Seeking Comments And Criticism, on my daughter's voice Options

[sunil]

Hi all,

Though I'm newly registered, long time lurking around posts on young voices by many expert members and teachers in this forum.

I'd really appreciate if you guys can spend few minutes and comments / criticise on our daughter.

Clip without mic (recorded May 2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqrcESNhDKY

Clip with PA (recorded Dec 2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqO5AjuZJC4

We don't have any traditional tracks uploaded due to strict policies in recording and uploading, but a practice session link below (she was sight reading the track first time, hence it is not note perfect)

http://soundcloud.com/gayatrinair/choir-practice

Thank you

[Dugazon]

Hi sunil,

Your daughter is very musical and quite a mature performer considering her age.

If I listen to all three tracks, I would say it is definitely a good idea to also train her treble range at the moment - I have an inkling that's what she needs not to get stuck in performing with what I would perceive as too much of an adult voice for her age. And this is the only critique I would have: At times, she does strain a bit, especially on the lower notes which are obviously harder for her to reach. The problem with most popsongs is that they are far too low for a child your daughter's age.

I am not opposed to letting kids sing popsongs because I don't think it's realistic these days, however I DO make sure they are transposed into an appropriate range. I think especially "Paparazzi" is borderline in that department ...

Here and there, she pushes a bit, you can hear her going flat for exactly that reason a few times.

However, I don't think her voice is in any form of immediate danger if these things are taken into consideration (her voice has improved a lot if I listen to the older clips), and I also think that, under careful guidance, she will grow up to have a really beautiful voice.

[sunil]

DD is being trained in classical style (weekly classes) but not much follow up at home. She does practice homework (total 10-15 minutes) but does a lot of piano practice and selected songs for performance (mostly Christina Aguilera / Beyonce / Alicia Keys). Currently she is Grade 5 in both Singing & Piano

I'll request her teacher to give more homework / exercise to polish treble range. I do feel breathy voice when she sings some songs.

If I listen to all three tracks, I would say it is definitely a good idea to also train her treble range at the moment

I read many books on changes in young voices but everywhere it describes young voices are "flute like", which she never had as far as I remember. She is still a child, and her singing teacher is following classical method. Only points that I can highlight are she has got some intensive training in Ashtanga yoga, Gymnastics and Dance (around 3 hours per week for each).

I have an inkling that's what she needs not to get stuck in performing with what I would perceive as too much of an adult voice for her age. And this is the only critique I would have: At times, she does strain a bit, especially on the lower notes which are obviously harder for her to reach.

These were not to be missed performance venues in London and we chose the track that fits-in for the audience (Street Dance show case). But we always try to be careful with the lyrics and age appropriate material. But as you said, we should have slightly more careful with the range appropriate to her.

I am not opposed to letting kids sing popsongs because I don't think it's realistic these days, however I DO make sure they are transposed into an appropriate range. I think especially "Paparazzi" is borderline in that department ...

Thank you for the assurance, there are not many experts in the area of training young voices (girls in particular)!

However, I don't think her voice is in any form of immediate danger if these things are taken into consideration (her voice has improved a lot if I listen to the older clips), and I also think that, under careful guidance, she will grow up to have a really beautiful voice.

[Seer_Green]

Thank you for the assurance, there are not many experts in the area of training young voices (girls in particular)!

That's an interesting point - I find there are a general lack of singing teachers around anyway, though I wouldn't necessarily say there are even fewer who are experts with young voices. I wonder why you think this? I wonder what you expect of an 'expert' in this area? Not a criticism, just interested.

Generally it's very difficult to strike a balance in that age group because of the changing nature of the voice (in girls and boys). Whilst there's a lot that can be done, I don't find that any serious technical training starts until they're 16, 17, 18 etc. when the voice has settled. You mention a breathy sound which I find quite common in girls of this age group. There are gentle things which can be done to help with this, but again, I've generally found it to be something which settles down over time. One thing which is certain is that you can't push young voices to do things they are not capable of doing; this can be frustrating for everyone and everyone needs a certain degree of patience (including the teacher, for there are a lot of balances to strike).

I agree with what Dugazon says - it is a good sound overall, but there are a few places where it does feel a little forced. I wonder how many songs she sings which she doesn't know well already from listening to them?

[sunil]

There are very good teachers in and around who are really committed. Also I'm not here to hurt anyone or create controversary but I do feel lack of voice coaches who has expertise in girls changing voices / mutational voice.

I started researching on this a while and many of the keywords lead me to various postings here in this forum and not discussed anywhere other than some US based forums and blogs.

I could be wrong, but that's my understanding from the discussion / taster lessons with many teachers.

That's an interesting point - I find there are a general lack of singing teachers around anyway, though I wouldn't necessarily say there are even fewer who are experts with young voices. I wonder why you think this? I wonder what you expect of an 'expert' in this area? Not a criticism, just interested.

thank you. We are not frustrated but so grateful to the teacher for giving her better musical ability, grades and most importantly preparing for auditions in one of the finest music school in UK.

One thing which is certain is that you can't push young voices to do things they are not capable of doing; this can be frustrating for everyone and everyone needs a certain degree of patience (including the teacher, for there are a lot of balances to strike).

Thank you for the criticism, all r&b songs are self taught. Singing teacher trains only classical and a bit of musical theatre.

I agree with what Dugazon says - it is a good sound overall, but there are a few places where it does feel a little forced. I wonder how many songs she sings which she doesn't know well already from listening to them?