I’ve found an unanticipated gift in my increased commitment to preparing sung part recordings for my students.
I’ve written before how they have positively impacted my students, and why I came around to a tool I was initially opposed to. It’s certainly not the time and effort – I wasn’t looking for a new part-time job as a studio singer!
The unanticipated gift is this: as I record the parts, I discover firsthand where the trouble spots are. I learn, in a way that would take me a lot more discovery time in rehearsal, what is easy to sing and what is hard.
It’s not always the same for me and my students – I have a different musical experience than them. But knowing what has given me trouble when recording can be a great sign for what will give them trouble as they learn to sing it.