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#581186 02/01/08 03:08 AM
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I just noticed there is a VOCAL COACHING studio right next door to my chiropractor's office! Boy I'm slow. :-)

They teach the original Bel Canto "correct natural singing" system, and the owner has 40+ years teaching experience. That's really good, right???

It's Garray Music Studios run by Jack Gorrecht. Ring any bells?

I picked up their flyers & phone #, but no one was available to talk to me when I popped in there today after my chiro appt. Don't have any idea if they're in my price range or not, but I'm very curious.

Thanks in advance for any opinions you may have!

Linda

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I teach Bel Canto, but I wouldn't go by labels.

I believe in focussed, individual instruction that deals only with the person in front of me, with their issues, psychologically, physically & vocally. I believe that is the only effective way to teach. Singing is experiential, and students need to routinely experience the 'right' way in order to replace bad habits. Students need an energetic, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, supportive & intuitive teacher live with them in the room to understand what that means. Avoid any teacher who is forceful & persuasive. That means the teacher is 'selling' their method, and not listening to the student. Always, the method must adjust to the student. The student, and the students' voice, must lead. A teacher should be encouraging and knowledgeable and you should feel the difference in your singing right away... how easy it is when things are coordinated effectively.

Thus, the only way you can know is by taking one lesson and seeing if the teacher is a good fit for you and your voice.

HTH
Hummin'bird


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I am not an expert but Bel Canto I think is an old fashioned Italian style of operatic voice training. The merits of using such techniques in the modern era are limiting for anything other than classic opera style.

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Bel canto is a scientifically based method used by many good singers today. A foundation in technique is useful for all singers. Studying Bel Canto for a year will give you good tone & good phrasing & an understanding of good diction, and the tools to look after your voice & resolve problems yourself. It will not make you sound like an opera singer - you'd have to study for years for that.

Plus what I said above.


Vikki Flawith: Songwriter/Composer, Singer/Voice Teacher

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So its no good for rock singers then!!! LOL

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Ah, sure it is, Jim - gotta learn the rules before you can break 'em properly. LOL.

Thanks, Vikki - I think it's worth checking out since I can get there in person. Their flyers sound like you. smile They say: "There is no such thing as a vocal training method that fits all students. It is the responsibility of a good coach to develop a program of training that will relate to the specific needs of each individual student."

The flyer says the studio is open for visits to meet the coaches and hear the singers to evaluate the results, so I will probably do that. I'll let you know how it goes.

Linda


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Hey Linda watch out or you may sound like Pavarotti. LOL

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A few months of singing lessons with a qualified classical vocal teacher won't hurt you. After obtaining a good foundation, you can go coach with someone familiar with the style/genre you wish to perform :-)


Vikki Flawith: Songwriter/Composer, Singer/Voice Teacher

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Actually....MANY rock singers today study this method of singing, as it gives their voices the techinical foundation and strength to help them sustain vocal health during tours.

The Seth Riggs method ( Speech Level singing) is an example of that...check it out ....you will be amazed at the number of famous names you recognize.

Emily

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I have not needed it for over forty years so doubt it will come in handy now. However if anybody else benefits from it great.

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Don't know anything about Bel Canto or Seth Riggs, but I swear by Roger Love. He's worked with everyone from Rob Thomas to John Mayer to metal bands, and you can buy is book (with CD) for like 15 bucks ("Set Your Voice Free".) Not as good as a vocal coach, but a good alternative to not taking any lessons at all. Can you learn to sing higher and longer and easier just by reading his book and singing the practice exercises on Roger's CD? Yes, you definitely can.

If I were going to go to a vocal coach, I'd want Roger. But since he charges more for one lesson than I make in a week, I doubt it will ever happen...

(Actually I don't know what he charges, but he's currently coaching John Mayer so I guess he's probably too busy for me.)


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EVERY singer is different, Jim. That's great that you didn't need any training.

Just like professional athletes, many serious singers want to expand their natural talent by working on technique. Both Roger Love and Seth Riggs actually specialize in all types of rock singers. Check out their bios...

Emily

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I know about these coaches already. Pretty comprehensive list of stars they have worked with.
Some folk definitely need vocal coaches and some folk may prefer to use them or not as the case may be. Personally I have not wanted to use one. I have developed my OWN style and it has worked well for me.
However I can see the merits of a coach but think that for my style of music their contribution is unimportant.

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Good discussion, guys, thanks!
Jim, you do sound good.
Don't worry about me turning into an opera singer though. grin
Not likely to happen in this century.

Linda

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Linda, you've got great pipes, and I believe that we can all benefit from training. I agree with Vickie - a foundation is very important - we can always learn new things. If you try some lessons, let us know how it goes.

I've got both Seth Riggs and Roger Love's material. Very helpful, and I still urge working with an individual voice coach or teacher if possible.

And I really want to see Jim as his avatar singing Pavarotti... (really like the Stormy Monday, btw)!

Brenda


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Thank you, Brenda! Thanks for stopping in.

Linda

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Hi everyone... I have some strange news. Funny how shifts in direction can just POUNCE on you sometimes... and today I have been pounced on. In a good but totally unexpected way.

I have to get to my rehearsal so I have to be quick. More later.

I went to this vocal studio today and had a WONDERFUL time meeting the owner, even though I learned (as I suspected) that while my voice is OK I "have no idea how to use it." (Actually he said, "you have an excellent voice," which I am still processing, because he's been teaching 50+ years...)

Anyway. He talked about Bel Canto, and Caruso, and opera, and how the Seattle Opera laments the fact they cannot find singers to do the Mozart, Puccini etc "lyric operas" anymore... they just don't exist. Yet, his students can sing them - and he showed me these exquisite examples... his students are absolutely stunning, and at ages of 17-24. I was deeply moved. (For some idea of what this sounds like, look up Montserrat Caballe' - she is wonderful, and my first exposure to this type of sound. It is VERY different from the "opera" sound probably playing in your head.)

He said most people "don't like opera" because they have never heard it as it SHOULD be sung. If this is any example - he is 100% right.

Today as I've been cleaning house & all that, it hit me on the head like a hammer that THIS is what I want to do with my voice. I want to learn how to sing this breathtaking Mozart I heard today.

BOY is that going to take a LOT of work, time, MONEY, work work and more work. But I had more FUN working to find my actual diaphragm (LOL!!) this morning - I was totally energized.

I can't describe this feeling very well except to say it feels like I've discovered my purpose, found my calling... those sorts of phrases are not too big. I'm overwhelmed completely.

But yeah. I want it.
I never ever ever in my life thought the words "I want to be an opera singer" would ever ever EVER come out of my mouth. I'd have laughed you out of the park yesterday if you told me so.

But it feels like someone just hit the tuning fork, and all of my being is resonating with this incredible, magnificent, amazing and beautiful thing.

Thanks for listening, guys - and yes I can take it if y'all laugh a little - either at or with me. smile
You're great support.

Linda

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I started out songwriting to sing different vocal rock styles.
Some have that operatic type voice and others have what they do.
That instrument can't be traded in for another.
But there are those methods of honing it up.

You have mentioned you like Queen.
Freddie Mercury had a very operatic voice.

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Originally Posted by Linda Adams

Don't worry about me turning into an opera singer though. grin
Not likely to happen in this century.


Just read through this thread again and had to laugh at MYSELF... look at that. Yep, it's a complete 180-degree shift!
Still feels RIGHT though.

Matt - thanks for coming in!
Quick note here, that the "operatic type voice" is not what opera was meant to sound like, or what it sounded like in the time of Mozart and his contemporaries. I'd have to go into pages and pages of history to explain.

But I was shown at this studio samples of students who could sing a gorgeous aria, and turn around and sing pop or jazz without sounding "operatic."

And yes - I'll always love Freddie's vocals, operatic or technically accurate or not. smile

Linda

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Linda, you have learned something very valuable. Good singing should be something that spans genres. The whole idea of bel canto is that you learn to develop your own natural sound and work with your body to produce it effectively (not manipulate, push, strain). I see no earthly reason why you can't sing 'operatically' in any genre... because all opera singing is is good technique married to a fully developed instrument with a dash of inner stillness and confidence. The gentleman you spoke to sounds like an excellent teacher and I am so glad you found him.

Hummin'bird


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Thanks, Vikki!!

I'm glad you agree - he seems to know what he's doing, and he's a good bit closer to me than you are. smile

I can't start until fall or so when I've got a better schedule & such (next school year) to devote to it. But I'm looking forward to it.

Linda

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Linda,

I just recently joined the JPF forum and did a search for "classical singing" and came across your post!

Congratulations for having your vocal realization.

I too had a similar situation arise a few years ago. All it takes it he right teacher hearing that "special something" in your voice to take it in a certain direction.

Best of luck in everything!

Peace,

~J~


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Thank you, J!
Best of luck to you as well. smile
Sounds like we may have some stuff in common!

...And welcome to JPF. Stick around and let us get to know you!

Linda

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Originally Posted by Hummingbird
A few months of singing lessons with a qualified classical vocal teacher won't hurt you. After obtaining a good foundation, you can go coach with someone familiar with the style/genre you wish to perform :-)


i'm feeling tempted to take formal classes but my cellist who is clasically trained tells me not to spoil my way of singing with it, i've seen quite a few vocal tips in youtube and free lessons not to overdo, but there are some vices that can make a voice distinct too
breathing though is important, but that can be taught also by a voice (not singing) advice care group


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So did any of you take these classes? Did they work?


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