Historically I have had a very poor musical education. I didn't like music lessons at school (a bit basic, patronising, aimed at the masses, more about releasing childish-enery than real music?). I didn't pass the primary school choir auditions, because I was sat with girls with squeeky high voices, and mine wasn't like that. The following year they didn't have a new intake, so I walked in with the rest of the choir and became a member through deception. From that day onwards I was in the school choir (lots or practice, sitting in the cold church across the road for hours, not being in normal lessons). However, we were never tutored to sing properly, just vaguely in tune (parents aren't that fussy).
I cannot read music, I cannot play an instrument, but I've always thought it would be nice to know how to sing properly; technically correctly, I mean. So when my time was freed up, and my life was uncluttered, I called up a tutor and booked myself some lessons.
I'm usually surrounded by scientists, so the lessons are a real break from the reality of my every day life. I take them in a building 2 minutes walk from my office, by my tutor (Glyn) who, when I knock on the door, sings 'ccccoooommmmeeee iiiinnnnnn'. He makes me laugh (internally only). There's an element of theatricality within him, that I don't get from anyone else. I also get 30mins of continuous eye contact, which is unusual in life.
Singing is good because you don't have to spend £200 on an instrument that ends up gathering dust in the basement/loft/junk room. Glyn assured me that I can sing in tune and that if I couldn't, he would have suggested I took up something that could gather dust. This was a good start.
The italian vowels 'a' 'e' 'u' and probably 'o' are important. So is breathing. So is looking like you are not in pain when you sing. So is where you breath to inside your body, not singing from your head, not having your arms clamped to your side, not letting too much air out, not forgetting to breathe enough, not thinking that a high note should be a breathy one, breathing in a 'C' shape. There is a lot to remember not to do, all at the same time.
When Glyn is illustrating a note, he holds his hand like he's giving a 'thumbs-up' and he draws it down the centre of his chest as he sings. I've found that I need to visually illustrate what should happen inside as I sing by doing something with my hands. I'm not used to being flamboyant, or theatrical or arm-wavy, but it is something I have to get used to.
Half an hour of this once a week is like therapy. The act of singing is physically a lot like yawning. All of this controlled breathing and mouth stretching makes me yawn. Its also quite demanding on your rib-cage and internal bits and bobs. Its like a 30 minute internal workout.
I'll let you know of my progress.
