Purpose in life....

Purpose is something that many people are in search of, some because they need a change in their lives, others because they never really put in the time and work to figure it out. I’ve known I wanted to sing since I was three, it wasn’t until I was 18 that I figured out what I wanted to do was sing Opera. But even as a child I stayed focused on what I felt inside was what I was meant to do. I’m a big believer in strong instincts and I just felt in every bone in my body that this was the right thing for me.

Music is not an easy field to be in, take my word for it. The work is endless just to get a fraction closer to your goal. Semesters become about making it through your class, practice times, rehearsals, recitals and finally, juries. Most of us spend our days preparing for the performances of the semester. We’re mostly driven and inspired but there comes a point where we just don’t want to do it anymore, and that is when many chose to leave the music department. Some cant take the pressure, thats ok. This isn’t meant for everyone, just because you have a talent doesn’t mean that you have to use it. Unfortunately, I’ve known some people with tremendous vocal or instrumental abilities that they’ve just thrown away because they couldn’t take the pressure of deadlines and requirements, yet claimed they were willing to do whatever it took to reach their goal.

Back to Basics.....

Ever have one of those days when you're just stuck in your own head? Since last night I've been like this. I hate all the noise I have going on right now, I feel overwhelmed by my own thoughts. I hate feeling like that. Today I was determined to practice and did, my voice isn't as bad as I was expecting, It's actually not that bad right now. I stopped practicing a few months back simply because I'd lost all motivation and drive. I was letting my passion go simply because of what a couple of people said. Thankfully I snapped out of it, it would have been such a mistake if I hadn't realized it. Now I'm slowly getting back on track, I will be practicing everyday until my voice is back in shape, I figure it will take a few weeks. I am going to take it slowly to make sure I don't force my voice to do anything it's not yet ready to do. I Don’t want to set myself back even further by losing my voice. Today I only did warm ups and vocal exercises for about 15 minutes. Which granted, isn't close to the hour or two I did before. But I'm solely focusing on warm ups, breathing, music theory, and vocal exercises until my voice is back in shape.

I loved it, feeling the sound fill my body and flow out of my lips. I remembered how good it feels to have music flowing out of you..... There's nothing like it.

Today I've also been doing a lot of research on singer's do's and don'ts, vocal health information, and anything else I can get my hands on. I'm feeling good about the work I'm doing right now, as I said earlier this evening; I'm not where I want to be, yet, but I am closer.

Fat Lady singing vs. Skinny Lady....

Last night I was googling for no good reason and came across this post on Operas.com Regarding the saying "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings." to read the entire entry you'll have to go there yourself. The reason I'm bringing this up is because he brought up something I never thought about. "Is the fat lady better than the skinny one? Does the fat lady have more momentum in her diaphragm? A wider lung capacity? A stronger push to her airflow? Why does the fat lady get all the attention?

Based on technique alone, there doesn't seem to be any advantage in having a wider middle as a singer. Overweight singers are more difficult to train for proper technique, because it is harder to read their body language while they sing. Since singing is a full-body experience, and not just a head-throat-mouth-chest operation, being able to perfect your entire body technique is vital to getting the most from your organ, the voice box.

Even if a person already has a great singing technique, the extra weight can have a detrimental effect on one's singing. Breath management may be poorer so that the sound is wobbly, the breath itself is noisy, the vibrato is irregular and phrases may end weakly.

Of course, some argue that extra fat in the vocal folds and around the midsection can actually add to the pleasing character of the tone and vibrato of the voice. Many teachers may argue that this varies from case to case and that most singers are better off physically and vocally from a healthy body weight.

Opera is not just about singing - there is acting, and drama that play very important parts in adding inflection and character to the storyline. While a larger frame adds its own character to a role, it may not always be the character that the composer is seeking, or the extra weight may inhibit certain activities, like dancing or leaping, that are desired from the storyline. As a result, the larger singer may be limited in the roles that they receive.

However, the fat lady does have a much greater presence overall than the thin one, which can be very valuable on stage. Most theaters have many rows way in the back, making it difficult to see some of the nuances of acting that occur on stage, more or less the actual characters. When the main role is filled by a woman that is easily seen, the patron can relax and enjoy the show instead of squinting to see each act. - Angela Bull"

While I am overweight and there are some things I don't do because I can't, it never made me wonder if I'd sing better if I were thinner. I have heard some things regarding singing and weight over the years but nothing ever really made me really chew on it like this post. I have read about singers who after losing a dramatic amount of weight lost some depth to their voices but I'm not sure if that was just theory or fact. Then I remembered a few years ago reading about Deborah Voigt and her struggles with weight leading her to decide to have gastric bypass surgery. I haven't read anything about whether or not the weight loss affected her voice but I am curious.

What do you all think?

Welcome to Mezzo Life

My name is Laura (aka Lorey, Lo) and I am a 21 year old woman learning about the wonders of the classical music field. I have been studying voice for a couple of years. As you may have figured out from the title of the blog I am a Mezzo-Soprano, or at least this is what the popular opinion seems to be among my passed teachers. While I still have a long ways to go I am enjoying the journey. My practices consist of warm ups and vocal exercises, Not a whole hell of a lot of fun. But in the long run I know it will help me get to the Music I really do want to sing, Opera, Classical, and Musical Theater.

My first vocal Teacher was H. Kanoa Greene she is the one who introduced me to this wonderful world, and I will forever be grateful to her. Unfortunately she moved a while ago ( Miss ya Kanoa!!) But I will always remember what I learned from her.

For now that is all, it's really late and I must get to bed...

Burned toast and Spilled Milk.....

Anyone who's known me longer than 10 minutes knows my main focus in life is Music. I've been singing since I was maybe 3 years old. It's my first love, passion and above all the most functional relationship I've had in my life. However it's been an incredibly hard journeyas I was not as blessed as others for a natural knack for music theory, or abundant funds to pursue voice studies, but I digress.

A couple of months ago I was on the phone with someone who I consider a friend, who has always supported my musical aspirations. More than that he's pushed me, for whatever reason that day he told me "Maybe it's time to give it up." Uhh NO! I've worked too hard, sacrificed way too much, and have gone through great lengths to pay for the instruction. Now I'm finally getting to a point where it's not only going to be easier, but I'll have a well rounded education because it wont be just singing it will be Music Theory, Musicianship, and so much more. I'll be in college and finally able to study what I love. It amazes me how just when things are looking up someone tries to knock you down, because they're feeling insecure, or they've given up on their goal/dream. It's stupid, that’s what it is really.

I'm not going to lie and say "oh well that's his opinion, I think I'll keel over and die now..." No, I'm no longer the type of person that decides to give up and forget about what she really loves, besides Music is the only thing that hasn't broken my heart, and I for one am not about to give up on it.

For any other musician, or artist heck anyone who has a dream out there. Don't let someone knock your dream because theirs didn’t come true. Or they didn't have the balls to chase after their dream. Sometimes people tell you things because they are having a bad day or simply spilled their milk or burned their toasts that morning, In other words. don't let burnt toast and spilled milk ruin your future, or make you give up your dream. Words only have the power you give them, keep that in mind.

Music, More than just words.....

I love good music and when I find an artist who's music speaks to me and is also easy on the ears I just can't get enough. I am an admirer of Natasha Bedingfield, I love everything of hers that I've heard, thus far. Especially Soulmate, Single, Unwritten, These Words, Wild Horses, Say it again, Pocket Full of Sunshine, and Love Like This. I love it when there's an artist that sings about the place I'm in at that exact moment. I don't know if she writes all of her own music, but I do have to say I've had many days lately when her songs have gotten me through. It's amazing how something as simple as a song or a movie can get you through something hard.

Music has always been a big part of me, my life, and my long term goals. It's great having artists like John Mayer, Kate Voegele, Missy Higgins, and of course NB who feel or have felt the same things I'm living right now.