Geoff Peters Blog

(above photo : Rémi Beaupré, Meme Snippets, 2012 | by Retis on  Flickr)

An awesome, very net savvy friend on Facebook posted the following, regarding the new #hashtag feature that was just added to that social network:

“Scared about what this means for sentence structure….. Watch as I translate a regular sentence into hashtags: “I saw the most beautiful bird on my walk today through stanley park” TRANSLATED “I love birds! #beautiful #walk #StanleyPark #birds #nature”

Is the popularity of hashtags a sign of the “dumbing down” of language and culture, leading to the further alienation of the younger generations from the older, not-so-net-savvy ones?

Or are hashtags just an efficient and fluid way to create discussion around topics, and convey meaning in fewer numbers of characters?

Here’s my take on it:

I’m not sure why we should be so concerned about changes in the way we communicate. Languages including English are always evolving. Hashtags are just keywords and they are effective in conveying meaning in a short number of characters.

However the generation gap is concerning to me. If young people are unable to communicate with older people,  they may miss out on important opportunities, since their elders are probably the ones who can offer the younger people jobs.

T, a friend of a friend on Facebook commented, “But [hashtags are] an advantage for people who already have the ability and skill of expression.” She also comments that it is essential that children “develop the skill to elaborate upon their thoughts and ideas.”

I agree that it’s a huge problem that many people (including young people) do not have the ability to write effectively. Writing well opens so many doors, including new relationships, job opportunities, teamwork, as well as artistic expression. However I don’t see how adding the keywording /hashtags feature to facebook contributes to this problem.

The main reason I think Facebook added hashtags is to more effectively target advertisements to these keywords as well as open up loose topic-based interactions rather than friend-based or group-based discussions. Try clicking on a #hashtag and you’ll see that a place for discussion among strangers opens up.

Happy #Hashtagging!

-Geoff Peters, June 15th 2013, Vancouver Canada

Review of Mark Downey Vocal Studio in Vancouver by Geoff Peters:

Update: June 14th 2013: Mark Downey writes: “Hey Geoff, many thanks for the great review. Just to add I am now a certified and licensed instructor in the Institute of Vocal Advancement (IVA). Cheers”

Original Review:

Geoff Peters writes:
I highly recommend my amazing teacher Mark Downey (shown in photo above courtesy of Mark’s website). He teaches at Mark Downey Vocal Studio in the West End of Downtown Vancouver.

Mark’s web site:
http://www.markdowneyvocalstudio.com/

I am new to singing, having been around choirs and singers my whole life but never having seriously sung before. I started my formal singing lessons with Mark only three weeks ago, and I feel that I am already making good progress on my singing.

What makes Mark Downey’s approach to teaching voice different? Mark teaches a method of singing called “Speech Level Singing” (created by Seth Riggs). It focuses on building muscle memory in your vocal cords / throat through regular practice of specific vocal exercises. These exercises are designed to move the vocal cords and throat in certain ways which, if made into habits, are optimal for effortless, relaxed, and technically beautiful singing. It is like how I used to practice piano when I was learning conservatory: focusing 3/4 of the time on technique such as scales, chords, and arpeggios, and only 1/4 on pieces (at least when I was developing a technique). For my vocal lessons, I have been practicing around 20 to 40 minutes a day for three weeks on just doing the exercises that Mark has been teaching me.

It’s important to not overdo these exercises, and let your strength build up gradually as if you are working out a muscle (which is actually the case!). Initially I started with too much work so I experienced a sore throat after a few days, but Mark advised me to take a break until my throat felt good again, and then keep up a regular practice of the exercises but maybe only do them once or twice a day.

My take-away: if you are serious about learning how to sing, can find interest in meditating on how your voice works as an instrument, have the patience to work on technique first before going into songs, and are willing to work consistently doing exercises, you can reach a new level in your singing with Mark Downey. Highly recommended! 

(above) Me (Geoff Peters) at the piano (sitting on left side of keyboard), accompanying the SFU Choir in Spring 2003.

(above) Me showing my vocal exercises from my first week of lessons. This video is also available on my video blog.

(above) Me showing my vocal exercises from my third week of lessons. This video is also available on my video blog.

Resources to learn more:

• Mark Downey Vocal Studio website

• Mark Downey’s Facebook page

• Speech Level Singing
• Seth Riggs Web Page

What is vocal variety?

In elementary school, I was fascinated by tape recorders. I would spend hours recording my voice on tape, and listening back to it. I would practice recording answering machine greetings and be amazed how small inflections really changed the overall impression of my message. As such, I developed a voice with beautiful radio-like qualities. I’ve been in Toastmasters for 3 years and have noticed my voice become even clearer and more varied through regular weekly practice. Now I have enrolled in acting lessons and singing lessons, and my voice is becoming an important tool for my life and livelihood.

In public speaking, your voice is the main tool you use to communicate your ideas with your audience. What are some desired qualities of a voice?

1. Pleasant: Friendly
2. Natural: Sincere, true, with personality
3. Forceful: Strong, even if not being loud
4. Expressive: shades of meaning, never monotonous or emotionless
5. Easily Heard: proper volume and clear articulation

Can your audience hear you? Do they find your voice annoying? => Will they pay attention to your message?

Start with a breath: Take a deep breath deep into your lower chest / abdomen, release it slowly.

Have good posture: stand straight, slightly flex knees, head straight, and shoulders back

Characteristics of a voice:

Volume: Loudness or softness. Appropriate to size of room, varied for emphasis. Minimum level so people can hear you. Using a microphone.

Pitch: How high or low? Varied? Raise and lower it for emphasis.

Rate: How fast are you speaking? Vary the rate, slow down to emphasize points, move quickly through some of the material.

Quality: Friendly, natural, confidence, enjoyable, pleasant. Not harsh, breathy, shrill, thin, or nasal. Relax and eliminate tension.

Use Silence and pauses: To Emphasize a main point, Breathe, Punctuate, or attract attention.

Be expressive: Emotion, Tone.

Rehearse with a tape recorder or video camera.

Conclusion

Think musically for your voice! In musical terms, we have Dynamics, melody, phrasing, tone. Try to achieve balance in your voice. Remember to breathe, and take pauses! Your audience will be more engaged with your speech. But remember to be authentic. Connect and involve your audience. Ask yourself, “What’s in it for them?”

Happy speaking!

Cheers,
Geoff

For more information about Toastmasters in Vancouver please visit Geoff’s Toastmasters Club, Vancouver Toastmasters Club 59

More info about public speaking is also available on the main Toastmasters.org site.

A friend asked me about Toastmasters. She was interested in learning what skills Toastmasters helps with. Here is my response, in case anyone else is interested! :)

I have been in Toastmasters for 3 years. I started out at the club at my office (we have a club for employees) and then I joined a second club in Kitsilano.

It is focused on giving you a welcoming and supportive place to practice public speaking skills. It has a definite structure for the meetings (everything is timed and everyone has a particular role for each meeting, but you sign up for roles in advance). Some examples of roles are to give a prepared 5 to 7 minute speech, or to give a verbal evaluation of someone else’s speech for 2 to 3 minutes. There is also an opportunity to do a 2 minute impromptu speech - this is called “table topics” and the idea is that you will speak / improvise for 2 minutes on a topic that you find out right there and then.

So for what kind of skills it develops, for me I was focused on becoming more comfortable in front of an audience, improving the clarity of my voice and language (practicing on getting rid of “um’s” and “ahs”), using body gestures (such as hand movements or walking around the stage), thinking on my feet, and becoming a better listener / evaluator. It has also been a lot of fun!

-Geoff Peters

Co-VP Membership
Vancouver Toastmasters Club 59
http://tmclub59.com

How to Join Toastmasters?

if you are interested in checking out a Toastmasters meeting you can search for a club in your area on http://toastmasters.org

Toastmasters Table topics discussion questions: Marketing

Would you rather be the director of Marketing for Santa Claus, or the Easter Bunny?
Why?

You are the VP of marketing for Starbucks. You notice that McDonalds is giving away their coffee for free, and it is really hurting your sales. What do you do?

You are the Head of Marketing for a cell phone company. You learn that 41 percent of iPhone owners fall in the $100,000+ income segment vs. 24 percent of Android owners.
What kind of phone do you sell?

Would you rather see a band live, or listen to a recording of them? Through what kind of marketing can a band convince you to see them live?

At movies, they now show up to 30 minutes of commercials before the movie, after it is supposed to start. Does this bother you, and if so, are you going to the movies less often?

Have you ever clicked on an advertisement on the Internet? Was it ever helpful or useful? Or are advertisements online just annoying?

In the last 10 years, newspapers have been losing money like crazy.  Is it a bad time to be a journalist? Do you think online revenue will ever make up the difference?

Youtube is getting really popular. Do you think Youtube and Netflix will ever replace traditional TV?

Only 50% per cent of those in Vancouver age 16-24 got their driver’s licences in 2012, whereas in Surrey the proportion was 78%. If you were a car manufacturer, how would you make driving more attractive to Vancouver youth?

You own a restaurant in Kitsilano. However, not many people are coming to your restaurant. How can you improve your marketing to save your business?

Questions by Geoff Peters, Vancouver Toastmasters Club 59, http://tmclub59.com on March 25 2013. Feel free to use/adapt these questions for your own Toastmasters club. Contact: geoff@gpeters.com