Saturday, April 21, 2018 by Patti Barrow | Technique Helps

Whoa, that's cool!

Through my years of studying voice, I have been blessed with incredible teachers (among them are Dm. Ewan Harbrecht Mitton, Dr. Myra Brand, and the late Brian Swingle). These amazing teachers, and others through my career, have taught me a lot of vocal pedagogy...the structure and function of the voice.  I love the science and scope of it, but for some this "how" can get in the way of the "why".  So, tread lightly, lest your brain explodeth! 

I love to educate my students, and thankfully, we have such amazing tools in the internet! I found this video the other day and want to share it with you. It's #amazeballz! 

Here in my studio we do a lot of "cross training".  Building on a Bel Canto foundation of beautiful singing, many of my singers go into the various levels and studies of different genres. In this video, he will show how the different genres affect the mechanics of the voice. Watch how the tongue, soft palate, larynx and jaw all move to make different sounds. Additionally, pay close attention to where the air flow goes, even up into the nasopharynx and sinuses. Resonance in action!

Write any questions you may have and bring them with you to your lessons!

Friday, February 23, 2018 by Patti Barrow | Technique Helps

This is a short video showing the three best exercises to help relieve jaw tension!

Often, we take our jaws for granted.  Want to see how much tension you are holding and aren't even aware of it? Try these exercises!  Jaw tension can affect our swallowing, our balance, our alignment, gives us headaches and can even affect our speaking!  I provide a lot of these exercises in my studio, so if you student is saying "Patti had me do these crazy things where I had to push up under my jaw, and then we did..." you'll have a better idea of what I'm providing here LOL!

Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwhD5UTUW60

Friday, February 23, 2018 by Patti Barrow | Technique Helps

Driving in the snow, homework, crazy work associates, not enough sleep... it all takes it's toll!  If you are like me, you carry most of your stress in your jaw and shoulders (clinching your teeth together while saying "no, I'm fine" LOL).  Jaw tension caused all kinds of issues!  Not only can it lead to headaches and neck tension, but also affects our singing!  Many of you have come into the studio burdened from the cares of the day, and we've done some shoulder muscle stretches and jaw massage.  Here is a video that will show specifically how to do proper jaw (TMJ) massage. This is to help with immediate pain relief and can be completed in under a minute!  Enjoy!  (these guys are awesome, gotta love their theme song!).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=338&v=7b73yE0U2t0