New ZOOM update - 9/5/2020

 Hello!

Please install the latest Zoom update!

There is a setting under audio (go to preferences and select Audio)

Under "audio" select ""background noise" LOW (for music)

This is in case the Clean feed link isn't working and we need to use Zoom

Do's and don'ts of vocal health

The Do's and Don'ts of Vocal Health 

Do 

• Consume a variety of nutritious foods, beverages, and vitamins 

• Attain and maintain physical fitness with regular aerobic and muscle 

toning workouts 

• Obtain sufficient rest, sleep, and recreation 

• Maintain a humid living environment (40-50 percent humidity) 

• Maintain body hydration by drinking 7 to 9 glasses of water daily 

• Use efficient vocal technique in speech and singing 

• Use the voice judiciously 

• Wash hands frequently 

Don't 

• Inhale or ingest harmful substances such as caffeine, alcohol, recre 

ational drugs, tobacco, and polluted air 

• Pursue an overly stressful lifestyle 

• Make physical contact with persons who have contagious diseases 

• Work or live in noisy, polluted environments 

• Speak too much or too loudly, especially in noisy environments 

• Scream or clear the throat too much 

• Use over-the-counter preparations for colds and allergies, especially 

antihistamines 

How to practice

 How to Practice

1. Review and write notes for any rhythmic problem areas

2. Determine and mark where you will need to breathe (and do so every single time)

3. Learn notes and rhythm – for one phrase (or partial phrase) by listening to recordings or play on an instrument such as a piano. Add new phrases after several repetitions until memorized 

4. Work new notes and rhythm for about 10 minutes and review

5. If you find a section with notes that is challenging, spend extra time on this – mark it and bring it to your lesson for help 

6. Foreign Language – learn how to speak words properly and thoroughly by repetition

7. Speak through the poetry until it is comfortable

8. Determine what the poetry is communicating

9. Speak words in rhythm (many many times)

10.  ONLY WHEN READY – should you add words, notes, and rhythm

By following all the steps you will learn a song in a healthy way. Sometimes we want to take shortcuts, however, these shortcuts will be at the expense of good technique and will ultimately slow down progress.

You may want to track your progress when working on multiple songs to enable you to set goals for learning.

Fall Remote voice lesson instructions

 I have listed below the steps to take to get the best quality voice lessons for your students. We will be using a combination of Zoom (video) and Clean Feed (audio). 

Ideally, this will not cost you anything, however, if you have the desire to invest in some fun gadgets, I've  added a link for a cell phone mic along with the adapter info for newer phones

1. Please use a computer! 
2. If you only have a phone available, you may consider an inexpensive mic - Link below
3. If at all possible, connect your computer directly to your router. I also know this may not be possible, and I will be hard wired on my end. Hopefully that will be sufficient :)
4. Headphones - most of you are really good at having headphones so this is just a reminder
5. I am going to be using Clean Feed this semester.  It’s a very good sound app that is free!  I know all of you are having crash courses in technology lately and I don’t want to dump YET ANOTHER new app on you all. Knowing what I know about Zoom, it’s going to be worth it to continue to use Zoom for video but Clean Feed for audio. 
6. Please send me the  email address that the student will be using for the invitation to clean feed so I can set you up as soon as possible.
7. I’m happy to meet any time before lessons with your student to establish clean feed so we don’t waste time during lessons :) So, send me a quick text any time in the next week if you want to set that up :)

This  video is super simple and short, and it gives you all you need to know to use clean feed. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=clean+feed+with+zoom&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS810US810&oq=clean+feed+with+zoom&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.4856j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_wv03X8neNIWG5wKlroT4Cw24

Link to downloading clean feed

https://www.musicinst.org/sites/default/files/attachments/standard/052020/Instructions%20for%20Cleanfeed%2005182020.pdf

Clean feed steps:

1. Open both zoom AND clean feed
2. Turn off sound for zoom
3. Accept invitation for Clean feed 
4. Since Clean feed is an internet app, it can be run from computers or phones you just need an account

Cell Phone Mic:

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-LJ-SPM-001-Condenser-Smartphone-Microphone/dp/B077Z992XS

Adapter for new phones:

https://www.amazon.com/Headphone-Adapter-Control-Function-Supported/dp/B0789QMWPW/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&aaxitk=lvFrAaBOXPZ6FHn0wJ.sFg&hsa_cr_id=3677222110601&pd_rd_r=30ee84b5-2fb1-4945-94af-ab76fea376ff&pd_rd_w=uzExA&pd_rd_wg=95S7o&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_mcd_asin_1_img