Kerri-ing my voice to new heights!
When I write songs, I tend to just write the best song I can with no regard to whether or not the parts I’m writing are within my vocal range. So, as I’ve mentioned before, I often have to work out my voice and expand my range in order to be able to perform my own songs. Luckily for me, I have a dear friend who also happens to be a voice teacher and classically trained opera singer. Yep, that’s right. How cool is that? Her name is Kerri and when I told her how lots of my new songs have me singing all over the scale and how I can hit the notes but want to have even more power behind them, she was like “I can totally help you with that.” And I was like, “Really? Cuz that would make my life infinitely better.” And she was all, “Come over.”
Kerri is such a great teacher! I’ve already noticed a difference in my vocal abilities. Plus, her voice is so beautiful! She doesn’t perform a whole lot right now, so I haven’t been able to have the pleasure of hearing her very much. But, when she does a scale or a new exercise for me and then says, “OK, now it’s your turn”, I often have to take a moment to freak out about how beautiful her voice is. Then she’ll be like, “Thanks, dude, but that was just a scale” and I’m all “Yeah, but it was awesome!” Gosh, when I see her perform for real for the first time, I’ll probably faint or croak or something out of appreciation and pride for her.
Kerri is super much fun to hang out with anyway, but when we talk about vocal stuff, it is really extra special to me. We talk about being a vocalist—-how the voice is a delicate and mysterious instrument, how one often uses intangible visual images and sensations in one’s mind and body to get the right sound out there, and how being a singer is truly like being an athlete. I am going to a lesson with her right now and I am so psyched to keep learning!
December 23rd, 2007 at 9:09 am
Well, I have noticed the improvements in your voice. It sounds weird to say, It’s hard to believe your voice can be improved on, but it does sound better than ever on the new songs!
I thought maybe it was your new inspiration with the piano, or the fact that you have been singing a lot with the acoustic which also seems to make a difference, but now I know the other secret to your success, great to hear you are working with a professional voice coach, all artists should, and even the best do it to keep on top.
December 24th, 2007 at 6:11 am
Aww…thank you SO much, Jarome! I am totally psyched you could hear a difference in my voice even on the rough demo recordings. Yay!
December 28th, 2007 at 5:18 am
[…] mentioned last week that I’m taking voice lessons from my friend, Kerri. I’ve been practicing the exercises […]