Caitlin Craig Partner Practicing October 9, 2013

Sam and I had our second partner practice session yesterday, and we followed the same format as in our last session.  I began with first half hour of practice.
I have been working on memorization, so I went through a few pieces with Sam to check pitches and such.  It was helpful to have someone as a second eye to mark the intervals or phrases I was struggling with in my Wolf pieces.  We also practiced singing Die Sproede, and I was having a hard time finding release everywhere.  I got really frustrated, but then Sam asked me to think of something to get my mind off of singing, so I decided to pretend to be Lydia Bennett, because the text talks about jesting and flirting with ribbons, and breaking hearts (which is Lydia Bennett to a "T").   So I channeled my frivolous and naive self, and it made it sort of a fun game.  Although it wasn't perfect, my voice found a some release which felt much freer and easier.  I'm excited to explore that characterization in my practicing.
During Sam's half hour, we worked on his Dvorak piece.  He wanted to work on feeling the 6/8 in the accompaniment along with the 2/4 meter in the vocal line in order to prepare it for VRH.  We first started by waltzing, then we gradually started to freestyle it by ourselves.  It helped Sam immensely.  His lines throughout his phrasing became very expressive and communicative, and his breath and sound freer.  I was able to point out some rhythms that weren't completely accurate, and I think he gained that sense of connection to his body.
Although practicing with another has been scary (because there is no hiding all your vocal faults) I would like to think that it has been effective and a good experience.  I have gained something from each of our practice sessions that I wouldn't have if I didn't have someone giving me insight, or pointing things out.  It has also helped me to realize that although we often compare ourselves to others and beat ourselves up over our problems, the majority of us have the same vocal problems that we are trying to fix.  It is comforting to know that others are struggling with the same things.