Kwyer Pratice/Voice Jam

A weekly, guided Voice Jam

Kwyer is a response to my own interest in vocal experimentation, screaming guitar solos, traditional song, beatboxing and singing in a group. Kwyer is about making a space where you can really get to know the limits of your own sound, appreciate it's amazing uniqueness and enjoy working your sound in a supportive group. We explore the vibrational qualities of the voice and its connection to the moving body as a way of getting familiar with your own authentic sound. Through playful experimentation and wild and funky improvisation we build our own music.

Kwyer sessions begin with a good physical warm up which draws attention to our relationship with the space and each other. It is a group practice which renews attention, awareness,  playfulness and helps us tune into the associative impulses flowing through the body. Its really important that the group feels comfortable together so we can get silly!

Our style of improv is task based, so the vocal warm up is about learning how to improvise, members of the group are given practical vocal tasks to investigate, either together or individually but always simultaneously. Usually these tasks are to do with exploring the imagination and the limitations of sound production and developing a repertoire of vocal sound for group improvisation.

The session then moves to the group improvisation. The Kwyer, now warm and armed with a wild and wonderful array of sounds and connections with each other, the space and their powerful imaginations, will sing together. We usually devise some basic rules which we call a Score which is designed to support each singer in listening to the group, being present in your own body, having confidence to sing out and be spontaneous and maintain lightness and a sense of play.

We keep an eye on each other and if anyone is struggling they will certainly get the support they need. Kwyer is a sensitive and accessible way to get to know the sound your body makes in a state of song. It is a place where we value, embrace and facilitate an honest and imaginative response to the group sound. The music. It’s a safe space to really go into your voice and be supported by a structured environment, practice deep listening and learn to support your fellow singers, understand the principles of improvisation and make a new music, your music. If you think you can’t sing, you’re perfect! If you can sing you’re perfect! If you want to sing in a group where we make it up as we go along, then Kwyer needs you.

“If you have enough variables in the way that you are expressing things, it influences what comes out because the medium resonates with different kinds of thinking”

Kwyer is facilitated by Regan O'Brien who is a Dublin based performing artist, vocal coach, composer. Kwyer has been running since January 2009 and has worked with many voices of varying abilities. No experience is necessary.

This session is payable up from for ten sessions. This helps to generate a weekly commitment for the group which, ultimately works best for developing the group sound.

I am currently seeking interest to start a beginners class from 6.30-7.30 on the Monday.Contact me to register.