Mariah Lesson Summary 9/19

Mariah Lesson Summary 9/19
     For my lesson this week, I felt a little unprepared. I had worked really hard on "Traume" all week and finished the song analysis form for it, but I didn't listen to all of the songs that I had been assigned. Because I hadn't listened to my new songs, it made it difficult to decide on other songs I may like and if I was going to keep all of the ones I had been assigned.
      At the beginning of my lesson, we finished choosing which songs I am going to work on for the semester. We discussed when I need to have certain songs learned and song analysis forms completed. We talked about whether or not I should do a Junior recital this year or not and decided to wait until next year. When we finished talking about these things,  I warmed up with some old and new vocalizes. While warming up, Laurie had me fold over into a ragdoll position to help me relax and she told me to move around as much as I need to so that I don't get stiff while singing. She also had me do "crossovers" while I sang a vocalize. I would lift my left knee and touch it with my right hand and vice versa  in a marching movement. I also did an exercise where I would bend my knees on higher notes to help me be more secure. We worked on the pencil in the mouth exercise to help give me more internal space and connect more with my body. I sang through "Traume" while Laurie played, and then I worked on some of the higher notes. We started by speaking the words in rhythm, then speaking them in rhythm in the "old man snoring" position with my head back and jaw released. Laurie talked about really thinking pitch before I hit a specific high note and using the "Tr" consonants to propel me into the high note. I need to remember to use more energy when approaching the higher sections. I worked on speaking words in rhythm in a sing-songy way, and then sang the section on an ee vowel. After that, I sang the lyrics with my head tilted back again and it created a very free sound. Laurie also suggested singing in a crouched stance, singing on the floor, while walking around, swaying, marching in place, etc to help me connect with my body and create energy.
      A key thing I learned was to make sure I wasn't stiff while singing and warming up. I can move around as much as I need to while warming up to release any tension. I can use these movements to help me create energy and try to remember that feeling while singing still. Another thing I need to remember is to work in steps. To get those higher notes, I started very basic with saying the words with a relaxed jaw and working up to actually singing the section. 
      My goals for my next lesson are to have "Traume" perfected and have some expression added to the piece. I need to complete the song analysis forms for "Clair de Lune" and "Music for a While" by then. I also need to have "The Last Rose of Summer" at least learned by my next lesson, but I am going to aim to have it memorized by then if possible. 

New Vocalizes
ee ee a ha ha ha haa
filo filo fi
blah 
pencil in the mouth on ee