Weblog

Hello everybody!

This is HJ writing a new weblog this time!

We have good news!

I went to the E.N.T specialist with Manda last week to check her vocal chords.
In the beginning of February Manda's vocal chords were irritated and it wasn't a good idea to do 14 shows in a row at that time.
It had to do with Manda being sick for a few months and she had been coughing a lot.
Because of the sore throat/ coughing etc her vocal chords got irritated.
The advice was to take a (singing) break for a month.

Hospital
We had the appointment at 10 o'clock in the morning.

I brought my camera because I thought it would be cool to show you how this physical examination looks like.
It's really interesting and I think lot's of people will find it fascinating.
This video is coming to you soon!!

We didn't have to wait long. The E.N.T. specialist called us in within 5 minutes.
Manda was nervous because her voice is her instrument.
I can buy a new guitar when mine breaks or doesn't want to "pling pling" anymore, but with the voice it's a different story.
Now I had the feeling everything was okay because if someone has a vocal chord problem you can usually hear this already when people speak. Manda's speaking voice sounded really good after taking this break, so I had faith.
Also the fact that Manda got really sick a week after we cancelled the gig's was a positive thing.
Now she finally could get rid of this flue that was hunting for a few months now. She took enough rest and medication.

The minute Manda started to talk to our (very nice and interested) E.N.T. specialist he noticed Manda's voice sounded really good; the first part of the good news. Second step was having a look at the vocal chords. Now this is an unpleasant experience for those who have to let their vocal chords checked. The doctor has to bring a camera into your throat to make a visual/ video recording.
During the recording Manda had to sing low/ high, soft and hard notes etc. With a camera in your throat you can imagine this will never become Manda's hobby.
At the end of the session Manda and the doctor discussed the situation. Well, apart from some little irritation (a few yellow spots because of the coughing) Manda's vocals chords looked better than ever. Thank god, very good news.
No problems anymore, Manda can start singing again!
Happy, happy!!

Keep checking the site for the video of our hospital visit!

Singin lesson/ vocal coaching
On wednesday the 12th Manda got her second singing lesson after her break. 
I went a long with her. She takes singing lesson with one of the best and well respected vocal coaches in Holland being Kees Taal.
We took the train to Amsterdam and arrived round 13.00 ours. First we drank a cup of tea and talked a little bit about daily stuff.

Then it was time to sing. Funny thing was that it was ME ho had to sing a bit.....hmmmm.
The thing is, during the live gigs I sing some backing vocals. I did it on the album so why not live as well, right?
My problem is, I haven't got a clue of what I'm doing, technically...
I can sing a bit, you know, it's in tune but I can't sing for very long and after a while my voice starts to hurt and it starts to sound very VERY ugly. I don't have a any control over my voice.
I need some training and Kees gave me some tips, very nice.
I will work on it.

Then it was time for the one who can REALLY sing, Manda.
Sometimes she brings Nemesea songs to her lessons but often other tunes.
This time she brought the very nice song of Natascha Bedingfield, Soulmate.
It sounded beautiful although the karaoke/ instrumental version she found on YOUTUBE really sucked.
After one and a half hour we took the train back to Groningen, happy and satisfield.

This Saturday will be our first gig since January in the Escape, Veenedaal together with Kingfisher Sky. Time to ROCK! HJ