voice is warmed-up enough to start singing.

A good warm-up programme would begin with softly sung exercises in the singers comfortable range, starting with small intervals. It may be a good idea at this point to place effort on correct breathing and support, to keep these techniques and muscles in good shape. Once the singer's comfortable/easy range has been warmed-up, they can carefully extend the exercises to the upper and lower ranges of the voice. Then they can move onto more complicated interval patterns.

I also believe that it is imperative, especially for the beginner, that correct technique be applied at all times when doing exercises because warm-up exercises are also a good tool to apply and refine vocal technique and skills. As there is only a right or wrong way to sing, it is important that the correct way is applied, even while doing warm-up exercises so bad habits are not developed.

Why should we do vocal warm-ups?

Apart from the 2 above dot points, my experience has told me that those who spend the necessary time required (15 minutes for example) warming up the voice before they sing, will find that after approximately 3 years of training, the stamina develops to a stage where they rarely get a hoarse throat at the end of a session or after a few gigs. Alternatively, those who haven't invested this time, can suffer from a hoarse throat after only 1 heavy singing session.

What to do now?

Make sure your singing teacher is aware of the importance of voice techniques. Have a 'warm-up tape' you can stick in a tape recorder to make life easier to do them. At the LHSS we have recording facilities whereby we tape every lesson. These make not only good practice tools for the students, but also provides the students with warm-up exercises they can use at home.

Happy and healthy singing!

11 February 2003

Update: piano sold 5 March 2003

Beale Baby Grand Piano For Sale

5ft 2inch Beale BA-62 Baby Grand in excellent condition. Serial No.G014919. Ebony colour, stool included.
Has been in LHSS Studio for 6 years. Previously was personal property of Elder Conservatorium music professor.
Is professionally tuned regularly and carefully maintained.

This model Beale was imported into Australia between 1980 - 1988, and is approx. 15 years old. It is impeccably made of the highest standard and is not only a beautiful piece of furniture, but will last many years of playing and make a sturdy heirloom.
RRP $16,800. Sell for $6,950 ono. ph (08) 8364 0773.

8 February 2003

A note from Leanne:

ANATS AGM

The South Australian Chapter of the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing (ANATS) held its AGM last Sunday.

It was attended by several other singing teachers in our State and was a great time to catch up with some old friends and meet some new faces.

Our newly elected President, Susannah Foulds-Elliott suggested having a laryngoscopy session, where singers are able to observed their larynx (voice box) on video screen. This process is helpful to see how the larynx functions, to check that it is working correctly and that it is healthy.

A Musical theatre/jazz workshop were also suggested sessions for the year.

As always, I also enjoyed catching up with my friend and colleague, singing teacher Di Spence from Balaklava, who runs the successful Balaklava Eisteddfod each year. No doubt I'll see her and her gorgeous husband Geoff again soon at my wedding!

Student profile

27 year old Susan Brooke-Smith came to our Studio 3 years ago with the intention of learning to sing so she could be in musicals. She worked hard and gained the vocal skills and performance experience she needed, participating in the many concerts and competitions we organise or support to help this process.

In 2002 she was in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society's productions of 'The Gondoliers' and 'Iolanthe', and sang solo and in a quartet at their 'Carols in the Shed'.

6 February 2003

'SIDS and KIDS' PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIP
To further encourage achievement in our State's youth, three Performing Arts Scholarships are to be awarded to gifted 14 - 17 year olds, in the areas of music, dance & drama.

One recipient in each of the three arts areas will be awarded $1,000 to assist with further training in South Australia, or with approved associated expenses, and will be offered the opportunity to perform in the 'SIDS and KIDS' Gala at her Majesty's Theatre in the year following the award.

All entrants will receive a certificate of participation.

Applications available from the LHSS foyer or at
SIDS and KIDS South Australia
301 Payneham Road
Royston Park SA 5070
phone 08 8363 1963

Entry fee $25

Applications close 31 March 2003.

Reminder-Audition for Musical

Rehearsals are on Monday and Thursday evenings, and Sunday afternoon.

For more information please contact:

Mark ph 8283 3885,  mob. 0403 849825.

Singing Group

COMMENCING
Tuesday 25 February
TIME:
7 .30 - 8.30pm (1 hour session)
WHERE:
Leanne Hoad Singing Studio
434 Magill Road, Kensington Gardens
ph: 8364 0773
FEES:
$60 (inc. GST) per person for a term which consists of five 1 hour sessions
(cash, cheque & major credit cards accepted)
10% discount applies to current LHSS students
CONDITIONS:
Paid on or before the 1st session (starts 25 Feb. 2003),
- fees are non-refundable.
- In the unfortunate event that one is unable to attend, we regret that the fee is not refundable or the lesson redeemable.
MUSIC:
Photocopying and unauthorised duplication of music is illegal and against Studio Policy. Where necessary, singers will need to purchase any appropriate music. This can be a difficult area, however we can discuss suitable methods of purchasing or sourcing music where necessary.
NUMBERS:
A minimum of 6 singers is necessary to make the group viable. Please advise those you know who are interested.
MUSIC:
Our Studio has a music catalogue of over 9,000 songs to ensure that the students can sing songs they know and enjoy. We have a large range of popular, musical theatre, traditional and a lot of fun group songs to ensure enjoyment at all times! Your input would be welcome to ensure everyone is always enjoying themselves.
Our Studios are fully-equipped with PA Systems, microphones, and professional sound equipment and all necessary music requirements.
Our teachers are qualified and trained in all aspects of singing styles, techniques and in the management and conducting of choirs and singing groups.
Leanne Hoad will be taking the singing group initially.
Basic vocal technique will be covered during a short 'vocal warm-up' session at the beginning of the session to maximise your enjoyment and the quality of the overall sound.
RSVP:
Please register your interest ASAP (email or phone) so we can determine the singing group's viability.

1 February 2003

Messenger Newspaper Article
This week we were encouraged to receive a few enquiries and bookings in response to an article "Singing studio hits the right note" profiling the Studio's history in the Eastern Buzz section of the local Eastern Courier Messenger Newspaper. See if you can find a second article on the Studio in the same paper!

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