Its me again, my second post this year. I hope that the first one was of help, especially for those who were unable to make it.
This is what we did:
For warm ups (and this is really helpful to fix rhythmic problems)
We used the tune of Frere Jacque (Are you sleeping brother john)
that goes like this...
(1 2 3 4 ) (1 2 3 4) ...
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping?
Brother John, Brother John?
Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong.
...and clapped the 4/4 rhythm ...
1 2 3 4
1+ : "slap" your left thigh
2+: "slap" your right thigh
3+: clap your hands in front of your chest
4+: do the "macarena" , use your right hand to touch your left shoulder and vica versa
and attempted to sing the tune to an offbeat rhythm ---I'll get back to you on that, 'cause I'm not very clear myself
then we sang 4 different variations in canon.
Next, for practice itself...
We spent most of our time correcting rhythmic problem for the set piece, Singapore Our Home
Focal points:
Bar 10-15--- we worked on both the alto and sop parts
Main concept; SUBDIVIDE that's the trade secret for really clean, precise rhythms
Count-sing in semiquavers (thats how it looks like)
So an example would be
using the SOP 1 part------ "one/1" represents 1 semiquaver
12 1 12 12 12 12 123
ci - ty lights will guide our way
1 1 12 1 12 12 12 12 123
down these streets we've me - mo - rised by heart
12 12 1 123 12 12 1 12345
where dreams are shaped our lives re - made
I hope you understand what I mean... the numbers above the words tell you how long to hold each note. You can apply the same concept to your own part. You may also want to use a metronome to check that you are singing in the right speed.
Bar 18-19--- for all sections since we are singing to the same rhythm
So, depending on what you are singing, another way to count-sing is by counting in
1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
Below is the subdivision :
1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
Red and white the moon and the stars
The characters in pink refer to the change in notes for the sop 1s. What I wanted to point out using this example is that while singing the subdivisions you must be aware when you have a change in note okay?
That's the "dirt" for the set piece. Practice makes perfect , so don't give up if you can't master it now!
It's a little outdated but we were tasked to memorise the set piece by 30/1/13, still try to start now if you haven't already done so.
I know the deadlines may be quite tight, but first of all believe that you can do it. A positive attitude and mindset will make the seemingly impossible possible! Moreover, by memorising the piece as soon as possible you are really helping yourself: you can avoid stumbling during page turns, and Mr Tay can work on the finer details more easily.
Just a summary of the rest of practice...
For Ave Maria, (sung in sofage)
Ms Tham (PW) said that the notes and rhythm were impressive (yipee, you guys deserve it!).
All we needed to do was to add in the dynamic contrasts
- highlight/circle on your score please!
and phrasing (messa de voce)
messa de voce--- (Italian, placing the voice) is a musical technique that involves a gradual crescendo and decrescendo while sustaining a single pitch.[1] That is, a note is sung at a very quiet volume, gradually and smoothly made louder until it reaches a high volume, then similarly made quiet again.)
Ecce
Also well done .
One thing I learnt is that the purpose of us stamping the pulse, is for internalising it.
Actually once you've internalised it, stamping should come naturally.
Hope that helps
Love, April
