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:

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

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://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:

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:

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

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

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!

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