So I was practicing tonight. And I was feeling like "okay, gonna be productive." And I thought I really could. I did. But I walked out of the room so discouraged and frustrated. I know, we all have those times, we have moments when it just doesn't work or whatever the case may be, but this was ridiculous.
It was like everything I've learned in the last few years has just flown out of the window. My voice was doing things I didn't understand and I tried to step back from the situation, troubleshoot, and fix it, but I couldn't seem to apply anything I usually do.
My voice just feels so heavy. And any amount of thinking skinny didn't help it. I just don't even know what to do. But this is not a good time to have these feelings.
Furthermore, I can't seem to remember just one line of L'ame evaporee. I'm so worried about it. I just haven't figured out what's going to make it click. I would like to kick French from here to Delaware. Yes, that's right, Delaware. And then I'll never have to see it again.
Sorry about the rant, just figured this was a good place to put it.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Practice 2/18-2/14
Studio in an hour, but it's time to think about how much I've practiced this week and what's going on. I had a killer voice lesson on Wednesday, and it was fantastic! L'ame evaporee is coming along really well. I'm finally excited to be singing this song. It's gorgeous. Recital also went really well, and I covered a missed entrance on Filli well, but it sounded (and felt) great
I've really focused on my Vivaldi this week. I also memorized Filli. I just can't believe how much of an improvement I've made this semester alone. Domine Deus is becoming more and more effortless.
My practice habits have been as consistent as ever, if not more so. I'm ready for this jury. Just need to keep up the good work. Unfortunately, I didn't practice last night - studying for music history - but I have all kinds of time on the weekend, so I'll just spread out the time.
I'm finally content and excited to have my voice. It's a great feeling.
I've really focused on my Vivaldi this week. I also memorized Filli. I just can't believe how much of an improvement I've made this semester alone. Domine Deus is becoming more and more effortless.
My practice habits have been as consistent as ever, if not more so. I'm ready for this jury. Just need to keep up the good work. Unfortunately, I didn't practice last night - studying for music history - but I have all kinds of time on the weekend, so I'll just spread out the time.
I'm finally content and excited to have my voice. It's a great feeling.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Practice ... 2/11 - 2/17
I am in a practice room more than I ever thought humanly possible and I feel like I'm making no progress whatsoever. Listening has gotten more common, though. I even made a playlist on my iPod and use it whenever I can. I try to keep my scores in front of my nose and just study them all of the time. Or as much as I can.
I'm kind of getting bored of my repertoire. Not in a bad way, but I've been singing a lot of it all year, so it's nice to focus on the new stuff.
As for practicing this week, I feel like I've taken 2 steps back. Everything is so heavy, so much weight. And we talked a bit about opening my mouth more. I've been trying to watch myself in a mirror (side note: TORTURE...), and it's true. The good news, though, is that my Carissimi is probably 95% memorized and almost performance ready. Debussy and I have a long ways to go. Though, my biggest concern, is probably the Vivaldi.
I had issues with that song sophomore year, too, though. Negotiating the register changes is the absolute worst.
Overall, I spent a lot of time working on music this week...but I have no idea if it helped. I guess that's all part of the game.
I'm kind of getting bored of my repertoire. Not in a bad way, but I've been singing a lot of it all year, so it's nice to focus on the new stuff.
As for practicing this week, I feel like I've taken 2 steps back. Everything is so heavy, so much weight. And we talked a bit about opening my mouth more. I've been trying to watch myself in a mirror (side note: TORTURE...), and it's true. The good news, though, is that my Carissimi is probably 95% memorized and almost performance ready. Debussy and I have a long ways to go. Though, my biggest concern, is probably the Vivaldi.
I had issues with that song sophomore year, too, though. Negotiating the register changes is the absolute worst.
Overall, I spent a lot of time working on music this week...but I have no idea if it helped. I guess that's all part of the game.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Practice... February 4 through 10.
It's been an interesting week for practicing. I really hit my new repertoire hard. Filli, Non T'amo Piu is going far better than I thought it would be at this point. I really, really need to work on my consistency in it, though. I feel as though I just don't hit everything where it should be and the resonance changes, which is annoying. I'm no good at that, though, so it's not surprising in the slightest.
I'm also spending a lot of time on my Debussy. It's French, so I automatically don't like it. :P Just kidding, but it does make it harder for me. The language itself is just difficult, I think. I never feel like I'm pronouncing it right, which already makes me nervous, and I feel like I just don't have the right feel for it yet. I pulled up my recording today, though, and I'm going to keep listening to it - as per Dr. Hepworth's suggestion.
Aside from that, I've definitely been trying to look at everything. In practice, I focus on two or three additional songs a day. I've been working on that forward sound, especially higher in my range. I can see it paying off.
Junior Recital, here I come. Jury is officially less than three weeks away. Can you say terrifying? Because I can! :p
I'm also spending a lot of time on my Debussy. It's French, so I automatically don't like it. :P Just kidding, but it does make it harder for me. The language itself is just difficult, I think. I never feel like I'm pronouncing it right, which already makes me nervous, and I feel like I just don't have the right feel for it yet. I pulled up my recording today, though, and I'm going to keep listening to it - as per Dr. Hepworth's suggestion.
Aside from that, I've definitely been trying to look at everything. In practice, I focus on two or three additional songs a day. I've been working on that forward sound, especially higher in my range. I can see it paying off.
Junior Recital, here I come. Jury is officially less than three weeks away. Can you say terrifying? Because I can! :p
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