Week 1: The Inner Artist

Day 1: Signature Aria

Start with your go-to piece. What do you love about it? Where are you in your journey with it?

 

Day 2: A Capella Phrase

Share one phrase—no piano, no accompaniment. Focus on breath, phrasing, and intention.

 

Day 3: Lied or Mélodie Moment

Sing a short excerpt from art song repertoire—German, French, Spanish, English. Keep it intimate.

 

Day 4: Early Music Exploration

Post a phrase or line from a Baroque or Renaissance piece. Explore ornamentation or purity of tone.

 

Day 5: Text First, Then Tone

Speak the text of a piece you're working on. Then sing it. Notice how intention changes everything.

 

Day 6: Recitative Realness

Post a recitative (or a short dramatic monologue). Focus on storytelling and delivery.

 

Day 7: Sacred Sound

Offer a moment from sacred repertoire—chant, hymn, or oratorio.

 

How to Participate

  • Post daily (or as often as you can!) in the Tonebase Voice Community Forum
  • OR post on social and tag @tonebase.voice with #TonebaseVoiceChallenge
  • Watch others, leave encouragement, and build your artist circle

68 replies

null
    • Pediatrician
    • a_weymann
    • 3 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    Day 3 Addendum / Late Entry 

    https://youtu.be/kZ_RIHdSsHQ

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      singing AND playing!! Now that's just showing off 😂.. seriously, that is quite impressive and your phrasing in this is gorgeous. Do you notice that when you sing and play it makes for a more cohesive musical experience??

      • Pediatrician
      • a_weymann
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       I do, actually! My father, an excellent amateur baritone in his day, used to always accompany himself before I was old and proficient enough to do so, often even in situations when a pianist would have been available. I now see that there is something satisfying about being in control of the entire performance. Of course, it doesn’t work if the accompaniment is technically challenging or musically complex, or if the vocal part is so demanding that it can’t be adequately performed sitting down. But for short sections sung in a relatively relaxed and low-key setting such as this Community Challenge, it works just fine. 

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      Makes perfect sense.. though I would assume that you would need a certain mastery of both piano and voice to attain a satisfying level of synergy in your playing and singing. Barbara Doscher talks about the "functional unity of the singing voice," I've often suspected the concept carries over to incorporating playing with that project.  It's a beautiful end result :)

    • Michelle
    • 3 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    Day 7: a section from "Tantum Ergo" https://youtu.be/tfx7dD1btlA

    I've sung the "Tantum Ergo" for years, usually on a weekly basis, as I lead Eucharistic Adoration at my parish. So I have habits with this piece, which I'm trying to unlearn (or to learn new, better habits), one of which is proper pronunciation of vowels!

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      so pretty.. your parish is so blessed to have you!! Have you ever read "The Spirit of the Liturgy?" I think you are capturing Ratzinger's message with this.

      • Michelle
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Thanks, Heidi. I have my masters in theology - I wanted to specialize in liturgy, but it wasn't something I could pull off at the time. I've read "Spirit of the Liturgy" many times!

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      Amazing!! Probably also why you can capture Hamlet, too. You would not have the skills to plumb the depths if you weren't equipped with sufficient tools ;)

    • tonebase_user.19
    • 3 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    Day 4 -First line from "A Cold Genius" from King Arthur by Purcell, first performed in 1691.  

     

    https://youtube.com/shorts/MuWMpH-XAEU?feature=share

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      What a fun piece! Would love to hear more :)

      • Pediatrician
      • a_weymann
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       this is hilarious - I had never heard of it. Thank you for sharing! 

    • Pediatrician
    • a_weymann
    • 3 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    Not much feedback here the past few days… Feels a little strange posting into the void. 

      • Michelle
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       I know that I'm accustomed to our active and verbal piano friends, which probably lends itself to more feedback! This platform seems quite a bit more reserved and quiet. 

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      and .. so glad you guys are here stirring up the fun!! Thanks for jumping in and sharing your journey (and extra glad to hear that 's voice is back!!

    • Pediatrician
    • a_weymann
    • 3 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    Day 4 Addendum / Late Entry: First stanza from "If Music be the Food of Love" [First Version] by Henry Purcell. 

    https://youtu.be/-9iHKM__yPU

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      Hope you are feeling as good as you sound :).. It seems we have a bit of a Shakespeare theme shaping up! Out of curiousity, why Purcell?

      • Pediatrician
      • a_weymann
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       it’s all I could think of from the world of early music to whip up on short notice! 😄 I sang this piece many years ago, and not only do I love the music, this edition is also in a very comfortable range for me (nothing above C), therefore suitable for a still convalescent voice. 

      • Coffee-drinking soprano, trainer of voices and tonebase voice content lead
      • Heidi_Vass
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      It's still a great choice. Always impressive when you can return to an old piece still sing it well! Have you ever looked at Handel's "Ruddier than the Cherry?".. would sound great in your voice :)

      • Pediatrician
      • a_weymann
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       I love “O ruddier than the cherry”! I have it on an album with Bryn Terfel with Händel arias. I have never tried it, but I’m tempted now. 

Login to reply

Content aside

  • 3 wk agoLast active
  • 68Replies
  • 112Views
  • 6 Following