Don’t miss the Breaking News at the end of this blog!
Ever felt as if you sound like Minnie Mouse when you try to reach a high note? Or does attempting to sustain a long, closing note leave you miming?
Help for these and other vocal challenges is available with the member resources on the My Pop Choir website, according to owner/director Alex Fiddes. A wide variety of warm-ups and workshops, designed specifically for MPC singers, is waiting for you to explore.
“Your vocal technique is going to improve, and your confidence in your singing is going to improve,” Alex says.
And do not fear the “work” in workshop! As with all aspects of My Pop Choir, the exercises you will learn can be fun. Where else can you meow like a cat with a productive result?
All singing begins (or should) with warming up. Whichever exercises you choose to use, you will increase blood flow to your vocal cords and this in turn improves flexibility, range, and reducing the risk of strain or injury, according to Alex. “Warming up increases the tone and overall quality of your voice.”
Vocal coach Tammy Frederick from the Simply Sing Vocal Arts Studio has created a series of warm-up exercises just for My Pop Choir. Look for “Warm-ups” on the Members’ Page on our website to find exercises specifically for your voice group. And don’t miss Tammy’s short tips for improving your voice.
Jenn Kee, director of our Burlington, Hamilton and St. Catharines choirs, offers the reasoning behind a variety of vocal strategies in her “Technique Talk Tuesday” sessions available under our Members’ Only Workshops. Her goal is “to demystify your voice and make singing more enjoyable overall.” She succeeds! Her first session is called “The Cat,” one of the exercises she often uses in her own choir warm-ups.
Another classic My Pop Choir warm-up exercise is the lip trill, which Jenn refers to as ever elusive and mysterious. Check out her Technique Talk to find out why! You may not feel that you look your best doing a trill, but you are literally warming the muscles for singing. “It’s just like doing a warm-up for a run,” Jenn says.
Alex points out that there is a mental element to warming up as well. “You are reconnecting yourself to your own vocal technique before you start jumping into the music.”
The MPC workshops cover a variety of techniques to practise and skills to acquire, all with short and accessible approaches. We even give you a chance to play, while learning about voice placement.
You will likely be surprised to learn that there is a Giant, a Queen/King, a Princess/Prince and even a Witch, all within your vocal placement. Check out Jenn’s Technical Talk #2 to find out where they are and why it’s useful to investigate your voice in this way.
As you make your way through the workshops, it’s a good idea to have an overall picture of how your body works, when it comes to singing. Have a look at Alex’s “Anatomy of Singing” to discover how different parts of your body contribute to your vocal experience.
“When you sing with good breath support, and without upper body tension in your neck or shoulders or jaw, then it’s like you’re massaging your body – it should feel really nice to do,” Alex explains.
You will also learn the answers to some of the questions that are no doubt keeping you up at night: “Where are the vocal folds and what do they do?” or “How does jaw tension affect your larynx when you sing?”
All of the MPC workshops deal with various aspects of exploring your voice. Jenn encourages people “not to phone it in, but really focus on the sensations and goals laid out.”
She suggests that it takes time to get to know your voice. “And when it feels effortless, tune into those moments. When you think to yourself: ‘I sang that phrase and I was bang on, then ask yourself, ‘how do I do that again’?”
When you have a look at the Members’ Warm-ups and Workshop sections of the My Pop Choir website, you will be eager to take your voice on new adventures!
And there is one result that we can all achieve, according to Alex: “Workshops absolutely make choir more enjoyable.”
Breaking News! Just released!
CLEAR YOUR THROAT: A Singer’s Guide to Clearing Mucus and Boosting Vocal Health - created for My Pop Choir singers by vocal coach, Tammy Frederick. Topics include restoring clarity to your voice and healthy habits for ongoing vocal health. Yet another resource exclusive to My Pop Choir members! Find it on the Members’ Page & Workshop Page on our website.
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