Welcome

This site is a special place for my students, friends and colleagues. I will share thoughts, and I will also share musical examples on this site.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

What a lesson!!

This week has been pretty phenomenal, actually, and things have been coming together very nicely vocally. NOW I am able to bring all the other aspects of performing together with the voice. YES!!!!!!!!

Today, I put it all together at my lesson. ALL together! The support, the space....wow!

Fifteen minute warm up, then into Celeste Aida. One little correction in the beginning of the recit, then , off we go. Jackson stops me to correct one word, "tuo" since I didn't sing the [o], but the aria goes like clock work. All B flats are nailed, and sound great, with some nasty squillo. Piece feels like I was born to sing it.

Then, of all thing, Jackson makes me sing "Il mio Tesoror", then "Un aura amorosa", then "Dies Bildnis." Ouch. That is a pretty tough workout, but nailed them.

Then we decided to do more. "Ingemisco " from Verdi's Requiem, "Amor ti vieta", "Nessun Dorma", then finished with "Vesti la giubba".

THAT was a workout.

I sang like a king. Lord, it was FUN!!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Practice Journal for 6/3 & 6/5

6/3

Went to see the Vocal Wizard today( a.k.a. Jackson Sheats), and it was one of the best lessons I have had in this two year period of re-adjustment an fach change.

Pretty short warm-up, utilizing the Italian word "Quando". We worked to keep the top nice and skinny.

We worked the following arias:

"Non piangere, Liu" from Turandot
"addio, fiorito asil" from Madama Butterfly
"E lucevan le stelle" from Tosca
"Vesti la giubba" from Pagliacci
"Celeste Aida" from Aida

Flat out sang the Aida like there was no tomorrow. We both agreed that it and the Pagliacci should join the list of audition arias.

For the first time, the B Flat on "Ergerti" was NOT a problem. Even when I listened at tad, I was able to correct it and keep it going. To me, that is amazing.

6/5

Took the day off on Sunday and enjoyed my time with Sheridan and the girls. Also the party at the pool, and some practice at the golf range.

Monday: twenty minute warm-up. then through the end of "La fleur que tu m'avais jetee" from "Puis, je m'accusais." Everything there.

Next through "Non Piangere Liu." I am struck by the ease in the middle of the voice, especially at "Il tuo signore" and at "chiede colui" to the ending B flat.

Sang thru the "Celeste Aida" all the way, as well as "ah si ben mio." Wow.