Vocalist.org archive


From:  "Adri van der Weyde" <jagvanderweyde@n...>
Date:  Fri Jan 17, 2003  8:06 am
Subject:  Asking some advice

Dear members of the vocalist-group,
I am a 50 jears old/young male singer (tenor) living in the Netherlands. For an
(important for me) audition next week I'm asking your advice. I have to sing a
Napolitan-song and a song from a classical musical, but I do not know what to
sing. Who can/will help me?
Adri.

----- Original Message -----
From: James
To: vocalist-temporary@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2003 12:50 AM
Subject: Re: [vocalist] Advice needed


from Michael Gordon.
>
>a) First of all, I would distinguish between a "classical teacher"
>and "classical material". I have no objections to a classical
>teacher and in the past have worked exclusively with classical
>teachers since I admire their technique and abilities.

from me...Reg.
Well unless I'm missing something here Michael, there is no way
a NON classical teacher could effectively give good vocal advice
on the performance of classical music. I presume by classical
that we agree, operatic and art songs.

>b) However, if a student does not wish to sing classical material (or
>at least not opera arias...), or does not wish to exclusively sing
>classical material, I see no reason why they cannot find a
>classically-trained teacher who is willing to work with them on their
>non-classical material and show them how to apply the technique in a
>style appropriate manner.

(me) ... I see a big problem in what you write Michael.
If the aspiring (defective method) singer is going to expect to
gain from the teacher as you suggest, then he is going to need to
advance through the stages of perfecting a technique which is
at odds with the technique of the teacher. Are you suggesting
that the teacher should shift his technique to mimic that of the
learner student. Comical if it were not so serious.

John Link gave the example of an operatic
>rendition of "Happy Birthday" sounding ridiculous - classically
>trained singers sometimes are unable to apply their well-trained
>voices to other styles.

(me) An ear accustomed to mediocrity seeks to hear it again.
By "styles" I imagine you mean...to imitate the songs specifically
styled by another vocalist. That's sort of imitation is as vocally
narrow minded as the original assumption that there is no valid
reason to criticize a rock vocal technique.


Regards Reg

















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