Judy Rodman - All Things Vocal Blog

Training & insights for stage and studio singers, speakers, vocal coaches and producers from professional vocal coach and author of "Power, Path & Performance" vocal training method. Download All Things Vocal podcast on your fav app!

Monday, July 11, 2011

My Latest Performance Mistake

I did a recent performance for a SallyCat show benefit for The Dance Theatre of Tennessee. (I love these people so much... Sally and Cat are fantastic personally and professionally, and the new DTT is a magical company exploring, nurturing and performing the art of dance. I thank them for uploading the video they took!)

Anyway, my observant husband has been telling me I make a habitual mistake when I play and sing but you know how we listen to husbands:) 

Weeeellll... I saw it for myself on this. I am so busted.When I play piano, I move my mouth away from the mic when I'm looking at my hands, and it loses my voice (duh, of course it does!)

Here's the video.

I am going to have to figure out a way to play and sing and stay on the mic. One thing I need to do I think is to get the keyboard up higher when I'm standing.

Yep, he was right. Dang it. Your thoughts?

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13 Comments :

  • At July 11, 2011 at 4:59 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Judy,

    Thanks for the tip, yet it was still wonderful to hear you sing and play! Thanks for sharing :)

    Love, Jeannie

     
  • At July 11, 2011 at 4:59 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    How about an over-the-ear fixed "face" mic? It would move with your head no matter where you were looking. No change in distance from the mic when you are playing and singing at the same time. Just a thought.

    Rita

     
  • At July 11, 2011 at 5:00 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Judy, you discovered what golfers do all the time - videotape themselves to see their mistakes. It's as important for performers to do over a continuum of time and then to work on what they see.
    Patsy Bruce

     
  • At July 11, 2011 at 5:00 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    This comment has been removed by the author.

     
  • At July 11, 2011 at 5:01 PM , Anonymous Wayne Bailey said...

    Hi Judy, This is a problem I also had and still sometimes experience, there are several things I can think of a couple being, If your watching your hands when playing then you may not be as familiar with your material as you could be this is normal or being less confident with your keyboard, also if you want to watch your hands a simple solution may be the mic change to a good quality head set that is always in perfect position this also has draw backs as it doesn't allow for any excess noise like clearing your throat or ect. ect. but it will give you more freedom for movement during your performance, By the way keep up the great work always look forward to read your comments and news letters. thanks Wayne Bailey

     
  • At July 11, 2011 at 5:05 PM , Anonymous Chana Devorah said...

    Judy,
    I am sooo touched, impressed & moved but your music, singing & playing - really floored. Your beautiful spirit shines through everything! How did I miss you all these years?! (Cause I wasn't working in the biz!)

    I left wonderful comments under your video on YouTube.

    Yes, put the keyboard higher (or mic lower! lol) Just remember to set that at the right height from the start - and wow, guess we can learn things from husbands! Will listen to him more! lol :)

    Am free to fit skype around you, want to protect you & others w/the aromatic oils, it's a quick skype, just easier than typing it. my name there: smile770cds

    Lots of love light & blessings,
    Chana Devorah

     
  • At July 11, 2011 at 5:07 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    Hey sweet commenters... thank you for the thoughts... and great suggestions. Yep, seeing video feedback is, er, illuminating! But without awareness there is no way to change something. So thanks again! The headset mic sounds interesting... would have to work on the issues it might bring up.

     
  • At July 11, 2011 at 5:09 PM , Anonymous Kim Rushing said...

    Video is such a great tool for our singer self education isn't it?
    ;)
    Kim

     
  • At July 12, 2011 at 8:45 AM , Anonymous Lyndel Lucas said...

    i am a student of Kay Lynn Scott i have had the exact same experience playing guitar and singing on a mike
    if i hear a chord or note i am slightly to high on a fret i am bad about looking down at the frett board and pulling away from the mike i guess to get my bearings any suggestions i sort of thinking about maybe turning my head to the left and bringing my guitar up to the left at the same time at least i would not drop my head and lose the mike but i might look goofy any idea i know that practice makes perfect but it only happens to me occasionally oh i am a 54 year old male.. music is my mid life crisis and i am enjoying the hell out of it .. hope to meet ya some day i just started vocal lessons with Kay the week after her camp great songs and performance on your vid Lyndel

     
  • At August 4, 2011 at 5:31 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Move your eyes, but not your head.

    Love your newsletter!

    SG

     
  • At August 5, 2011 at 6:37 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    Thank you SG!!

     
  • At August 19, 2011 at 7:44 PM , Anonymous Michele said...

    headset? I agree that the keyboard should be higher. :)
    cheers
    Michele

     
  • At August 19, 2011 at 7:45 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    Yes… but I have it at the highest stand setting when I stand (argh)… maybe take my heels off when I stand and play?! Headset would be nice; may look into it. xoxo Judy

     

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