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3 songs FOR young singers that never fail

17/8/2020

When I take students to Eisteddfods I often get amazed by how other teachers can get the kids to sing certain songs. If I get my students to sing those baby songs at that age, my students will complain to no end.

And I totally understand.

We love the songs that's challenging, can show off what we got, but also the songs have to be COOL. At least 'cool enough'.

So from today I will introduce some songs that students love. Trust me, my students all have big personalities. These songs belong to the 'never fail' category for young singers age 6-11. (from Age 12, then things are getting a little different, even repertoire choices)

1. Better Place by Rachel Platten
The meaning for this song is fabulous. The melody is easy to learn and it's a very good song to learn about phrasing and control. I have never had any kids who don't love this song.

youtu.be/pvI9PuGorwI

2. "It's Possible" from the Musical "Seussical"

This one I will give it to kids age 6-9.
This is an easy musical number to learn, especially for young beginner singers. They often have trouble singing with backing track. This one is a good one to start with very strong rhythm and a style. The range is also good for beginners so you can work on the resonance quite easily. Everyone loves this happy musical song.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmWKcJP2dho

3. "What are words" by Chris Medina
This song is more advance technically. But if they have the tone for high notes this is a winner for competitions. The kids can master both the technical parts as well as the interpretation quite easily. I am never sick of teaching this song. What an awesome song Chris Medina wrote!

youtu.be/nQY4dIxY1H4

You are what you said you are

16/8/2020

"i am not good at math...."
"I am not very organised..."
"I am not very popular..."

Whenever I heard kids saying that to me, I always need to stop and say something. Depends on the personality of the kids, I said it differently. Some I just yell at them to stop thinking this way. Some I have to talk calm and slowly and find out why they said that.

You know what? A lot of times they got that from the parents.
Let me tell you a story.
I am from a medical family of 3 generations. In Taiwan, this is a family with everyone very smart and wealthy. However compare to my siblings (who are also doctors now) I was never very smart. My academic was always average and apart from talents in music, there was nothing worth mentioning academically.

However my parents never see it this way. Since I was young, they would always say Susie is very good at music. Susie is very good at speaking and very popular. So I thought I was that all my life. I grow up without feeling lack of anything. I have unbeatable faith in my own ability in everything I do.

Kids will believe whatever their parents said about them. My parents never said I am not good at academic and instead they continue saying what I am good at. I am forever grateful for that.

Don't continue reminding your kids that they are not good at this and that. Recognise what they are good at and reinforce that.

Say it right parents. Because the kids believe you.

Fly high and wide kids

15/8/2020

I saw this poster jumping out of an old folder.

This must be more than 10 years. Gretel and Lucy are still with me today. They are 16 going 17 now and in this poster I think they were both 6.

I can still remember every kids name from this poster. And so many of them now are keeping in touch with me on my Instagram that I can see what they are up to everyday.

Kids always asked me if I will be upset when they are leaving. Many of them have been with me for a very long time and why did I never look sad when they go. I always reply why should I be sad. No one is dead ok?!!

I am so proud to be part of your growing up journey and see you fly high and wide.

People come across to each other’s path for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

I am always looking forward to hear what you are doing. How you learn to be an actress, a musician, a lawyer, nurse, architect, chef...be happy, excited and enjoy whatever you do .

If I have made a little difference to your love of learning or love of music, my work has done well. I always said whenever you want to say hi just pop in to the Mosman house and I will take you for lunch.

You know where to find your good old teacher. All the best to you and keep in touch darlings.

Something in life just never changes.

5 useful MUSIC apps for singers

13/8/2020

1. Tenuto $3.99
apps.apple.com/us/app/tenuto/id459313476

Tenuto is an iPhone app that made up many exercises from chords, scales, intervals and ear training. I use it every morning while breakfast for fun. It really makes you more musical, more solid in music theory and aural skills.

When my Dubai student Maddie asked me to help her with her California Arts entry exam, I have been searching for ways to teach her via zoom effectively. Then I found this app and couldn't believe it. It costs very little but extremely effective as a homework app (and fun too).

2. Spotify $11.99 month (or there is free version too)
www.spotify.com/au/

Do I need to say more? I especially like how I can have different playlist for different student. And we can put the playlist under secret but collaborative. It's a great way to add to your repertoire and I get to know students' taste in music too. Even though I have apple music and youtube music too I can never unsubscribe Spotify!

3. Vocal pitch monitor $0
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vocal-pitch-monitor/id842218231

This app is not terribly amazing but I do think it's a great visual way for students to see what their vibrato and pitch is like. I don't use it all the time but sometimes it's a great tool for young singers. It's free, so why not?

4. iReal Pro $13.99
https://www.youtube.com/user/technimollc

Amazing app for vocal improvisation. You can also make any backings with it. The app has a real sounding band that can accompany you as you practice and also lets you collect chord charts from your favourite songs for reference.

5. Warm me up $9.99
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/warm-me-up/id427362797

I bought this app 10 years ago because my old singing teacher's friends made it. There is not much update for the past 10 years but I do use it myself every now and then cause the accompaniment tracks for these exercises are beautiful.

Apart from the "Beautiful morning" riffs and runs exercises which I use it quite a lot for my own students I do find these exercises are more towards classical style. The best feature for this app is that you can customise 5 mins or 10 mins exercises while you are on the go. You can easily do it when you are driving or in the shower!

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