Term 2: 2nd Half #Schedule, @PJ

Term 2: 2nd Half

Hello Diary, I am afraid my first half of my practice journal wasn't as great as I expected it to be. I weren't aware that I would be struggling with posting up two videos at least every week, I have realized I am such a perfectionist as I would record a video of me doing some of the vocal exercises however I wouldn't manage to post them up, as I am shy, insecure and quite wary of how I'd sound or even look sometimes. 

This is literally what I struggled with and I know it has cost me to probably not even get a pass in this unit which is a huge disappointment for me as I am aware now that singing is my strongest point and also practicing everyday could make me become a even better singer.

I sing everywhere I go, on the bus, in a lesson and even in my living room and I treat it as a stage but I've let myself down. I hope this second half of my practice journal helps to boost my grade up. I know what I need improving on and it is sticking to my word and also wear a thicker skin which will enable me to be less embarrassed.

yours sincerely Ruth Martino

For this term I would like to improve on my vocal range:

A way to to do this is by...

Sing each semitone down until you cannot comfortably and clearly hit the notes, this is your lowest note. Then work your way up the keyboard from middle C, singing along with each semitone to find your uppermost note.Practice singing your natural range daily via “friendly exercises.” LINK

My weekly schedule for my vocal warm up...

Monday: HUMMING

Abdominal pulsing while holding a comfortable note; the one-one-two-one scale (start on middle C, working up or down one octave with each note having a different number. Once you've done this, reverse it with eight-eight-seven-eight etc); humming a comfortable note and pitch-bending it, going a little higher/lower each time.

Tuesday: VIBRATION IN SOUND

I need to focus on getting a more smaller sound, paying attention on the vibration in my mid range which will help me unlock my 'falsetto notes' practicing words like "WOW, SNEH, YAY" using a softer sound and then eventually getting louder only if I don't feel like I am straining my voices


Wednesday: NASTY NAYS

This is done be using the word 'nay in a bratty or Wicked Witch-type sound'. This exercise also assists in cord closure, while the exaggerated sound makes it easier to ascend into the upper register without cracking or flipping into random notes

Singing Exercises & Scales

• Stand with your shoulders relaxed, arms by your side.


• Breath in slowly.


• Start with the Scales singing Ooh, Eee, Aa, Aah to each scale.


• Sing one note, holding the note for as long as you can without becoming short of breath.


• Do NOT suck in your stomach!


• Repeat the exercise with different notes using doh, ray, me, far, so, la, te, doh.


• Use different mouth shapes like "ooh", "ee", "a" and "aah" - Practice to OEAAH.


• Try singing up and down a scale (called an arpeggio).  Practice to each of the scales listed below.


• Sing short notes (known as Staccato) as well as long ones - Practice to Staccato.


• Record your efforts, notice the notes that do not sound right and concentrate on those until they do!


• Listen to the difference in your recordings over the next few weeks practice sessions to hear the improvement in your voice.

LINK