5 Responses

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1. R. Gard
   May 7, 2010
   
   I have been singing rock and blues here in Los Angeles for many years. I bought these on a whim because I was having vocal problems during several gigs in the past few months. All those years spent screaming and growling had worn my voice out. Thanks to these CDs, I was able to incorporate new techniques into my singing. My band says I sound better than ever and I can do back-to-back sets in a single night again and still speak the next day. These CDs probably saved me a trip to the doctor. Highly recommended.
   Rating: 5 / 5
   
   
2. P. Masuda
   May 7, 2010
   
   I am a piano teacher who also teaches voice, and this CD has been a lifesaver for me, it has helped improve problems with my voice students that
   
   common popular exercises have failed to achieve. The breath control exercises especially have been an enormous help, and my students find them
   
   not only challenging but fun as well. The warmup exercises are a little unique, bringing in tweet, hweet, and unique ways to improve sound production with exercises that combine air production with compression against the lips and teeth. The exercises as a whole help students with the lower register as well as the upper, and effectively improve power without yelling. A great program, I highly recommend!
   Rating: 5 / 5
   
   
3. Ronald Edwards
   May 7, 2010
   
   I love when something comes in the mail from Amazon that is exactly as it was described before I bought it. I bought both volumes of “Voice Lessons To Go” for my own desire to improve my voice. (I was a choral singer through college and miss music a lot in my “adult world now”.) Ariella Vaccarino’s voice is awesome. Just is clearly a professional singer and teacher. The vocalizes are broken down clearly. She gives examples sings a few with you and then lets you go on your own with piano accompinament. There is nothing fancy about these CDs they are just voice lessons like described. The more you do them the stronger your voice will be.
   
   The second volume was really fun for me because I remember doing solfegio in Choir. It may seem difficult at first. But practice makes perfect.
   Rating: 5 / 5
   
   
4. Laura De Giorgio
   May 7, 2010
   
   I have been enjoying working with this CD. The CD has two parts: the first part consists of about 23 fun vocalization exercises and the second part of several fun breathing exercises. The CD is great whether you intend to warm up your voice for singing or for speaking. It helps to free up your voice.
   Rating: 5 / 5
   
   
5. snowleopard
   May 7, 2010
   
   Several people have mentioned using these in a car. I have a different approach to incorporating them into my day.

   I own both of these, have used them many times–and continue to improve with each use. I am not a singer, but always wished I could sing, and this material actually helped me develop a pleasing singing voice. As a teacher, my speaking voice is an important tool of my trade, and this also helped me strengthen my voice and project it more effectively.

   My approach to incorporating these into my life is perhaps not ideal, but works for me. I start the day with them, before it has a chance to get so hectic that they are put aside. I start the breath CD before I get out of bed in the morning. Laying in bed on my back, freshly awakened, I am able to bring a strong focus to this part of my routine. Sometimes I don’t have time for more than the first few exercises, but I still benefit from those I can do. It’s a really nice way to wake up, and I am fully oxygenated before my feet hit the floor.

   I do the ear training one in combination with exercising before I leave the house–get on my Total Gym and do squats, overhead pulls, etc., so I am still on my back. Or I stretch out using an exercise ball. I put that CD on my vcr, and keep the remote at hand so I can pause, rewind, etc. as needed. Some of the more challenging exercises require my full attention during the learning process, and these I save for the weekends when I’m not zooming off to work.

   I realize that this might not be ideal for either the voice/ear training OR the weight training–but it’s such a great way to start the day for me that I accept the trade-off. If I didn’t get it done that way, it might not happen at all. I have dressed, showered, cooked breakfast, packed my briefcase, made and packed lunch, to these CD’s, and can tell the difference in how the day goes when I follow this routine. (Brushing teeth while doing these doesn’t work–tried it.) I sacrifice something in posture and focus, but even so, I benefit from the routine. I use the time while she’s talking to drink warm water with lemon juice and a little sweetener. Helps relax my throat and hydrate me for the morning. If you have either the privacy or the self-confidence to do it, I think you could do these while going for a walk as well.

   It’s almost like a meditation for people who don’t have the time or patience to do the real thing. The combination of breathing and focus are the same techniques many traditional meditative approaches use, and I feel some of the same benefits ascribed to meditation–increased clarity, calm, optimism–just a great way to start the day. YMMV.

   I have some other voice CD’s and DVD’s, but they sit on my shelf while I use this one each day–they are too slow, too mechanical, or showcase irritating mannerisms on the part of the instructors. Ariella Vaccarino has a very optimistic, upbeat, down-to-earth approach to teaching–even after many listenings, I still take encouragement from her supportive instructions.

   Another reviewer commented that she leaves the user with no followup at the end. I respectfully submit that this is because she does that at the end of her introductory information. (And her voice plays in my head as I type: “if you do this, you WILL improve. Good luck!” She also recommends seeing a voice coach to take you beyond the scope of the CD’s. Yet another expressed frustration that the CD did not take advanced singers further, and the repeated instructions were not helpful at that level. I can only speak to the level I was using it on, which was rank-beginner-yearns-to-sing, and I found it electrifyingly transforming.

   I have recommended these CD’s to students of mine who do not have access to voice training or choral activities, and feel very confident that I’m doing right by them. Homeschooling families may want to consider these as well.

   I hope someday to have the pleasure of attending one of her live performances.
   Rating: 5 / 5
   
   

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