Singing Teachers Talk BAST Training

Becky Gilhespie returns to the Singing Teachers Talk podcast to help us overcome our self-consciousness in singing. Becky is an experienced vocal coach working with touring artists, actors, and singers of all levels, having run studios in London and Sydney, and teaching at the Academy of Contemporary Music. Becky is the author of Singing for the Self-Conscious, which we’ll be diving into headfirst in this episode.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Becky Gilhespie recommends several strategies for overcoming self-consciousness in singing: have fun and enjoy the process, sing more throughout the day, journal to address negative self-talk, meditate and focus on breathing, make strange noises and faces to normalise them, video yourself to become comfortable with your appearance, sing for a trusted friend, sing outside to reduce pressure, develop solid vocal technique, express emotions through singing, and use permission slips from her book to take risks.
Becky's book, Singing for the Self-Conscious, is a 30-day program designed to help singers overcome self-consciousness, boost confidence, and improve performance. It covers three sections: sense of self, evolving craft, and focusing outward, offering practical advice, exercises, and reflective tasks. Written in an accessible style, the book emphasises technique, personal style, and positive self-awareness, using Gillespie's experiences to relate to readers and guide them towards growth and increased self-confidence.
Singing for the Self-Conscious features a 30-day program divided into three sections: Sense of Self, which focuses on personal growth, self-awareness, and confidence; Evolving Craft, which emphasises technique, style, and continuous improvement; and Focusing Outward, which encourages external connections, engaging with the audience, and authentic performance. Each section aims to reduce self-consciousness and boost singing confidence.

 

BEST MOMENTS

"It's a book aimed at the singer who finds themselves reeling with self-consciousness, avoiding singing, holding back in their performances, and generally just lacking some self-confidence"

"I've come on leaps and bounds and it feels so good. And it feels so good to help other singers with it too"

"Self-consciousness is a heightened sense of self-awareness that can verge towards the negative"

 

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Booking Link: https://beckygilhespievocalcoach.as.me

Social Media:


Instagram: @beckygilhespievocals

Relevant Links & Mentions:


(Book) Singing for the Self-Conscious by Becky Gilhespie
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.27 The Singing Masterchef with Becky Gilhespie
Vocology in Practice
(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.154 Managing Imposter Syndrome, Low Confidence and Overwhelm as Singing Teachers with Alexa Terry
The work of Dr Valerie Young
Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM): https://www.acm.ac.uk/
Line Hilton: https://linehilton.com/
The Sing Space: https://thesingspace.com/

 

 

BAST Book A Call

 

ABOUT THE GUEST

 

Becky is an experienced vocal coach working with touring artists, actors, and singers of all levels. Her experience includes running busy studios in London and Sydney, and teaching at the UK’s Academy of Contemporary Music. She always felt that despite receiving some of the best vocal training available, the biggest hurdle was her crippling sense of self-consciousness.

Becky’s  book, 'Singing for the Self-Conscious', is an easy to follow practical step programme that combines study of mindset with practices in contemporary vocal training. The book helps singers overcome their mental hurdles to confident singing and performing.

 

ABOUT THE PODCAST

 

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

basttraining.com

Updates from BAST Training

The wonderful Dr Molly Gebrian is sticking around for part two of her chat with Alexa on the science of learning and practising, this week telling us all about practice habits, the memory, mental practice and much more. She highlights the importance of mental practice, shares resources, and talks about her upcoming book and career transition to focus on research translation for musicians. Tune in for valuable insights on optimising practice habits.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Students can improve practice by focusing on quality over quantity. Molly  advises against ineffective methods like the "treasure hunt" and "start over and try again" approaches, which reinforce mistakes. Instead, students should use mental practice, understand brain processes, and take breaks. Teachers should model effective techniques and help students set small, achievable goals. 
Incorporating mental practice with physical practice yields better results than either alone. Mental practice involves vividly imagining a task, enhancing understanding and skill execution. It helps develop detailed mental representations, improving brain efficiency and physical performance. Effective mental practice should focus on aspects like rhythm, pitch, and sensations, engaging the same brain areas as physical practice. 
Teachers can enhance learning for musicians by accommodating individual differences in learning styles and practice habits. Molly advises modelling effective techniques and explaining brain processes to avoid ineffective methods. Teachers should help students set specific, achievable goals, break tasks into manageable parts, and incorporate mental practice. 
Flexibility and personalised feedback are crucial to support students' unique needs and foster effective practice habits.

BEST MOMENTS 

"Telling students to practise more is not helpful because it doesn't tell you what to do."

"Your brain doesn't know right from wrong. It doesn't know if you did it well or you didn't do well. It just knows which pathways are being used."

"Taking breaks will actually make me more efficient at something"

 

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:


www.mollygebrian.com

Social Media:


Dr. Molly Gebrian - YouTube

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


(Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep. 164 Music and the Brain: The Science of Learning & Practice with Dr Molly Gebrian Part One
(Book) Teaching Singing to Children and Young Adults by Dr Jenevora Williams
(Book) Learn Faster, Perform Better: A Musician’s Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing by Dr Molly Gebrian 
Noa Kageyama’s Bulletproof Musician: https://bulletproofmusician.com/
Sarah Niblack’s Spark Practice: https://www.sparkpractice.com/
(Book) Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks 

BAST Book A Call

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Dr. Molly Gebrian is a professional violist and scholar with a background in cognitive neuroscience. Her area of expertise is applying the research on learning and memory to practicing and performing music. She also investigates the intersections between music and language. As a performer, she prioritizes the works of living composers and those who have traditionally been excluded from the culture of classical music. She holds degrees in both music and neuroscience from Oberlin College and Conservatory, New England Conservatory of Music, and Rice University. Previously, she was the viola professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Arizona. After a decade of teaching viola at the collegiate level, she will join the faculty at New England Conservatory of Music in Fall 2024 to teach courses on the science of practicing.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

basttraining.com

Updates from BAST Training

Dr. Molly Gebrian joins Alexa on the Singing Teachers Talk podcast for the first of a two parter to discuss the neuroscience of learning and its application to teaching and practising. The conversation covers brain organisation, neural pathways, myelin, learning processes, the impact of age on learning, and the importance of understanding brain science for both teachers and students.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


The brain's learning process is influenced by developmental factors like puberty and ageing. Children's brains are highly adaptable, efficiently absorbing information due to neurochemical changes that support rapid learning. As they age, myelination reinforces neural pathways, enhancing communication. In contrast, ageing adults need focused attention to learn, influenced by interests, commitment, and sustained focus. Developmental changes and age-related neurochemical differences impact the brain's learning ability.
The dismantling of unused brain pathways is complex, with the exact timeframe unknown and varying by individual factors. The brain recognizes and eliminates non-myelinated, unused pathways, but the duration depends on disuse extent, overall brain function, and other physiological and environmental factors. Brain efficiency and adaptability significantly influence this process.
Natural flair or ability has a physiological basis influenced by genetics and brain wiring, but it’s not solely determined by physiology. Factors like womb development, brain variability, personal interests, commitment, and sustained focus also play roles. Thus, while physiology contributes, natural ability is shaped by a combination of genetics, brain development, and individual interests.
Tips for singing teachers include understanding the neuroscience of learning to assist students better, emphasising focused attention and age impacts. Encouraging positive self-talk, tailor practice methods with games for kids, and stress the importance of breaks for brain reconstruction. Managing frustration with realistic expectations and fostering interest and commitment to enhance motivation and persistence.

BEST MOMENTS 

"It just shows that we’re all different, that you can do anything you want."

"The brain is always working as one”

"There are physical changes that have to happen in the brain when we're learning."

"As adults, we need to have focused attention in order to be able to learn."

 

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:


www.mollygebrian.com

Social Media:


Dr. Molly Gebrian - YouTube

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


The work of Hermann Ebbinghaus
BBC CrowdScience: Why is Learning Stuff Harder as You Get Older? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct1pqb
Neuroscience for Teachers by Richard Churches, Eleanor Dommett & Ian Devonshire

BAST Book A Call

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Dr. Molly Gebrian is a professional violist and scholar with a background in cognitive neuroscience. Her area of expertise is applying the research on learning and memory to practicing and performing music. She also investigates the intersections between music and language. As a performer, she prioritizes the works of living composers and those who have traditionally been excluded from the culture of classical music. She holds degrees in both music and neuroscience from Oberlin College and Conservatory, New England Conservatory of Music, and Rice University. Previously, she was the viola professor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Arizona. After a decade of teaching viola at the collegiate level, she will join the faculty at New England Conservatory of Music in Fall 2024 to teach courses on the science of practicing.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

basttraining.com

Updates from BAST Training

Folk singer and teacher, Anna Tabbush joins Alexa to share insights into the world of folk music, its historical context, lyrical content, vocal techniques, and teaching methods. The pair discuss the origins of folk music, its storytelling function, and the distinction between folk and pop music. Anna also explores vocal qualities, rhythmic elements, and the influence of folk music on other genres. She provides valuable advice for singers and teachers, emphasising the importance of authentic storytelling and vocal health.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS


Anna describes folk music as a universal phenomenon present in every culture, serving to communicate stories, feelings, and celebrations, and to encourage dancing. It often includes work songs, like sea shanties. In England and the British Isles, folk music has a rich storytelling history. Anna notes that folk songs frequently address timeless, relatable themes, such as a mother's frustration in "Bonnie at Mourn."
Folk songs differ from pop songs based on structure, rhythm, melody, instrumentation, vocal quality, lyrical content, and rhythmic flexibility. Folk songs typically have simpler forms and focus on storytelling with vocals that can be sung a cappella. They use treble-heavy instruments like fiddles and accordions. Pop songs have more complex structures, catchier melodies, broader instrumentation, and grounded rhythms. Folk music emphasises natural speech patterns and deep narratives.
Anna advises singers to approach folk music authentically by focusing on key aspects: Relaxation and Authenticity, where singers relax the body and find their unique voice by letting go of tension; Connection to the Story, immersing in the song’s narrative to convey it effectively; Vocal Health and Technique, understanding vocal health for safe, comfortable singing; Community and Practice, joining choirs or open mics to build confidence and explore styles; Exploration and Imitation, learning from other singers for inspiration; Dynamic Range and Expression, choosing songs that suit one's voice and using dynamics to maintain interest; and Movement and Expression, using gestures and movement to stay relaxed and tell the story.

 

BEST MOMENTS

"Folk music is rooted in storytelling and serves as a means of communication, celebration, and social change."

"Authentic folk singing involves relaxed vocal techniques, storytelling through song delivery, and a focus on the song rather than the singer."

"Teaching folk music requires an understanding of vocal health, relaxation, and the importance of finding one's authentic voice."

 

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:


annatabbush.com
singfest.org.uk
guildfordvox.org.uk
horsellsings.org.uk

 

Social Media:


@anna_tabbush

 

Relevant Links & Mentions:


Artists/songs/shows mentioned: Ben & Dom; Jackie Oates; Carolyn Robson; Sandy Denny; Phoebe Bridgers; Joni Mitchell; Bob Dylan; Taylor Swift; Sea shanties; What Should We Do With a Drunken Sailor; Bonny at Morn; Harbour; Hadestown; Once the Musical
Singing for Musicals by Millie Taylor
Chris Johnson Vocal Coach: Chris Johnson Vocal Coach
Teach Voice: Teach Voice

 

 

BAST Book A Call

 

ABOUT THE GUEST

 

Anna Tabbush is a composer, choir conductor, singer, and multi-instrumentalist based in West Sussex, renowned for her socially conscious songwriting. Her 2020 song "Harbour" supports refugees and has been sung worldwide. Active on the folk scene for over twenty years, Anna performs as a singer-songwriter and with the a cappella quartet Oaken. She teaches singing techniques that relax the body and highlight individual voices, empowering everyone to sing to their full potential.

 

ABOUT THE PODCAST

 

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

basttraining.com

Updates from B

Rose Kimberly and Claire Williamson join Alexa to discuss the South West Voice Hub, a network they created to connect voice practitioners and singers in the South West of the UK. The hub aims to provide a local network for all things voice-related, including referrals, training, and support. They discuss the challenges of finding voice professionals in the South West and the importance of building a community in the region. The hub offers different membership tiers for practitioners, singers, and students, with benefits including access to forums, discounts on CPD events, and a profile on the website. They also mention their upcoming launch event, which will feature workshops and networking opportunities.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


The South West Voice Hub is an initiative by Rose and Claire to establish a network for voice professionals in the South West region of the UK. It aims to connect various practitioners such as vocal coaches, speech and language therapists, and performers.
The hub provides support and resources for professional development, including bi-monthly online forums and in-person seminars for continuing professional development (CPD).
The network addresses voice-related issues and promotes local talent, aiming to make specialised voice services more accessible and affordable within the South West region.
The hub offers different membership tiers for practitioners, singers, and students, with benefits such as access to forums, discounts on CPD events, and a profile on the members' section of the website.
The hub's launch event in Exeter will feature a laryngeal massage workshop and a vocal triage session for singers. The network plans to be responsive to the needs of its members, offering events and training that reflect the interests and demands of the local voice community

BEST MOMENTS 

"We want to make voice services more accessible and affordable, reducing the need to travel to larger cities."

"It's important to work holistically with people, and having a network of professionals is crucial."

"We're aiming to support and educate the local voice community, making it stronger and more connected."

 

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:


https://www.southwestvoicehub.com/

Social Media:


Instagram: @southwestvoicehub
Contact Claire & Rose directly: southwestvoicehub@gmail.com

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


Stephen King: https://voicecarecentre.co.uk/stephen-king/
(Singing Teachers Talk Podcast) Ep.90 Help! I’ve Got a Voice Problem with Lydia Hart and Stephen King
Exeter Phoenix Centre: https://exeterphoenix.org.uk/

BAST Book A Call

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Rose Kimberley is a Vocal Coach/Singing Teacher based in South Devon, where she runs The Vocal Studio Devon. Trained in 2012 with BAST, she has enhanced her skills through various CPD courses, including VHE's Vocal Health First Aid. A professional singer and solo artist, Rose combines industry knowledge with a passion for helping others develop and care for their voices. She also teaches music, artist development, and songwriting for the Barbican Theatre in Plymouth.

Claire Williamson trained as a singer at LIPA and worked professionally as a singer and actress before becoming a Speech and Language Therapist at UCL. She has extensive NHS experience with children’s speech, language, and communication needs, and now works in private practice with both adults and children with voice disorders. Claire specialises in client-centred, evidence-based treatment of voice difficulties, with a special interest in helping professional voice users.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

basttraining.com

Updates from BAST Training

Vocal Labs director Elle Holiday joins Alexa this week all the way from Adelaide in South Australia. Elle is a voice-specialising speech pathologist and singing teacher whose methodology is customised and based on evidence, focusing on retraining vocal techniques, enhancing performance stamina, and fostering confidence. Elle offers services in voice care, voice training, rehabilitation, and massage therapy. Elle is here to discuss training the speaking voice versus training the singing voice.

KEY TAKEAWAYS


As a singing teacher, Elle listens for signs of strain, roughness, breathiness, strength/loudness, breathing patterns, and onset/offset when assessing a student's speaking voice at the start of a lesson. These observations provide crucial insights into their overall vocal status.
If a student experiences vocal trouble, Elle recommends gentle rehabilitative exercises, avoiding high-intensity belting, and singing repertoire in a lower range. If issues persist for more than two weeks, she advises seeing a medical professional for further assessment.
Singing teachers should not diagnose students but can recommend seeing an ENT and speech pathologist if they hear vocal anomalies. Teachers can help students sing safely until a formal medical assessment is conducted, ensuring students' vocal health.
In vocal rehabilitation, intensive therapy typically spans about 12 weeks from diagnosis to discharge. Elle works intensively with students for the first four weeks, then helps generalise the techniques into daily life. Success largely depends on the patient's commitment.
Key differences in vocal therapy for speaking versus singing include the emotional component in singing and the need to unlearn singing habits for the speaking voice. Safety and identity considerations are also more prominent in speaking voice work, highlighting its unique challenges.

BEST MOMENTS 

"Singers with vocal injuries, who have rehabilitated from vocal injuries, are the people we should be seeking out the most for information on the voice."

"If you were a football player and you do your ACL on the field, no one says you have horrendous football playing technique."

"Safety is a huge thing in the trans community."

 

EPISODE RESOURCES

Guest Website:

https://vocalab.com.au/

Social Media:

Instagram: @vocalabau

Elle’s Advanced Vocal Technique Workshop: https://avt.vocalab.com.au/

Relevant Links & Mentions: 


(Singing Teachers Talk Podcast) Ep 75 - Vocal Rehabilitation for Singers with Dr Jenevora Williams 
Vocal Health Education: https://www.vocalhealth.co.uk/
Voice Care Centre: https://voicecarecentre.co.uk/ 
The work of Sarah Brown: https://www.sarahkbrownvoice.com/ & @vocalhealthskb
The work of Andrea Fleming (Performance Anxiety) 

BAST Book A Call

ABOUT THE GUEST 

Elle Holiday, based in Adelaide, South Australia, is a voice-specialising speech pathologist and singing teacher. As the director of VocaLab, she provides voice care and training, including vocal rehabilitation, specialised training for transgender clients and professional vocalists, and massage therapy for muscle tension dysphonia. Elle’s evidence-based methodology focuses on retraining vocal techniques, enhancing performance stamina, and fostering confidence. Through her Instagram @VocaLabAU, she offers free, accessible voice education.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.

basttraining.com

Updates from BAST Training