Karaoke Forums

I almost ACCIDENTLY hijacked another thread so I decided to post my question here.

It has been suggested to me to get Curlykate voice lessons (she is 9).

It scares me that the first things that will be done will be to get rid of her country twang, natural break and vibrato...she's young and natural...I hate to change that....but at the same time, she has alot of power in her voice and I would like her to learn ways to control it a little better.

We live in the sticks and I have 1 option for voice lessons, she has come recommended to me and I have heard ONE of her students sing...beautifully...but it was pop music and not Curlykates usual style....


So, am I being skeptical for nothing (I do that sometimes )

Can anyone share their opinion and/or experiences with me?

Please know that although she says she wants to be a singer and actor....school teacher is also on the list Chances are she will not use her voice to make a living. So it's not that important right? But I would also like to give her the chance to take what she has and possibly make it even better if only for small town, church or maybe a little band someday for fun (she loves to perform...not just sing..check out her album;) )....so it's not like her life depends on it or anything, ya know what I mean?

Please, don't get me wrong, before anyone accuses me of bragging about my daughter (which I, as any proud parent, tend to do)...I am not trying to.....she sings like a 9 year old, I am not saying I have the next Mariah Carey or Martina Mcbride (her idol, BTW!!)...but I have had people mention it to me more than once about getting her some training and to not let her talent go to waste (their words).

So, again I ask, could any of you share your opinion and/ or experience with me?

P.S I have not allowed her submissions to be critiqued...(except one we sang together when I was allowing ranks) because I wanted her to sing for fun and not worry about the #'s thing.....and this post will not be seen my her either, this is strictly for my own curiosity.

Thanks!

_________________
neverheardofher

I will let a vocalist voice their opinion, I'm an instrumentalist that started lessons and left lessons, started lessons, left lessons, etc.

Finding an instructor who does "Your thing" IMHO is important. I studied classical from the time I was VERY young, I hated it, got out've it. I wanted to learn jazz, so I found a "jazz" instructor (Thinking that was all I needed to do). Yet this didn't work. This guy started drilling me on two octave scales, Hannon, and Bach Melodic minor scales, and started me on modal training. I was miserable. Try to find someone who teaches, yet also respects what you are interested in.


What I'm trying to say is, it's important to find the proper match

Good instructors, that nurture a childs interest are a valuable gift. Finding them in a very specific style you like, and geographic location, complicates this. If you like country, depending on your location, try to find a semi-pro country singer that knows how to teach singing to children.

Gosh- I understand what you are saying.

I think lessons would probably be great for her, she is a little powerhouse princess.

I would talk to the instructor & voice your concerns first. does he/she even like the style of music CK sings? I mean, in the sticks- probably. BUT, maybe not . Some people truly hate country music. Or- they say they do anyhow. But tell them how you feel upfront...... that CK wants to sing like Dolly Parton, or whoever her idols are.

Maybe some people here can give you a good perspective on this- those who do it for a living. I know if I ever took my daughter to one, my biggest fear would be that they would start her off on a pop road ...... and convince her that "sounding country" is a bad thing.

Ah, if only I was a vocal coach & knew what I was talking about- I'd come out there- and I teach her nothing but to "Twang it UP"..... .
But, as we all know, I do not have the knowledge required there.

Another idea what about a little home instruction to start off, see if it does anything? Most local libraries have alot of vocal guide instruction..... some with videos, tapes, or cds included. With you & OP to help out...... I mean, you would comprehend the lessons, and relate it to your experience singing, and would probably be alot more help than you think. Whatever you try- record her now- then record her later. So you can actually hear the progress. Pick a song that is maybe a tad difficult for her.

Gosh- never- I'm just a hick- what do I know?

_________________
♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

_________________
[scroll][/scroll]

[font=andalus]We Are the Music Makers, and We are the Dreamers of Dreams...
We are the Movers and Shakers of the World Forever it Seems...[/font]

Hey, now, don't be selling yourself short! You kow alot more than you give yourself credit for and anyways, I was asking for an opinion....no wrong or right answers possible!!

You both made some great points! I should go and talk to the Instructor and see what her ideas of training are and tell her my intentions for CK having the lessons.
I actually have a singing/breathing DVD that we all watched and learned from! It was pretty fun to do!

Thank You both, very much!!

Sorry, Jazzy, we musta been typing at the same time.

She takes Piano, Dance, Theater and has shown an interest in drums that our neighbor has been helping her with (thanks Sam ) So she does read some music (at a 9 year old level ) She definently has the interest!
She also has a wide range of music taste...her lastest has been the Beatles (she asked her dad and I to ask Beatletribute to do a duet with her- poor guy....I couldnt do that to him ) So she could, very well, enjoy classical training....You never know until you try!

Anyway, I thank you too, for your opinion....it is greatly appreciated!!

_________________
neverheardofher

Yeah- listen to Jazzy- haha, the smart one when it comes to this.

She just brought up a reallllly good suggestion. Make sure she joins every choir she can in school. ( I mean, if she want to, and I think she probably would, she seems to love music) They can teach some awesome lessons there. Even a back woods town can have a great choir teacher. And, actually- if there is a smaller group there, she may get more individualized instruction than she would in an uptown school. Not calling you all back woods- you wouldn't BELIEVE the tiny grade school I went to for 8 years.

But you can learn so much in a grade school choir. One of the most important- how to sing with other singers. I see sooooo many people karaoke that stay on key- until the harmony singers come in on the chorus- then they are lost. They follow the other singer rather than the melody of the tune. She'll learn to recognize & identify the different parts (be it 2 or 3 or 4) of a song & differentiate between them. ALOT of music basics she'll carry with her throughout life could come from a school choir. And if you- like Jazzy said- could get her on ANY instrument too.

My daughter has taken 3 years of flute. (not my instrument of choice for her, but I let them "come into" music rather than pushing them into it) NOW- after years ago trying to teach her with no interest on her part- she has picked the fiddle back up has taught herself to play quite a few songs. She is reading some on sheet music, but playing by ear also. And she's done this on her own.
And.... she has been in choir, but only this year. I can hear a difference in her vocals already. She sang Hank Sr songs with me- in front of my whole family- at our family christmas, slipping into Honky Tonk falsetto-yodel as easily as Hank would have. She couldn't do this before. I think the biggest factor is the confidence it has built in her- in September she was chosen for a choir solo performance- it took out alot of her shyness. It gave her a little confidence. But by getting braver, she has learned new things she can do.

On the flip flop- my son Austin has never been in any choir or band. He is playing banjo now- he's played guitar for a few years but never really "took" to it. He is going to be a good banjo picker.... he seems to be better with picking than strumming, cause he finger picks the guitar also. But he has no concept of "timing" his song. These are bluegrass songs he has heard me play a little (I'm NOT much of a banjo player) so the songs are not real ingrained in his memory. So he is playing them slightly off tempo in places. If he would have had some kind of basic music training- in any area- I think he would be better at this. So I have made him sit down and follow me on these songs (him playing guitar) and now he is much better at it. This all is probably rambling to you.... sorry..... but in Bluegrass especially, the guitar is THE rythm instrument. If I play a fiddle song, say in waltz time- then go off tempo for even a note or two- the guitar player has to either quickly double strum- getting out of waltz time for a sec- or skip a beat- or stop playing and pick the time back up. Very confusing- if you're the guitar player. So, by using the guitar as my "timing" instrument...... he now pretty much understands waltz time, 1/2 time. etc.... so, when he plays the banjo, he can know the guitar rythm & keep his timing accurate. As a mom- but not a music instructor- this is pretty much all I could do to help him. But it's working.

What am I getting at?? Oh- the fact that I think any kind of training on an instrument can be beneficial. In the same aspect as above..... I often cajole my daughter into turning "away" from the karaoke lyrics when she knows them. I don't want her to learn to "follow" words. I want her to hear the timing & know when to come in by rythm alone.

But, see- I think my point was- just little things like these can make a world of difference in Curly Kate's music. And these are amature things I do at home- a choir teacher could do sooooo much more, or a band teacher. It shows in my 2 kids that HAVE had music instruction. (and my daughter still Twangs....... I think maybe cause she hears mostly me) She does like to sing Evanescense..... and Westlife...... and some other stuff like that. But her biggest music influence has been here in the home, so I think what has rubbed off will for the most part stay with her. But- I would never push her in any direction. I would love all my kids to sing bluegrass, but I guess if she grows up to sing mostly Britney (she hates Britney, that was an example) then I would be proud.
She has no aspirations to be a singer either, and I think her latest desire is to be a Veterinarian. Kids!#@!!#! But she has always been an animal lover..... always babying her chickens, or rescuing a little bird, or something. Anyhow........... I need that "OFF TOPIC" hijacker sign I've seen other people have. Sorry NHOH. I'm rambling. Hubby brought home some Bud Light and *Bitter Beer Face* I'm actually drinking one........after another . So...beware the rambles tonight people.

_________________
♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

My GOD- was that ME?!?!

I write too much. Sorry guys. I'll shush for a while.

Never- BTW, when are we gonna hear Curly Kate again?? I'd like to hear her & Seanman do a duet- like Whiskey Lullabye maybe. ( I LOVE that song) Or does that "Eww, he's my BROTHER"........ and "Yuck, she's my SISTER " thing get in the way?? I have 4 kids, haha, so I know that can come about.

_________________
♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

the EEWWW's aren't so bad, but the different taste in music and them not agreeing on ANYTHING would probably get in the way

Seriously, OP had been recording her earlier today, but now she has to get ready for bed so not sure when he will mix and submit it for her.

Seanman really needs encouragement to sing these days, since his voice started changing, but when he does sing...he really has alot of fun!

Thanks!

_________________
neverheardofher

My son Austin's voice has been "changing" lately too....... and I know that makes them back off a little.

But he (seanman) is a great singer..... I loved when him & his uncle did "Man of Constant Sorrow". I LOVE that song. That redone version is SO much better than the original old version- it was really slow.

I know how it is though- my kids for the most part wont sing with headphones on unless NOBODY can hear them...... yeah, right, like MY house is ever empty. I don't have a music room anymore..... my setup is in the living room. So they don't get privacy to sing at all. The cd rom went out on my old comp in the bedroom too, so can't sing in there either.

Am NOT rambling......

_________________
♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Jazzy brought up a great point earlier. If a person can endure some traditional, or classical style training. They will ALWAYS benefit from the initial discipline, and theory involved. It's strict, and pretty complex. makes other aspects of music seem relatively easy in contrast. As for your concern about the :country twang: well, I know nothing about this. or how singing instructors tend to view it. I live in Connecticut. Assuming I had a country twang this state would tax it

If your daughter decides she wants to go into theater, do show tunes, or even decides to stay with classical, is it possible that she might not actually want that ?

Yes, she does have an interest in Theater....as for the twang...I am assuming that if she learns more control....she should be able to have it still as well as the break and vibrato (she has NO CLUE what either of those are..she just opens up and sings)?? But I am concerned with her losing her 'natural' sound?

Does anyone know what I mean by that?

@Blue...no, darlin' yer not ramblin'!!!

_________________
neverheardofher

I don't truly think any form of vocal coaching could harm her..... better now for her parents to do it where they can monitor how a young girl is being treated & taught.

Don't let any of my earlier comments in other threads sway what you think my opinion is NHOH. NOT that mine is important, haha, but I have voiced some things that people are really "taking to town."

I have stated elsewhere that I would not go to vocal training- I had it in high school for 4 years (choir only I mean) and for a year in college in California. Their biggest concern was "lose that country twang". Well, to me that was the gift of music my mother & father gave me. That was our style of music. In my world, bluegrass would not be bluegrass if they polished all that out of my voice. I would GO to a vocal coach if they could help where I needed it and not try to make me into something I could never be. I don't wish to sound "polished & refined".... it's not me. I wish to improve..... and to improve alot. I have already stated that I know I have many many things to work on. I would like to gain some range, I need to. Nothing annoys me more than a good song being "just out of reach". And there are other things I could benefit from- not gonna relist them all here.

BUT- I am an adult- I KNOW where my preference is. I have heard alot of music in my adulthood that I never heard at home and don't wish to jump the fence. So a trainer telling me I need to "lose this to gain that" holds no appeal for me at all.

This would not apply to 9 year old Curly Kate. She MAY want to grow up and sing classical pieces on the side. Even if not- if she turns into the next Martina- there are valuable music lessons she could learn. Again- with parents to guide it I think it's great. I think the fact alone that you are concerned with it speaks volumes NHOH- and is awesome. Many people would say "The thing to do is put them in music lessons, so I'll put them in music lessons".

Kudos to you both for thinking far enough into her future to wonder wether she would appreciate it later in life. I too think she would. But you're good parents to think of her first, not just think of what YOU would like for her.

Okay...... gonna go now. Dang it all, I'm sorry ....I'm really not hijacking.

This is all about the intended subject. Right?? I better not come back here tomorrow though just to find I made tons of spelling errors. heehee

NHOH- - I guess we were typing at the same time. YES- I know exactly what you are saying..... about her losing her "natural" voice...... that is MY concern with the wrong vocal coach too. I think, at least, you understand as well what I have been saying.

_________________
♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Please come back because you are not hijacking- you are right on intended topic- and you have made some great points.....

I have discussed with CK what her preferences are....she sings some country .....mostly what she hears me sing or anything by Martina and more often than not, sings Disney songs, Hilary Duff or Kelly Clarkson...and now the Beatles!

Classical has never interested her....and she did learn about it in school......but like I said she does want to continue to do Theater so Showtunes will probably be in her future at some point even if it is a small community production. So, she could benefit in training for that, possibly.

I am thinking that my first step is to discuss my thoughts with the Trainer and use my-well my and OP's- best judgment to see what we should do.....


But I still want peoples opinions! So please, keep 'em coming!!

_________________
neverheardofher

Cindy (Shotguncc) would likely have a decent idea as to whether or not this is, or is not a founded concern. Just guessing however, wouldn't you think that to lose something like that would take ALOT of concerted effort ?
If she is 9, and already has that :twang:, do you think it is easy for an instructor to just make it go away ? I'm wondering this because at 9, I was obstinately getting into rock music, and NONE of my classical instructors attempts worked at breaking me of my abominable habits . I gave up the instructors of course, not what *I* liked.

thats good to know Steve, thanks!

OP is just playing a recording of Curlykate at 6 and it is funny, she had that same sound then...I would think it would be hard to break....I was adviced to and concentrated hard on losing my instinctive sound and I did....I do have some of it back...but not all and what I do have, no longer comes natural and unfortuanatly it is noticable...i think.

so I guess that is why I am fretting so much with the decision.

I would like Cindy's opinion, I hope she ventures in!
Thanks Steve!

_________________
neverheardofher

I stumbled upon this last night. It's funny.

How To Sing:

Learning to sing is very simple. You need to only remember three simple rules.

The tighter you close your eyes, the higher the pitch you sing.
Holding your hand out in front of you increases your range. In order to sing extremely high notes, raise your hand higher, and for low notes lower it.
To sing vibrato, some part of your body must vibrate. Popular choices are eyebrows, eyelids, and hands.


Follow these rules, and you too will be a great singer in no time at all.

!!! I should keep that for the front of our karaoke song-book in case we ever decide to actually do the 'kj' thing around here.

BTW - NHOH - I'm sure folks have told you this already, but first of all, you should determine if your daughter WANTS voice lessons. If she does, she will get them eventually... the best route (as others have said) is to meet with the vocal instructor together and express your concerns, taking note of their reaction. You will quickly see whether the instructor is someone who has their own way of thinking and is not flexible, or whether they are willing to work with you. Good luck with it.

Steve, thanks!!

Syber, Thank you too, The first time she heard someone mention to me about lessons (a couple years ago) her reaction was 'I know how to sing' not in a conceited way but in a -little kid not understanding what lessons are- kinda way. I found it funny, but now this last time someone mentioned it, she asked alot of questions and wanted to know when she could start...so, we will see.
She is in dance for another month so I will meet with the teacher in the next couple of weeks and see what she has to say. I have talked to a couple of her students (who are older than Curlykate) and they are very happy with her.
I sure appreciate everyones input and I will keep you all posted!

Thank you!

p.s would still like Cindy's opinion, as well! Hope she ventures in!

_________________
neverheardofher

!!! How funny! I should have thought of that (she's only 9, right?) I had the exact same thing happen with my 6yr old niece. She has decided she wants to be 'a rock star' when she grows up (she's thinks of hubby & I as 'rock stars' cause we have the band & all), so she loves to jump around & sing with her favorite songs on the radio, etc.

We bought her a lil guitar for christmas (because, we told her, 'you have to learn to play guitar if you want to be a rock star'... ... not quite true we know, but she has really taken to the guitar). Anyway, she likes to sing also and when I told her that we would 'teach her how to sing', she prompty said 'I already know how to sing!!' hehehh 'Well, yeah,' I told her, 'you can sing, but we can teach you to sing like a star'. heheheh

(well maybe... the jury is still out on that, but she sure has fun playing around for now)

Yes, 9 going on 16...I am afraid!

Don't ya just love a kids way of thinking sometimes!

Very fun!

p.s I hope to see your niece on the big stage someday!

_________________
neverheardofher