W3D5 - Aria Extravaganza and Reese Puffs

I sit before my computer, after a long day, 1:37 in the morning, eating Reese Puffs (the most unhealthy choice) exhuasted...but I will not miss a day of blogging! It's therepudic for me to unload everything.

When I think back on the day, I feel as though there is not much to say, when in reality it was probably a really loaded day and I just don't even know where to start talking about it.

Started the day off in a mini masterclass with Steward and Kathy. Frist time working with both of them, and it was fantastic. I wasn't applying everything, but I understood what they were saying. Sometimes there are certain physical things in your body that literally stop you from doing what they are asking, and so it takes some alone time in a practice room to figure stuff out. In short, Steward talked about the importance of the intake of breath, and how the breath is essencially the beginning of the phrase. Whatever you breath in, is the intension behind the phrase you are about to sing. Then while in the phrase he said he likes to think that the line just keeps rising, no matter what the melody is. The trick is to keep thinkingb up. The reason being is because you want your soft pallet to stay up.

SOFT PALLET, now that is something I've never really understoon until today. Well at least I think i understand it now. I've never really realized that i don't have any control over my soft pallet. I've never ever once thought it was something I should consider as a reason I'm having a hard time discovering my own voice. I think that becuase my soft pallet is rarely up, that is why i constantly feel like my sound is being trapped in my throat, no matter how much I think about opening up. In the practice room today, Alex gave me an idea he got from John as a way to open the soft pallet. You have to get ready to say a "k" sound, in a whisper, but don't actually say the whole letter, just the beginning! THis thought, for me, makes something move up there, and I'm thinking it might be my soft pallet.

I'm also trying to let go of this idea that I'm somehow going to change in a day. Change takes time, and effort and patience. Seriously this whole process is a lesson in patience for me. I need to let go and just move on. Feel it, and then let it go.

I also need to learn how to channel my energy. Acting is not giving 200 percent on stage. Less is more. I have a hard time understanding that because i have engrained in my head the idea that you have to work really hard to get what you want. I know, it sounds cliche. When I don't give 200 percent, it feels like I'm not trying at all. But that is exactly what they want. It's the same with singing, singing should not be hard.

(also side note, when learning a song, learn the vowels, not the notes. Then add the melody, and you are all set! Memory will be better that way too!)

Lastly I have to type a little bit about tonights performance. The Aria Extravanganza was amazing. Everyone was brilliant. Josh, Tyler, Adam, Laurelle, Sonia, Erin, Michael, Cam, Cat, Cait, we highlights for me.

Beddie Pie,

Over and Out!