Blogs

Hurricane Ian Update #1

Monday, September 26, 2022 by Karen Lecky-Springer | Uncategorized


As Hurricane Ian approaches Central Florida, please know that I am closely monitoring the system and will post updates, as well as send emails/texts to families regarding lesson status. As of now, all lessons for TUESDAY, September 27 will continue as scheduled. Please look for another update tomorrow regarding lessons later in the week. Everyone’s safety is my number one priority. 


All-State Season is Upon Us!

Sunday, September 4, 2022 by Karen Lecky-Springer | All-State Choir

Some of my most treasured middle and high school memories revolve around the numerous trips to Tampa for intense rehearsals culminating in a grand performance at the Florida All-State Festival. Friendships were made, lasting memories created, and my cup of personal and musical growth overflowed. This (extended) weekend was truly one of the highlights of my school year from 8th-12th grades. 

Now is the time of year students embark on the audition process for the Florida All-State Choir and I enjoy working with auditionees in our lessons by honing in on our ear training, sight-singing, and overall musicaianship skills. I have taken the time to put together a one-stop shop for your All-State preparation needs. Below you will find links to resources that will help you ace the musicianship and sight-reading portions of the All-State Exam. Current students may also access additional resources through the student portal's "Online Resources."


Sight Reading:

1) Sight Reading Factory: Here, you can easily access pre-made sight reading examples that follow current FL All-State requirements for both MS and HS levels. Pre-made databases have examples randomly populated for easy practice. It also will play along with you to aid in the learning process until you build the confidence to try it on your own! This is a subscription-based program, but well worth the fee for what it provides. An easy-to-use app is always accessible and you can track your progress throughout.

Musicianship:

1) Musicianship Prep (unofficial All-State Prep Website): This page provides links to practice websites (mostly pre-made MusicTheory.net examples) and will serve as an invaluable tool for all subject areas: Key Signatures, Time Signatures, Chord Quality Recognition, Major and Perfect Intervals, and Vocabulary. If you haven't already bookmarked this site- do so now!

2) Musictheory.net - this is a customizable site to cover all the basic (and more advanced) musical theory concepts. I have used this website for many years in the private studio because it is easy to navigate and customize. 


To all of those taking the musicianship and sight singing tests- You've got this!



Need an Effective Vocal Warm-up Tool?

Sunday, April 3, 2022 by Karen Lecky-Springer | Vocal Tips

By far, the most common question I get in the studio from parents and students alike is: What is your favorite way to warm up effectively?

The answer is quite simple; SOVT (Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract) exercises. SOVT exercises are a fancy way of saying that you are singing with the mouth partially closed. 

Some of my Favorite SOVT exercises include:

Why do SOVT exercises work?

SOVT exercises relieve pressure off the vocal folds, thus allowing the folds to vibrate more freely with ease and with less effort. 

When the lips are closed, or partially closed, back pressure reflects off the lips and back to the vocal folds. This creates a balancing effect on the folds from above (back-pressure from lips) and below (air from the lungs).



What is Straw Phonation and Why is it My Exercise of Choice?

Simply put, Straw Phonation is singing with a straw in your mouth and focusing the sound through the straw. 

The benefits of Straw Phonation are almost immediately noticeable. 

  • It FEELS easier to sing! This is a result of the reduced impact on the vocal folds due to the acoustic energy (positive backpressure). Compare Straw Phonation to doing exercises in a pool; there is less impact and stress on the muscles while still allowing them to stretch.

  • Less Vocal Fatigue. As the vocal folds abduct (open), positive pressure in the vocal tract pushes the vocal folds apart. As the folds adduct (close), negative pressure in the vocal tract pulls the vocal folds together. Think of giving someone a push on a swing at the exact right moment. When the two pressures in the vocal tract line up with the opening and closing of the vocal folds, it's as if the folds are getting a stronger "push" on the swing without having to "pump" as hard. 

  • Aids in finding proper RESONANCE. Studies show that the use of SOVT exercises, like that of Straw Phonation, increases the formants in the 2500-4000HZ range- also known as the "Twang Region." This range is known to facilitate easier, more resonant singing. SOVT exercises help singers more efficiently find the "Singer's Mask" 


How to Vocalize with a Straw

Just as little as 15 minutes a day is all you need to maintain ideal vocal health. Use this tool as a warm-up, cool-down, and even to "reset" the voice after excessive use or when ill. Remember to try different lengths and widths of straws to find an optimal balance of backpressure. Ensure that your lips are firmly sealed around the straw and that no air is escaping through your nose (you can plug your nose to check if air wants to leak out). 

  • slides and glides from any pitch- low to high; high to low; or rollercoaster slides (low to high, to low, to high, etc.)

  • octave leaps

  • arpeggios

  • scales

  • simple melodies

  • sing sections of rep through the straw

  • punch a hole in a styrofoam cup and stick the straw through the hole. Then press the opening of the cup to create a seal around the mouth and sing your rep on text in the cup. I LOVE doing this!

  • vocal fry through the straw


Can't find a straw?

If you can't find a straw, try one of these other SOVT exercises:

  • MMMM

  • NNNNN

  • NNNNGGG

  • ZZZZZZ

  • VVVVVV

  • DDDJJJ

  • Lip Trills 

  • Tongue Trills


Take a moment this week to sing through the most challenging passage in your current rep. Try it again, but this time using a Straw. After a few repetitions of the passage with the straw, go ahead and try again without the straw aid. You should be able to sing the passage with more vocal freedom, less effort, and a more resonant tone.

Happy singing!