Heather Kent Piano and Vocal Studio

09/12/2018

Open, end-of-term lesson, with a mini-concert, before the start of the Christmas holidays (2018). Well done, Lane!

30/08/2018

Hey everyone - it's been a glorious Summer, filled with sunny, balmy days and blue skies, and the new term is now nearly upon us. I can't wait to start working with my wonderful students again in the upcoming weeks! So, as we all get back into the routine again, I could add the "keep calm and breathe" joke, but I'd rather post a video explaining how 😉 Here's a video explaining the Farinelli breathing exercise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF5Hk24HShQ

In this video, I outline the steps for and demonstrate the traditional Farinelli Exercise. I also explain how this relates to the teaching of the appoggio. h...

04/06/2018

Hi everyone - one important area to work on with vocal technique, is the relaxation of the root of the tongue, and ensuring that the tongue stays forward, and does not retract back in the mouth or press/plunge/tense downward (which creates tension in the throat, and blocks the sound). Here is a fantastic video, which addresses this issue, by using a simple tool... a pencil! Try the exercise and see if you feel and hear a difference in your voice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgT8ZMc2Pqk

In this video, I share a simple but effective exercise for improving vocal resonance by encouraging more 'ring' in the tone and less 'push' from the throat. ...

15/04/2018

These past few days I've been focusing on allowing the vocal folds to stretch and thin, and taking the weight and 'heaviness' off the folds, in order to negotiate a smoother transition between the chest and head registers. Here is another great video from the teachers at 'Singing Success', with more information and exercises:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6C4_Z1VBt8

https://youtu.be/n6C4_Z1VBt8 Vocal Tips - Thinning Out Your Voice while Singing In this tip, Shelby talks about thinning out your voice to reach high notes. ...

14/04/2018

Hey everyone - for those singers working on thinning the vocal folds, taking the weight off of the folds, and allowing them to stretch and thin, here is another wonderful video from the "Singing Success" team, with another few exercises designed to take the weight and pressure off the folds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL1SDovQnHQ

To book singing lessons with Katie Talbot - https://www.singingsuccess.com/vocal-coaches Skype lessons available too! --------- In this tip, Katie goes over ...

13/04/2018

This week I'm focusing on the area of allowing the vocal folds to thin and stretch, which takes the pressure off of the folds, makes for a much easier and smooth transition between chest register and head register, and can also help to extend your vocal range. Here is a great video by Jeff Alani that gives a great explanation, and provides a couple of awesome exercises to help thin out the vocal folds. Notice that he uses the idea of SOVT work (via the fricative "v") to take the pressure off of the folds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqVXfZ_AImw

Hey guys. Welcome to episode #8. This is a tutorial designed to teach you how to thin your vocal cords, and to get them functioning at their optimum best. Th...

12/04/2018

Hi everyone - one of the biggest challenges with singing is negotiating the bridge, or transition between the chest register (thicker vocal fold) and the head register (thinner vocal fold). Often singers work up through their chest register which becomes more strained, the higher they go, only to crack, or 'break' into their head register, with a snapping yodel. The trick is to allow the vocal folds to 'thin' as you ascend higher in your chest register, and take the weight off your vocal folds, which allows for a smoother, easier transition, when you move across into the head register. I'll be posting a few articles and videos which explain in further detail

www.voiceteacher.com/vocal_weight.html

Many singers and teachers use the term or have heard about the concept of “vocal weight” in singing. However without a clear definition, the singer can be left confused about this aspect of the voice. What exactly is vocal weight and how does it affect singing? I define vocal weight as“too muc...

15/03/2018

For all beginner pianists, this is a great video, explaining about arm weight, a well-structured hand position (with the knuckles high), and freedom in the wrist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=144&v=Ah45YQ25PWw

March is “madness” time—at least for basketball fans. We can imitate the idea of a basketball dribble at the piano. By bracing finger 3 with the thumb a stud...

14/12/2017

I recently heard about 'straw technique', and semi-occluded vocal tract exercises, in order to regulate air flow, and reduce strain on the vocal folds. It's fascinating stuff, and will be so helpful to all the singing clients at the HKVPS. I'm continuing to research more about SOVT, so that I can add this to my teaching 'tool box', and give my clients even more tools to help them develop on their vocal journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=79&v=FStqHThEY9M

Whether your are recovering from a cold, suffering through allergy season or just need a great warmup to access your mix, you NEED to see this video. With a ...

12/12/2017

An incredible performance, and amazing use of belt (and knowing when to belt, and when not to belt). Just stunning! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2ok14OZhdg&feature=youtu.be

Cynthia Erivo performing "I'm Here" from The Color Purple with clips of Oprah at the Kennedy Center Honors.

17/11/2017

Yes! This! Information about negotiating the break or 'bridge' between chest voice (M1) and head voice (M2) when singing. This is also my belief, and the way I approach how to negotiate the transition between the two modes of voice (thick fold and thin fold). It helps singers so much, who are frustrated that they are unable to find the mystical, fabled "mixed" voice (because it doesn't really exist....) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-t_N5P-JOI

Mixed voice is not an actual register. It's an area of the voice where you can use either M1 or M2 and the resonance os somewhere between the two extremes of...

13/10/2017

Amazing! The power of shared singing, and how it connects us and brings us together during difficult times

29/09/2017

14/09/2017

Incredible piano playing, and lots of fun!

08/07/2017

Logan performing his piece for the end-of-term Summer concert

08/07/2017

Chloe performing her piece for the end-of-term Summer concert

08/07/2017

Calum performing his piece for the end-of-term Summer concert

08/07/2017

Lane performing his piece for the end-of-term Summer concert

16/06/2017

06/06/2017

Amber and I have been building her audition book over the past couple of months, and we've just started working on a fantastic new song for the '20s-latest musicals' section (ballad), called "One Perfect Moment". Here's a video of the song (sung by Christy Coco) so you can hear what a wonderful number it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2mLOc4gBJ0

Christy Coco singing "One Perfect Moment" from Bring it On, 2015.

30/05/2017

30/05/2017

30/05/2017

24/05/2017

It's time for another sight-reading month challenge! All students at the HKPVS are all set to start the sight-reading challenge for the month of June, where they sight-read a new piece (or section of a piece of music) every day for the entire month of June.

Sight-reading is such an important skill for a musician, and spending just 5 minutes on it each day will make such a difference over time. The goal of this month's challenge is to make sight-reading an established good habit, so that it becomes a natural part of the daily practice routine. Good luck, everyone!!

22/03/2017

A huge shout out and thank you to Mea from "Made By Meeps" for the amazing photos that she took of the studio! I can't wait to add the new photos to the HKPVS website! Here's a sneak peak of a few of them.....

06/03/2017

This month we're kicking off the March sight-reading challenge! I have challenged all HKPVS students to sight-read one piece of music every day, for the whole of March. Sight-reading is such a vital aspect of being a musician, so this month we are focusing on developing this important skill. I am convinced that all students who take part in the challenge will see a big improvement in their sight-reading skills by the end of the month! Good luck, everyone!

18/02/2017

Here's the new addition to the studio. There's nothing like flowers to brighten things up in the middle of Winter

21/11/2016

Are you looking for a unique and meaningful gift? Give the joy of music to a loved one this Christmas! The HKPVS now offers gift vouchers for piano or singing lessons. Get in touch with the HKPVS, if you would like to purchase a gift voucher. Vouchers can be for a one-off lesson, or blocks of 3 or 5 lessons. Prices for lessons can be found on the HKPVS website: http://www.heatherkentpianoandvocalstudio.com/lesson-information/prices/