An interview
with the director of a singing school and a student
I = Interviewer, M = Martin, G = Gemma
I: Good
evening and welcome. In today's programme were going to talk about singing. In
the studio we have Martin, the director of a singing school in London and Gemma
a student at Martin's school. Good morning to both of you.
M & G: Good
morning.
I: First
Martin, can you tell us, why is it a good idea for people to learn to sing?
M: First,
because singing makes you feel good. And secondly because singing is very good
for your health.
I: Really?
In what way?
M: Well,
when you learn to sing you need to learn to breathe correctly. That's very
important. And you also learn to stand and sit correctly. As a result, people
who sing are often fitter and healthier than people who don't.
I: Are
your courses only for professional singers?
M: No,
not at all. They're for everybody. You don't need to have any experience of
singing. And you don't need to he able to read music.
I: So
how do your students learn to sing?
M: They
learn by listening and repeating. Singing well is really 95% listening.
I: OK,
Gemma. Fell us about the course. How long did it last?
G: Only
one day. From ten in the morning to six in the evening.
I: Could
you already sing well before you started?
G: No,
not well. But I have always liked singing. But I can't read music and I never
thought I sang very well.
I: So
what happened on the course?
G: Well,
first we did a lot of listening and breathing exercises and we learnt some
other interesting techniques.
I: What
sort of things?
G: Well,
for example we learnt that it is easier to sing high notes if you sing with a
surprised look on your face!
I: Oh
really? Could you show us?
G: Well,
I'll try.
I: For
those of you at home, I can promise you that Gemma looked very surprised. Were
you happy with your progress?
G: Absolutely.
At the end of the day we were singing in almost perfect harmony. It was
amazing. In just one day we really were much better.
I: Could
you two give us a little demonstration?
M & G: Oh,
OK.