Voice is still pretty swollen. Before I went to bed last night, I could feel the effects of acid reflux already. Woke up with swelling that wasn't as "painful" as yesterday's, but it was still uncomfortable. Yesterday, I could feel that something wasn't quite right, even in just my speaking voice.
Today, I took things really slow again, and my warm up was good, but not as extensive as yesterday's. There was a bit of an "airiness" in my voice, but I didn't try to fix it because I felt more released than I had in a while. The singing felt a little more farther back(?) and up than usual. But it felt better, so I didn't really care.
I went to go to my rep, and again, things got sketchy and tight again, and I got really frustrated. So I walked away for a bit, took a breather, and came back to a different piece. Things were still a little tight, so I just said, "Release, damn it," and the sensation of tightness (that I didn't even know was there in the first place) disappeared, and I was able to sing a lot more freely than I had in a while. There was much less grabbing.
I'm happy that I was actually able to sing through some rep today. However, I'm still a little frustrated that I don't know how I was able to release, and that makes me concerned over whether or not I'll be able to reproduce that. I'll be sure to return to practice several times in shorter intervals today to see how it goes.
Friday, July 15, 2016
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Practice 7/14/16
Today I woke up with so much vocal swelling that I didn't even have to speak to feel how swollen my voice was. I think it's a combination of acid reflux and allergies.
Anyways, I started out following with Lesson 2/26/16, then 2/19/16, then 2/27/16. I really took my time and I didn't push myself, esp. because of the swelling. As a result, I felt better singing than I have in a very long time.
HOWEVER. When I went to go and sing through some rep and I went right back to the bad singing that I've been trying to get out for the last month. I tried really hard to apply what I had learned in my earlier warmup, but it just wasn't working out.
I'm pretty frustrated with how things are going with practice lately. I guess if I were to say something good about this practice session was that I at least found release during the warmup phase this time. Usually, I can't even get past the vocalization part of my practice because singing feels so effortful. Ever since I got back from Korea, my voice just hasn't been the same, and it's been a month. It's frankly very discouraging and stressful.
Anyways, I started out following with Lesson 2/26/16, then 2/19/16, then 2/27/16. I really took my time and I didn't push myself, esp. because of the swelling. As a result, I felt better singing than I have in a very long time.
HOWEVER. When I went to go and sing through some rep and I went right back to the bad singing that I've been trying to get out for the last month. I tried really hard to apply what I had learned in my earlier warmup, but it just wasn't working out.
I'm pretty frustrated with how things are going with practice lately. I guess if I were to say something good about this practice session was that I at least found release during the warmup phase this time. Usually, I can't even get past the vocalization part of my practice because singing feels so effortful. Ever since I got back from Korea, my voice just hasn't been the same, and it's been a month. It's frankly very discouraging and stressful.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Practice 7/12/16
Last night and this morning I was plagued by some really bad allergies; plugged/runny nose, sneezing, the works.
This morning was I really determined to take things easy, since I've been noticing that I can rush through the early stages of vocalization, particularly starting out in a place of ease. I fell into the routine of what I normally do when I'm at school, and who would have thought that my singing would get better [insert heavy sarcasm here].
I spent about 10 minutes just doing lip trills and getting used to my voice in its lower range. Then some nasal to non-nasal exercises (still low in range). I still felt something tightening up in my voice, so I did some panting exercises and really focused on what I liked and making sure to think "like that!" every time.
I worked really hard on not directing anything to "stay." (i.e. stay open, keep chin back, etc.) I thought more about "like that" and keeping things free by comparing the desired behavior to what I was actually doing and trying to get closer every time.
This morning was I really determined to take things easy, since I've been noticing that I can rush through the early stages of vocalization, particularly starting out in a place of ease. I fell into the routine of what I normally do when I'm at school, and who would have thought that my singing would get better [insert heavy sarcasm here].
I spent about 10 minutes just doing lip trills and getting used to my voice in its lower range. Then some nasal to non-nasal exercises (still low in range). I still felt something tightening up in my voice, so I did some panting exercises and really focused on what I liked and making sure to think "like that!" every time.
I worked really hard on not directing anything to "stay." (i.e. stay open, keep chin back, etc.) I thought more about "like that" and keeping things free by comparing the desired behavior to what I was actually doing and trying to get closer every time.
Monday, July 11, 2016
Practice 7/11/16
For this last week and a half, things have gotten better since before my lesson with Cindy on 7/2/16. However, I still feel like things are a little "punchy", and my resonance feels squeezed and effortful. It doesn't result in "tired voice" like before; however, I don't feel very free when I sing this way.
I have been experimenting with "just thinking" and hoping that it comes out, but for some reason I can't get myself to stop grabbing. It's a little frustrating. I don't really know what else to type, other than the fact that the day after my lesson with Cindy felt the best, and things kind of went downhill from there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)