Every song is a window to an entire world. The emotional world and story it tells can come with different challenges. What are you working on right now and what song could help enrich your vocal goal?

Here are 5 examples to show you the importance of choosing the song for you wisely:

Short breaths:

Some songs have very little time to breathe in between phrases. Managing to do so is a very useful skill for a singer.

Example: Don’t Stop Me Now/ QUEEN

Long Phrases:

You’d work on your breath management, dynamic control, and other tools to help you sing them with stability and control.

Example: Don’t Know Why I Didn’t Come/ Nora Jones

Fast and clear articulation:

Working on the strength and flexibility of the articulatory muscles for a clear pronunciation in fast songs.

Example: Getting Married Today/ Stephen Sondheim

Irregular phrasing:

Sharpening your sense of rhythm and abilities to stay in tempo while singing around the beat or/and beginning a phrase in an unexpected place.

Example: A Case of You/ Joni Mitchell

Dynamic control:

The ability to control your volume, to sing with crescendo and decrescendo, can have an emotional impact you can add to a song.

Example: I Will Always Love You/ Dolly Parton (Whitney Houston)

Your time is valuable. To make the most out of a lesson, here is how you can prepare:

Think of a vocal goal you have, such as singing certain notes/ modes, longer phrases, stability, managing vibrato, etc. What songs might be good to apply the technique in?

Bring a song or a part of it you need help with and one or two more songs as possibilities. Make sure to print them in a big enough font, so you could write notes during the lesson and read comfortably.

If you can, find their chord chart and a backing track.

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If you know the key you are singing in, or the first note with which you start the song, write it down and tell me in our lesson.

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Make room for recordings in your electronic device. You might want to listen and practice with the recorded exercises later on.

It’s ok not to know what your vocal goals are or what songs to work on. We can explore different possibilities together. Either way, keep in mind that it is more fun and motivating to apply the vocal technique in songs you love. You can make a list of at least five songs you love singing. I will guide you on how to choose a song according to what you are working on now.

Bring a bottle of water with you and make sure you are hydrated throughout the day.

Don’t come in sick. No one wants to catch your disease, especially not the singers and actors that are sharing our space and are relying on their voices daily. Singing with irritated vocal folds can also be harmful. If you might be contagious, let me know as soon as symptoms begin.

Singing lessons with irritation or vocal fatigue can be very beneficial when they are designated to that purpose. In any case of discomfort while not being contagious, consult with me or your ENT first.