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| 28 November 2003 Life in the Music Industry...life after Idol. Part 3. Guy Sebastian's schedule. After winning Australian Idol, Guy Sebastian:
Check out Guy's website. More on World
Idol Keep watching this space for more of the "Life in the Music Industry...life after Idol" series. |
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26 November 2003 How long does it take to learn how to sing? Everyone is different depending on past experience. It also depends on the individual's goals and what they want to achieve. If you simply want to sing better in the shower, not be embarrassed to sing Karaoke around friends, or be confident singing 'Happy Birthday" at the next party, the time frame would be different to one who wants to sing professionally in a band. Lets say you have had no previous experience.
Most importantly, always enjoy your singing! |
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25 November 2003 Life in the Music Industry...life after Idol. Part 3. Guy Sebastian's schedule... Part 2. Did you know... According to the Adelaide Advertiser Newspaper on 16 November 2003:
Keep watching this space for more of the "Life in the Music Industry...life after Idol" series. |
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24 November 2003 Life in the Music Industry...life after Idol. Part 3. Guy Sebastian's schedule... Part 1. Did you know... According to the Adelaide Advertiser Newspaper on 16 November 2003:
Keep watching this space for more of the "Life in the Music Industry...life after Idol" series. |
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21 November 2003 *
NEW RESOURCE*
It is now easy to find songs in the Music Catalogue at any time wherever you are; simply search for songs on the LHSS website. If there is a song you would like to sing while learning at the Studio, you can do a quick search to see if we have it. We are constantly adding to our collection. Of course you are always welcome to bring along your own songs. Music Catalogue is also available as a menu option under the Resource Centre button in the navigation bar at the top of this page (see pic above). TIP: Bookmark the Music Catalogue page (add it to your Favorites) for a handy reference. Using Music Catalogue:
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19 November 2003 Australian Idol...Guy or Shannon? Congratulations to Adelaide's Guy Sebastian who nailed the Australian Idol title on this evening's final showdown programme. The entire show, with the slight exception of the (repeated) recaps, was a pleasure to watch. The performers presented an enjoyable 2.5 hours of entertainment. The standard was to be commended. It was apparent there was so much thought, time and effort put into the choice of song, the choreography and the total look which included the dress, hair and make-up, of each performer. The final medley of songs which the 'twelve' sang were well chosen, well sung and well presented. Of course I was so thrilled that Guy won. Guy is a worthy representative of Australia. He will make us proud as he sings his way onto the World Idol stage in December. Watch this space over the next few weeks as I present a series on "Life in the music industry...life after Aust Idol". |
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18 November 2003 Balaklava Eisteddfod ...advanced notice Balaklava Eisteddfod is a great opportunity to gain experience performing and get positive feedback. The singing sections are on Saturday 31 July, 2004. Sections include contemporary, music theatre, duets, trios, solos For more info or to be put on the mailing list to receive entry forms contact: Di Spence spenbal@rbe.net.au or ph 8862 2113. Check out our Balaklava Eisteddfod page. |
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The Courier- Mail said online yesterday "THE winner of Australian Idol will go head-to-head with 10 Idols worldwide in a New Year's Eve World Idol extravaganza. Fremantle Media, the owners and developers of the Idol format, confirmed yesterday World Idol will go ahead next month in London and would feature Australia's winner. Vying for the Australian Idol crown are Guy Sebastian and Shannon Noll, with the winner to be announced on Wednesday night. Winners from the first series in 11 countries, including American Idol Kelly Clarkson and UK Pop Idol Will Young, will battle in a sing-off to decide who takes home the World Idol crown." |
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Why have today's love songs lost that loving feeling? From an article in yesterday's Adelaide Advertiser Newspaper: In the late 1950's and early 1960's, Connie Francis with songs such as Who's Sorry Now, Lipstick On Your Collar and When The Boy In Your Arms (Is The Boy In Your Heart) was one of the most successful artists in the world. Since 1958 the average number of love words per line in lyrics performed by female artists has dropped by two-thirds, along with the rise in sexual references and selfishness. Male singers, meanwhile increased their use of sex words sevenfold. Words reflecting hurt and pain have also become more frequent. Most popular music is essentially about love and relationships with a change in the orientation of songs over the past 10 years; its got angrier, sexier, more demanding and confrontational. What sells best is what people can identify with, the sort of thing that relates to their own lives. |
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The recently-released 2004 Adelaide Bride's Diary features an article and a two page spread of photos covering my and my husband's wedding, which took place in April 2003. Read text of article from Bride's Diary 2004 The article lists some songs which were included in our wedding. At our wedding the LHSS Teachers sang Ave Maria as the bridesmaid and flower girl walked down the aisle, followed by the Wedding March as I walked down the aisle. They also sang Come What May from the movie "Moulin Rouge" after the signing of the register, and I'll Be There at the reception. We used Billy Joel's Just The Way You Are as our bridal waltz. There are many song options available to the wedding couple. Most couples pick songs based on a melody (tune) or the lyrics they like. When lyrics are involved, check to see if they are suitable. For example, Bette Midler's The Rose has a nice melody but tells of the singer Janis Joplin who died of a drug overdose. Here are some songs suitable for the wedding day:
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9 November 2003
Australian Idol...Guy or Shannon? This evening's series of Australian idol was a treat for the ears. Guy's performances were spectacular once again. He adapted three quite different songs successfully in the way we now know of too well. His stylistic interpretations of the songs he chooses have never failed to work. Tonight was no exception. And to think they had one evening to pick them. Vocally Shannon also did well. However I thought the song John Foreman wrote for the Aust Idol Angels Brought Me Here was pulled off that bit better by Guy. Singing this song next to Shannon allowed me to see the extent of Guy's talent. The Australian Idol will be announced on 19 November in a concert at the Sydney Opera House. What a great venue! Good luck for the final time guys. |
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| 7 November 2003
In light of the recent news of Cosima Di Vito's withdrawal from Australian Idol due to vocal nodules, I will explain what vocal nodules, or more correctly vocal fold nodules are. I will be referring to a favourite book of mine:
When you breathe the vocal folds (also known as vocal cords) open to let the air into the lungs. When you create any sound such as talking, singing, coughing, yelling or grunting for example the air passes back through the vocal folds and causes a 'wavy' motion as the air is expelled. The vocal folds need to close to a certain degree to create a sound (if they do not close or 'approximate' efficiently, allowing more air than usual to escape, a 'breathy' tone (sound) is heard). What are vocal fold nodules? Vocal fold nodules (commonly called nodes) are caused when the vocal folds collide into each other (when closing to create sound) at high-force. Over time, fibrous, callous-like material may form and create tissue change at the point of the greatest colliding. This high-force colliding can be caused by loud and/or incorrect phonation (the making of any sound) over a period of time. Some professionals referred to the earlier tissue change as soft nodules due to the formation of a soft, tapered swollen bump. They are only swellings and some may resolve with only a few days of voice recovery (rest), while others may take longer to resolve. True vocal fold nodules may be referred to as hard or fibrous nodules. They are sometimes tapered into surrounding tissue, and sometimes they are sharply formed with pointed tips. Nodules may cover an area of 1 to 3 mm or more. Even 1 mm is a large area when you consider the vocal folds are relatively small. Can vocal fold nodules be cured? Thurman & Welsch says "If the condition that initiated the nodules is removed or reduced there is a good chance the body will be able to resorb part or all of nodules. The longer the nodules remain, the greater the likelihood that they may become too solids and "stubborn" for resorption. The amount of time that elapses before nodules become stubborn or chronic is variable in different people." Articles from The Age Newspaper Throat nodules force Cosima's withdrawal Article by Michelle White, a student majoring in communication disorders at Marshall University, West Virginia, USA, discusses this subject and a photo of vocal fold nodules in an article titled Prevention of Vocal Nodules |
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6 November 2003
I am tone deaf! There is a widespread misconception about what being tone deaf is. Usually the term is incorrectly used when one is simply not singing in tune. Singing out of tune is not an indication of tone deafness. It can be fixed with appropriate training. |
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5 November 2003
Can anyone sing? Yes. Singing is a learnt skill and you are not expected to know how to sing until you've been taught. Moreover, anyone can be taught! Admittedly people have different types of voices and personal limitations. But whoever you are, and in time and with perseverance singing lessons can improve your voice considerably helping you achieve your personal goals. |
LHSS Teacher Katie Packer (right) with student Kylie |
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Studio Success Congratulations to former student Mel Drabic who has had a lot of success with the band she sings in, Groove Dynamix. Groove Dynamix have finished an 8 track album, including original pieces co-written by Mel and Anthony Hicks (Co-writer of Vanessa Amorosi's songs Absolutely Everybody and The Power). The bands original works - Walk With Me, Baby Be Mine and Pure Love have been getting air play (Fresh FM) and are being played in clubs around Australia. They are playing many gigs and their next big one is at the Fuse Festival in Adelaide on the 22nd of November, around 12.30pm at Traffic Night-club. |
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4 November 2003 Australian Idol 60's show...result. I was disappointed when diva Cosima, of her own volition made the decision to leave the comp in last night's Australian Idol. She said a "temporary condition" which was affecting her voice had forced her to make the decision. This leaves Shannon and Guy in the Australian Idol Grand Final show on Wednesday 19th November. Leading up to this, next week they will perform any two songs of their own choice, from any era. I am looking forward to it. Congratulations guys and good luck! |
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Part 3- Songs with harmonies Part 1 - Benefits of group singing Part 2- Learning to sing your part in a harmony Singing in a choir, group or ensemble can be technically rewarding as well as personally satisfying. It also teaches you additional singing skills such as harmony or 'part' singing. Today we look at some songs which are sung with harmonies or can be adapted for harmonies.
Bands that commonly use harmonies:
The following also use a lot of harmonies:
You can also successfully write harmonies to songs which have been recorded by individuals. I have converted the following solo songs quite successfully for our students to sing:
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3 November 2003 My voice does not sound as good as usual. Should I be concerned? What's wrong with my voice? Every so often a student may say "I can not reach the high notes at the moment" or "I am not sounding as good as I usually do". Firstly, you need to be vocally warmed up before best results can be heard. Secondly, if you are not physically well e.g. you have a sore throat, a cold, flu, heyfever, laryngitis etc, your voice may not perform to its fullest. As a singer you also need to avoid smoking and abusing the voice. Vocal abuse can be caused by singing incorrectly, louder than the voice can handle, and for long periods of time. Failing these, it may be that you are simply:
What should I do now? If any of the above dot points apply to you, do not push your voice beyond its limits. There is a tendency to work the voice harder in an attempt to achieve the results you are used to achieving under normal circumstances. Accept that when the current 'season' passes and life gets back to normal, so will the voice. In the meantime do not overextend it, but instead hold back from voice work that will extend it more than what you can manage. If you are physically unwell, or have any doubts or questions about your voice, do not hesitate to seek medical advice. Remember you don't know what you don't know. The wellbeing of the larynx (voice box) is too precious to take any chances. Tips for a tired voice:
Also see Vocal Haemorraging article Also see 8 Steps to Vocal Health article |
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Australian Idol 60's show...result. Last nights 60's programme of Australian Idol was a lot of fun. Guy Sebastian showed off his vocal talent and surprised us yet again with his excellently executed versions of Can't Take My Eyes Off You and Climb Every Mountain. Such a talented man! Cosima Di Vito chose well with You Don't Have To Say You Love Me and River Deep, Mountain High. Unfortunately her voice has been sounding 'tired' for quite a few weeks, and appeared to be at its worse last night. It sounds as if it is suffering from vocal overuse (abuse), providing she is not suffering from a throat illness such as flu or laryngitis. Shannon Noll's performances of One (Is The Loneliest Number) and Hey Jude were performed in true Shannon fashion. His voice type suited the songs. Good luck guys for tonight when only two singers will be remaining. Watch this space tomorrow for the winners. |
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