- www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taking-care-your-voice
1.1 Day to Day Maintenance Requirements of My Instrument
a) What are the maintenance requirements of my instrument?
Drink plenty of water
Avoid all second-hand smoke and don't smoke yourself
Not use/strain my voice when I don't have to
b) What can I undertake personally?
- Not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke
- Stay hydrated
- Take care of my voice (how often I use it and how harshly)
1.2. Personal Health and Safety Issues
a) What Health and Safety issues are there that you need to consider when playing your instrument, and when approaching your playing style?
Stay hydrated:
Drink plenty of water. Six to eight glasses a day is recommended.
Limit your intake of drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine, which can cause the body to lose water and make the vocal folds and larynx dry. Alcohol also irritates the mucous membranes that line the throat.
Use a humidifier in your home. This is especially important in winter or in dry climates. Thirty percent humidity is recommended.
Avoid or limit use of medications that dry out the vocal folds, including some common cold and allergy medications. If you have voice problems, ask your doctor which medications would be safest for you to use.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet:
Don't smoke and avoid second-hand smoke. Smoke irritates the vocal folds. Also, cancer of the vocal folds is seen most often in individuals who smoke.
Avoid eating spicy foods. Spicy foods can cause stomach acid to move into the throat or esophagus, causing heartburn or GERD.
Include plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your diet. These foods contain vitamins A, E, and C. They also help keep the mucus membranes that line the throat healthy.
Wash your hands often to prevent getting a cold or the flu.
Get enough rest. Physical fatigue has a negative effect on voice.
Exercise regularly. Exercise increases stamina and muscle tone. This helps provide good posture and breathing, which are necessary for proper speaking.
If you have persistent heartburn or GERD, talk to your doctor about diet changes or medications that can help reduce flare-ups.
Avoid mouthwash or gargles that contain alcohol or irritating chemicals. If you still wish to use a mouthwash that contains alcohol, limit your use to oral rinsing. If gargling is necessary, use a salt water solution.
Avoid using mouthwash to treat persistent bad breath. Halitosis (bad breath) may be the result of a problem that mouthwash can't cure, such as low grade infections in the nose, sinuses, tonsils, gums, or lungs, as well as from gastric acid reflux from the stomach.
Use your voice wisely:
Try not to overuse your voice. Avoid speaking or singing when your voice is hoarse or tired.
Rest your voice when you are sick. Illness puts extra stress on your voice.
Avoid using the extremes of your vocal range, such as screaming or whispering. Talking too loudly and too softly can both stress your voice.
Practice good breathing techniques when singing or talking. Support your voice with deep breaths from the chest, and don't rely on your throat alone. Singers and speakers are often taught exercises that improve this kind of breath control. Talking from the throat, without supporting breath, puts a great strain on the voice.
Avoid cradling the phone when talking. Cradling the phone between the head and shoulder for extended periods of time can cause muscle tension in the neck.
Consider using a microphone when appropriate. In relatively static environments such as exhibit areas, classrooms, or exercise rooms, a lightweight microphone and an amplifier-speaker system can be of great help.
Avoid talking in noisy places. Trying to talk above noise causes strain on the voice.
Consider voice therapy. A speech-language pathologist who is experienced in treating voice problems can teach you how to use your voice in a healthy way.
b) How should you review your own approach to these issues when playing your instrument?
I need to drink plenty of water throughout every day, Whenever I'm out I need to avoid any second-hand smoke I encounter (because I certainly won't be smoking myself) and I also need to choose when to use and/or strain my voice well so I don't damage my voice.
I need to drink plenty of water throughout every day, Whenever I'm out I need to avoid any second-hand smoke I encounter (because I certainly won't be smoking myself) and I also need to choose when to use and/or strain my voice well so I don't damage my voice.
2.1 Reviewing Personal Goals
a) What are the personal goals that you would like to achieving in playing your instrument?
My Aims As A Singer:
- To become famous, be picked up by a music label or for an independent label, form a band and sell many records all over the world.
- To be able to make my voice more versatile and be able to sing in a wider range of keys.
- To be able to perform live at a huge festival in front of thousands of people.
b) How do you intend to achieve these personal goals?
The agreed plan with my teacher is to:
1. Attend and take part in 1 hour of practical lessons per week, for a minimum of 15 weeks.
2. Attend and take part in a 20 minute lesson for my instrument, for a minimum of 15 weeks.
3. Review and reflect upon my lessons and progress each week on my blog, for a minimum of 15 weeks.
c) Blog of all rehearsals - you must state what you have achieved, and what you plan to do next week.
The agreed plan with my teacher is to:
1. Attend and take part in 1 hour of practical lessons per week, for a minimum of 15 weeks.
2. Attend and take part in a 20 minute lesson for my instrument, for a minimum of 15 weeks.
3. Review and reflect upon my lessons and progress each week on my blog, for a minimum of 15 weeks.
c) Blog of all rehearsals - you must state what you have achieved, and what you plan to do next week.
13/09/16
Lesson 1
In today's lesson I perfected how to play 'Counting Stars' on the piano. I worked through the trouble I had with switching between chords 3-4 and 4-1. We recorded our version of 'Counting Stars' and I think that there is room for improvement but it went quite well.
20/09/16
Lesson 2
Which pieces did I practise this week?
I practised all 3 of my current choices today through vocals and guitar.
How did practising go this week?
They were easy to practise as I know how to sing/play all of them perfectly in time off by heart. The only struggles I had were trying to remember how to play the chorus on the guitar to Feel Good Inc. as I couldn't remember the chords. I'll try and remember these chords for tomorrow.
27/9/16
Lesson 3
Which pieces did I practise this week?
El Manana on the piano and Feel Good Inc. on the guitar.
How did practising go this week?
It went well as I was just refining what I did last week. I was also singing El Manana and playing it on the piano which wasn't difficult as I'd previously learnt the words and chords/riffs.
How did my lesson go this week?
It went well. We practised roughly what I did 2 weeks ago as I didn't have a lesson last week. I enjoy singing songs that I know and love as it's what I want to do later on in life.
04/10/16
Lesson 4
Which pieces did I practise this week?
I changed Feel Good Inc. to Kids With Guns as I found that it'd be easier to do a song without rapping in it. I practised Kids With Guns on guitar, piano and vocals. I did the same for El Manana.
How did practising go this week?
It went well as I already know the parts I practised very well. It was just about playing in time perfectly.
How did my lesson go this week?
Okay. It could've been better as I don't really enjoy singing songs I'm not familiar with/don't enjoy. However, I'm still looking forward to next week whether we go back to Gorillaz or we continue with other songs as I need to practise and expand the potential of my voice.
11/10/16
Lesson 5
Which pieces did I practise this week?
On Melancholy Hill on the bass and perfected the piece so I will be ready to record and provide backing vocals next week. I practised Scars You're Yet To Find a little on the guitar and bass but I didn't get much of that done.
How did practising go this week?
It went well. I figured out how On Melancholy Hill goes by listening to the song and figuring it out by process of elimination.
How did my lesson go this week?
Good as I practised the vocals for Rhinestone Eyes.
18/10/16
Lesson 6
Which pieces did I practise this week?
On Melancholy Hill on the bass and the vocals as we went through our first full run-throughs of the song. Next week we're aiming to record.
How did practising go this week?
Well as we got through the whole of the song with no mistakes for the first time. Next week we should be able to record it and so I can move on to my next song.
How did my lesson go this week?
It went well as I practised vocals and backing vocals for On Melancholy Hill to help make our recording of the song that much better.
1/11/16
Lesson 7
Which pieces did I practise this week?
We recorded On Melancholy Hill today and I think it went pretty good. Some of the timing was a little off and we only recorded about half the song as the outro can get very long and complicated.
How did practising go this week?
We focused on recording today rather than practising.
How did my lesson go this week?
It was good as I got to sing a song that I wanted to sing after finishing On Melancholy Hill so I was able to get some early practise in.
8/11/16
Lesson 8
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Mothership, Crawling, In The End and Numb vocals and those songs on the piano.
How did practising go this week?
Well as I know the chords and lyrics off by heart.
How did my lesson go this week?
It went okay as I was a bit late so my teacher went to go and get me but I was already at my lesson so we started a bit late. In future I'll try to make sure this doesn't happen by not forgetting when my lesson is so I leave on time.
15/11/16
Lesson 9
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz. Not Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, I prefer to not play that as I heavily dislike the track.
How did practising go this week?
It was okay however I prefer not to work in the small, hot and stuffy practise room as I find it hard to concentrate in there.
How did my lesson go this week?
Amazing. I learnt a new song that was really good, I practised Clint Eastwood and I escaped being forced to perform a song that I hate with a passion.
22/11/16Lesson 10
Which pieces did I practise this week?
I Hate Everything About You, Lost In You and Last To Know all by Three Days Grace.
How did practising go this week?
It went well as I got a lot of practises in and a lot of run throughs with and without a backing track. I'm making steady progress towards being able to record.
How did my lesson go this week?
It was good as I practised what I planned to practise in the lesson before it started.29/11/16
Lesson 11
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Always by Killswitch Engage.
How did practising go this week?
It went okay; I still need to learn the lyrics to the chorus so I can recite them off by heart.
6/12/16
Lesson 12
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Always by Killswitch Engage.
How did practising go this week?
It went well as I now know all the lyrics off by heart and can recite them and record the song for next lesson.
How did my lesson go this week?
It was really good as I practised Always with an acoustic backing track so now I'm ready to record.
20/12/16
Lesson 14
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Always, The End of Heartache and This Fire Burns.
How did practising go this week?
It went very well as I was just reciting what I know.
10/1/17
Lesson 15
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Redshift and Dear Future Historians.
How did practising go this week?
It went okay. I had to leave A49 because other people needed the room but before that I got a decent amount of practise in.
17 & 24/1/17
Lesson 16 & 17
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Dear Future Historians by Enter Shikari. Broken, Feel Good Inc. and Kids With Guns all by Gorillaz.
How did practising go this week?
It went well. I'll be able to record my 2nd piece later today or tomorrow.
It went well. I'll be able to record my 2nd piece later today or tomorrow.
How did my lesson go this week?
It went very well. It aided me in getting my 2nd piece ready to record.
31/1/17
Lesson 18
Which pieces did I practise this week?
The Real You by Three Days Grace and Torn Apart by Enter Shikari.
How did practising go this week?
It went very well, so well that I actually recorded today!
How did my lesson go this week?
It went very well. I recorded in my music lesson and have now finished all 8 minutes of my work.
7/2/17
Lesson 19
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks, The One True Colour, Myopia and Never Let Go Of The Microscope by Enter Shikari.
How did my lesson go this week?
It went well. I practised Waterloo Sunset by The Kinks. I'm still not sure if I like the song or not.
Half Term
21/2/17
Lesson 20
Which pieces did I practise this week?
In The End, Pushing Me Away and Easier To Run all by Linkin Park.
How did practising go this week?
It went well. Me and Kudzaishe collaborated together (me on piano and vocals, him on drums) and played In The End and Pushing Me Away. We'll try to continue this next week as it went really well and we're both happy with the sound we got.
How did my lesson go this week?
It went really well as I practised Iridescent and will be ready to record it next week.
28/2/17
Lesson 21
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Return To Energiser and Labyrinth by Enter Shikari, In The End by Linking Park and Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz.
How did practising go this week?
It went very well as me, Kudzaishe and Nigel worked together again and we got a lot of work done to the point where we were able to record.
How did my lesson go this week?
It went well.
7/3/17
Lesson 22
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Clint Eastwood by Gorillaz.
How did practising go this week?
It went well as me, Kudzaishe and Nigel worked together to recreate Clint Eastwood. We will hopefully be able to record next week.
21/3/17
Lesson 24
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Don't Get Lost In Heaven, 19/2000 and Tomorrow Comes Today
How did practising go this week?
It went well as me and Kudzaishe practised to the point where we'll be able to record next lesson before I had my music lesson with Mr Gower.
How did my lesson go this week?
It was good as I practised Don't Get Lost In Heaven and will now be able to record when I get home with a backing track.
28/3/17
Lesson 25
Which pieces did I practise this week?
Me, Kudzaishe and Nigel practised Saturnz Barz and Feel Good Inc.
Me, Kudzaishe and Nigel practised Saturnz Barz and Feel Good Inc.
How did practising go this week?
It went very well. We'll be able to record tomorrow as we've practised enough and we're happy with how we sound together.
3.1 Review of your progress
a) What comments has your tutor made about your progress?
b) What are their reports on your:
i) technical ability I have the ability and a good selection of songs.
ii) dexterity My piano skills aren't the best but they're pretty good. I still can't play the piano whilst singing but it will take a lot of time and practise so I'm not too worried about that just yet. I'm still focusing on improving one thing at a time for now.
iii) stamina My stamina has got a lot better, mainly because I keep more focused now than I used to, as I enjoy singing and playing piano much more than I used to. However, I need to develop my skills in singing in order to continue to develop and stretch my stamina.
iv) control of the instrument I can control my voice very well and know the ranges and limits of it too.
c) All recordings and dates of these recordings:
28/2/17:
I thought the recording went okay but we still have a lot to work on like timings etc. I'm mostly happy about the fact that we actually managed to record something. This is a mark of where we are at skills-wise right now therefore we can all use this to determine what we need to improve on and how much we need to improve in those areas.
I don't have a date for the second recording unfortunately:
As much as absolutely hate the sound of my own voice when recorded, I'm happy that I have a recording because now I can reflect on my progress since this recording and I can analyse what I still have to improve on. I'm actually quite pleased with how this turned out as timing wasn't an issue as I am lucky enough to have Mr Gower on piano for me and I managed to sing in key for the whole song up until the point where my voice failed me. However, I kept going after this mistake and finished the song. I still have things to work on, but I believe I have enough time to fix any issues, squash any nerves and work on smoothing out my performance.3.2 Final Evaluation
a) What are your achievements, in relation to the personal goals you chose at the beginning of the course? I've made a respectable amount of progress in confidence to be order to sing in front of people so that's good. Considering I have to perform 15 minutes of stuff in front of people confidence is a big thing for me to improve on. I've also improved my ability to play on the piano with the help of Mr Gower.
b) What are the strengths in your progress? I think my ability to sing as near the beginning of the year I knew I wanted to sing I just wasn't confident enough. After gaining enough confidence I feel like I've made a good amount of progress.
c) What do you need to continue to work on as a performer? Performing in front of an audience as in January we have to perform 15 minutes worth of music and I need to be to do that without getting too scared. Practise will certainly help.
I've managed to come much further since I wrote this evaluation with a lot of help from Mr Gower. My singing skills have improved hugely and whilst not with Mr Gower, I've been practising piano, guitar and bass. I'm enjoying playing different instruments a lot and wish to able to practise them so much one day I might actually be able to play them well. The final performance is only a few months away so I still have a lot to work on with confidence but I believe it can certainly be done. I have now realised that my targets were very large, and were perhaps very long term goals. To continue to aim towards these goals, I will continue to practice regularly, focusing on technique, stamina and developing my repertoire further.
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