Amelia Kearl-Masterclass/Voice Recital hour-Sept 9th

I really enjoyed attending masterclass this week. Tanner’s performance was spectacular and moving, and then watching him work on his song with the guest instructor was insightful. One thing that really stuck out to me was the importance of a rest, and what I can do in that time when I’m not singing. Often I disregard rests in the music and just use them as a time to get an extra big breath. Tanner and the guest instructor, Thomas Glenn, focused on one dramatic moment in the song and used a pause and a breath to show poignant emotion. It was stunning. The first time Tanner had sung the song I wouldn’t have remembered that phrase, but with the pause and the breath it was unforgettable. I guess not singing for a moment can be more dramatic than actually singing a note! 

Another part in the song that was focused on was a higher section, with particular emphasis on the words “You” and “Only”. This was particularly wonderful for me because I’m singing a song this semester titled “Only you, Lonely you” that has similar high notes using the words “Only” and “You”. When I practice my song, I’m going to make sure that I send the sound as forward as I can and watch out for the cave-like sound that alerts me that my tongue is in my throat. Tanner had that same problem but it fixed itself after he focused on a more forward sound. It was really interesting to hear him sing that same song for Voice Recital Hour two days later. I listened intently for what he would do on the words “You” and “Only” and they were magnificently forward and resonant. I could tell that he really took the lesson to heart because if he hadn’t taken the time to practice singing it that way he would have gone back to old habits. I want to practice right so that my myelin is wrapping the right things so I can rely on myself to perform well. 

One last comment is on diction. To work on diction, the instructor had Tanner focus on consonants more and it really improved the clarity of the words he sang. I don’t know if this would work the same for foreign languages but I want to ask my voice teach about it and try it. I also think I should really focus this year on breaking my songs into chunks to practice the foreign words slowly and with accurate and excellent diction.  I have a hard time making my foreign words clear,  but from masterclass and from vocal pedagogy I have a few strategies that might help this semester.