This section of the website is dedicated to helping you improve your singing! I've scoured the internet for the best videos around to help you practise, understand and improve your singing skills. Return to this page as often as you like, to improve your vocal habits and health to become the best singer (and choir member) possible!!
WARM UPS / TUITION
WARM UPS
Vocal Training
At choir we're all at different stages in our singing. We have some complete beginners and others who have sung in bands and shows. That mix is what makes choir so wonderful. However, hopefully for all of us, we're on a path to improving... and there are always techniques, tips and exercises that can give us more confidence.
I first visited Michaela Lauder at the start of 2024 and I have to say she is a brilliant singing teacher. So kind and supportive. I gave her number out to a few choir members and every single one came back saying what a revelation their lesson had been. Some learnt to access whole new areas of their voice and hit notes they didn't know they could! Whether you want a one off session or regular lessons, I'm sure she could help absolutely anyone at choir improve their singing and confidence. She has access to all our choir material, so if there's a song you'd like to try with her, do get in touch.
She teaches from her home studio in Gubblecote, Tring HP23 4QQ.
Email: michaela_lauder@hotmail.com
Mobile: 07958715125
Another great way to pick up vocal tips is to watch some of the videos on this page below... or follow vocal coaches on Instagram. Some good accounts include: Annabel Williams (The Vocal Coach) and Juliet Russell
VOCAL TRAINING VIDEOS
Posture, Breathing and Preparing to Sing
Vocal Technique
PERFORMANCE TIPS
1) LOOK AHEAD, NOT DOWN
If a choir are looking down at their lyrics it doesn't look or sound good. If you need lyrics hold them up at a level where your face isn't looking down. The difference this makes to volume, tone, appearance, and ability to follow conducting is enormous. You'll look better, sound better, you'll be more in time and sync with the rest of the group. Don't wait for gigs. Practise like this in rehearsals! By far the best option is to ditch the folder altogether.
2) OPEN YOUR MOUTH
One of the main differences between okay choirs and great choirs is conviction: The ability to let go and express the song fully without worrying about how you look. We all carry tension at times and it tends to end up in the face and shoulders. Roll your shoulders back and open your mouth. Stand like you're relaxed and confident and the sound will follow. Check out these choirs on BGT. Notice how whether singing softly or loudly they still have energy.
3) STAND IN ROWS, RATHER THAN IN A RABBLE!
Watching those BGT choirs: Did you notice how they're not just a random rabble? Great choirs pay attention to how they present themselves. The wider we sprawl the less together we look, feel and sound. Pretend a wedding photographer is wrangling you to stand closer and if you don't you'll be cut from the photo and everyone's memory! Go to the front if you're shorter or back if you're taller: not to the side. We want to form rows, standing shoulder to shoulder, so our shape looks more like a majestically beautiful rectangle (and less like a bus queue).
4) SOFTEN OR AVOID 'S' AND 'T' SOUNDS AT THE END OF WORDS
'Face' 'Embrace' 'Tears' 'Years' 'start' 'heart': Watch your conductor. They'll keep you in time, tying up the ends of words like these. Always though, if in doubt: soften or don't sing the 's' or 't' at all. One of the reasons our virtual choir videos sound so good, is that these sounds have been edited, softened or removed!!
5) GO FOR IT
In a gig situation things aren't always perfect. Sometimes you can end up in strange configurations unable to hear as comfortably as in rehearsals. Sometimes there'll be stage lights shining in your eyes. Chances are the audience have NO IDEA anything is up. All they know is what your face is telling them. They don't even care about mistakes unless you look embarrassed. If you're having a good time, then the audience will too. It's absolutely as simple as that. If 60 of us go for it, then we look and sound INCREDIBLE.
