Santa Fe - Day 2 Practice
https://app.box.com/s/6roxr2ay4kkzd2je85ljgtx6gr7j3suk

First time singing the entire song, apologies for flubbing a couple lyrics that I haven't familiarized myself with completely yet.

The range seems very realistic for me. Currently focusing on proper breathing and onsets and then maintaining the coordination. I've noticed that my breathing can be very disjointed and then when I'm not counting accurately to know when to come in... I constrict extra. Also trying to add in some stylistic elements to some of it.

I think I can do this one decent justice as I keep working.

Strategies in practice:
trying to breathe freely before, during, and after singing (biggest problem for me in many ways)
count carefully so i can tell when to come in and breathe appropriately
practicing the lyrics by speak-singing and elongating speech to see what tensions are present (and don't have to be) when speaking the words to the song - trying to stay on vowels and be gentler yet coherent with consonants
using hands to help remind the face and jaw to remain relaxed
using hands to check for maintained ribcage expansion and core engagement as i sing - was definitely doing that during the opening lines of the song, I think it helped improve support for that part
playing with different mouth shapes for different phrases and colors and expression - lighter, darker, trying to sound more like the character from Newsies
try to use resonance and enjoy the feeling of proper closure and coordination vs pushing as a first resort like i used to sing

Santa Fe Practice cover #4
https://app.box.com/s/npin4jegk1apfsbxibxxkgdsdblhtnik

Santa Fe Practice cover, vocals only #4
https://app.box.com/s/v3yckxsmgvzixv2km5k1bkyblygsa8cm

I feel incremental improvements, thank goodness. Mostly improvements in avoiding constrictions during as many inhales as I could and then planning my breathing out. I took a day off practicing the whole song and tried to focus more on working my breathing and onset exercises as well as Mastering Mix/Singing Success/Vocal Fire. I found that the Farinelli exercise is basically the logical extension on the exercise progression that Felipe teaches in the Support, Breathing and Phonation series - first I worked on learning how to breathe without constriction at will, and as that is beginning to feel a bit more consistent, I'm learning to experience what it feels like to sing off of the inhale sensation. The Farinelli exercise has been helping me greatly to establish familiarity with the correct sensation for a smooth onset.

Not sure if lack of stamina with breath management by the end of the song was due to mental focus/attention issues or physical stamina issues from not controlling (mostly slowing) the airflow with my core as much as I am.

Also recorded this standing up with decent posture today, versus the recent recordings from a seated position. Definitely easier to align myself when standing.

Feedback/constructive criticism welcome.

Thanks so much for the CC and ideas, Owen! Glad you can hear the improvements in the legato and expression. I've been doing more head voice practice after my SS and adding the oo-wee and working on opening my vowels from ee-ih-eh-aa and oo-oh-uh-ah in head voice recently.

It's a long road, reprogramming my mouth shapes and reflexive breathing, but I feel like there's some improvements. I tried to go for a little more open throat in this practice. Tried to keep the resonance in a good place most of the time, it felt relatively freer than before. Still not entirely free though, as can be heard.

I actually haven't practiced this song in like 4-5 days, but mostly just focused on putting in at least an hour a day into technique and getting comfortable with breathing in a relaxed manner. Recorded this approx. 1 hour after finishing vocal warmups.

Santa Fe Practice #5 - with backing track
https://app.box.com/s/fx4dtjqomxkgidh8ahos8sz7jq8g5vnr

Santa Fe Practice #5 - vocals only
https://app.box.com/s/ovdsvyt0jojno3sw2b1mvfndz9u4y3qx