Musical Theatre http://beckysalter.posterous.com Chicago posterous.com Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:16:00 -0700 Musical Theatre Action Plan http://beckysalter.posterous.com/musical-theatre-action-plan http://beckysalter.posterous.com/musical-theatre-action-plan

After watching back my solo chicago audition piece i have decided to make an action plan for myself.

The main things i will need to work on are:

- using rehearsal time better and video more rehearsals
this will be done by getting started straight away when being given a project to do, instead of sitting about thinking of ways to structure the piece it is better to get up and do it and improvise a bit more to come across new ideas. My audition wasnt complete when it came to the time to perform it, however this could have been avoided if i had used rehearsal time better and spent a bit more time choreographing enough material to fit to the whole piece. i had focused too much on the beginning and middle sections and didnt have much time left to sort out the ending as the song was quite long.
So that i could have seen what i needed to improve on i could of got someone else to record me rehearsing the piece so that i could hear myself and see how the moves looked that i was doing, this way i could have improved the piece ready for the performance day.

- practising the song from start to finish plenty of times

As said above i focused mainly on the beginning and middle sections of the song and then seemed to run out of time when it came to sorting out the end section of the piece, because of this i was practising the beginning section a lot more than the end section and this shows in the performance when i forget lyrics and also dont do as much dance movements towards the end as i had not choreographed that part. Next time i need to make sure i focus on the whole piece and make sure i use rehearsal time better to get the whole pieced prepared and polished ready for the audition.

- overcoming nerves when singing

Nerves always get in the way when i am singing in front of an audience and this shows in my voice as it goes wobbly. i need to try to overcome my nerves a bit better and think deep breathes before going on seem to help but i will look into how i can improve on this and find away to not get so nervous and up tight before performing. I also feel if i had been more prepared for this audition i wouldnt have been as nervous.

- carry on working on breath control when singing and dancing at the same time

I have been doing singing exercises to work on my breathing and these have helped, however in my audition as i was dancing and singing a lot at the same time i ran out of breath as i forgot to breathe. i shall carry on doing the exercises to improve my breath control further so that this does not happen and the vocal performance will flow much better.

if i work on all of these aspects, next time i do an audition piece i should be much more prepared and ready for the performance.

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1182378/me_straddle_jump.jpg http://posterous.com/users/hesat9cGgvE4G Becky Salter becky Becky Salter
Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:53:00 -0700 My Character in chicago http://beckysalter.posterous.com/my-character-in-chicago http://beckysalter.posterous.com/my-character-in-chicago The character i tried to portray throughout the chicago performance was influenced by Bob Fosse's original characters. In my audition i took on the role of Velma Kelly a very powerful and bold character. I tried to maintain a similar role in the performance of chicago as the two pieces i was in "all that jazz" and "cell block tango" both involve Velma Kelly in the original work. In the singing and acting pieces i did throughout the performance i stayed within my character which was very strong and bold similar to Velma Kelly. I do feel that giving myself a character to portray, helped me to stay focused and use good body language and facial expression to fit in with the piece. As i was focused i was able to interact with others well, for example in "Cell block tango" i used a male partner to dance around and interact with whilst saying my acting piece. I feel my role was very strong and consistant throughout the performance. Although i was influenced by the character Velma Kelly i didnt try to be her and copy it completely. 

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Fri, 21 Oct 2011 07:20:00 -0700 Chicago - Whole performance http://beckysalter.posterous.com/chicago-whole-performance http://beckysalter.posterous.com/chicago-whole-performance

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Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:56:00 -0700 All that Jazz rehearsal more choreography! http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-rehearsal-more-choreography http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-rehearsal-more-choreography

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Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:53:00 -0700 All that Jazz rehearsal group piece different angle. http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-rehearsal-group-piece-different http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-rehearsal-group-piece-different

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Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:50:00 -0700 All that Jazz group piece rehearsal http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-group-piece-rehearsal http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-group-piece-rehearsal

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Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:50:00 -0700 Singing exercises - Dynamics http://beckysalter.posterous.com/singing-exercises-dynamics http://beckysalter.posterous.com/singing-exercises-dynamics

To help me add dynamics into my voice when singing i find the best way is to sing up and down the scale singing alternate loud and quiet.
For example if i was to sing "la" up the scale i would alternate and sing the first "la" loud then the second quiet and so on.

I may go up the scale loud and then come back down quiet.

I feel that this simple exercise will be very effective to me as i need to focus more on the use of dynamics.
The same as the exercises for breathing and pronunciation i shall video myself to show my improvements and how i am progressing when practising these exercises.

I shall then create a vocal warm up using all the exercises i have mentioned that will help me improve on my weakness areas, this will also be videod and uploaded.

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Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:30:00 -0700 Singing exercises - Pronunciation http://beckysalter.posterous.com/singing-exercises-pronunciation http://beckysalter.posterous.com/singing-exercises-pronunciation

To improve on my pronunciation when singing i find that tongue twisters help.

A few tongue twisters that i have found are:

"Unique new york"

"Flash message"

"Good blood, bad blood"

i find that the shorter tongue twisters are more effective to use for pronunciation as they can be sung quickly going up or down the scale.
To show that these tongue twisters are helping to improvpe my pronunciation i shall video myself trying them out to show my progression and improvements.

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1182378/me_straddle_jump.jpg http://posterous.com/users/hesat9cGgvE4G Becky Salter becky Becky Salter
Mon, 10 Oct 2011 09:06:00 -0700 Singing exercises to help me improve - Breathing http://beckysalter.posterous.com/singing-exercises-to-help-me-improve-breathin http://beckysalter.posterous.com/singing-exercises-to-help-me-improve-breathin

As i previously said my weaknesses in singing are breathing, dynamics and pronunciation.
To enable me to improve on these three areas, i will need to do some voice exercises that will focus in on these weaknesses.

A breathing exercise that i have found to be effective is breathing in for four holding for four then out for four, found from the source:
http://voiceexercises.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/voice-exercises-and-breathing-tips-for-singing/

"Ideal breathing during singing engages the diaphragm. Rehearse the routine outlined below to strengthen good breathing patterns.

* Breathe in deeply, then let out your breath fully
* Take a breath and let out your breath
* Inhale once again, only this time, breathe in for four seconds. Maintain your breath for 4 seconds, then let out your breath for four seconds and wait four seconds prior to breathing in yet again
* Replicate the four second breathing exercise 3 times repeatedly

Inhale 2 3 4, Maintain 2 3 4 Breathe out 2 3 4 and Wait 2 3 Once again.
Breathe in 2 3 4, Maintain 2 3 4 Breathe out 2 3 4 and Hold 2 3 Last Time.
Breathe in 2 3 4, Maintain 2 3 4 Breathe out 2 3 4 and Hold 2 3 4."

Another breathing exercise i have tried is taking in a breathe and then counting until out of breathe, I have found a youtube link to this exercise
 from 2:10 onwards.

These two exercises are very effective as they help to increase the lung capacity and this will enable me to hold notes for longer whilst singing.

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Fri, 07 Oct 2011 06:46:00 -0700 All that Jazz dance piece http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-dance-piece http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-dance-piece

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Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:21:00 -0700 My audition! http://beckysalter.posterous.com/my-audition http://beckysalter.posterous.com/my-audition

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Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:05:00 -0700 Rehearsing for audition http://beckysalter.posterous.com/rehearsing-for-audition http://beckysalter.posterous.com/rehearsing-for-audition

 I decided to sing and dance in my audition, i new this would be a challenge as i had to learn lyrics and choreograph a dance in the short time provided, as the song was around 5 minutes i had to fill the time as well as i could. In the instrumental sections of the song is where i did dance sections, this obviously tired me out for the singing after so i had to make sure my breathing was good.

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Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:41:00 -0700 Info on character - audition http://beckysalter.posterous.com/info-on-character-audition http://beckysalter.posterous.com/info-on-character-audition

Velma Kelly was a famous performer in the 1920s. She had a sister called Veronica, whom she performed a double act with. Velma's husband, Charlie, travelled around with them. Velma Kelly was arrested for the murder of them both. She ends up in the Cook County Prison and more famous than before, until Roxie comes along and steals the limelight.

In my audition i will try to portray her character. She is very seductive throughout the film especially when she is dancing, i will try to bring this across in my dance audition by thinking about the dance moves i use and also thinking about facial expression.

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Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:55:00 -0700 All that Jazz instrumental version for audition http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-instrumental-version-for-auditi http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-instrumental-version-for-auditi

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Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:47:00 -0700 All That Jazz scene http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-scene http://beckysalter.posterous.com/all-that-jazz-scene

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Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:44:00 -0700 Chicago - All that jazz lyrics http://beckysalter.posterous.com/chicago-all-that-jazz-lyrics http://beckysalter.posterous.com/chicago-all-that-jazz-lyrics


C'mon babe
Why don't we paint the town?
And all that jazz

I'm gonna rouge my knees
And roll my stockings down
And all that jazz

Start the car
I know a whoopee spot
Where the gin is cold
But the piano's hot

It's just a noisy hall
Where there's a nightly brawl
And all that jazz!

Slick you hair
And wear you buckle shoes
And all that jazz

I heat that father dip
Is gonna blow the blues
and all that jazz

Hold on, hon
We're gonna bunny hug
I bought some aspirin
Down at united drug

In case you shake apart
And want a brand new start
To do that-

Jazz. 

Skidoo

And all that jazz

Hot-cha

Whoopee

And all that jazz 

(soft and diabolic)
Ha! ha! ha!

It's just a noisy hall
Where there's a nightly brawl
And all that-

Jazz

(dialog)

Find a flask
We're playing fast and loose

And all that jazz

Right up here
Is where I store the juice

And all that jazz

Velma.
Come on, babe
We're gonna brush the sky
I betcha lucky lindy
Never flew so high

'cause in the stratosphere
How could he lend an ear
To all that jazz?

Oh, you're gonna see you sheba
Shimmy shake

And all that jazz 

Oh, she's gonna shimmy till her garters
break
And all that jazz 

Show her where to park her girdle
Oh, her mother's blood'd curdle
If she'd hear
Her baby's queer
For all that jazz!

C'mon babe
Why don't we paint the town?
And all that jazz
I'm gonna rouge my knees
And roll my stockings down
And all that jazz

Start the car
I know a whopee spot
Where the gin is cold
But the piano's hot

It's just a noisy hall
Where there's a nightly brawl
And all that jazz!
company.
Oh, you're gonna see you sheba
Shimmy shake
And all that jazz

Oh, shey's gonna shimmy till her garters
break

And all that jazz

Show her where to park her girdle
Oh, her mother's blood'd curdle
If she'd hear
Her baby's queer
For all that jazz!

velma.
no, I'm no one's wife
But, oh I love my life
And all that jazz!

Company.
That jazz!

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1182378/me_straddle_jump.jpg http://posterous.com/users/hesat9cGgvE4G Becky Salter becky Becky Salter
Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:11:00 -0700 Singing - Areas of weakness http://beckysalter.posterous.com/singing-areas-of-weakness http://beckysalter.posterous.com/singing-areas-of-weakness

I feel that my main areas of weakness when singing are:

Breathing;

I forget to breathe when singing, or don't take breaths at the right time then struggle with notes in the song. To improve on my breath control i will be doing more exercises focusing on this so that my breathing is correct when singing.

Pronunciation;

I need to make sure i pronounce all my words correctly when singing as i tend to miss letters off the end of words. Again i will do certain exercises to help me to improve on this and make sure that i am finish off and pronouncing all of the words i sing correctly.

Dynamics;

When singing i tend to not use dynamics much and keep all the words sounding very similar. I need to add more dynamics into my singing so that it gives more depth to the song. I will find some exercises that will help me with this and also record my voice so that i can hear it back, i can then see what i need to work on.

As these are my areas of weakness in singing, i will look at different exercises and singing techniques that will help me to imrpove on these areas. i will then create my own vocal warm that will include these areas and it will hopefully help me to imrpove.

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1182378/me_straddle_jump.jpg http://posterous.com/users/hesat9cGgvE4G Becky Salter becky Becky Salter