Vote for my sister in an Operatic "Idol" contest.

[_Yoda]

Liz,

What do you think of the last note at the end of her performance? A little too much drama or part of the work being sung?

Also, she was counseled not to sing Wagner at such an early age, but to wait till she's 30 or so lest it damage her voice. She's done some Wagner in other contests but was once docked for it because "she's too young to sing Wagner".

Wagner is very taxing on a young voice. However, your sister is 33, and has a huge voice which is perfect for Wagner. Very few singers can sing Wagner well. Your sister can.

The last note in the piece was sung as written. She needs to be careful, though. She went slightly sharp before her final release. This was partially due to letting the adrenaline get the best of her. She pushed just slightly. It's easy to do. I have a big voice as well, and it's a constant struggle to center and control. However, you also have to stay true to the dramatics of the character you are portraying when you are singing Opera or Musical Theater, so it is a delicate balance.

If I were judging her in a NATS competition, I would have taken points off for her last note from a technique standpoint, but the same points would have likely been made up in overall performance. She took a calculated risk staying true to character, and, in my opinion, it paid off from a performance perspective, which is why she has my honest vote in this Idol competition based on her vocal maturity and polish.

[_Yoda]

you do, you will eventually develop nodes on the chords, like Steve Perry in Journey. Compare his early stuff with his late stuff.

For future vocal lectures, I charge $75 an hour. ;-)

Liz,

Can you give us more specific examples of your Steve Perry example?

Also, do girls have a falsetto?

Also, I've never been able to do a vibrato, even trying to. My voice is pretty mature.

Listen to Steve Perry in "Don't Stop Believin'". Compare it to his vocals in "Oh, Sherrie". You hear how the raspy-ness is starting to set into the chords in "Oh, Sherrie"? That is an early sign of nodes. If you listen to his tone in "Don't Stop Believin'", it is much more pure and clear.

Women do not have falsetto. They do have a head voice, which inexperienced singers can mistake for a falsetto...but only men have falsetto. It is a physical male characteristic.

You may be tightening the throat without realizing you are tightening, or you may simply not have a developed vibrato. You are under 40, correct? The voice does not fully mature until 40. I'll bet if I worked with you, we would find your natural vibrato.

[_Yoda]

For future vocal lectures, I charge $75 an hour. ;-)

Voice coaches make $75.00 per hour?

Good ones do. ;-)

[_moksha]

Voice coaches make $75.00 per hour?

Good ones do. ;-)

So what can I get for a $1.75 and a throat lozenge?

I will be able to vote for Bc's talented sister as soon as that Opera Company processes my email and sends me back the registration.

.

[_bcspace]

Should come within 24 hours. It'll be from:

member@surveymonkey.com

and titled "Official Opera Idol Ballot"

You'll click on the link, cast your vote and you're done.

Thanks.

Liz,

I mentioned what you said and she said:

"Thanks for the critiques--I didn't like my last note at all, but as she said drama vs. technique is always a struggle."

[_Runtu]

OK, I've voted for your sister. Now we can get back to despising each other. :-)

[_Simon Belmont]

Listen to Steve Perry in "Don't Stop Believin'". Compare it to his vocals in "Oh, Sherrie". You hear how the raspy-ness is starting to set into the chords in "Oh, Sherrie"? That is an early sign of nodes. If you listen to his tone in "Don't Stop Believin'", it is much more pure and clear.

Okay, I definitely see what you're saying. Are nodes bad? Do they develop in everyone? Can they be fixed? Some singers like the "raspy" voice, like Bryan Adams for example.

Women do not have falsetto. They do have a head voice, which inexperienced singers can mistake for a falsetto...but only men have falsetto. It is a physical male characteristic.

I had no idea they were different. I thought "head voice" and falsetto meant the same thing.

[_Yoda]

Should come within 24 hours. It'll be from:

member@surveymonkey.com

and titled "Official Opera Idol Ballot"

You'll click on the link, cast your vote and you're done.

Thanks.

Liz,

I mentioned what you said and she said:

"Thanks for the critiques--I didn't like my last note at all, but as she said drama vs. technique is always a struggle."

Please make sure that she knows that I did not think that her final note discounted her overall performance in any way. She has a beautiful voice. And, if she performed that piece as is as part of the full opera, she would receive a well-deserved standing ovation.

She is quite a talent. I really hope she wins. I cast my vote earlier today.

I thought that her only real competition was the 19 year old girl. What was fascinating about her voice is that it is so developed at such a young age.

However, I felt that your sister's voice deserved the win because of the maturity and polish in the performance.

When will we know who won?

[_Fence Sitter]

BC,

For those of us who will not be watching it would you mind letting us know how she fares?

Thanks

[_bcspace]

Please make sure that she knows that I did not think that her final note discounted her overall performance in any way. She has a beautiful voice. And, if she performed that piece as is as part of the full opera, she would receive a well-deserved standing ovation.

She is quite a talent. I really hope she wins. I cast my vote earlier today.

I thought that her only real competition was the 19 year old girl. What was fascinating about her voice is that it is so developed at such a young age.

However, I felt that your sister's voice deserved the win because of the maturity and polish in the performance.

When will we know who won?

For those of us who will not be watching it would you mind letting us know how she fares?

Thanks and will do. Liz, I think she's not worried about the last note. I was mainly because the last thing is usually what people remember. I can tell the audience appreciated the performance.

There is really nothing to watch that I know of. All that remains is to await the count. I'm not sure when that will be but the site does now say "Stay tuned for results".