Klarinet Archive - Posting 000256.txt from 2001/12

From: "Ian Black" <clarinet1@-----.uk>
Subj: [kl] OT: Voice Coaching Help
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 17:55:21 -0500

Hi all,

Sorry for the off-topic post.

I'm having trouble with one of my principals in a youth theatre group which
I MD. This guy has two main problems I can see, neither of which I'm having
much success with fixing.

Firstly, despite my best efforts he continues to sing through his nose. I
can't get him to sing a clean note. I've tried my usual hint of getting him
to say "aah" as if he were yawning or sighing, then to put a pitch to it but
that's not getting through. I've tried getting him to picture the sound
starting at the diaphragm and finishing in the auditorium as a continuous
flow, but he keeps stopping it with his nose. Any other hints which may
work? I think that his projection problems would be solved, and the
intermittent pitch problems eased if he could grasp what it is I'm after.

Secondly, he's got it into his head that he can't do it, he's panicking and
losing all his breath on the opening note. (for those familiar with the
show, we're doing Godspell and he's not coping with "Prepare Ye..."). Of
course he thinks he can't manage it, so he doesn't perform, so he thinks he
can't manage.... It's a vicious spiral. Any hints on increasing this lad's
confidence would be great. He's around 15-17 years, and is about the best
male we have in the group.

Thanks in advance and sorry again for the off-topic post. Feel free to
relate any advice to the clarinet, or to reply off-list if you wish.

Ian
Clarinet1@-----.uk

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