Self-Study

calvaryabq.org image of Tim Carson vocal coach

It has been nearly  2 weeks since I attended the Vocal Artistry Workshop hosted by Tim Carson a rising leader in the art of  “Voice” and understanding it’s vast abilities in the realm of singing.  I was invited to this experience by the Contemporary Worship Director o f the Wooddale Church in Egan, Minnesota. Noted for  having a master’s degree from the Northeastern Illinois University of Chicago in “Voice”, Tim travels the nation providing services to individuals, music groups, worship leaders and the vast majority that would deem his services necessary to push them in the direction of achieving their goals vocally.

It was a cool breezing evening of October 26, 2012 with temperature in the 40’s when I pulled up in the rear of the Park Ave United Methodist Church located in Minneapolis the host church space for the workshop. As I pulled in the parking lot, a maroon truck would pull along side me. Out stepped a nicely built 6ft or more fellow along with a kid that I would come to know was his. I watched from my car as they walked into the doors ahead of me. Thinking out loud, I said to myself, this has got to be the presenter judging from the photo I had seen of him online.

Tim Carson, vocal coach picture taken at Park Ave
United Methodist Church, MN

I gathered my stuff and would enter the same doorway. Atop a short flight of steps, Tim was setting up and getting things out on the table, brochures, nametags, etc. I greeted him offering some help as well as asking to whom I needed to pay for the workshop. He responded he had help on the way and he would take the payment. During our brief interaction we would establish that he was the speaker/teacher of the workshop and had petty talks of where he was from and how often he hosted such workshops. Fascinated by the presenter, the stuff I had read about him on the net give me the thought to ask his permission to blog my experience first hand of his workshop. Yes, I did and the permission was granted.

Tim was later joined by a few helpers who relieved him of his duties. Of these helpers, two stood out in their approach in personality. They where the perfect pair in greeting folks as they came in the same way I did. One was a music/praise dancer of the host church who in conversing described her ministry as “unlike music that comes form your lips, dance is the movement we give to God in praise”. 

Alexis on right with her Aunt, image taken at the Park Ave
United Methodist Church. Greeters at the "vocal Artistry..."
workshop hosted by Tim Carson, vocal coach

She was with her niece whose bubbly personality and a great sense of humor placed a smile on the attendee’s faces as they continued to the meeting area. Alexis I came to know her name would hilariously point people in the direction they needed to go as she thanked them for signing up. She was definitely a greeter that I wouldn’t hesitate to hire for any or such events.

Finally seated in the second pew facing the doorway, we started our journey through Tim’s nicely designed booklet titled “ vocal Artistry Sing with freedom, strength, expression & style”. We explored themes such as "neck tension, jaw tension, lip/face/cheek tension, Larynx tension" (a term new to my ears that referred to the your vocal box), "tongue tension" and etc. Now who would have thought that my tongue can have tension worth paying attention to that could affect my ability to sing? Who would have thought that a simple massaging my jaws daily would help to relax the surrounding muscles hence increasing my ability to export my head and chest voices? Who would have thought? Tim would spend the next hours relieving me of my thoughts.

I can tell you the fact Tim’s knowledge of his craft was incredibly unnoticeable. He fluently used the terms expressed above with ease and defined them well enough that the untrained ear or brain would absorb the information without having their head explode in the process. He also used a candid approach in classifying himself as a “dork” in the line of work that he was sharing with us. A “dork” to me was an understatement, but I got it with a smile. Between each term there were physical exercises that went with them. They seemed easy and fun when he demoed them but certainly not to be taken lightly when I tried them. He assured us that 3-4times a week with 30-40 mins sections in front of a mirror would take us a long ways in the desired effects we want with our vocals.

He also threw in tips such as adapting to different styles of music helps to expand our versatility as artist as well as create depths, tune and texture as you sing. One useful styles of music he suggested/recommended that learners as well as vocalist should use as it is helpful in running skills is classical music. Another method he pointed out that I resonated with is the self-study approach to building styles.  He said to find a singer or stylist that stands out to you. When you do find that great singer, study the way that they sing. Try to copy exactly as they do. Record yourself and match yours up with your stylist. Periodic repetition of this process once more helps you to communicate vocally as you unleash your fears and freedoms through singing/music.

The workshop was truly a blessing and it was definitely worth un-regrettable pennies spent. It was for two days. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the full hours of day two because I had rehearsal with my own team at the Judahfire Ministries International-City of Praise Church located in Brooklyn Center Minnesota. However, what I gathered from day one and part of two, will remain memorable as well as helpful in my quest to understanding this new me as a praise/worshiper and road to self study vocally. I couldn’t also wait to share with my team the new knowledge I’d just acquired about what comes with the physical act of singing.

I tearfully thanked Tim on day one and told him that he would be my own vocal artist someday. Who said you can’t believe anything. With perseverance and God’s grace…

Thank you again Mr. Carson for bringing your workshop to Minneapolis!

Catherine K