5 ways to practice by yourself

New music…Yay! Now you have to learn it. Rehearsals only occur once every week. What can you do, by yourself, to make progress?
1- Look at the words. Get familiar with them, reading them as a poem and then reading them in rhythm. Are there sections that repeat? Do they repeat exactly or do some words change with each section? Do you understand all the words, or all the references that are made in the song?
2- Tell a story. To sing a song with any kind of conviction, you need to know what you are singing about. If there’s no story obvious in the song, make one up that works for you and sing THAT story, convincingly.
3- Find a recording. There is a wealth of recorded material on the Internet and on cd’s. Find one you like and listen. Focus on the total sound while looking at your music. Then focus on your part while looking at the music.
4- Audiate. Once you’ve learned your part, sing it in your head. If you’re not sure of your part yet, recite the words in your head.
5- Mark your music. Write down what is discussed about the songs in rehearsal, so that you can refer to it when you practice alone. Circle the parts you have trouble with in rehearsal so you can go through them slowly in your own practice.

Sing with a smile and you’ll enjoy your practice and be practicing for a great looking performance too.

Sing Your Way Home: Background on the “Going Home” theme

Antonin Dvorak (September 8, 1841 – May 1, 1904), a Czech composer, gained international attention for his compositions based upon the folk songs Moravia and his native Bohemia. At this time, composers in many countries were likewise developing national musical styles that used traditional themes as the foundation for music that could be uniquely identified with their own countries. This era in musical history has come to be labeled, “nationalism.”

In 1892, Dvorak was invited to move to the US to become the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York City, a position he held until 1895. It was his belief, and that of his benefactors, that the United States was uniquely positioned to create a new musical style, and a nationally supported music and arts movement. The Conservatory was was open to men and women, of all ethnicities–quite unusual in that day and age.

As he traveled the US, recruiting students, he heard Native American music and African-American spirituals. He was quoted in a newspaper article as saying: “I am convinced that the future music of this country must be founded on what are called Negro melodies. These can be the foundation of a serious and original school of composition, to be developed in the United States. These beautiful and varied themes are the product of the soil. They are the folk songs of America and your composers must turn to them.” To Dvorak, these melodies and the Native American songs he heard both shared the same earthy qualities. In fact, both share a strong use of the pentatonic scale.

The Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World,” Op. 95, B. 178, popularly known as the “New World Symphony,” was composed in 1893. It is by far his most popular symphony, and one of the most popular of all symphonies. “Goin’ Home,” the melody quoted in “Sing Your Way Home,” is based upon the Largo melody in the 2nd movement. It is an original melody, not a traditional spiritual, as is sometimes believed. It was adapted into the spiritual-like song by one of Dvorak’s students. William Arms Fisher wrote the lyrics in 1922 to his teacher’s melody, and a new American traditional song was born.

Singers’ Health- tips from Angel

As singers, we spend a lot of time standing and sometimes, the legs begin to protest, loudly and painfully.  Here are some possible ways to alleviate some of that leg pain (bear in mind these are coming from a singer, not a PhD):

1-Make Micro-movements.  Instead of standing absolutely still, keep moving, in micro-increments.   Shift your weight, move slightly forward or back; keep the movements easy & natural, and small (unless you want to call it “choreography!).

2-Drink water.  As one very experienced singer/doctor once told me, “Sing wet, pee pale.”   If you get very dehydrated, you may need to replace electrolytes as well (a “sports drink” may be needed as well as water).

3-Some foods that MAY help alleviate leg cramps are quinine (in tonic water) and potassium (in bananas, for one).

4-Stretch out with a good walk or with toe-touch exercises before you know you will be standing for long periods of time.