Tag: learning

  • Discipline In Singing

    Discipline In Singing

    One of the most important aspects of learning music, is the discipline that it requires. Studying music is not like many other pursuits; it  requires continual and dedicated time, patience, and discipline.

    #1. Little by little:
    Music, like learning a new language, is best done in small, but consistent portions of time. The repetition required to really understand musical concepts, means that it is essentially impossible to ‘cram’ for music. The most successful musicians and singers understand that music is a daily practice; a habit to be worked on every day for concerted period of time. Singing is best practiced little by little, every day.

    #2. Accumulation of knowledge:
    Music is one of those areas of study in which there is always something more to learn. And musical knowledge always builds on more basic concepts learned first. Thus, in music and in singing, it is necessary to develop fundamental skills first, and then build on those skills, challenging yourself with more difficult music, as you gain the necessary skills. This requires dedication and discipline, and an understanding that the study of music is never really finished.

    #3. Process over product:
    Singing is most effectively learned when you focus on the process of singing, and not the final product. Because the nature of singing is inherently variable, a piece of music is never sung the exact same way twice. This can be difficult for beginning singers, because we live in a ‘results’ obsessed society. Understanding your instrument, how it works, what factors affect it, and how your emotions, and perspective influence your instrument, are much more important to beginner singers than whether any given performance sounded the way you wanted.

    How else is discipline a necessary component in the study of music? Tell us in the comments below!

    Calgary Children's Choir

  • The Value Of Not Performing

    Calgary Children's Choir

    The Calgary Children’s Choir has three major performances a year; our Christmas concert, our Folk Concert, and our Spring concert. Sometimes we’ll have other singing engagements sprinkled in as well. Much of the music that we learn throughout the year is chosen for one of those concerts, but sometimes we learn music without having a specific performance in mind. There are several reasons why we find value in learning music that is not for performance:

    Practical Elements:
    Often we learn a piece of music to demonstrate a certain aspect of music to our choristers. This could be anything from multi-part harmonies, to great vocal leaps, appropriate breathing techniques, or poignant text. What our choristers take from a piece of music should be from our rehearsals and exercises, our workshops and the practice they might do at home. A piece of repertoire is a valuable way to provide an example of a musical technique, but that doesn’t mean that we have to perform that piece.

    Music For Its Own Sake:
    While it is wonderful to perform, we shouldn’t think of music as valuable only in the context of performance. Much of what makes learning music so amazing – the self-discipline, the hard work, the hours of practice, are all aspects that are not readily seen in a performance. It is important that we teach our choristers that learning music is important because music itself is important, and not just the act of performing music.

     

    Do you think every piece you learn needs to be performed? Tell us in the comments below!

    = Calgary Children's Choir

  • Organization In Choir – Learning Music

    Music

    Sometimes learning all that music can feel overwhelming! Here are several tips to help organize learning your music:

    #1. Attend rehearsals:
    This is the single best thing a chorister can do to learn their music. Attending rehearsals  reinforces the music regularly, and ensures that choristers can learn their music, and feel successful performing. Paying attention during rehearsals, and listening to other choristers is another effective way to learn music quickly.

    #2. Listen to recordings:
    This has become a very viable option for singers with the advent of technology. There are many recordings available on itunes, or through Youtube, which allow us to listen to other choirs interpretations’ of the music we’re learning. These recordings can be valuable because the give you another example of how to perform a piece. It’s a great way to get inspiration and to learn how other choirs are interpreting the music!

    #3. Take time with your music:
    Ensure that you don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed with any of your music. For the most part, we can learn our music in rehearsals, but if you’re feeling like you don’t know all the words, or are finding a passage, particularly tricky, make sure you take the time to go over it by yourself. Here are several helpful resources for choristers.

     

    What organizational techniques do you use to learn your music? Tell us in the comments below!

    = Calgary Children's Choir