Fach / Diet / Exercise ~ All for Willie Sullivan

[@MorganleFayable]

“I am not a voice teacher” said the greatest masterclass teacher of all times

[@baritonebynight]

"I couldn't sing through my upper passaggio without cracking". Wow. Who would have ever thought that one of the greatest singers in the world would ever have struggled with a technical problem that us "mere mortals" also struggle with. I quit singing once because I decided that good singers were born with natural perfect technique and the rest of us were just spinning our wheels. Slow and steady wins the race. Great advice from a great teacher, singer, and person. Brava Joyce.

[@Sperczynskakatarzyna]

I absolutely ❤️ your vlogs! They’re PRICELESS and full of ✨ Thank you from the bottom of my heart for finding time, for being so devoted, thank you for being you dear Joyce DiDonato #TheYankeeDiva

[@caeligratia6706]

Thank you so much!!!! I've been struggling with my fach and this is so helpful.

[@DarkAngelDoom666]

Hi Joyce! Thank you! Thank you Thank you! And I still cannot thank you enough for all the confidence your videos (this one in particular because you actually confirm some thoughts and ideas I discovered by myself - like yoga, sports and healthy food as a support for better performing) and the recorded masterclasses have given me! You managed to help me be a better singer - you helped me get over some bad singing experiences and understand that some things are normal. I am truly grateful towards you and everything that you do and I do hope to have the immense pleasure of seeing you perfom live one day.

[@edbonner5970]

Hi joyce! So happy that you have just discovered the Alexander Technique. I have almost completed my 1st year of teacher training to become an AT teacher. It is, indeed, life changing! I hope you continue to explore it and get a lot out of it. Best wishes, Ed

[@classicassii]

Joyce you are wonderful, this video could not be more insightful. As a 21-year-old singer (with an uncooperative passaggio) who's teachers, in the past year, have decided I may be a mezzo (woo), it is so comforting to hear a successful singer talk about this. The waiting and confusion is so frustrating at first, I actually felt so lost when it first came up, but through time, and people like you saying "wait!" I have embraced my voice as my own, and I am excited for what is to come. Thank you

[@raffadizzle]

Hi Ms. DiDonato! It's Rafael from the MONC auditions last Sunday. Just wanted to say again I overwhelmingly appreciate the encouragement award and your comments that you gave me. Really glad you're making new videos!!! Always watching (your videos :P), Rafael

[@frogmouth]

Alexander. Fascinating. He was a Tasmanian . Born into a family of horse fanciers so he studied the ones who had a natural effortless gait. Then he applied that to his own vocal problems and he worked out how intention can impede free flow. So you don't say I must do this I must not do that. I had 6 months of lessons just trying to easily rise from a chair stand and sit. Anyway Tai Chi created the breakthrough. It corrected my posture while I was concentrating on flow and that freed my diaphragm . So your point about concentrating on language, emotion, text, music rather than the mechanics of what to do with each muscle to produce support, makes sense.

[@LaLunaDellaNotte]

Joyce, you continue to be such an inspiration to so many of us. Your videos are so personal, entertaining & down to earth. So excited to see you as Maria Stuarda. ♪ Toi Toi! ♫ :)

[@talenttrapp]

This is just what I needed Joyce. I'm heading towards my graduation recital in November and many many auditions for an Honours program, and I am thankful for this reminder that when you are taking care of yourself, you will sound your best. Even though it's incredibly simple advice, it's so often forgotten by those of us at university level. So thanks, and greetings from Australia :) Jess

[@isaunder]

Joyce you are awesome! I've been watching all of your videos and they are such great help for us who aspire to sing opera one day. Please come back to Brazil as soon as you can, we will be thrilled to have you again! All my love! Isabela

[@suzannederringer1607]

Gosh - the Alexander Technique! Thanks for the reminder. Years ago, a Pianist-friend found it extremely helpful. Right now, I think I will look up AT Practitioners here in Pittsburgh.

[@antha97]

I love these videos!!!!! You're an inspiration to me! Thank You for your wise advise!!!!

[@zlata.toshevska]

Thank you Joyce! We love you

[@SteeleFitzwater]

Awh! I LOVE these vlogs!

[@pattriciapatino]

I just love you.

[@mlleopera]

Thank you so much for confirming that we are the ones who decides if we are a mezzo or a soprano. I am a 23 years old soprano and I have been told ever since I've started my training as an opera singer that I might be in fact a mezzo, because of the color of my voice (who is very dark). I've tried mezzo arias and it just didn't feel right for me at all and I keep telling people (and to judges of competitions) that I cannot go against my body, it seems that it is not everybody who understands.

[@flyinggeese426]

Thank you so much for your thoughts on this topic, Joyce. I always appreciate being reminded to keep it "slow and steady"... keeps the crazies away!

[@vbennu7299]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@irishrosedust43]

This is great and so helpful!

[@gronia]

you are the best!

[@alexanderteachernyc]

Thank you, Ms. DiDonato, for recommending the Alexander Technique, which has also helped me in many ways in singing and in life. You can make sure that your Alexander Technique teacher has received proper training in a certified program if he or she is certified by AmSAT, the American Society for the Alexander Technique. (I am!)

[@kparciak101]

Hello Joyce! Huge fan!! This video, particularly the portion on fach is very helpful! I personally struggle with classifying my voice. I have the color of a mezzo soprano in my lower range, and have more of the upper range of a soprano. My range has been moved all over the place, so I have no idea what to call myself. Can you recommend pieces for that awkward in between range?? :D

[@shartrezlittle8952]

❤❤❤❤

[@mjac1986mc]

Haha, "you have a really good friend in Willie."

[@caninbar]

Of course, fach depends on age, development, maturity, and one must go to a teacher who can guide the singer through repertoire. The tessitura, passaggio, colour and ease when singing will define the correct repertoire for the voice.

[@manageuyangoda4942]

I Want Your See

[@mjac1986mc]

Be careful with Alexander technique - as with singing teachers, they are not all equal. Some are great, and as Joyce says, life changing. Others really really are not!

[@savioalves1234]

[@wearingthetrousers]

Bless your heart Joyce - his response couldn't come at a better time. Having done my Masters in Canada as a lyric mezzo, I've recently moved to Europe and have had a number of important European singers tell me I'm really a lyric soprano. I've therefore come to the conclusion that the European aesthetic can be different than that in North America. This makes it hard to know how to market myself, especially here in Europe where the "fach" system is so rigid. Thanks for your insight!

[@TwistingWays]

When Amy Johnson came to my little town to perform in Beethoven's 9th, she told us that she finds exercise EXTREMELY important. She stated that sometimes she is carrying around a costume that is up to 20 pounds or something. She HAS to stay in shape! Very important. I'm trying to get into that mindset as well.