A Soprano Practices




the morguefile



Breathe.
Hum.
Notes will follow.
Timbre,
vibration,
support,
mask,

air speed,
narrow through passagio,
bite into tone.

Headier,
Go for headier,
core in the sound,
legato, LeGato, LEGATO.
Vibrato.
Italian, french, german,
translate text.

Emote.
Connect.
Find the high B flat.

So exposed,

dig down deep in the body,

go, you can do this.

Argg!

Too wide.

Try again,
and again,
and again.


I sing and teach classical music. I am a big lyric Soprano--bordering on spinto--this is what practicing is like for me--about an hour and a half a day, most every day--

copyright/all rights reserved Audrey Howitt 2014.  Posted for dVerse.

Comments

  1. Wow, welcome to your world, alien to most of us, music must be like the breath of life for you obviously. Once I was an actor, & my voice trainers concluded that I would never be a singer, or blond, or over six feet tall, or play the love interest. Oh well, love your piece here; transports me to another plane of appreciation.

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  2. Hi Glenn --Thank you--it is a world of discipline and delayed gratification--that is for sure--but practice is also quite meditative---I have come to love it

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  3. love the passion and dedication that bleeds through this write... I love to sing, I may sound awful... but that doesn't stop a lil bedroom sing along to Melba Moore, huh? hahah

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  4. ha it is all about trying again and practice practice practice...my son is doing trumpet right now...oy does he practice...ha...my younger son is doing chorus so we practice...music surrounds us...nice us of all the music tunes...

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  5. Wow, practice and practice makes it even better ~ Thanks for a glimpse of your world Audrey ~ We must hear you sing one day, smiles ~

    Grace

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    1. Hi Grace--I am just starting to do some more recording work--it is fun!

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  7. I am very impressed, Audrey! I had no idea music was your field. A former colleague of mine is an amateur singer and she has repeatedly told me about the importance of practice. Gift is only part of it I believe. Thank you for this glimpse into your life.

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    1. Thank you for reading this Gabriella! It is always an adventure!!

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  8. Very nice Audrey. I would love to hear you sing as well.

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  9. our joy is your work, I hope the practices are fun for you, especially when you know that what you have done was just right.

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    1. I do love it when the practice sails by --but most of the time it isn't like that--and yet, it is meditative in its own way!

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  10. nice... i used to have singing lessons once - so that felt very familiar - i'm amazed how the whole body becomes the instrument when it comes to singing... awesome

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  11. I am in awe of beautiful voices. Thanks for sharing your practice with us!

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  12. Everyone should sing but preferably not scream:)

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  13. To exercise and practice like that - wow. My sister in law is a soprano as well, and that daily exercise I have understood a little of.

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  14. i find in singing.. dancing.. or even poetry art.. that for me.. and i think this varies innately with some who are more instruction oriented or hands on.. that any structure offered stunts.. the true power of creativity in me.. whether it is song.. dance.. or poetry..

    not often.. or ever heard.. stepped.. or written before...

    People have asked me to teach them.. or how i learn to dance..

    and i tell them.. you are looking at my soul.. it is free..

    and moves wherever it wants.. in step.. note.. or word.....

    And there was a time.. i had none of that.. but lesson.. and sheet music in piano flow...

    One day i discounted everything i knew.. and finally the notes flowed free.. from fingers too....

    i guess it's the Yang and Yin of art.. in almost everything in life..

    only those.. who never have to worry about money..
    can truly live in mostly Yin.. in creativity.. to explore a heart and soul... fully...

    The process of human creativity.. is both fascinating and TRULY magicK to me.. and smiles.. i enjoyed your path... too..:) over soprano way.. of song.... in words as well...true....

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  15. Groovy piece- love the practice element of singing being turned into a poem.

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  16. music brings peace to otherwise hectic life

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  17. True - notes will follow - but we need feel one with music - this is lovely, I tried learning violin at some point of time and can recall the words my teacher would tell me...

    Lovely take on the prompt.

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  18. Wow Audrey. So wonderful to know you're a multitalented woman. I admire your perseverance and support you in your music.

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  19. This is great Audrey, for me you captured the effort and hard work needed to achieve the performance levels you must seek. Well done.

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  20. You have really given us a glimpse into what it takes to sing. I am awed. Really takes dedication. Sometime you should share a bit of your singing in a sound clip.

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  21. This challenge was just perfect for you! I too would love to hear you sing!

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  22. I can feel the passion in your words and I can appreciate the work involved in teaching and performing. My mother was a piano teacher....enough said. :)

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  23. A wonderful articulation of "discipline". The pursuit of excellence, having lost so much value in a culture of instant gratification, is a good to be reminded there are still those who moil on. An awesome write, Audrey.

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    1. * to rephrase "it is good" - garsh: speaking of pursuing excellence. Smiles

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  24. i can almost hear a beautiful song..so vivid and uplifting. loved this, Audrey~

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  25. A voice takes practice be it singing be it the page....thank you for your sweet encouragement over at my blog Audrey. :-)

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  26. You put all your soul and passion into this as I know you do with your singing, Audrey. I love how the poem built to a lovely crescendo!

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  27. So fascinating to explore the creative process of singing where your body become the instrument and channels the sound. I really felt like I was being taken on a journey inside the mind of a professional singer. A wonderful write!

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  28. Nice progression through each step. You also show the diligence it takes to really master something, be it singing or whatever. Well done.

    Also, thank you for visiting my blog. Much appreciated. :)

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  29. i like how this builds to a climax only to practice more... some great lesson for all to learn

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  30. So many poetic words to this practice. Have you tried singing this poem?

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