Breath Control Like A Pro ADVICE to singers and Thanks Camille!

Hi Camille

For about 6 months I've had problems with a raspy-croakey voice (little to no pain) and I assumed there is something wrong with my voice box - I'm on a public waiting list (NZ) to see an ENT specialist - I'll still go along. However. I have gone over BCLaPro five times (every second day - taking it slowly but being precise - in the last two weeks and my voice problem is almost gone. Being focused, deliberate and relaxed really works! The stamina section is still challenging for me especially the zeeeeeAAAaaahhhhhhhhh......excercise. 

I find it hard to get to the end (I think the 'Z' makes it difficult - I assume EeeeeAAAaaahhhhhhhhh - works just as well? It is amazing how much better I am getting in a short time - especially at sustaining long notes and finishing lines instead of puttering out and going all shy/coy sounding. 

I'm hoping other students with weaker or raspy voices read this and try BCLaPro w Camille. I'm only assuming I'm on the right path. I'm going by how it makes me feel. Even though this is my third year w 30DS and some might think I should be advanced by now (!!???) - the breath control and breath support has always been difficult for me. Still kind of is - but only when I get nervous - shaky - I realise the trick is to be focused-precise AND relaxed at the same time....

Singing and Health - Wellbing

Also, if there are any depressed or unwell students out there - I'd love a discussion going about how we/you/all of us - are able to maintain our singing routines and so on? I have crazy highs and lows - often split second emotions can bring me down or raise me up - these often affect my singing - even though it really is the ONLY thing that makes me so happy - wanting to carry on etc. I often stop too. 

Anyway, thanks again Camille! Happy Christmas everyone. 

Hi, Seann! It made my day to read this and hear about your improvement!

This might not be the advice you'll hear from most teachers, but what's worked well for me is to give myself permission to not always be "working on something" - to sing "easy" songs, to sing "for fun", to take breaks from pushing myself toward the "next level". Music, at the end of the day, should be fun and make you feel good, and it's more important to me that you keep music in your life for those benefits!

Thanks Camille. Yes it definitely helps. Cheers!

Cheers, Seann!