Sam West is well known and respected within the UK music scene - especially for his work as a vocal trainer to contemporary singers. Sam works with many singers, and over the years has trained a wide range of artists. Often singers aren't sure what to expect from a vocal lesson; below Sam outlines some key points on lesson content.

Each individual has their own learning pattern, and we all progress at different speeds. Whatever your learning style is, you will find that lessons are structured to help you develop and enhance your vocal skills, quickly and clearly.

Students will only progress by practicing what they have been taught. Lazy students are not welcome.

Often vocalists have specific areas that they wish to address; in addition to this, there are fundamental areas that are dealt with which apply to students of all levels:

Aural (listening) skill development. Students are taught how to enhance their listening skills. This is an area of musicianship that focuses on thought processes, and how musical sounds are perceived. Poor listening skills often result in intonation (tuning) problems. When aural skills are developed, singers will notice more about what’s happening within a song, (or piece of music) and will find harmonising easier

Familiarity with your vocal range. It is vital for a singer to know how to use the different parts of their voice effectively. Many people only use the middle area – which is the safest part, and neglect the lower and higher areas. You will be given vocal exercises to explore and strengthen the different areas of your range. Understanding your range is a vital area, and when achieved, makes an enormous difference to your singing.

Using resonance to: a/ explore vocal colours, b/ develop projection. Vocal technique involves focusing the sounds from various locations around the body, i.e. chest, mouth, and head resonances. When explored, you will be surprised at the different tones / colours that can be found, and applied to your songs. Resonance technique also allows you to sing with less effort, and more control, reach difficult notes (in your range) more easily, and stop straining your voice.

Breathing technique. This is an area that is of vital importance to all singers. You will learn to develop a correct approach to breathing, and to get rid of any bad habits (if you have any)!

The lesson also involves other areas – according to the student’s requirements; i.e. working on Vibrato, Diction (pronounciation), Agility (moving around the voice quickly), Harmonising, Recording studio techniques, etc. The latest equipment is used in the lesson studio, and students are encouraged to bring a blank cassette or minidisc – so that some of the lesson content can be recorded for their practicing / reviewing purposes.

The Sam West Vocal Workout

Introduction How Vocal Sound Is Produced Breath Control Tone Control and Projection Vibrato Range Exercises - Slow Glides Legato (smooth singing) Octaves Fast Scales Increasing Intervals Staccato Scales Technical Study Octave Leaps & Agility Exercises Chromatic Scales

First released on video, this programme was the first of its kind to have been produced in the UK, and is still a best seller in music stores and mail order companies in the UK, and Europe. The programme begins by explaining the principles of voice production, and graphics are used to illustrate certain points. Sam West, with the aid of two singers, Candi McKenzie, and Bridget Lynch-Blosse, explains and demonstrates various singing techniques, i.e. Breath Control, Range, Resonance, Vibrato, Aural (ear) training, plus more. In the 'workout' section, ten different exercises are presented, each going through various keys - thus accommodating both low and also high voiced singers. Each of the ten exercises are intended for specific areas of vocal technique. The DVD has proved even more popular than the video version: taking advantage of this new format, viewers can select different parts of the programme quickly - thus varying their practice routines. The written musical accompaniment to the exercises can also be viewed on-screen via the DVD menu.

6612 DVD $19.95

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