Colin Reed Singing Lessons

For anybody wanting to come to study from farther afield, we have accommodation available. Bookable through Airbnb we have both a single and a double room. Discounts are available for anyone booking rooms and lessons together.

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Home in Nottinghamshire · ★4.93 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 private bath Newark Stylish Double Room w/ Private Bathroom

https://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/news/bursary-applications-open-for-developing-young-musicians-9453197/

Bursary applications open for developing young musicians Talented young musicians have been invited to apply for bursaries worth up to £1,200 to help them develop their skills.

Keep singing in secondary schools!

Why do we stop singing when we reach secondary school? New data suggests singing is much more common in primary and private schools than in state secondaries.

Cold bandstand to be singing carols for the Nottingham Castle Christmas Fair!

I recently saw a post from a friend about how childrens' enjoyment of school is doing dramatically, especially as they approach Key Stage 4. In all subjects I've taught, including maths, physics and chemistry in addition to music, I've always tried to cultivate a sense of exploration, curiosity and, hopefully, fun! After reading the post I wanted to find some of the inspiration that led me to pursue music and teaching. I remembered a quick comment from Bobby McFerrin when he said "Joy will save the world!" followed by his deep laugh. He stressed that no matter how important things are, never lose the sense of having fun. I didn't manage to find the clip on YouTube, but came across this wonderful documentary of him and Chick Corea (another huge musical inspiration for me) called "We Play". It's wonderful and well worth an hour of anyone's time.

Chick Corea and Bobby McFerrin "WE PLAY" (Documentary, 2015) These two grand masters of jazz have been close friends for a number of years. Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea: "I don't think I have another musical relation...

I wholeheartedly agree with David in this. Each student is individual, and finding what works for each student is more important than following a "method." I always strive to find what works best for each individual student.

Does This Exercise Work for You?

One reason I offer vocal pedagogy online classes is to share a myriad of different vocal exercises and to explain why some exercises work for the majority of singers and why some do not.

London Master Class

Several years ago I presented a master class in London and there was an Alexander Teacher in the audience. He came up to me after the 3-hour class and said, "Mr. Jones, I found 2 items that were especially interesting in your class presentation. One is that you taught for 3 hours and never once used the word NO. And two, I noticed that if an exercise did not work by the second try, you were on to something else." I explained that I had learned about the psychology of teaching from Lindquest who once said, "Kindness has no price tag and anyone can offer it." Over my years of teaching I learned that one exercise does NOT work for every singer. It can be related to previous study or it can be that their structure does not agree with a specific exercise or concept. This is why instructors need to gather a large toolbox of concepts and exercises from which to draw during their teaching.

Methods: Why They Do Not Work

While we may find that certain concepts are more efficient, I have had many singers that have studied 'methods'. This is what I call the 'cookie cutter' approach to teaching. For an inexperienced instructor it can make them feel as though they are solid in their knowledge. BUT there is NO replacement for watching excellent teaching over a period of years and years. There are no short cuts in learning about teaching and learning in-depth diagnostics. This is why I personally do NOT like methods. There are some who have designed a series of exercises given to every singer. This is not individualized training. We need to learn a vast amount in order to approach each singer and address their specific individual needs. Otherwise we cannot do our job efficiently.

Body Coordination

I often say, "We as teachers learn a great deal from the physical coordination, THEN the sound comes. We learn very little from sound alone. When the tonal quality is suffering there is a physical reason." This is why I am great proponent of bodywork, especially Feldenkrais and the Alexander Technique. I am also a great proponent of voice therapy. I often advise singers and teachers to study with a good speech language pathologist. You will learn a great amount.

In this industry of voice teaching there is a lack of standardized knowledge. While we need to address the individual needs of each singer, we also need to base our teaching on healthy vocalization. Learning what kind of vocalization is healthy for the voice is a great solid foundation. Voice therapy is an excellent place to start and finding a good technician with whom to work.

Final Note: We are creatures of extremes. Teachers fall into that human family as well. We as instructors are always faced with students who take a concept to the extreme, which conflicts with the purpose. I always say, "I am constantly working with trying to help singers to find balance in their vocalization." For example, working on a high wide soft palate needs to also be balanced with the laryngeal tilt and the depth of vowel space. We need to train the upper AND lower space. We also need to do tongue release work to insure that the tongue is not pushing the larynx downward. There are many variables and good teaching requires constant supervision of the singer and their voice. Careful supervision in the only way to be certain that the singer is not going too far in one direction.

Have a great day. Thank you to all of those teachers searching for more and more information to share with their students. David

THE DAVID JONES VOCAL PEDAGOGY CLASS SERIES: If you are interested in being on the email list for any upcoming classes ONLINE, write to [email protected].

David Jones' Book, "A Modern Guide to Old World Singing" is available at www.amazon.com, www.amazon.de, www.thebookdepository.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and the ebook at www.ebooks.com

David Jones Instructional CD is available at www.voiceteacher.com as a download only.

Let's get A regular massage! Here are Top 5 Reasons Massage should be part of your Regular Routine Massage Helps Relaxation – This is one of the most immediate and noticeable effects of massage therapy. Massage helps with...

https://www.newarkmusiccampaign.org/

NewarkMusicCampaign.org: Save the Newark Schools of Musical Instrument Craft SAVE THE NEWARK SCHOOLS OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CRAFT The Newark Schools of Musical Instrument Making have served British music for more than fifty years. They are now under threat of closure. You are their only hope. Petition Instagram Save Newark Challenge Alumni and Friends on Facebook Violin Makin...

The petition in support of the Newark School of Musical Instrument Crafts has reached almost 10,000 signatures

https://www.thestrad.com/gallery-save-newark-violin-making-school-challenge-goes-viral/19668.article

Petition launched to protest Newark Violin Making School changes The school has announced that the degree programme will not be commencing for first-year students in the 2025-26 academic year