jaakub-singing-techniques

[jaakub-singing-techniques]

Here I opened and hosted the show by singing "Willkommen" to the audience as they sat down. Before going on stage I used different styles of vocal techniques to really warm up my vocal chords such as Breathing exercises that help you manage your breathing since you have to utilise your diaphragm so you don't run out of air when singing, allowing you to sing longer while still hitting each note. When performing this workout, take a deep breath in for 8 seconds, then exhale for 8 seconds, then repeat for 6 and 3 seconds.

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WWW: I managed to finish the notes on most pages and included names and types of notes, numbered the bars, identified the Treble clef and sharps.

[jaakub-singing-techniques]

Come From Away

Trip

We arrived at the Phoenix Theatre at 7:15pm and took our seats. The show was about the events of 9/11. The music was played by an Irish folk band who were playing live on stage while the actors were performing on stage. What I learnt from the show was that there are so many different things that happen on and backstage, rehearsals are essential for performances especially when it comes to West End productions. I learnt some acting skills as well as singing skills, such as breath control, projection, story telling through song, characterisation and expression.  The lead characters were able to belt their voices so that they were heard clearly.  Their breath control was outstanding.

[jaakub-singing-techniques]

Wilkkommen from the musical ‘Cabaret’ - performing arts showcase December 2021

Using the skills I learnt from my singing unit such as projection, breath control and pronunciation I was able to improve my vocal ability.

During the singing unit, I learnt the importance of warming up my vocals in order to better enunciate my words and make my voice easier to hear and comprehend. I also learned how to breathe correctly while singing, which improved my projection and loudness since I learned how to sing from the diaphragm, which allows me to hold notes for longer periods of time without losing air and makes me sound louder so that everyone can hear me. Taking a deep breath when possible enabled me to hold notes longer and sound more powerful.  I was able to use ‘snatch’ breaths on the shorter pauses.

I was delighted to get a chance to sing "Willkommen" in front of an audience since I love the song which is also sung in German, French and English. It also helped that I looked the part so I could put on a complete show in terms of: excessive makeup, fake eye lashes, lipstick, shirtless, tight leather pants, had a cane and also a red jacket with a red feather boa. 

Joel Gray, in the original performance, wanted to bring across the dark and sinister side of what was going on in Germany at the time and this was underneath his performance that can be seen in the film.  I wanted to bring this side across and tried to blend comedy and a darker edge.

What went well: I managed to entertain the crowd with my skills and my characterisation was present on stage throughout my performance. I was able to improvise a lot of my scenes if I forgot or something went wrong like when my head mic stopped working and I went to hold the hand held mic. My pitch was correct and I was able to hold notes.

Even better if: I need to have confidence in myself before going on stage and believe in my signing skills.  This performance has helped me to realise that I love singing and with lots of practice and vocal exercises that I can continue to improve.

[jaakub-singing-techniques]

Vocal warm-up exercises

• tongue twisters, which assist you in properly articulating and pronouncing your words while singing.

• One of the finest all-around vocal workouts is humming up and down the scale. This method enhances and helps you manage your breathing by stretching your voice chords, relaxing your face muscles, and stretching your vocal cords.

• Using a vocal straw relieves tension on your vocal folds and helps them vibrate more effectively, allowing you to sing louder.

Lip bubbles assist you warm up your facial muscles by placing both hands on your cheeks and softly applying pressure while blowing out through your lips. This also helps you enunciate your words when singing because your mouth isn't rigid.

• Breathing exercises help you manage your breathing since you have to utilise your diaphragm so you don't run out of air when singing, allowing you to sing longer while still hitting each note. When performing this workout, take a deep breath in for 8 seconds, then exhale for 8 seconds, then repeat for 6 and 3 seconds.

• Warm-up 1121 This begins to work on your singing, preparing your voice for when you perform your song, ensuring that you are completely prepared to put on a show.

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Recording studio evaluation 

please see video below:

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Miss Nash recommended that I sing "Willkommen-Cabaret" when I first started learning to sing, and I fell in love with it right away. I began vocal warm-ups with Sky Montique Also worked with Tanya Edwards who brought in some of her own "Fly High" singing group members. Sky and I conducted separate warm-ups using our bodies and voices. We started with physical warm-ups to help the body relax. We performed some stretching and employed the roll-down approach. We then moved on to stretching the upper body down to the lower body before moving on to voice exercises. We virtually learned the larynx and its function inside the voice for the vocal exercises. The larynx ensures that air enters the lungs, allowing for smooth breathing; it also pushes food into the oesophagus, allowing it to enter the stomach, this is why it is considered an important organ in general. It does, however, play a significant part in singing. While the vocal cords’ primary role is to guarantee that vibrations occur, the larynx's secondary duty is to assist in the production of sound, so assisting in the comfort of the individual; nevertheless, it does have limitations, stated above in the chord section. Learning about the roles of our voice really helped me understand the process of singing which helped me further. 

[jaakub-singing-techniques]

December 5th:Christmas show

When I sing, I have more difficulty with high notes than low sounds. I sang and performed "Willkommen"-Cabaret, which requires you to generate high notes, which might be tough if you don't warm up your vocals first. I also have a tendency to restrict my self-esteem since I am terrified of self-doubt and losing my voice. Vocal cord exercises, such as the vocal cord straw exercise, are used to avoid this. This not only keeps my voice from cracking, but it also keeps the barometric pressure above and below my vocal chords balanced. There were times where not everything went to plan: my mic wasn't connected Mid performance and I had to carry on until it got sorted to the point where I was handed a mic mid performance and really just go for it. I managed and performed well for the rest of the show.    

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First lesson on singing:

Singing, acting, and dancing are all excellent aspects of the performing arts. However, when it comes to singing, I always seem to have a problem. Singing is about a lot more than just your voice. It's about having confidence, having good posture, and a lot more. When I sing, I constantly look down, which means I never look to the horizon as Miss Nash always tells us too. In order to truly demonstrate my singing abilities, strong posture leads to fantastic performances, which is something I want to continue improving on. When we stand shoulder width apart and imagine we're manikins with a string holding us up in class, it helps me maintain proper posture. This enables me to keep great posture and stay steady while singing, giving the image of being focused and cautious.

What went well:

I learnt a few techniques and was able to pick them up really quickly

Even better if:

I need to remember that it is very important to do a vocal warmups before a performance as it will help my vocals and my sound will come across better. 

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I’ve learnt that our body is our instrument, and how you carry yourself has an impact on the sound you produce. The optimum singing posture is for the chin to be parallel to the floor, shoulders to be kept back, and the chest to be elevated but not overextended. With hands and arms relaxed at the sides, the stomach should be firm and kept in an expanded position. It's crucial not to lock your knees while your feet are slightly apart. Your posture should be flexible enough to allow for sound expansion while also being efficient enough to avoid exerting excessive effort or producing unnecessary stress. When done correctly, these aspects work together to align your body, putting your ears squarely over your shoulders, which are directly over your hips, and so on down to your feet. I do however need to work more on my posture, I tend to slouch a lot which has a huge impact in the way i sound and the way  perform, Having good posture is vital for a singer and with a bit more work I know I can get better. 

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Vocal Warm Ups

Throughout this unit, I've been experimenting with different singing approaches and enhancing my vocal abilities. I felt unsure of my abilities at the beginning of the course, but I've made considerable improvement and am eager to do even more. Based on the feedback received from teachers and classmates, I've identified a number of areas in which I need to improve, as well as a number of areas in which I need to grow. Visiting experts and watching professional performers in performances like 'Come from Away' have helped me gain a lot of knowledge.