<p>I worry about Rachel’s vocal health. She is doing some things with her voice that can cause real damage. I have no idea whether she has a voice teacher looking out for her or not, but we have seen from the damage done to some of the American Idol contestants that vocal health is not a factor in these competitions.</p>
<p>With regard to what Rachel is seeing…not sure about strange, but I did wonder where the affect is coming from.</p>
<p>Regarding Rachel’s vocal health. </p>
<p>I have no personal experience, but have a daughter that does musical theatre, and I have experience with foster care of black kids with white parents…often it’s about hair. </p>
<p>For those in the know; would you have the same concerns with an African American kid raised by her African Ametican parents? My D has often played male roles ( because of her range). She is 21, so whatever…But is there more I could know?</p>
<p>Shrinkrap, you lost me. What does her vocal health have to do with her hair?</p>
<p>I wonder if vocal range (like hair) is different for AA kids. Is that crazy? Sorry. I really don’t know.</p>
<p>My D has often played male roles in musical theatre, choir, and a capella. I wonder if she might be ruining her voice, and I don’t know better. </p>
<p>Wish I could withdraw my question.</p>
<p>Oh I see. I think healthy technique is healthy technique no matter ethnicity or race. I’m not saying she can’t be singing the way she’s singing in a healthy way but she needs to be doing it with proper technique. Kids who “squeeze” - for lack of a better term - the sound out of their throat can do damage to the vocal cords. Voice teachers can actually teach singers to scream in a healthier way. The gravelly sound is often not healthy, depending on how it is being produced. It can be the result of the cords not closing together properly - not a good thing. Stevie Nicks is a prime example of someone who’s distinctive sound resulted in damage and was perhaps the result of some damage. </p>
<p>Does your D have any classical training from a voice teacher?</p>
<p>“Does your D have any classical training from a voice teacher?”</p>
<p>I don’t know for sure, but I’m going to say no. In high school, all has been through local community theate ( big roles for her were Rizzo in Grease, and the big surprise, Nicely Nicely in Guys and Dolls), and always alto in high school choir ( me too!). In college, I don’t really know. I assume mostly student led, and she wasn’t always happy with what she was asked to do. But she is a senior in college now, so I leave it to her. I’ll have to ask her what she thinks about Rachel and the “squeeze”.</p>
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<p>None of us can speculate how the various candidates will fare through the next challenges. The “input” from the show writers seems to determine the direction of the show. For instance, the rules were bent to allow Astro to introduce his own lyrics. The other rapper, who does much better with his own songs, did not have the same freedom. </p>
<p>The choice of songs and outfits is important. Did Rachel looked that “good” a few weeks ago? </p>
<p>If I were a betting man, I would say that the chances of Astro and Rachel are slim to none. The groups are mostly done. Next will be the boys and the two of the old timers. It will be hard for anyone to defeat a Simon Girl, and only one could and … should.</p>
<p>xiggi, I believe that Chris Rene also has the same freedom to write lyrics as Astro does. It may be that he has only chosen to change some of the lyrics to the songs so far, which was the case on Monday night.</p>
<p>Again, the rules should have been the same for everyone.</p>
<p>Let’s not start pretending that any of these shows are only about the talent. The back story means a lot and if that back story brings in viewers, that contestant will last longer than a more boring contestant with more talent.</p>
<p>Astro is a star.</p>
<p>Marcus is a lot of fun to watch.</p>
<p>Rachel has a lot of talent, but I think she needs a little more time to develop.</p>
<p>Drew–she’s beginning to bore me.</p>
<p>The girl group won’t be missed if they go home.</p>
<p>LeRoy is boring. He’s very handsome and cool for 60 years of age, but do we really need another Michael Bolten sounding singer in the world? :)</p>
<p>Josh–at least he stuck to the Rock theme. He’s good, but I can’t imagine people buying his music or paying to listen to him sing an entire concert.</p>
<p>Melanie–great talent, but not a performer.</p>
<p>Stacy-- I think it’s time for her to go home too. Who is going to pay to buy her music or watch her perform?</p>
<p>Voted tonight for Astro, Chris, Melanie, Marcus, Josh and Stacy.</p>
<p>Rachel was good, but I think she will get a lot of votes.</p>
<p>I love Drew, but every week it is really the same.</p>
<p>Don’t think the group will stay. Leroy will also be in the bottom.</p>
<p>Just my thoughts…</p>
<p>I can’t stand the group.</p>
<p>Still love Josh. Of all of them, he is the one I could imagine seeing in concert. And Melanie.</p>
<p>Actually kind of enjoyed Astro tonight (which I usually don’t). Maybe seeing the little clip where you could tell he misses his Mom softened me up. </p>
<p>I missed Marcus - need to rewind the DVR. Oh wait, here he is (I got a phone call in the middle of it)</p>
<p>I got home late and flipped on the show in time to see only Marcus surrounded by flames and females. From the performance reprises, I think I dodged a few bullets. (Was Stacy having some kind of seizure?) This show is completely bewildering to me. The judges who fail to offer any meaningful or useful critiques, the insane overproduction that dwarfs the performances, and the screaming crowds that drown out everything–it’s more like a circus than a talent competition. I guess the whole mess appeals to British sensibilities, but I wonder how it’s doing in the ratings here? I think many were looking forward to hearing Simon’s dismissive skewerings, but he’s been totally defanged, so why watch at all?</p>
<p>I didn’t want to like Astro but that little guy certainly had me watching tonight.<br>
Liked Marcus … a little strange that he was a church boy dancing w/ those girls!
Rachel … I didn’t see what all the fuss was about tonight. Her backup singers out-shined her.
Drew … this is the 3rd week of boring for me. Same voice, same pace.
Girl Group … I’m starting to like them more.<br>
I do like Leroy … he can sing but will he let loose and perform? And was one lense of his glasses fogged up at the end? How does that happen? Nice looking glasses, though.
Josh … strong performance but I still want to whiten his team and wash him.
Melanie … definitely has the best voice, but needs to surprise us. That was not rock.
Stacy … I did like her tonight; I wish she was just braver even when the judges don’t get raving comments.
Chris … LOVED him. He has grown on me too. I think I’m a softie for mama’s boys.</p>
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as a Brit, I started to respond “LOL. Heavens no. This a very Americanized version of a British show. The production is way over the top, not British at all.” Then I googled a few performances from the X factor UK - huh - the 2nd one I watched was even more overproduced and I swear the dancers were wearing the same skanky outfits as the ones in Marcus’ performance tonight.</p>
<p>Ha ha! Astro, givin’ a shout out to the ladies in da house! And taking the mike back like he’s Kanye. “I’mma let you finish!”</p>
<p>I would really like to see the singers pick the songs that they want to sing, otherwise it becomes more of a competition about the MENTORS than it does about the singers. </p>
<p>For me, the weakest performance by a mile Wednesday night was Stacy Francis. She was off key throughout the entire song and it was a bad song choice that SHE picked. </p>
<p>Loved Astro!
Liked Chris, Melanie, Josh, and Drew.
Thought Rachel was just okay this week. Weird rock song for a 14-year old.
Lakoda Rayne reminded me of a Disneyland or Disney World performance.
Thought Marcus’s performance was kind of corny.</p>
<p>I’m so ready to see some performances where the singers play an instrument now. The over-produced, on-stage extravaganza is getting annoying for me as well!</p>
<p>When they were doing her intro I was saying to myself “please don’t let he be singing I caint get no satisfaction”. It did seem an odd choice for her age. I was a bit concerned as the original was a bit raunchy, but I thought she managed to make it seem somewhat age appropriate (i.e. not sexy).</p>
<p>Agree about Stacy. I really enjoyed her at first but have not enjoyed her recent performances at all.</p>
<p>Also loved Drew at first but am getting increasingly bored. She needs to change it up a little. Is it me, or does she seem to be developing a little bit of an attitude?</p>
<p>swimcat, How’s you hubby doing? He’s in many of our thoughts and prayers. Hope this thread is good therapy for you.</p>