Huh?
This is an excellent strategy to use to help young singers understand proper breathing technique. Have students find empty wall space to lean against. Next, have them bend their knees slightly so they are almost sitting against the wall. Have students breathe in from the stomach without raising their chests or shoulders. If used properly, students should feel their ribs and back muscles pressing against the wall. This can also be done while lying on the floor.
What is the point? Students need to learn what it FEELS like to properly breathe, and what it feels like to be full of air. Young singers also need to be aware that it's ok to look a little "portly" when pushing out their stomachs to take in air. When this happens, it due to the diaphragm pushing down on the stomach, intestines, and other viscera to make room for the lungs to expand. "Imagine you're a big Russian woman..."
I believe perhaps the hardest thing to teach young singers is how to properly breathe and efficiently use their air support. What do you think, fellow vocalists?
Monday, March 2, 2009
Renewed faith...for now.
As I'm writing this, I'm listening to my husband's radio show through our local college station. My head is bobbing and my feet are tap-tap-tapping to Soul Bossa Nova. You know- that song from Austin Powers.
Anyway, today was an excellent day for music education. I haven't been able to do much teaching since I started my B placement (student teaching). In fact, I'm still trying to learn my student's names. I got to do the kind of teaching I love today: one-on-one voice lessons. I'm helping a few students prepare for the upcoming solo/ensemble competition.
Just when I feel I'm getting discouraged with the lack of musical effort put forth by students in public schools, I get to work with seventh grade singers who renew my faith in music, specifically the teaching of it.
Let me explain my source of dicouragement. Not only have my opportunities for performance gone to the wayside since I've been teaching, it was very hard to go from quality music performed at a university to the music churned out in public schools. Needless to say I've had to readjust my standards.
Anyway, today was an excellent day for music education. I haven't been able to do much teaching since I started my B placement (student teaching). In fact, I'm still trying to learn my student's names. I got to do the kind of teaching I love today: one-on-one voice lessons. I'm helping a few students prepare for the upcoming solo/ensemble competition.
Just when I feel I'm getting discouraged with the lack of musical effort put forth by students in public schools, I get to work with seventh grade singers who renew my faith in music, specifically the teaching of it.
Let me explain my source of dicouragement. Not only have my opportunities for performance gone to the wayside since I've been teaching, it was very hard to go from quality music performed at a university to the music churned out in public schools. Needless to say I've had to readjust my standards.
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