by Shannon Coates | Oct 19, 2018 | Fri Fav Five, Productivity 101, Singing 101, Voice Pedagogy 101, Young Voice 101
~ the once per month edition (aka: the disdainful black cat edition) ~
(Because: SCHOOL IS IN SESSION, Y’ALL. And I am WERKIN’ it.)
Soooo … here are some #voiceped favs from the last MONTH.
Some FANTASTIC advice for your students who are working in CCM genres. Plus? #PENNYTHEDOG!
did you say dog? because that’s just rude.
My friends, “bad behaviour” is rarely actually BAD BEHAVIOUR. #isallImsayin
i am not hiding because i am bad. i am hiding because i do not have the tools or resources to face what’s happening right now.
I mean, is it a little stereotypical? Sure. IS IT ALSO KIND OF NERDY-HILARIOUS? Also sure. (For extra nerdy-goodness, try figuring out what the sound is from the description, BEFORE he makes it. Go on and challenge yourself. heh heh)
where are the phonetic transcriptions of all of the incredible sounds that cats make? HMMMM? WHERE IS THAT HUMAN? #catdiscrimonator
Ugh. Productivity and stuff. Read it and weep. Or make a few small decisions now that will free you up to make better big ones later. For example, because I see different people every day of the week? I often wear the same outfit five days in a row (that’s why essential oils were invented, #amiright?). AND WHY THE HECK NOT? Men have done this for … ummm … WELL HOWEVER LONG THE SUIT HAS BEEN AROUND. Same suit every day, different shirt and socks. Seriously.
i wear my fabulous fur every gosh-darned day of my life. and i LICK IT CLEAN WITH MY OWN TONGUE FOUR OR FIVE MILLION TIMES PER DAY. #getwithithumans
Folks? THIS IS SO MUCH FUN. AND SUPER INFORMATIVE. If you teach CCM styles? It BEHOOVES you to get subscribed. #pinkyswear
“behooves”? really?
As per uzh: you can teach your face off … #pinkyswear
*THANK YOU CATHY! ****
** THANK YOU JOANNE! ****
*** THANK YOU MICHELLE! ****
****apparently, I’m only taking contributions from women this month. #thatscool #whatevs
ps The first FOUR module of my online course have dropped (only four more to go – two more coming this weekend!) and one lovely early-adopter writes: “she is SO much more fun than my science professor in my “Structural Sound and Acoustical Analysis” was”. Which, probably not what I want on my tombstone but, you know, I’ll take it when it’s about my course! Pre-Sale price extended to 1st November (or until all modules are dropped … whichever comes FIRST).
by Shannon Coates | Sep 16, 2018 | Fri Fav Five, Productivity 101, Singing 101, The Vocal Instrument 101, Voice Pedagogy 101
the end-of-the-weekend edition
Yeah yeah … I haven’t done a #frifavfive in, like, a month. I KNOW. And I feel terrible about that. Because: HOW YOU MUST BE SUFFERING RIGHT NOW.
THE PAIN. THE ANGUISH. UN.I.MAG.IN.A.BLE.*
Okay, then. Here we go:
1. favourite boring-yet-necessary document: NATS’s Code of Ethics
Look. This stuff is, yes, a little boring. And at the same time? SO necessary. Voice teachers do not have a universally recognized certifying body, so NATS is a pretty good thing for the industry. And this is a pretty danged helpful little document. Is it enforceable? Nope. (Well, at least not in a useful way.) Are people gonna’ have some things to say about it? Sure. Is this still a necessary document? HECK YEAH. Because when people in your completely unregulated industry care enough to take the time to consult lawyers and think through ramifications and brainstorm a document that can help to bring that industry forward and make it better? You get on board with that thing. YEP. YOU DO.
you lost me at “code” … so borrrring.
This episode is SHORT (like, 11 minutes) and SWEET. And it doesn’t have anything to do with singing or teaching singing. BUT it does have some very interesting insights into the human voice. So go on and listen to it already. And call your mom.
i don’t own a phone, human. YOU CALL YOUR MOTHER.
3. favourite way to spend a TINY bit of money to make a HUGE impact: support VoiceScienceWorks
Okay. Yeah. We’re all a little up to here with the paying of the monthly things. I KNOW. But if you want to support two very awesome people making some VERY VERY awesome voice resources (I mean, LOOK at this summary of harmonics and formants already. IT’S AMAZE-BALLS.)? You can do that with just a leeetle bit of cashmoney. Like, THREE DOLLARS worth per month**. That’s not even ONE fancy coffee. … and now I’m starting to sound like a public television fundraiser. #WHATISHAPPENINGRIGHTNOW?
what is WRONG with you right now? just stop that.
Are there scary stats in this TED-Ed video that will make you feel guilty for owning a phone? yes. Will you learn something you didn’t know before? probably.
“probably” isn’t good enough. i’m not clicking on that link.
I literally just emailed a parent some recommendations for teachers in her area and included this article in the email. Because? FULL OF WISDOM. And? NOW I DON’T HAVE TO WRITE IT. (THANK YOU CELESTA FOR DOING THIS THING AND MAKING ALL OF OUR JOBS EASIER.)
yes. thank you.
So there you have it folks. A whole bunch of random stuff that might make you think. And also spend a little bit of money. But only a little bit. (Or a lot. FEEL FREE TO SPEND A LOT.)
Until we speak again,
You go on and teach your face off,
*huh. that’s a six-syllable word right there. i had no idea.
** 3USD. so, like, 7,000CAD. but I my calculations may be slightly off.
***I’d love to give a shout-out to the person who first shared this with me but, honestly? that was about four hundred shares ago and now I can’t remember who the first person was. so … SHOUT-OUT to all the folks who did that.
ps The first module of my online course has dropped (only seven more to go!) and one lovely early-adopter writes: “she is SO much more fun than my science professor in my “Structural Sound and Acoustical Analysis” was”. Which, probably not what I want on my tombstone but, you know, I’ll take it when it’s about my course! OH! And I extended the pre-sale price to 1st October. Yes. YES I DID.
pps If you haven’t already, feel free to check out my Tuesday-ish and Ten-ish Terrific Teaching Tips and Tricks over on FB. Because: good times.
by Shannon Coates | Aug 11, 2018 | Fri Fav Five, Performing 101, Singing 101, The Vocal Instrument 101, Uncategorized
the Saturday edition. because: vacation.
Yeah. I’ve been on vacation and technically? I STILL AM. But you know what? There are SO MANY teach your face off things on The Internets right now (possibly because a lot of voice teachers aren’t teaching as much as they usually do at the moment?) that I just have to share a few.
I had forgotten all about this clip until Marnie posted it to her studio FB page. Not only is it REVELATORY for young singers to hear/see the difference production makes, but Matt spells “mic” correctly. (I mean, OF COURSE HE DOES. But STILL.)
this is me off-mic, human. and i’m awesome at it. of course.
I know, I KNOW. NOT ANOTHER MAILING LIST. But, seriously: it’s way easier for me to just be all: JOIN THIS MAILING LIST than to be linking to his posts every gosh-darned day. (And yes: It’s all about what’s EASIEST FOR ME.) John’s musings are kind of like Seth Godin’s* musings except for singing and voice-teachery-stuff. Which: AWESOME-SAUCE. (Also? He’s funny on that there old email thinggie. which: never a bad thing. #yourewelcome)
really. REALLY? gah.
If you’re kind of nerdy about language (and a lot of singing teachers seem to be …?), you’re going to get a kick out of this one. #truestory
dear great gouda in the sky but is english exhausting.
Folks. If you’re feeling a little (or a lot – no judgement here) overwhelmed by the thought of how to do justice to your studio / business / side-hustle / sheer awesomeness on social media? THIS IS THE PODCAST FOR YOU. Unless you don’t want immediately applicable tips and tricks to make negotiating social media easier. You know, unless that.
but why wouldn’t they want this information? WHHHY?
GROWTH MINDSET, my friends. Fostering growth mindset in our students will radically change the way they learn. Or at least it has the potential to do so. #TRUESTORY
that is a very big promise you’re making, human. YOU THINK YOU CAN HANDLE THE REPERCUSSIONS OF THAT PROMISE?!
Pretty sure I’m up for it, white cat who is full of disdain.
Also? You can teach your face off … I can help.
Go on and find #voicepedme on all the things:
* ummm … if you’re not on Seth Godin’s mailing list, maybe get on that one too … it’s my fav non-singing-related but TOTALLY LIFE- AND BUSINESS-RELATED thinggie.
ps y’all know that my course, The Vocal Instrument 101, is on PRESALE ($200 off. YES: $200 OFF. That is NOT a type-o.) now, right? mmmkay. Just checking.
pps if you want to figure out how to run your business without hating your boss (hello independent voice teachers: I AM LOOKING YOUR WAY.)? You’re going to want to check out Michelle’s course. YES YOU ARE. #pinkyswear
by Shannon Coates | Jul 20, 2018 | Fri Fav Five, Productivity 101, Singing 101, The Vocal Instrument 101, Vocal Health & Hygiene 101, Voice Pedagogy 101, Young Voice 101
the “cats are jerks” edition
Y’all: this is a THREE-DEE LARYNX. It is accurate. It is ADORABLE. And IT IS CHEAP. #buyallthethings
i mean, cheap larynx: borrring. you know what’s interesting? watching humans trying to figure out how to say the plural of larynx. #goodluckwiththat
Look. There are about a million and one HOW TO BE PRODUCTIVE tools and tricks out there. But you know what? I like hearing about those tools and tricks from someone who I know is slugging through a lot of the same stuff I am. Someone who does what I do. Who, you know. GETS MY LIFE. (Also? #Protip: there’s NO FANCY TOOL OR TRICK AND ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU THAT THERE IS? Is working with alternative facts. Ahem.)
productivity? boorrrrriiing. honestly, human. it’s like you WANT people to swipe right.
3. favourite promise of a better life app: waterlogged
I know. I KNOW. THE APPS ALWAYS PROMISE MORE THAN THEY DELIVER (well, except for that ChatBooks App. HAVE YOU TRIED THAT THING? #ItsMyFav #MyGrandmotherThinksIMakePhotoBooksForHerWithMyOwnTwoHandsByPrintingPicturesANDBINDINGTHEMAndThenISendThemToHerEveryMonth #WINNINGATGRANDCHILDING). And the best advice I’ve ever heard about staying hydrated comes from some of the learned laryngologists in my life: sing wet, pee pale. (Which, let’s admit: would make a hilarious tattoo. #justsayin) BUT, if you’re one of those folks who does really well when you’re checking in with an app AND you want to up your hydration game? THIS COULD BE YOUR NEW FAVOURITE APP! #yourewelcome (#shoutout to Emily for the reco)
i literally cannot with how boring you are today, human.
This is a quick (and not so dirty) break-down of Carol Dweck’s research into growth vs fixed mindset that, if you haven’t come across it before, may help you to understand why I made a conscious effort to change my language choices in the studio (and when interacting with my own children) from anything that resembles “you’re so talented” / “you’re such a good singer” TO “you’ve worked so hard to achieve this” / “I can see how far you’ve already come”. (#shoutout to Stephanie for the reco!)
less boring. but only marginally so.
Yeah. I’m not a huge fan of shows in which all of the singers are virtually indistinguishable from each other (because: BORING FOR REALS and also: VOICES SHOULD SAY SOMETHING OTHER THAN “THIS WAS PRODUCED TO WITHIN AN INCH OF ITS LIFE SO THAT WE COULD ALL SOUND EXACTLY THE SAME BUT DON’T YOU THINK WE LOOK GOOD?”)* and in which “opera singers” are portrayed as, well, INCREDIBLY BORING SINGERS WHO CANNOT MOVE ON STAGE EXCEPT TO RAISE THEIR ARMS BUT WHO ARE PRETTY TO LOOK AT**, but … this video? THIS VIDEO shows the POWER of music. And, even more importantly, the POWER of raising our voices together. #takemetochurchindeed
you have my attention. or at least as much of it as i am willing to give you.
I have a feeling I’m going to need to end this here … while my all caps button is still functioning.
Go on and teach your face off …
*Clearly, I HAVE FEELINGS about this movie. And about this kind of singing. And about the kind of production that values EVERYONE SOUNDING LIKE PREPUBESCENT CHILDREN. But I will not bore you with them right now. Maybe I’ll do a FB Live or something … although I’m not sure The Internets is ready for the LEVEL OF RAGE I feel when PEOPLE’S ACTUAL VOICES ALL SOUND THE SAME. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH ALLCAPS IN THE WORLD is all I’m saying.
** SO MANY FEELINGS. I THINK MY ALL CAPS BUTTON IS STARTING TO SMOKE.
by Shannon Coates | Mar 31, 2018 | Fri Fav Five, Productivity 101, Singing 101, Voice Pedagogy 101, Young Voice 101
the saturday edition. because: good friday.
I don’t know who this “Shannon Coates” person is but she seems VERY VERY NICE. And she also seems like someone you might want to listen to if you want a primer on how and why to teach very young children. #justsayin
[GOOD HEAVENS. The adorableness of the ginger kitten. IT RIVALS THAT OF THIS SHANNON COATES PERSON WHO SEEMS TO LIKE TALKING ABOUT HOW TO WORK WITH VERY YOUNG CHILDREN.]
So, this is a FASCINATING episode about a fascinating singer. (And if you’re not already listening to this podcast, you may LOVE it if you’re into history, you can stand some pretty intense twang in your hosts’ speaking voices, and you can handle consistent brutalization of “foreign” proper names. I mean, the bruises on my forehead are almost healed from my self-inflicted facepalms during the episode on Giorgio Vasari. (THE “i” IS THERE TO SOFTEN THE “g”. IT DOES NOT PRODUCE A WHOLE OTHER SYLLABLE. STAAAAHP THAT!))
[Luciano will not come when you call him unless you pronounce his name with three syllables, instead of four. (BAHAHAHAH. Who are we kidding? Luciano won’t come no matter what you call him. HE’S A CAT.)]
Look, I don’t know Tim Elmore from Adam (which, *I think?* is a way to say that I don’t know him at all. But now that I look at that statement, I’m not so sure … ANYWAY. He has a FREE EBOOK and over 150,000 subscribers (according to the old-timey counter on his website, which couldn’t possibly be manipulated so …), but I pull this blog post out nearly every year around festival and recital time and I email it over to the parents of my younger students to take a look at. It seems to be pretty, danged anecdotal but -WOW- does it EVER ring true for me.
what about me, hooman? do you love to watch me perform? PERFORM MY MAGICAL SLEEPING TRICK FOR TWENTY HOURS OUT OF EVERY TWENTY-FOUR? BECAUSE I AM AWESOME AT THAT AND YOU DON’T TELL ME THAT I AM AWESOME NEARLY ENOUGH. not that i need you to. i am fully aware of how awesome i am. i am a cat.
4. favourite quirky but effective tool with a funny yet weirdly appropriate name: the Pink Trombone
I know this one is kind of old (I think I first saw it starting to bounce around my inbox and social media feeds about eighteen months ago?), but it came up in my feed this week again so I thought I’d share. I especially love how moving the ‘bump’ in the tongue up and down the vocal tract clearly shows vowel differentiation. YAY FOR WEIRD LITTLE TOOLS THAT HELP TO VISUALIZE THE VOCAL INSTRUMENT!
i’m a weird little cat who might help your students to visualize what singing really really high notes might look like on the outside. unlike most of my species, i am a giver and you’re welcome.
Stupid-dumb jerk of an article about how to not let your phone rule your life.
i am a big, dangerous cat. JUST LIKE YOUR PHONE. or something like that.
Here’s hoping you have a beautiful weekend. And?
You can teach your face off … I can help.
* IF BY “FAVOURITE” YOU MEAN “MOST ANNOYING”
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