Sarah Boucher Dacy SUPERVISED Lesson Record 3/5

I really benefited from Cindy's help in this lesson. I was most definitely nervous and did not interact as well with Dacy as I usually do. I could have offered her more feedback and asked her which she liked best and sought her input more. The time flew so fast, we didn't even get to work much on her song- time management has never been my strength! I was a flop at this lesson but Cindy's comments and directions were awesome! I often hear a problem but don't have a clue how to fix it! With Dacy, I had been hearing a breathiness in her voice for a while. Everything I would try to fix it didn't quite work. It was nice to have Cindy's input on the issue! According to Cindy, the "hypofunctional" qualities in Dacy's singing come from her speaking voice. She needs to speak utilizing more parts of her range, particularly the lower parts of the range. To avoid letting the piano overcome her when she sings, she should speak the text in sing song, experimenting with her range. Something that is also crucial is that she chooses keys for her music therapy pieces that are within her comfortable speaking range. She tries to force her sound out by pushing her air out-that is why it is breathy. She doesn't do that when she speaks only when she sings so that is why speech is such a good way to access that. I also was using some imagery that was not helping her with her breath. I was having her pretend to smell a flower, but it was making her take too big of a breath and contributing to her pushing out air.

As her teacher, I need to connect everything back to speech. I need to get her to speak it comfortably and then sing it. I really like when Cindy had he speak it in a elongated sing song voice. I could tell that it was helping and I need to implement that more in our lessons together. Since she is my roommate, I can also encourage her to speak more authoritatively, to create that energy in her sound that is needed. I need to think of more things that will help her to explore the different ranges with her voice. Dacy really benefited from hearing Cindy's opinion, it really helped her to understand the frustrations she has had with her voice over the past few years! It really helped me understand what is going on and how to fix it! Thanks Cindy!