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Daily Practice Routines by Adam Gittins
Sydney Jazz singer Adam Gittins has very kindly allowed me to publish the daily practice routines we developed for his voice. Adam's contact details are listed at the end of the article.
Singing – Practice Regime
Key Tasks
- Work at extending top register
- Focus on warmth in top register
- Brighten middle register
- Build repertoire in “new” voice
10 Minute Practice
- Hissing 1 min
- Physical stretching – head, neck, shoulders 1 min
- Target : increase top range
- Middle Range 2 mins
i. 5 note scales starting F below middle C to F# above middle C (use bright, forward vowel – Ah / E / O)
ii. Repeat on a different vowel, going a little higher
- High Range 2mins
i. 5 note scales starting on middle C up to A (or Bb/B as voice develops)
ii. Work on quality of notes and repeat if not quite working
- Very High Range 2mins
i. Work on just hitting notes and thereby increasing musculature
ii. Start where left off in High Range – between D and E above middle C
iii. Up to D ONCE per day
- Target : Finding a tone in mid range that replicates tone (brightness) of high notes 2 mins
- Descending octaves starting at G above middle C down 8 note scale to A octave and minor 3rd below middle C
- As descending remember to open mouth, pull back lips, drop bottom jaw and reduce breath progressively.
20 Minute Practice
- Hissing 1 min
- Physical stretching – head, neck, shoulders 1 min
- Target : increase top range
- Middle Range 2 mins
i. 5 note scales starting F below middle C to F# above middle C (use bright, forward vowel – Ah / E / O)
ii. Repeat on a different vowel, going a little higher
- High Range 7 mins
i. 5 note scales starting on middle C up to A (or Bb/B as voice develops)
ii. Work on quality of notes and repeat if not quite working. Focus on warm and brilliant sound
iii. Repeat for all vowel sounds
iv. Build larger interval jumps – 3rds, 4ths etc
v. Vary volume – start soft, end loud etc.
- Very High Range 4 mins
i. Work on just hitting notes and thereby increasing musculature
ii. Start where left off in High Range – between D and E above middle C
iii. Up to D ONCE per day
- Target : Finding a tone in mid range that replicates tone (brightness) of high notes 2 mins
- Descending octaves starting at G above middle C down 8 note scale to A octave and minor 3rd below middle C
- As descending remember to open mouth, pull back lips, drop bottom jaw and reduce breath progressively.
- Target : Repetoire 3 mins
- Pick a standard song that is also a show tune
- Move to key that gives a high G / Ab
- Examples include : All the Things You Are, Easy to Love.
30 Minute Practice
As 20 minute practice
Add one of the following topics, each one time per week.
- Falsetto 5 mins
- Low voice 2 mins
- 1-3-5-8-10 Arepeggios aimed to link quality through voice. Remember to start high as well as low to avoid excessive focus on low voice.
- Watch out for breathy quality in low notes, especially as descending. A sign of too much air coming through.
Increase repertoire time
Singing – Technique notes
Breathing
Breathe through the open mouth
Fill to bottom of lungs and use stomach, sides and back
Practise “hissing” exercise on a daily basis. Back up the exhalation with 3 sharp “punches” from abdominals
Posture
Legs apart with knees loose – don’t lock knees
Neck straight
Shoulders expanded
Don’t rock or jiggle – remain relaxed
Singing – general
Maintain an open throat
Low Register
Lower larynx – yawn larynx down / “policeman” exercise
Jaw back
Lip shape to amplify darker colours
Focus on removing “air” from voice
Upper lips back to promote brightness
Focus on moving brightness of upper voice to the lower notes
Higher Register
Gasping / giggling / pirates will raise larynx
Raise soft palate and tongue. Keep back of tongue high. Widen throat
Provide increasing support as get higher. Don’t hoard air
Push out a sudden kick to support v.high notes
Reinforce “sheen” / brightness / metallic quality on high notes
Falsetto
Start at G above middle C
Train using a “squeaky” sound
At natural limit yell thru once to give another semitone – then stop!
Vowels / Pronunciation
1) Bad bob just hit good Fred Jean burnt all Sue’s cards
a) Pick 2 words in order
b) Sing scales and arpeggios up and down either one word first then 2nd or alternating
c) Allows comparison of vowel sounds for quality
d) Just us one pair on any one day
2) “a” vowel as in Allambie Heights
Repertoire
Some suggested tunes for building repertoire :
1) The music of the night. Phantom of the Opera
2) Anthem. Chess
3) Why God, why?. Miss Saigon
The Way You Look Tonight
Lyric Romantic Song
A big jump up early on – practice “ah” down and maintain the “thin” “high” quality thru the jump.
The A section is in a dramatic / heroic style
The line, “just thinking of you” causes problems at the “of” – make this more of an “ah” sound
Set Planning
Group songs in 2/3 in same key
Work towards 9 songs in evening
Pick songs that use entire range
Ensure a logical connection to listener / style / key. Think about mood of evening
Set plan
1) High energy opener
2) High energy song or 2
3) Slower number
4) Power ballad
5) One or more lighter pieces
6) Big finish
Exercises
Jump Exercises
1st pattern :
1 3 5 8 5 3 1 – “ah”
1 4 6 8 6 4 1 – “e”
1 3 5 8 5 3 1 – “ah”
Start C below middle c and move in semitones
2nd Pattern
1 3 5 8 10 8 5 3 1
1 4 6 8 11 8 6 4 1
1 3 5 8 10 8 5 3 1
Adam Gittins – Websites and contact details
www.myspace.com/adamhenrygittins
www.myspace.com/misspippylicious
www.myspace.com/smallchangejazz
Email : gittinsadam@yahoo.com.au