"Jaeeun-ssi, have you chosen a song you want to do?" My vocal teacher, Yoonjae, asks when we finally settle in to start our session.
He had instructed me to choose and practice a song for the trainees' next monthly evaluation in our last session. The evaluation for this month was today, however, I joined the company too late to prepare something to participate in it. So, Yoonjae decided to get me started early for the next one.
"Yep. Be Natural by Red Velvet." He nods before suddenly shooting up and looking at me with a confused expression.
"Will you do the rap too? Or skip that?"
"I'll do the rap, I've been practicing it!" I smile and Yoonjae laughs at my enthusiasm.
"Alright. I can't wait to hear it." He says amused, "For now, can I hear the first verse and chorus for some feed back?"
I nod and prepare myself to sing. I am still not the most confident or comfortable when it comes singing in front of others. But when I began, I felt all of my nerves disappear. It was either the fact that Yoonjae's presence was comforting, or I was too into the song to have to worry about what he would think.
Once I finish, I shyly look towards Yoonjae for a comment or criticism. However, contrary to what I expect, he only stays silent as he ponders what to say. I instantly become nervous again while he is thinking. I only hoped I didn't do terrible enough for him to be harsh.
"Overall, you did a good job, Jaeeun-ssi. But I think we can improve your vocal range by opening up your throat a bit more." I nod as he speaks, feeling content with his satisfaction of my singing. A smile forms on my lips before he continues.
"Right now you are pushing to hit the higher notes, which doesn't sound the best or the most natural. So I will get you to run through some exercises with me to help you reach them easier."
Yoonjae begins to introduce a few techniques to open my throat as I sing. I listen as he speaks and follow his explanations as closely as I can. I don't want to miss even the smallest detail. Do everything to improve, right?
We go through at least three different techniques to experiment with before Yoonjae decides to leave me with them to practice until our next session in a few days.
With that, I say goodbye to my teacher and leave Yoonjae's room to enter my private vocal practice room. Every trainee has their own room to practice in, which we are allowed to decorate how we like. Earlier, I took a look at Sohee and Eunmi's, who I had gotten closer to recently, and I was extremely jealous at how cute theirs were. The decorations they had were adorable and fit them perfectly. It made the confined space feel very cozy.
I wish to have my vocal room personalized like theirs soon, but I understand I have only been at the company for a little while, so there hasn't much time for that yet. Even in the dorm, my own side of the room was more or less empty with the fact that I hadn't brought anything from back home to decorate with.
Sitting in the single chair in the narrow room, I begin to go through the techniques Yoonjae introduced earlier. I can really tell a difference in the quality of my singing compared to before. When I try to sing the song with the techniques, it feels easier to sing the higher notes, as well as sounds better too. Yoonjae really was a magical teacher.
Just as I begin practicing, there is an abrupt knocking at the door. I turn from my position facing the back wall to the door to see who it is.
"Jaeeun! Let's get lunch together!" I hear Sohee from the other side of the door as she waves for me to join her through the small peephole.
"Okay, I'm coming!" I smile and quickly grab my backpack from the floor to meet Sohee. As I exit the room, I see not only my close friend but Eunmi and another girl, Hyemi as well. I greet the two other girls and then we walk to a restaurant near the company.
YOU ARE READING
Hearten Me ∵ woojin
Fanfiction박우진. ❝At this point, the mere sight of him heartens me❞