RE: Voice

[Adrian Adam Durlester <durleste...>]

I've done my share of vocal coaching over the years. Nothing can replace a
little work on vocal technique, regular vocal exercises, a willingness to
protect your instrument by not doing more than you can reasonably do (so
many songs in a row-all on your own-that's foolish-train some nice helpful
chanichim or madrichim to take a song here and there and give yourself a
rest), a good relationship with an otolaryngologist. Any one of these (and
other things) might, separately, be of some value. But only when taken all
together are you on the road to good and healthy vocal performance.

I caution those of you who do not wish to be or are simply not classical
style singers to carefully select a vocal teacher who can work with the
"popular" or "pop" style of singing. Although there are commonalties to all
forms of singing that a good teacher can teach to you, I have seen not a few
"natural" voices ruined by well meaning teachers who did not have an
understanding of the differences in style.

Do have your vocal cords checked, but also apply some common sense to what
you are doing-pace yourself, watch your keys carefully, don't force, don't
push, warm up-always WARM UP!!!!!, use a mic when available, etc.

There are different theories regarding drinking water while you are singing.
I won't get into that debate here.

Your voice is a gift from God. Treat it accordingly.

Adrian



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org]On
Behalf Of Gumby 4
Sent: Sunday, May 17, 1998 9:17 PM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: Voice


Hey everyone.  I'm, if you've forgotten, a NFTYite and a songleader
primarily
for NFTY events.  I often do loud, long song sessions, around 15 songs,
12-14
of which are medium paced to fast and almost all loud.  I usually start
losing
my voice by 10, and it's gone by 13.  I've tried water, but when soloing I
don't like to stop and drink.  Does anybody have any solutions for my voice?
Or, any tips on practicing?  Anything here would be appriciated....I'm
getting
desparate.

-Josh Segal
Brooklyn, NY
NFTY-NYC
FUdJY

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adrian A. Durlester  -  durleste (at) earthlink(dot)net
http://home.earthlink.net/~durleste/
List-Owner for hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org; Co-Owner for L-Torah (at) 
shamash(dot)org
http://uahc.org/hanashir
Editor, Bim Bam (for Torah Aura Productions)
Evening Program Chair, CAJE 23 - San Antonio TX, Aug 9-13, 1998
http://www.caje.org
Alternate Email: aad (at) iname(dot)com  adriand (at) aol(dot)com