Call Dawnya or Joe if you need directions, get lost, or need to give us a heads up on traffic or time concerns. If we know you're stuck on the freeway and won't be there for at least another 30 minutes, we can work on songs that you won't be in until you get there!
Remember to bring your songbooks! We don't want you to have to take the time to re-notate the songs you'll be singing in, since we're pressed for time with this as it is. Additionally, bring everything you need to make your voice function at its best: Ricola, ginger Altoids, etc. Julia will be bringing a 'hot pot', so if you have a favourite tea, bring that as well. We will probably have some things for voices provided, but don't rely on that assumption!
To help you out in this crunch time, here's some very useful practice tips Dawnya sent through the yahoo group email, so take a look!
Practice Tips:
1.Warm up. Start your personal practices by singing no less then 5 full scales - (up) Do rae me fa so la te do - (down) do te la, so fa me rae do - is a full scale. If you're into show tunes, "Doe a Deer" from "The Sound of Music" is an excellent exercise choice.
2. Keep LUKEWARM water or Gatorade close. Keeping your throat lubricated and lukewarm is key to optimal vocal condition; cold water makes vocal muscles contract.
3. Avoid pomegranates and dairy for at least 2 hours before practices. Beverages that are too hot, sugary, or carbonated are hard on the throat; dairy and sugar specifically coat the throat and make voices 'rocky' or 'muddy'. Pomegranate juice is astringent and tightens the vocal cords, and we want our vocal cords loose for singing!
4. Do not practice for more then 2 hours straight on your own. Obviously when we're practicing together we have to keep time in mind, but when you're on your own, taking at least a 30-60 minute break between practice sessions or a 5-10 minute break between each song will allow your vocal muscles to relax and make straining them less likely.
5. If your throat feels scratchy or sore gargle with warm salt water during your break. Horehound candies or Ricola are also very soothing, as are honey-lemon or mint teas. Avoid very dark or very sugary teas as these can coat the throat instead of helping.
6. Sing in the shower! The steam from the shower is great for your throat, and it's a good enclosed space where you can hear yourself well.
7. Practice. Practice. Practice. Even if you can't have dedicated 'practice sessions', there are lots of places and times to practice: the shower, the car, while cooking meals, on walks, while doing chores, etc. (and for those with no shame: while shopping!)
8. Show your friends! We've all got friends and families! Get your muddy practice CDs and give them a show! Not only is it good practice to sing in front of people, when you practice a song over and over sometimes you can get what I call 'edit ear', where you stop really hearing yourself because you've listened to your version so often. Friends and family can hear your singing and help you improve.
9. Record yourself. This is a wonderful tool that you can do with any kind of recording device: digital recorder, karaoke machine, old tape recorder--heck even an old answering machine. Recording yourself will allow you to hear what you sound like outside your own head and let you know if you need to improve or change anything.
Things to NEVER do:
1. Do not start practice by 'clearing' the throat or forcing a cough. This can scratch your throat, so instead just warm up, which primes the vocal muscles. The vibrations of the throat will help it clean the guck out on its own--besides, a little bit of 'guck' actually protects your vocal cords and helps them stay lubricated.
2. Do not use alcoholic or highly acidic throat remedies: Lemonade, limeade, Chloraseptic, menthol, mouthwash, etc. These will help numb the throat and are good for colds, but NOT good for singing. Anything that stings the throat or makes you pucker your lips is a bad pre-practice choice. Also avoid Capsaicin, which is in hot sauce, chilies, Tabasco, etc.
3. Do not force your voice. If in practice you find there are notes you just can't hit, even warm, don't force it. Talk to Dawnya and she'll find you another note you can sing instead that will still sound good with the music. Another option: if you know there is a note you just can't hit or one that always forces your voice to crack or squeak, you can skip that note (unless you're doing a solo, of course). There are very few places in our song arrangements where people are singing very hard notes alone.
4. When you notice your throat getting sore and tired in practice DO NOT keep going. Stop and take a break, have some tea, and do something else for a little while. We don't want anyone injuring their throats before recording!
One more thing: don't overdo your practicing on Friday! We don't want you to give a great performance to your cat, only to have your voice be strained and too tired for the recording!
So, with all that in mind, we'll see you bright and early Saturday morning for the payoff for all our practicing!
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