SLS help?
- Thread starter Ardentash
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jeremyspk
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My opinion & experience is - Learn "live/in-person" with a coach.
If you try to learn it by urself, the possibility of misinterpreting the exercises is very high. Then once you had learned the "bad habit" through wrong conditioning, it's hard to unlearn.
Be willing to spend the cash for quality knowledge.
yeah, that i fear lots. you're right, i think i'm gonna get a proper coach.... jus that sls coaches charge super alot and i'm still a student, and i can't trust other coaches, especially classical ones which prev teacher made me feel really insignificant and uncomfortable... :/ did I use the correct word..hmm.. but ya, super demoralizing, previous experience. So yeah, only SLS coaches.
but need $$$$$$$$$$$hi, i'm really interested in trying out SLS. i'm still a student, so i don't think i'll be able to afford going to Daniel. : (
Anyway, does anyone know the rates Alice Siau charges currently? i've looked through the forums and saw that it's $100/hour but i saw the certification list and now that she's level 2, i'm wondering if she charges higher rates?
if i can't afford Alice Siau, i guess i have to go to Alice Wong; since she's level 1, she'll probably charge cheaper rates? haha. i really want to try out sls asap!
Anyway, does anyone know the rates Alice Siau charges currently? i've looked through the forums and saw that it's $100/hour but i saw the certification list and now that she's level 2, i'm wondering if she charges higher rates?
if i can't afford Alice Siau, i guess i have to go to Alice Wong; since she's level 1, she'll probably charge cheaper rates? haha. i really want to try out sls asap!
lol. how much does daniel charge? i had my first sls lesson ever today. haha. with alice wong. it sort of works in tandem with Singing Success. Because she helps correct the way I do the exercises, when i do SS as a drill at home, I won't do them wrongly. I can hit the G above the male High C now I think in head voice. But beyond that I have to strain.
Above F# de middle C hor..if u haf mix till u start to use ur headvoice/falsetto to ur G above tenor c i think ur range(born) is develop le.
for me and some ppl is because bad understanding so keep pulling then now at F# above middle C start to strain le den anything above that hor,no mixed voice,just falsetoo.its like very strange. But usually ppl is born with 3 octave.. those dun have is NOT because they are born with a smaller range so have to expand themselves,is because like me.lol.
You pretty much can sing almost any songs liao.
That day daniel told me his range is expanded again to D/E6 if i not wrong.
He charge more than 130 but less than 200..cant say out price here..but he has to set benchmark so no choice.
for me and some ppl is because bad understanding so keep pulling then now at F# above middle C start to strain le den anything above that hor,no mixed voice,just falsetoo.its like very strange. But usually ppl is born with 3 octave.. those dun have is NOT because they are born with a smaller range so have to expand themselves,is because like me.lol.
You pretty much can sing almost any songs liao.
That day daniel told me his range is expanded again to D/E6 if i not wrong.
He charge more than 130 but less than 200..cant say out price here..but he has to set benchmark so no choice.
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Wow that's awesome. G5, where middle C is C3, male high C is C5? You must have either been doing SS for a long time or are just naturally gifted with your head voice. Very nice. How much does Alice charge?
Ardentash: You mean F#4 i think.. which would be the F# that is NOT 4 and a half notes from middle C -- this is not right music lingo but using semitones and what not is more fully. Unless you're talking about a baritone voice, then that makes sense.
I really doubt most people are borned with 3 octaves. That's alot. It's probably closer to 1.5-2 for untrained voices.
For mr Daniel or maybe other sls teacher.Warm up usually start in C4 for his piano de brand. but whether mid c is 3 or 4,i think you have quite a big range and work on it so you won't be term as a guy with a big range but cant sing well. Im sure u will do pretty well.
If not enough money,can go for half an hour also de. Don't think half and hour quite short cause u can learn alot in just half an hour for sls. half an hour of sls is like 2 lessons of 1hr non-sls..
I think they might be leveling up soon(pokemon),lol cause they undergo test every year de.But to level up must every 2 years de if i not wrong
If not enough money,can go for half an hour also de. Don't think half and hour quite short cause u can learn alot in just half an hour for sls. half an hour of sls is like 2 lessons of 1hr non-sls..
I think they might be leveling up soon(pokemon),lol cause they undergo test every year de.But to level up must every 2 years de if i not wrong
i find daniel very very expensive, for a level 2. i was browsing speechlevelsinging.com and comparatively some countries have level 3 singers at lower than 140 sgd/hr. but of course it's not realistic for all aspiring singers to go to other countries for 60 dollars off for a lesson. but because i'm going overseas to study for uni, it's an option for me if i want to continue.
but i'm really satisfied with alice wong. after 1 lesson i could feel the difference. so glad I'm definitely going to continue with her for a while.
but i'm really satisfied with alice wong. after 1 lesson i could feel the difference. so glad
I'm definitely going to continue with her for a while.No offence, but despite Daniel being pretty good, his lessons are expensive and he's quite a snob. There are quite a few SLS teachers available in Singapore right now, just google SLS and search through teacher's directory for SLS teachers.
I am an SLS student but I have some queries for the more experienced here that I have asked my coach but gotten not much of an answer except to just practice more:
1) How do I prevent my voice from being shaky? I always think it's a support problem/weak vocal cord problem, so how do I fix that?
2) I usually have no problems going up smoothly from chest to head (around High C), but my notes become shaky or I feel like my cords are breaking when I descend. Any tips on fixing this?
3) I can pitch, but whenever I have to hold a note, I go off-pitch/shaky after hitting the note. I don't have a vibrato yet so I can't do anything about that. Any tips on fixing this too?
4) I have been to an ENT before just to check if I have any vocal cord problems but I do not have any. Yet, whenever I sing, my throat always has acquired phlegm and even while doing exercises that happens. My throat also feels kinda sore during/after exercises, and actually sounds a little hoarse (to me, coach says it's fine), sometimes having the feeling the cords might 'break'. My coach says it all sounds alright and I'm doing fine. I personally feel it's just a high larynx, and not enough training (since the ENT says it's fine) but any one have any insights?
5) Lastly, how do I blend my voice into a song? Whenever I go to KTV or I record myself, my voice seems detached from the music, resulting in unpleasant singing.
Sorry for the many questions, hope to hear from someone soon!
I am an SLS student but I have some queries for the more experienced here that I have asked my coach but gotten not much of an answer except to just practice more:
1) How do I prevent my voice from being shaky? I always think it's a support problem/weak vocal cord problem, so how do I fix that?
2) I usually have no problems going up smoothly from chest to head (around High C), but my notes become shaky or I feel like my cords are breaking when I descend. Any tips on fixing this?
3) I can pitch, but whenever I have to hold a note, I go off-pitch/shaky after hitting the note. I don't have a vibrato yet so I can't do anything about that. Any tips on fixing this too?
4) I have been to an ENT before just to check if I have any vocal cord problems but I do not have any. Yet, whenever I sing, my throat always has acquired phlegm and even while doing exercises that happens. My throat also feels kinda sore during/after exercises, and actually sounds a little hoarse (to me, coach says it's fine), sometimes having the feeling the cords might 'break'. My coach says it all sounds alright and I'm doing fine. I personally feel it's just a high larynx, and not enough training (since the ENT says it's fine) but any one have any insights?
5) Lastly, how do I blend my voice into a song? Whenever I go to KTV or I record myself, my voice seems detached from the music, resulting in unpleasant singing.
Sorry for the many questions, hope to hear from someone soon!
Firstly, may I ask who is your teacher?
Secondly, I may be able to answer your queries about the phlegm. To reduce/prevent phlegm, dairy and artificial sweeteners (diet soda, certain mints) must be avoided. To prevent acid reflux, avoid spicy foods. Things that help promote effective vocal cords include lots and lots of water (6-8 glasses a day), non-citrus fruits and even pasta. If you really want to keep your cords at the optimum level, there are certain sprays and stuff specific for singers, but I don't really know much about them.
Thirdly, if you are new to the exercises, you might be experiencing a new adaptation in your muscles because the various cord coordinations might be helping you with muscle memory. it should get easier as time goes by.
To lower the larynx, you could just keep the dopey Uhhh sound. (adapted from Singing Success, similar to SLS)
Maybe you run out of air when you hold a pitch. this may cause you to lose it?
hopefully i helped, but take my advice with a pinch of salt. i've just started SLS but I've been listening to singing success alot and brett manning was a student of seth i believe.
Hey there, thanks for the quick reply. I won't say who my instructor is, don't want to ruin any reputation.
I doubt it's the instructor's problem though, I am sure it is mine.
I have been an SLS student since 2007, but I had breaks in between and my lessons are not exactly regular sometimes due to schedule conflicts. I know how SLS works and know all the exercises required. However, I don't find myself progressing enough so I actually question if I have any talent to sing. I won't say I haven't improved at all, but after 2 years of SLS exposure, even with breaks, I should at least be able to wow people in KTV, yet I actually have people criticize me about having pitch problems.
Thank you for all the tips, as for the part of not having enough air, I would say that isn't the problem. I have lots of air, but my notes 'shake'. There are only 2 things I can relate this to, not enough support from the diaphragm, or weak vocal cords, or even both. Any tips to correct those?
I doubt it's the instructor's problem though, I am sure it is mine.
I have been an SLS student since 2007, but I had breaks in between and my lessons are not exactly regular sometimes due to schedule conflicts. I know how SLS works and know all the exercises required. However, I don't find myself progressing enough so I actually question if I have any talent to sing. I won't say I haven't improved at all, but after 2 years of SLS exposure, even with breaks, I should at least be able to wow people in KTV, yet I actually have people criticize me about having pitch problems.
Thank you for all the tips, as for the part of not having enough air, I would say that isn't the problem. I have lots of air, but my notes 'shake'. There are only 2 things I can relate this to, not enough support from the diaphragm, or weak vocal cords, or even both. Any tips to correct those?
hmmmm. as for the air, SLS doesn't really teach diaphragmmatic breathing because they believe it comes naturally. but what happens is that most people have the subconciousness tendency to suck in their stomach. brett manning says in singing success to just let it all hang loose (hahaha). maybe you could try that?
for breaks, i'm pretty sure a low larynx should help. maybe you could try the lip-roll excercises to smooth them out. you could also try nay nay nay? it forces cord closure so you don't abuse and push up chest voice. just don't push. just let it happen.
i'm quite pleased with my range after trying singing success and SLS. i went up from C above middle C, and now I can hit the G above the C above middle C. but i still have breaks if i don't warm up. i always do lip-rolls before i even attempt singing. even after vocalising i do lip-rolls to decrease tension and then I rest before singing.
ALSO DRINK LOTS OF WATER to maintain the moisture levels of the cords.
for breaks, i'm pretty sure a low larynx should help. maybe you could try the lip-roll excercises to smooth them out. you could also try nay nay nay? it forces cord closure so you don't abuse and push up chest voice. just don't push. just let it happen.
i'm quite pleased with my range after trying singing success and SLS. i went up from C above middle C, and now I can hit the G above the C above middle C. but i still have breaks if i don't warm up. i always do lip-rolls before i even attempt singing. even after vocalising i do lip-rolls to decrease tension and then I rest before singing.
ALSO DRINK LOTS OF WATER to maintain the moisture levels of the cords.
I think is because for sls in sg,he was the first certified teacher so he may charge more expensive than lvl 3 teacher in other countries as the other countries,the highest already lvl 5.
There is another lvl 2 de in sg but charge cheaper but i think its because daniel is the first recognized de.
You all see,the lvl 1 de charge quite cheap le.if he lower his price,those who are lower in lvl have to reduce the price also cause daniel has to set the benchmark.
I know that for sls,the cheapest price have to be even higher than the most expensive traditional music school like li fei hui all those cause sls is in different league.
Just my opinion
keep working hard. I dont see much improvement in my range after like almost 1 year singing from non-sls to sls learning but in sls,i learn bout vowels and how big the mouth should open.etc compared to non sls who is weaker in this.
There is another lvl 2 de in sg but charge cheaper but i think its because daniel is the first recognized de.
You all see,the lvl 1 de charge quite cheap le.if he lower his price,those who are lower in lvl have to reduce the price also cause daniel has to set the benchmark.
I know that for sls,the cheapest price have to be even higher than the most expensive traditional music school like li fei hui all those cause sls is in different league.
Just my opinion
keep working hard. I dont see much improvement in my range after like almost 1 year singing from non-sls to sls learning but in sls,i learn bout vowels and how big the mouth should open.etc compared to non sls who is weaker in this.
If you've been taking lessons since 2007 with the same teacher and still face the same problems, i think you need to find another teacher. Really, all teachers have their own flaws, and seeing his/her nonchalant reply to your problems such as the hoarse voice etc is quite worrying. And of course the fault lies with the student, otherwise why would he/she be taking lessons? But if the instructor can't correct those faults, then what good is he?!
No offence, it sounds like you still have issues with your bridge, but here's an exercise that should help.
Do Wee-wee exercises from top to bottom scale. Done right, the transition from head->chest should be smooth. This exercise, or any exercise for that matter, is not some magic potion that will allow the voice to automatically learn the right co-ordinations. It is merely a guide; it's entirely possible to be doing the right exercises the wrong way.
The other thing to practice is doing a siren, on an EE/OO sound from chest->head, bottom to top and back. Keep doing this all the time.
SLS is technique; repertoire is repertoire. It takes a lot of effort to combine the two and sound like a fantastic singer. The thing here is, SLS teachers usually won't proceed to work on repertoire until they feel that the student already has the basics/fundamentals of SLS built into their singing. Reason being that without strong fundamentals, it's easy for someone who's tackling a tough song to go back to their non-SLS habits aka. pulling chest, high larynx.
This is quite troubling. Sounds like you're getting laryngitis often (See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laryngitis ). It's not a good sign and honestly if you're doing the exercises right, you should never be getting this. I think 6-8 glasses of water is way too little, especially for a singer. The guideline for normal sedentary people is that amount.. and i'm sure we all know sedentary people don't use their voices 1/10 as much as we do.
Phlegm usually is a sign that you're not drinking enough water or your diet has too much food that produces phlegm, like dairy products as kilik already mentioned.
Put your hand on your larynx and do your exercises. Then see if your larynx shoots up during the exercise.
Lastly, how much practice time are you getting a day, not including lesson time? Cos if you're been doing SLS since 2007 til now and still face these issues, i don't know man, it sounds to me like you're not getting enough private practice time. At the very bare minimum, 30 mins of practice time per day is quite needed -- you can't expect much from the lessons alone.
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oh and i agree. you should spend a bit of time everyday just vocalising to keep your cords in check. otherwise, your body won't be able to record it as muscle memory as it is not done frequent enough. that said, don't overdo it either. too much vocalisation may tire your voice, cause as time progresses, your concentration may slip and you start doing the exercises wrongly.
