This is a reprint of an August 2017 blogpost – I recently had a rehearsal where a conductor asked us to do this and it’s something that just goes against me. Here’s why (things I’ve added are in bold and brackets): ****** This morning, the subject of my meditation app involved a lot of focusContinue reading “Suspending the Breath – Why I Don’t Teach It”
Tag Archives: Breath
Another Way to look at BRAAP™
If you have studied with me or read anything I’ve written over the past 10+ years, you probably know that I have created an acronym for my approach to basic vocal technique. This acronym is B – Breath R – Resonance A – Alignment A – Articulation P – Phonation Or – BRAAP™, which myContinue reading “Another Way to look at BRAAP™”
International Stuttering Awareness Day and Singing
Today is International Stuttering Awareness Day. Famous stutterers include: Marilyn Monroe, actor James Earl Jones, actor Mel Tillis, country singer Samuel L. Jackson, actor Bruce Willis, actor Nicole Kidman, actor Emily Blunt, actor Chris Martin, singer Carly Simon, singer Lazaro Arbos, singer/American Idol finalist Joe Biden, presidential candidate (interesting that, as of this writing, thereContinue reading “International Stuttering Awareness Day and Singing”
Singing in the Mask – Literally
One thing I do not teach is the concept of placement. It’s something I was taught, and it was something that worked for me, because I respond well to imagery. I’d rather draw awareness to individual sensations of resonance instead. The idea of “singing in the mask” comes from the idea that the classical singerContinue reading “Singing in the Mask – Literally”
Beyond a shadow of a doubt
The other day I was out for an early morning walk and I was listening to a podcast on VocalFri. This particular one, from April, featured voice scientist Christian Herbst, who was talking about the role of voice science in vocal pedagogy, and of all the tech-y, geeky, science-y things that that entails. But althoughContinue reading “Beyond a shadow of a doubt”
We breathe to live.
I have written a lot about the importance of breath. I have written about breath as a necessity for both life and singing. I have written about breath as a vehicle of spreading the virus. I have written about breath as something to be held or taken away in moments of extreme emotion. To takeContinue reading “We breathe to live.”
“Breath is welcome here”
A few months ago, I was talking to one of my students, Erin McManus, about allowing the abdominal muscles to release on inhalation to receive the breath, and I believe that I used the term “welcome the breath.” Erin then smiled beatifically, as she is wont to do, and indicated her abdominal area with aContinue reading ““Breath is welcome here””
“From Shrill to Potato-y”: How I Got Back on the Chiaroscuro Trail
Nearly 8 years ago, I gave my first classical recital in a long time. I was in Milwaukee and teaching at Carroll University in Waukesha, and I had the opportunity to do a recital. So I prepared a full program, hired a fabulous pianist, and started taking lessons with Connie Haas again, after not havingContinue reading ““From Shrill to Potato-y”: How I Got Back on the Chiaroscuro Trail”