Vocal Journal 1
Genuine reflections after FAILURE at Singapore Idol 3’s audition:
1. Vocal fatigue. I tired my vocal cords too much and so there was too much tension.
(Reasons: signs of itchiness at the palate, vocal cords and signs of cough)
2. Sang too loud…emphasis too much on projection. Resulted in the lost of timbre and flexibility in the voice. Possibly cause by problem 1 too.
3. Too much tension affects the holistic presentation of the song. Caused a lack of flow and eventually lack of natural expression.
Things I had already try doing:
1. Warm up and do vocal trills everyday with a mirror (in toilet: so as to hear myself) to observe jaw movement and possible tensions.
2. Go jogging before doing vocal warm-up so as to provide physical warm-up.
3. Memorize song way before audition.
4. Dress appropriately.
Mistakes I made:
1. Vocal Fatigue. Too much of the vocal drills caused stress and eventually irritation of my vocal cords and throat.
2. Lack of ample preparation. Vocal drills should be done weeks before audition.
3. Lack of rest due to nervous breakdown. (Proven since after one night of rest, the condition of my throat improves a lot.) A good REST is more important than a good warm-up.
4. Indecisive in participation of the event caused unnecessary confusion and disruption of plans.
5. Too edgy when being judge caused unnatural expression. Should have just relax and be cool. Focus should be on the expression of the song. Don’t have to think of how people judge you.
Things to work on in the future:
1. Work more on the song rather than just vocal drills when audition is near.
2. Sing softer and emphasis on being natural to create flow in the song
3. Since my voice is already loud, there is no need to scale it up. Just sing naturally. Reserve some energy so as not to OVERSING. Distribute the energy evenly throughout the whole song. MORE CONTROL. DON’T RELEASE IT ALL OR YOU END UP LOSING CONTROL.
4. Emphasis on being perfect as a whole, down to each and every word, rather than over expressing it on a certain phrase or part.
5. Rehearse a few times and records it down so as to work on ways to improve.
6. REMEMBER TO ENJOY SINGING THEN THE LISTENERS WILL ENJOY!!!
7. FOCUS ON THE LYRICS AND THE STORY YOU TRYING TO TELL INSTEAD OF “TRYING TO IMPRESS JUDGES”.
Future plans for improvements:
1. Carry on classical vocal training. Continue to learn the healthy/proper singing style and techniques to be PERFECT (classical point of view).
2. Continue singing in the rock band so as to gain exposure and learn showmanship.
3. Learn to merge the classical healthy/proper singing with rock vocals as so to create a style of my own. Also to prevent losing or damaging my vocal
4. Continue a healthy lifestyle of jogging and doing vocal drills everyday.
5. Be always prepared like the Singapore Army.
6. Work more on the timbre and flexibility training during vocal drills.
7. Record a’cappella singing down without monitoring then listen to assess performance level and mark down my mistakes.
8. TO have and record a few MOCK AUDITION WEEKS before the actual audition.
9. Perform more to gain experience and stability.
10. Watch more performances and competition live to see how people perform.
11. To compose and produce more songs. Perform them live.
Things I have learnt:
1. To dress appropriately as that will affect the way you present yourself.
2. To be more confidence.
3. To practice good vocal health.
4. Motive is not to win but to be professional as a musician, which is very important for the rest of my career.
What else I learnt in life and this industry is that the idea of patron of the arts still exists from baroque till now. Even that the music of romantic era seems to be more independent and liberty, the role itself took a change and still exists till today in another form. Looking at the biography of many singers like JJ, Gary Chaw and Ah Du, they reminds me of the composers in the past who typically went thru hell to get recognized. They somehow needed the support of Dukes, Kings, court or some rich lady in the past. The producers and business behind each album and shows are your patrons and they are the ones controlling this industry. Things don’t seem to be that simple as if the musicians are really the one having a say in what they want.
But at the end of the day, it’s all about being a professional musician. Luck is not something you can control. The audiences is what I do care, especially when you can relate to them and tell them that they are not alone. There was once after a performance, an old man walk up to me to tell me how I have brought back his memories and how he enjoyed it. This sort of feedback is what triggers me to carry on my journey. It should be the very reason and motivation for my career.
Sing to touch not to impress. Even at a competition. If u can touch someone, you eventually already have impressed him/her.
And in this industry, it's your friends who will push you to work harder. Lending support to people who believed and work as hard as you. There is no point trying to be over-critical or to compete with one another. Because the true bastards are not your fellow musicians but the producers and businessman who control and make this industry rot and stink that eventually makes we people fight and kill each other.
Making a new friend, fellow schoolmate, who gives me motivation and whom I also give my support to, makes me understand how unity can drive you ahead. Some friends will move forward faster or earlier than you. Music is about love and peace. Musicians should unite to push and lend each other support. Just tell yourself that its not your time yet and wishes your friends all their best.
Be open-minded.
