Learn To Sing - From the Vault

11/29/21 • 35 min

This episode is a compilation of my favorite excerpts from my most popular podcasts-- the series on Learning To Sing. In putting this together I see the same themes expressed by each of my guests. Singing is joyful and expresses who we are. That vulnerability can be frightening and easily trampled. But there are excellent teachers available to help us get over our fears and rediscover the joy.

In part one, Nancy Salwen talks about her debilitating stagefright and how that led her to create the Fear of Singing Breakthrough Program. In part two, Judy Fine talks more about overcoming performance anxiety, and giving yourself permission-- to be where you are, to not be perfect instantly. She also makes a great case for singers learning music theory both for the musical reasons and also for the additional confidence it gives us when working with other musicians.

Then we finish with a mini jazz master class from Isabella Celentano on improvising on the blues using the pentatonic scale. I thought this was magical when I took a class with her a couple of summers ago. She explains that there are 5 notes that fit in each of the 3 chords in a 12-bar blues. You can sing any of them and they will be in tune. This is part of that singers learning music theory. When you know these 5 notes you can improvise on any blues in any key. Magic.

Lastly I feel I must mention that these episodes are from early in the podcast and I’ve learned a lot about recording since then. I apologize for the funkiness of the sound. The original episodes were released May 21, 2018, January 28th 2019, and November 18th 2019. If you like the content in this compilation I hope you’ll listen to the originals to learn more about my wonderful guests.

Here are their bios:

Nancy Salwen teaches singing to “non-singers,” beginners and anyone who wants to sing more comfortably and expressively.

She is the author of the book (and online program), “The Fear of Singing Breakthrough Program: Learn to Sing Even if You Think You Can’t Carry a Tune!” She leads singing workshops in Vermont, New York City and California, offers online programs, and teaches lessons in-person and over Skype (or FaceTime).

To learn more about Nancy and what she has to offer, visit www.fearofsinging.com, or email her at [email protected].

With a Master of Music in Composition and a penchant for encouraging others to follow their passion, Judy Fine has been teaching and performing popular music styles for two decades, as a singer, keyboardist and sometimes trombonist. Over the years, she has performed in a variety of musical projects, from an original solo act to groups as big as a ten-piece wedding band. Formerly the owner of the Singers and Musicians Studio, a performance-based pop music school in Keene, NH, Judy now coaches aspiring singers in the Cape Coral, FL area and runs Online with Judy Fine, an online teaching and advice resource for singers.

Website: www.OnlineWithJudyFine.com

Facebook: @OnlineWithJudyFine (Judy Fine Vocal Coach)

Instagram: @OnlineJudyFine

YouTube: @OnlineJudyFine

Isabella Celentano teaches singing at Civica Scuola di Musica Paolo Soprani in Castelfidardo, and Zona Musica and Cantieri Musicale in Ancona, Italy. Isabella sings regularly with the Reunion Jazz Band among others. She is the vocal maestra for Fabrijazz, a weeklong summer program for singers and musicians of all ages, presented by Fabrianopromusica.it.

Full transcript available at http://ialwayswantedto.net

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Thanks for listening.

Here are their bios:

Nancy Salwen teaches singing to “non-singers,” beginners and anyone who wants to sing more comfortably and expressively.

To learn more about Nancy and what she has to offer, visit www.fearofsinging.com, or email her at [email protected].

Website: www.OnlineWithJudyFine.com

Facebook: @OnlineWithJudyFine (Judy Fine Vocal Coach)

Instagram: @OnlineJudyFine

YouTube: @OnlineJudyFine

Full transcript available at http://ialwayswantedto.net

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Thanks for listening.

Previous Episode

Hear Your Feedback

Liz wraps up Season 8 and talk about what's upcoming over the next few months.

I love hearing listener feedback. Here’s a sample from the recent series.

The underwater explorer? I loved her. I bought her book.

The cave diver? Aaack - it makes me claustrophobic.

I totally understand Dr. Leslie’s love of self-contained solo riding.

Oh come on, there’s nothing wrong with e-bikes.

You were not all in agreement and that’s just fine. I want to hear what you think whatever it is.

I was particularly moved by your response to Patrisha McLean’s account of leaving an abusive relationship. I have received multiple messages of thanks for sharing her story. I am honored to amplify the important work and achievements of my courageous and talented guests.

So now Series 8 is complete. Over the next couple of months I’ll be preparing the next season and sharing a few bonus episodes and best of compilations. I’ll have new interviews for you in the beginning of the year.

Coming up in future episodes we’ll be talking about pots - both making and smoking. Many of you have listed jumping out of an airplane at the top of your bucket lists. We’ll explore that and lots of other intriguing ideas and lifelong dreams.

If this is your first time listening to I Always Wanted To welcome. Please check out my previous episodes. If you don’t see one of your dreams there I want to hear about it so I can remedy the situation. If you’re a regular listener thank you for your continued support. I hope you’ve filled out the 5-question survey mentioned in the show notes and shared the link with your friends. If you can’t get enough you might be interested in the bonus episodes available at Patreon.com/always wanted

I’d love to hear what you’ve always wanted to try. Please email me or message me on social media. I’m Liz Sumner, reminding you to be bold, and thanks for listening.

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Thanks for listening.

Next Episode

Be A Podcaster - Bonus Preview

In late 2017, with no previous experience in audio-making or storytelling, Lori Mortimer simply decided it would be a good idea to start a podcast. Then she learned how hard it was. "Since then, I've studied the art and craft of podcasting, audio editing, interviewing, nonfiction storytelling, sound design, and podcast marketing. Through more classes and workshops than I can count, and the support found in online and in-person audio communities, I've stitched together the basic set of skills needed to get a show off the ground. It's taken a village to get me to the point where I consider myself a creator and podcaster. It's been a life-changing and affirming experience for me, which I am thankful to have had the privilege of experiencing."

https://mementospodcast.com/

Twitter & Instagram @mementospodcast

Lori Mentions

http://www.arianamartinezstudio.com/

http://www.alexlaughs.net/

TRANSCRIPT

Lori Mortimer

One thing I would change overall, if I could go back in time is that I would have made more time for this side of myself when I was younger, I think no.

Liz Sumner

I'm Liz Sumner. And this is I always wanted to the podcast where I interview people who are doing things that others longed to do. What have you always wanted to try?

Liz Sumner

Hi, everyone. In the three and a half years, I've been making podcasts. I've learned a lot about the industry and met some wonderful colleagues. One of my favorites is my guest, Lori Mortimer and her show Mementos. Lori and I have different approaches to podcasting, but we suspect our audiences have similar taste. We interviewed each other in our own styles to introduce one another to our listeners. I'm making this bonus episode to recommend Lori to you, and to tell newcomers about I Always Wanted To. In my podcast, I highlight regular people who've taken bold steps and tried something new. My intention is to encourage others that their dreams are within their reach. A recurring theme that I love to hear is how my guests discover that they're more creative and courageous than they ever realized. And Laurie is a perfect example. I'll be releasing the full version of my conversation with Lori at the end of January. But this will give you a little taste of what I always wanted to is all about. I hope you enjoy it. Here are some excerpts from our interview.

Liz Sumner

My guest today is Lori Mortimer. Lori is the creator of Mementos, a beautifully produced podcast about the emotional backstories to the objects we keep. Lori and I've been getting together to talk about podcasting, what we love and hate about the process. We really liked each other's shows. And I think we have some crossover audience. So we decided to showcase each other and our own styles. Welcome, Lori.

Lori Mortimer

thank you glad to be here.

Liz Sumner

We have a very different style in how we build it and what they sound like so so tell me some of the choices that you made to to make Mementos sound the way it does?

Lori Mortimer

That's a great question. This is another kind of result of the community of people, you know, like the Work It trip where you know, had a small community in the car, but they're all from the Boston area audio community, I attended an event at the Podcast Garage. That was sort of like a speed dating event. They had mentors from the field, who were all like, lined up in a, like a snake-shaped set of chairs, and they lined up chairs across from them. And we just, and those of us who were makers and who wanted to talk to people from the industry about our ideas came and we started in a chair. And you had I think we had three minutes with each person. And you literally talked to every single one of those mentors over the course of I don't know, two hours. And one of the mentors who was there was Ariana Martinez. And their feedback was that they like the concept and all that, but their feedback was "think more art than journalism."

Liz Sumner

Ooh, nice.

Lori Mortimer

Yeah. That that. never forgotten that.

Liz Sumner

That's, that's it. That's the difference. Well said.

Lori Mortimer

Yes, exactly. That one sentence has stuck with me. And so I was like, Ah, okay, I get it. And that helped me see that it wasn't going to be like an interview show. Right? It was going to be a storytelling show. Somebody tell me a story about this object and what it means to you. And so that kind of influenced the style of show. And then over the last couple of years, I've really tried to develop an ear for sound design on top of that, you know, and try to make the sound of the show kind of enhance what the person is telling us about this object. Then, last fall of 2020, I h...