amethyst73 | A grand week for singing

1. On Monday, I had my first voice lesson in a couple of weeks. My teacher was able to lead me into keeping my throat open and relaxed while singing, even the high stuff. It felt like a new door had been opened. Then on Tuesday, when I was practicing, I found a Really Useful image to think of when I breathe in: Not only am I thinking down (with my diaphragm), but I'm thinking back (to stretch and relax the larynx - this part has the lovely side effect of elevating the ribs in my back too!) and also up through the back of my head (to help generate the lift and space I need to get the resonance that I want). When it works, it feels like it really works! Everything's open, free, relaxed, not forced... Hopefully I'm doing things right, and not screwing things up.

2. Last night I got to have my first rehearsal with our new choir director Matthew. Working with him really is wonderful! He's challenging us: last night consisted largely of: read through a piece with piano accompaniment once, or twice in one case, and then he'd have us try it a capella. Great fun, as far as I'm concerned. :) And of course he's a marvelous musician, and huge fun to work with. It was a lovely evening, ending with drinks and dessert after rehearsal. (And we're doing a piece this Sunday that I actually felt the need to take home and learn (at least for one transition spot). Novel, what?

In other news: I am now the proud holder of the first Gold Medal in the household for a Wii Sports training exercise! (in the Golf: Hitting to the Green exercise, if anyone cares) Yeah, boring life I know. ;)