Mosman Music Academy (Singing lessons Mosman)
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BLOG POSTS

Our Youtube for practice

31/8/2020

 
During the quarantine time, I have all students on zoom. The problem with zoom is that you can not longer play for students to sing at the same time.

So with our online lessons I use logic pro to record the most common scales that we use and send mp3 to students. Then one day I thought to myself, how about just put that on youtube. If I categorise to different colours it's easier for us to find later on too. 

I don't normally use those scales in our lessons but those are the most basic ones. 

Red-Breathing/warm up 
Yellow-Mix voice 
Green-Scales/Pitch
Orange -Intervals
Light blue-Riffs and runs
Dark blue-Resonance/Vibrato


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www.youtube.com/channel/UCGdlpNHRYnHdl5GDA9DoekA

"I have nothing to say"-my ultimate compliment

29/8/2020

 
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"I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY"

f I said this sentence after student's performance, the kids will 1. give me a massive proud smile 2. Jump up and down 3. High five me 4. said YES YES YES 5. or said suspiciously "really? are you sure?"

That's right. Very rarely I have nothing to say. I always have a lot of things to say. In fact, too much to say.  Sometimes even after you produce a second note. I will stop immediately and say "are you kidding me?""What the hell is that?!!"

I am very big on technique. When you have very solid pitch, very ringing tone colour and strong chest, head voice and a well blended mix voice, you can do your expression freely because you are fully equipped. 

Every year I have year 12 kids finishing HSC music, by the time trial is coming, all I said is "I have nothing to say. There is nothing more I can do to make it better. You have sung the best you can do and it's amazing." 

The kids always end up having very good HSC performance results. The technique is solid, the good voice is there, the interpretation and the performance level is high. Singing is a subjective thing, everyone's taste is different but if I have nothing to say about your performance anymore, you are going to rock that HSC.

HSC kids, all the best . You are already rocking it. There is nothing more I can say. It's just that good.

Starting your own podcast Project?(presentation)

26/8/2020

 

Are you being lead by the accompanist?

25/8/2020

 
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When I was still a singing student but working as an accompanist at the same time, my old teacher told me that I shall never play accompany for my own voice students at exams or competitions once becoming a teacher. I couldn't understand at the time but always remember and follow what she said. 

Now I really understand why. Students need to have the experiences to work with different accompanists and learn how to lead. 

My students always said that I play better than any other accompanists. That is not true. They are just used to the way I play and feel more comfortable when they are singing with me. Different accompanist brings different ideas and styles to the song. I always tell the kids to do exactly the way you want to sing it and good accompanist will follow. 

These days there is less and less chance to work with accompanist LIVE. We used backing tracks for exams and concerts because it's easier and cheaper. However the more you work with other accompanists the more you learn how to lead.

​When you can lead comfortably and own the song, your stage presence and performance will be impeccable.

ANZCA Singing performance exam

24/8/2020

 
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ANZCA Singing performance exam is probably the best exam syllabus ever invented.

When I was young, I have done all kinds of piano and singing exams. AMEB piano and singing I have completed all of them. ANZCA modern piano and singing I have completed all of them too. The exams I did were quite traditional and demanding. To be honest I didn't enjoy it much but I am glad I have done it. It's always good to know that you have completed and achieved something. 

At the early stage of my career I sent students to ANZCA (Australia and New Zealand Cultural Arts) modern piano and modern singing exams. ANZCA's repertoire are more modern and the examiners are very encouraging in general.
Then about 10 years ago ANZCA had a new exam syllabus -Singing Performance exam.

This exam has no scales, sight singing and aural test. Those frustrating elements are gone. You only need to sing 4 songs from different lists and styles and the exam has great emphasis on the "performing' side of it. We love it. 

Of course you still have to do your technique in the lessons but now we can really put our energy on the songs when it comes to exam. You need to dress up like a performer, select repertoire as if you are giving a public performance (we used to print your own program too). With higher level exams you will create your own improvisation or arrangements. Although the marking of this singing performance exam is quite strict the exam is no longer a stress.

Singing exams should never be stressful.  

This year they are doing it online so I didn't intend to students at first. However when I ask the kids, there are still many of them keen to continue doing it. 

I always believe no matter what you do, you should have a goal and have fun. 

ANZCA singing performance exam is the combination of goal and fun. 

Create your 100 days challenge

23/8/2020

 
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A kid asked if I am just too bored during quarantine. I have daily blogs in both English and Chinese every single day. Taiwanese podcast episodes twice a week and English podcast on air every Sunday. It's crazy I have so much things to say. For this blog I set a 100 days blog challenge. I must write every single day for 100 days. Anything and everything related to music, singing, education or you kids. Everything you want to do, you don't have to do it forever, just set a "100 days challenge" and achieve it. 

why?

1. You learn to find time. 

Everyone always said I don't have time for this and that. Wrong. You do. It's just a matter of priority. You learn to set priority well. Think about it, how much time you waste in a day on your phone or TV? You can always find time to do anything. Priority is the key. "Todoist" all is a very good tool that you can use daily.

2. You learn how to be persistent. 

I am a very persistent person. If I said I will do something, I will do a detail plan straight away. Break down to small achievable task everyday. I use my habit share app all the time and make sure everyone knows my plan. So if you don't do it, everyone knows.  If you want to do something, tell the world and you will have to do it. Sometimes your own willpower is just not enough. 

​3. You learn to be more aware of your own thoughts and observe the right "input" to your brain daily. 

To produce all these "output" information on blogs and podcasts regularly, you will need to put a huge amount of "input" into your brain daily. Read the right books, watch useful youtube, learn new things and talk to smart inspirational people. You are also more aware of your own thinking and constantly think of a way to digest and share with others. That's an invaluable skill to have. Even if you only do it for 100 days. 

4. Put yourself on the back when you achieve it. 
​
I know I will complete these 100 days challenge and at the end of the journey I will pat myself on the back and feel really good about the whole thing. How many times in your life that you genuinely pat yourself on the shoulder? We create all these challenges constantly and imprint confidence in yourself continuously.  

What do you have in mind that you always want to do kids? You don't have to do it forever.

Just do it for 100 days. 

"Challenges are what makes life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful"~




Does use of Airpods cause your headache?

22/8/2020

 
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Since Quarantine I have taught a lot of lessons on zoom. Even though I have a fully equipped studio with good quality headphone and microphone, I find myself go back and use airpods at the end. With singing we need so much movement it's just so much easier to do. Most of  my students use airpods too. 

Gradually I noticed I started to have headache constantly but can't understand what causes it. I try to cut coffee, go to bed early but the headache doesn't seem to go away. 

Yesterday I was just casually asking a student on zoom that why she uses the traditional earphone instead of airpods (I know she does has airpods). She mentions to me that Airpods do emit radiation. It causes headache. I suddenly have an A-Ha moment!! The student only uses it for their lesson and I wear it constantly!!

So I did some research and found that that Airpods do emit electro magnetic fields.  It results in the EMF radiation signal going directly through the brain.

However there is still a lot of argument online. There is no certain way to know for sure. Some people argue that  it's possible that AirPod headaches are a result of pressure building up inside ear canal.

I still think airpods is one of the greatest invention, but just don't wear it for extend period of the time. 


Mosman kids and singing lessons

21/8/2020

 
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I grew up in Mosman and have always been living in Mosman. I know Mosman culture very well and sometimes even my own students said  I have "Mosman attitude". (I will take that as  compliment).

Mosman population is also changing. I used to have a lot of young families and now the majority of my students are teenagers. It's also a very small community because everyone knows everyone. I never advertise and 99.9% of my students are from word to mouth. 

Probably I am a little bias but I think Mosman kids are quite unique. They are often very independent and have very strong personalities. They go to private schools and everyone knows everyone. Mosman parents are more laid back with kids singing lessons. The parents are not fussed about competitions or exams but pay great attention to the well being of the kids. I am quite strict with Mosman kids. Majority of them are very creative and it's a lot of fun to teach them but I make sure everyone knows exactly what I want them to do and I set great structure for them. No one dares to be late and I encourage everyone to participate in Eisteddfod and auditions. I believe Creative mind and talent need to combine with discipline to reach its maximum potential. 

For my weekend students, I take kids from other suburbs who travel long distance to me. Most of them are from Pymble, Gordon or the Eastern suburbs. They  are indeed different. They seem to be very academic and always look for competitions and exams to do. They also record everything I said and do it religiously. I love kids like this cause when kids do practice and have clear specific goal in mind, they achieve so much more. But there is also a problem. Singing and performing art doesn't work like academic subjects. You need to be chill too. Teaching these kids how to be chill and how to be in love with it instead of just excel it is a total different art. 

That's why I love teaching. 

​Even though you yell at them, you still love them.

​And they know that too. 

Do singing spreads germs?

20/8/2020

0 Comments

 
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I have a student who is the lead singer in the school band. The first thing I asked him is always “ok what should we work on now for your next performance?’ Then he told me the other day that the band has stopped by school.


That’s when I realised that on Monday, school across NSW were told that singing and playing wind instruments in groups should cease for the rest of term 3. The reaction for this varies. Some teachers said it is unfair that students were presented from playing and singing in bands but can still play contact sport on the weekend wile their parents could attend pubs, clubs and restaurants. Some teachers and kids are just relieved and are happy to have a break.


If you ask me, I do think it’s good to stop because it is hard to think of a way that groups can perform safely together. Covid 19 spreads from person to person through droplets in the air, even if the person does not show any symptoms of the disease. Both private and public schools should do their best to provide safe environment to kids.


Check out this article:


Aerosols are a bigger coronavirus threat than WHO guidelines suggest – here’s what you need to know


https://theconversation.com/aerosols-are-a-bigger-coronavirus-threat-than-who-guidelines-suggest-heres-what-you-need-to-know-142233

We always teach students to project the voice with diaphragm breathing technique. Well trained vocalists sing with strong air speed and lung pressure which will produce more aerosols. I do think there is risk in choir singing and I also believe that even in private lessons there is necessary to have sufficient space in conducting singing lessons with students. SO kids!! if you still love to come and sing, please ....air kiss and hug only. We have a big studio we don't need to stand so close to each other OK? hahahha

I know it is hard for the teachers and students but being safe is the most important thing. Lets not take any risk and stay safe.







0 Comments

Singing lessons in mosman 2020

19/8/2020

 
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2020 is not a good year. If you told me last year that 2020 is going to be like this I will never believe it. 

I also see the lights of this situation that I never thought of.

Even the year 12 kids complain about no formal and all the adjustments they need to make, some of them seem to be less stressed emotionally. On instagram you don't see your friends go on luxury holidays or throw big fancy birthday parties that you might not get invited. People just entertain themselves at home, spend more time with the families and with themselves. As long as everyone is healthy and safe, that is actually a very good thing. open.spotify.com/episode/1vj7EuHVSdXLq0VvpH9kwM?si=n0hmAf7XSOyQEt1BQFlrKQ

As for singing lessons, at first I am really not used to not have any competitions or exams. I am the teacher who sets goals to everyone and goes and get them. I am also quite a show off so when kids do well and get something I post them everywhere. For a long time that's the validation of how good I am and how good my students are. 

This year I start to be more aware of how important well being is. How music and singing can help the kids in situation like this. Also how we can use technology to still make our work more tangible when it come to practice. Kids also sing the songs they really want to sing. We had so much fun in the lessons even it's on zoom. 

This year all the workshops and conference are on zoom too. They are cheaper and so much easier to access when it's just a click away. There is no need to dress up nicely and socialising with everyone at the venue. Oh I love that. I am attending every single singing workshops or conference everywhere cause they are all online now. I hope this never changes. So much easier and so much more efficient. 

To be honest I don't think virus is ever going to go away. If not this one, probably something else. Instead of wishing for it to go I rather enjoy what's the best we can do in every situation. 

As long as we all keep safe and healthy, every change is a good change. 

"Progress is impossible without change. And those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything"~ George Bernard Shaw

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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • About Mosman Music
    • About Susie Wang
  • LESSONS
  • Contacts
  • OTHERS
    • Blog
    • PODCAST-“Darling what did you say?”
    • Performances
    • Our Charity Concerts