Sarah Boucher Listening Assignment #2

Sarah Boucher Listening Assignment #2
Caro Mio Ben:

1.  What is wrong with the sound I am hearing (and what I am seeing)? I hear some breathiness in her sound, and it is also a bit inconsistent with vibrato. I see a lot of body movement, particular in her left arm, she is swaying and moving her arm around to the music. I can also hear and see loud "bucket breaths".

2.  What is causing this problem? I think her sound isn't very well grounded. Because of her moving and swaying she has no center of gravity to breathe from, causing the breathiness, bucket breaths and inconsistent vibrato. I think what caused her to sway was also a desire to emote and shape the music.

3.  What would I do about it if I were the teacher? If I were the teacher, I would probably address posture first and foremost. Getting her to stand still with her chest open and her arms relaxed to her sides. I would do some alignment exercise with her, probably starting with having her laying on the floor. Next, I would try to work on a more support low breath. I would use "tree pose" and "football player stance" to help her to find that low expanded breath and what it should feel like.

4.  How well prepared was the performance prepared (musicianship, diction, style, etc.)?  Give specifics that support your answer. I thought for her age, she seemed well prepared and confident. She announced herself well and had an engaged face the whole time. The diction could have been better along with the phrasing, but I could tell that she was trying to emote! The thing about this song, is that everyone sings it so you have to bring yourself to it and try to make it unique.

Roadside Fire:

1.  What is wrong with the sound I am hearing (and what I am seeing)? I am seeing a lot of twisting from the abs up.  He would go to take a breath and twist to one side. He was a bit fidgety and made some random movements. At times, especially when going high his sound would narrow and be pinched but then at other times his voice was too far back, like he was trying to imitate an opera singer.

2.  What is causing this problem? I think the fidgeting and twisting is just due to nerves and trying to be a part of the music. I am not sure what causes the tone issues. I could definitely tell he was reaching for those high notes, which made him squeeze and be out of tune. He has a lot of jaw movement which could also contribute to tension and pushing in the voice. I think it might also be that he is trying to manufacture the sound rather than have it be natural.

3.  What would I do about it if I were the teacher? I think that Simply, Speaking, Simply would really benefit him. I think starting from speech first would help him to connect to what his sound should feel like rather than trying to sound like someone else. I would also try to free up his sound by utilizing a yawn or an imploded k before those high phrases.

4.  How well prepared was the performance prepared (musicianship, diction, style, etc.)?  Give specifics that support your answer. He was clearly fidgety but he seemed to know the piece well. His diction was inconsistent, sometimes stellar ("Star shine night") and sometimes I had no clue what he was saying! I think there were the beginnings of some really good phrasing there, like on some phrases as he ascending he increased in volume (unfortunately he pushed to create the dynamic shifts, but he was trying to be musical.) I could tell he was dedicated and trying to give his best.