What makes an artist stand out? What makes an artist special? What makes an artist great to watch? Communication!
These are all valid questions. I think, what most people say, is that an artist has that "Je ne c'est quoi". Its something unknown but something that makes us like this person or that person. Some singers just make me fall asleep. Others keep me riveted and make me feel that they are singing and talking to only me.
I can tell immediately when a singer comes into my studio. We warm up by vocalizing, maybe singing a passage of some music to cement the way I want that passage sung, particularly if we are working through the break area. And technically, the artist does it well. Then I say, after working for a half an hour on technique, "lets sing this song." This is when the true singing artist comes out. I can see the wheels turning in the singers brain and an obvious change takes place. He/she SINGS! He usually leaves the vocalizations behind and sings from his heart, forgetting about technique. Oh, he does use what we were just talking about, but he incorporates that into what he/she is trying to sing. When one sings, we basically have to forget about technique and let the emotions and feelings come out. That to me is the essence of a great singer. No matter how poor or how good the voice is, he/she sings with feeling, with connection to the audience, and he emotes with what he has as a vocal instrument. When a singer does that, I know he/she is going to make it.
I have singers that have been studying with me for years, but they can never leave technique out of the mix. Yes, work the voice and build it., but when you sing, you sing. Forget about technique and use what you have as best as you can and COMMUNICATE!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
OPERATIC TRAINEES
I hear many people say that choosing opera as a career is foolish because the economy is so poor right now. I think that is foolish. That deters the gifted from even trying to build a career in singing. What a loss to the vocal community to not hear such talent!
Everything is life is difficult. It takes hard work and dedication to become anything you want to be. Look at it as a challenge. If there is something lacking in your singing, then fix it. Find another teacher and approach your vocal problems as a challenge and fix the vocal problems with your voice. How do you know you have a faulty technique? Just listen to the comments from your peers, your reviews.....that will tell you that not everything is not copacetic. Then the challenge begins. Challenge yourself. Make short-term goals and long-term goals.
The challenge means:
That you go and train, and train, and train. train to be the best, not 2nd or 3rd best.
If you know or have an inkling that your voice is not what it should be, seek another teacher, particularly one with great teaching credentials.
Attach yourself to a few singers and get to know them. They are really fine people, and sometimes they are lonely and want to talk to someone.
Make friends with the singing community. Not only will you learn something, but you will have made great friends and colleagues in the process.
Everything is life is difficult. It takes hard work and dedication to become anything you want to be. Look at it as a challenge. If there is something lacking in your singing, then fix it. Find another teacher and approach your vocal problems as a challenge and fix the vocal problems with your voice. How do you know you have a faulty technique? Just listen to the comments from your peers, your reviews.....that will tell you that not everything is not copacetic. Then the challenge begins. Challenge yourself. Make short-term goals and long-term goals.
The challenge means:
That you go and train, and train, and train. train to be the best, not 2nd or 3rd best.
If you know or have an inkling that your voice is not what it should be, seek another teacher, particularly one with great teaching credentials.
Don't let the "nay-sayers" rule your life. You can become a great singer if you work at it.
Attend workshops.
After recitals and operas go back stage and talk with the performers, being very diplomatic, positive and genuinely friendly.Attend workshops.
Attach yourself to a few singers and get to know them. They are really fine people, and sometimes they are lonely and want to talk to someone.
Make friends with the singing community. Not only will you learn something, but you will have made great friends and colleagues in the process.
Friday, February 25, 2011
SELFLESS LOVE
I'M BACK!
I have been away from posting for far too long. Suffice to say, I have gone through major surgery and it has taken me all this long to feel better. I want to thank all you who have sent letters, get well cards, presents, flowers......gosh. The outpouring of love was wonderful. All my life I've given of myself, my time, my money, to others, never thinking about me or wanting anything in return. What I did was for my students and friends, for the love of helping my fellowman. Yes, I have been disappointed too many times, but one gives of yourself not for one's self, but to truly help those who need a hand, need advice, need money. I've always considered myself a giver, not a taker.
When I went into the hospital, only a few people knew of my condition. Finally I told someone and that person told someone, and on and on. The letters and phone calls I received and the visits.....were very surprising, like, "how could you not tell me" and "I would have been here with you if I had known". Yes, some were angry that they were not told that I was going into the hospital. Some were absolutely upset that I did not tell them. Being a private man, I don't like a lot of people to know my business or that I don't want to impose on them, so I just kept quiet. I had no idea anyone cared about me. I SIMPLY DID NOT KNOW ANYONE CARED ABOUT ME! Isn't that amazing? I love these people, have always loved them and truly cared for them. It woke me up and reminded me that life is short, and telling your friends and family around you that you love and care for them is of utmost importance. It's a lesson well learned.
Can I tell you about my best friend, Morgan. She had surgery the week after I did, but she was at my side as soon as she could. Such love, sacrifice and devotion comes from within. She left her two children and husband at home to come and nurse me through the hell I was going through, even though she had just had surgery herself. She cooked, cleaned the house, cleaned and dressed my wounds, gave me sponge baths and sat with me through my ordeal. She saw my hurt, she saw my vulnerability, she saw my tears. When I think of how much she helped me, I get so emotional I start crying again. Mind you, I am not a crier, and it takes a lot for me to cry, and I mean a lot for me to get to that emotional level. What courage she showed. What strength of character. What love and inner beauty she exhibited. Such selflessness deserves more than life itself. I love you, Morgan.
My dad lives with me. He is 82 years old now, and getting more and more feeble. I would look into his eyes and there were always tears in his eyes. He tried to help me ease my tremendous pain which I was going through, but there was not much he could do for me. My dad, with his disabilities and can barely walk, made our meals when he could. It was difficult for him, but he did it, and never complained. He cooked what he could and I was grateful since I could not walk nor stand up. He also walked and fed Max, but with such difficulty. The love for his son was so evident and it hurt my heart so much to see him suffer for me. Such sadness just broke my heart, and again reminded me of the selfless, unselfish love that he showed me. I love you, dad.
Ray: what a great guy. He is one of my newer students and one of the finest human beings there is. Out of the blue he put himself out there and helped me through this ordeal. He walked and fed my dog Max; took me to and from the hospital and doctors visits when my dad could not. He helped me by making up beads and doing the laundry, and those endless sheets and folding them. He cleaned my room and helped me get around when I could barely walk. Even today, he tries to help me. Where this angel came from, I do not know nor deserve, but he has become my friend for being selfless and helpful in my hour of need. Ray: I love you, man!
How can I repay them? The only way I know is to love them more each day and count my blessings that somehow, some way, the debt will be repaid.
I know this blog is not about singing, but I had to explain to you, my followers, why there had been no postings. Next week I hope to resume my postings on singing and music.
I have been away from posting for far too long. Suffice to say, I have gone through major surgery and it has taken me all this long to feel better. I want to thank all you who have sent letters, get well cards, presents, flowers......gosh. The outpouring of love was wonderful. All my life I've given of myself, my time, my money, to others, never thinking about me or wanting anything in return. What I did was for my students and friends, for the love of helping my fellowman. Yes, I have been disappointed too many times, but one gives of yourself not for one's self, but to truly help those who need a hand, need advice, need money. I've always considered myself a giver, not a taker.
When I went into the hospital, only a few people knew of my condition. Finally I told someone and that person told someone, and on and on. The letters and phone calls I received and the visits.....were very surprising, like, "how could you not tell me" and "I would have been here with you if I had known". Yes, some were angry that they were not told that I was going into the hospital. Some were absolutely upset that I did not tell them. Being a private man, I don't like a lot of people to know my business or that I don't want to impose on them, so I just kept quiet. I had no idea anyone cared about me. I SIMPLY DID NOT KNOW ANYONE CARED ABOUT ME! Isn't that amazing? I love these people, have always loved them and truly cared for them. It woke me up and reminded me that life is short, and telling your friends and family around you that you love and care for them is of utmost importance. It's a lesson well learned.
Can I tell you about my best friend, Morgan. She had surgery the week after I did, but she was at my side as soon as she could. Such love, sacrifice and devotion comes from within. She left her two children and husband at home to come and nurse me through the hell I was going through, even though she had just had surgery herself. She cooked, cleaned the house, cleaned and dressed my wounds, gave me sponge baths and sat with me through my ordeal. She saw my hurt, she saw my vulnerability, she saw my tears. When I think of how much she helped me, I get so emotional I start crying again. Mind you, I am not a crier, and it takes a lot for me to cry, and I mean a lot for me to get to that emotional level. What courage she showed. What strength of character. What love and inner beauty she exhibited. Such selflessness deserves more than life itself. I love you, Morgan.
My dad lives with me. He is 82 years old now, and getting more and more feeble. I would look into his eyes and there were always tears in his eyes. He tried to help me ease my tremendous pain which I was going through, but there was not much he could do for me. My dad, with his disabilities and can barely walk, made our meals when he could. It was difficult for him, but he did it, and never complained. He cooked what he could and I was grateful since I could not walk nor stand up. He also walked and fed Max, but with such difficulty. The love for his son was so evident and it hurt my heart so much to see him suffer for me. Such sadness just broke my heart, and again reminded me of the selfless, unselfish love that he showed me. I love you, dad.
Ray: what a great guy. He is one of my newer students and one of the finest human beings there is. Out of the blue he put himself out there and helped me through this ordeal. He walked and fed my dog Max; took me to and from the hospital and doctors visits when my dad could not. He helped me by making up beads and doing the laundry, and those endless sheets and folding them. He cleaned my room and helped me get around when I could barely walk. Even today, he tries to help me. Where this angel came from, I do not know nor deserve, but he has become my friend for being selfless and helpful in my hour of need. Ray: I love you, man!
How can I repay them? The only way I know is to love them more each day and count my blessings that somehow, some way, the debt will be repaid.
I know this blog is not about singing, but I had to explain to you, my followers, why there had been no postings. Next week I hope to resume my postings on singing and music.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
CHOOSING A CAREER--WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
How many of us know exactly what our career path will be? From your family expectations and your indecisions, its very hard to say, absolutely without question where your life path will go. Some of us are lucky. We know exactly what we like and what we want. Some of us are not so lucky. We have all these things that we probably like but are not sure. Some of us want someone to tell us what to do in life. This reminds me of a song by Stephen Sondheim, "Being Alive" from the Musical "Company".
"Somebody hold me too close,
Somebody hurt me too deep,
Somebody sit in my chair,
And ruin my sleep,
And make me aware,
Of being alive.
Somebody need me too much,
Somebody know me too well,
Somebody pull me up short,
And put me through hell,
and give me support for being alive.
Make me alive,
Make me confused,
Mock me with praise,
Let me be used,
Vary my days
But alone is alone, not alive.
Somebody crowd me with love,
Somebody force me to care,
Somebody make me come through,
I'll always be there as frightened as you,
to help us survive being alive."
How I look at it is, if you recognize that you have some kind of talent in some area, try to make that small talent grow and become a big talent so that it will be your career. Sure, one can learn other jobs and perhaps do them well, but there is always that lingering thought that you should have been a singer, poet, computer techie or a well driller. I think one is given something that we are good at, but one must recognize that and take advantage of that talent and nurture and train that talent. The hardest part is, of course, finding out how much money you can make with the career path you chose. Lets say you like making creative clay statues. The hard part is finding a niche for that talent and learn how to make money, lots of money. If it makes you very happy doing that, then that is the career you should choose. Maybe you want to be a musician and you love playing the guitar and don't think you can make any money as a guitar player. My answer to that is be the best guitar player you can be. Find outlets and have your talent shine. Money will come.
I have had some female students that all they want is to get married and have children. I see the hunger in their eyes when they talk about children and a husband and a little house somewhere in the suburbs. If that is your wish, be the best mother you can be, read all the "how To" books you can and be the best mother you can be. Unfortunately, this scenario almost never turns out gloriously. Some of these kids I knew years ago are either divorced with 5 kids, or are on welfare or some other kind of assistance and something went awry in their calculation. Just having children is not a great feat in itself, after all, millions of women do it, but being the best parent/mother that you can be is.
Being young is difficult and knowing that you are off to college in a few years does not make it easy on finding a career if nothing interests you or you don't have any motivation to get you through with your goals.
Again, if you have any talent, use it, develop it, work it.
I have a beautiful and talented young singer in my studio. She is 16 years old and boy, can she sing! The vocal talent is pouring out of her and everyone can see it but her. She could be one of the worlds best coloraturas there ever was if only she would just realize what great talent she has. She is a bit lazy, yes, and has no skills in doing things for herself. She grew up in a household with mother and father making all decisions for her and doing everything for her. Being a beautiful child, all she had to do was smile and your heart just melted. She learned that she did not have to do anything because someone would do it for her. That is a wonderful existence, and I would love to try it, but nobody at my house would do that for me. I had to learn to adapt. She now is waiting for someone to give her a career without her working for it. Again, that is also good, but not realistic. Parents have got to step aside and let her flounder for a bit, though hard as it seems without tearing of the heartstrings, but it has to be done, and they are doing well. She is, at the momment rebelling but that's the next step for her recovery. She will become a great singer, I guarantee, but not until she herself does the work and sitting back waiting for something to happen is not the answer. Go, GIRL, Go.....!
Another example of which I'm most proud. A few years ago I had a new student come in for lessons, and I heard this fantastic voice coming out of this kid. He was an actor at Walt Disney World but he could also sing! I really enjoyed teaching him. He was positive, hard working, knew languages, had goals, had a career path and was doing all the other jobs and workshops that all actors do to hone their craft. This guy hated to sleep, because he would lose that time, which was unproductive for him when he could be doing something to advance his career. He was becoming well known in this market, and had a following at Disney. He also did the theater sports venue here in town and again, he was the main attraction. Everything was going well for this kid, because he worked at it.
Every time he came in for a lesson, he would always be making some kind of weird noise with his mouth. He was whistling odd tunes and making other sounds that I finally asked him what he was doing. He replied that all his life he loved making different noises and sound effects. So I asked him, if you like that so much lets explore it as well, and he said ok. Through a friend we got him an audition with one of the local agencies that specialized in voice-overs. He immediately got hired and that turned his life around. He was now doing something that he loved doing and getting paid for it! He started expanding his repertoire of "creature" sounds, babies crying, and frog noises. I loved teaching him singing and he was a great student, and I hated to let him go. He moved to Los Angeles and his career in the voice-over industry went ballistic. Now he has more work than he can handle. He is a well-known artist in Los Angeles and does cartoon voices for almost every cartoon and movie in the industry. What a model for other young students. He had a career path as an actor/singer but, with my intervening, he found out what he really likes doing and, hello, making obscene amounts of money with obscene sounds and loving his life.
I recently saw him in Orlando, and he was happy doing what he is doing, and if I had some part of getting him there, both of us have achieved some phenomenal success. D, you are Mighty!
So. What I'm trying to say is:
1. know yourself
2. be true to yourself
3. if you have some talent, exploit it with all your might
4. nurture that talent, feed it
5. Have goals, short term and long term
6. work at your craft continually
7. Life is short---don't throw it away
"Somebody hold me too close,
Somebody hurt me too deep,
Somebody sit in my chair,
And ruin my sleep,
And make me aware,
Of being alive.
Somebody need me too much,
Somebody know me too well,
Somebody pull me up short,
And put me through hell,
and give me support for being alive.
Make me alive,
Make me confused,
Mock me with praise,
Let me be used,
Vary my days
But alone is alone, not alive.
Somebody crowd me with love,
Somebody force me to care,
Somebody make me come through,
I'll always be there as frightened as you,
to help us survive being alive."
How I look at it is, if you recognize that you have some kind of talent in some area, try to make that small talent grow and become a big talent so that it will be your career. Sure, one can learn other jobs and perhaps do them well, but there is always that lingering thought that you should have been a singer, poet, computer techie or a well driller. I think one is given something that we are good at, but one must recognize that and take advantage of that talent and nurture and train that talent. The hardest part is, of course, finding out how much money you can make with the career path you chose. Lets say you like making creative clay statues. The hard part is finding a niche for that talent and learn how to make money, lots of money. If it makes you very happy doing that, then that is the career you should choose. Maybe you want to be a musician and you love playing the guitar and don't think you can make any money as a guitar player. My answer to that is be the best guitar player you can be. Find outlets and have your talent shine. Money will come.
I have had some female students that all they want is to get married and have children. I see the hunger in their eyes when they talk about children and a husband and a little house somewhere in the suburbs. If that is your wish, be the best mother you can be, read all the "how To" books you can and be the best mother you can be. Unfortunately, this scenario almost never turns out gloriously. Some of these kids I knew years ago are either divorced with 5 kids, or are on welfare or some other kind of assistance and something went awry in their calculation. Just having children is not a great feat in itself, after all, millions of women do it, but being the best parent/mother that you can be is.
Being young is difficult and knowing that you are off to college in a few years does not make it easy on finding a career if nothing interests you or you don't have any motivation to get you through with your goals.
Again, if you have any talent, use it, develop it, work it.
I have a beautiful and talented young singer in my studio. She is 16 years old and boy, can she sing! The vocal talent is pouring out of her and everyone can see it but her. She could be one of the worlds best coloraturas there ever was if only she would just realize what great talent she has. She is a bit lazy, yes, and has no skills in doing things for herself. She grew up in a household with mother and father making all decisions for her and doing everything for her. Being a beautiful child, all she had to do was smile and your heart just melted. She learned that she did not have to do anything because someone would do it for her. That is a wonderful existence, and I would love to try it, but nobody at my house would do that for me. I had to learn to adapt. She now is waiting for someone to give her a career without her working for it. Again, that is also good, but not realistic. Parents have got to step aside and let her flounder for a bit, though hard as it seems without tearing of the heartstrings, but it has to be done, and they are doing well. She is, at the momment rebelling but that's the next step for her recovery. She will become a great singer, I guarantee, but not until she herself does the work and sitting back waiting for something to happen is not the answer. Go, GIRL, Go.....!
Another example of which I'm most proud. A few years ago I had a new student come in for lessons, and I heard this fantastic voice coming out of this kid. He was an actor at Walt Disney World but he could also sing! I really enjoyed teaching him. He was positive, hard working, knew languages, had goals, had a career path and was doing all the other jobs and workshops that all actors do to hone their craft. This guy hated to sleep, because he would lose that time, which was unproductive for him when he could be doing something to advance his career. He was becoming well known in this market, and had a following at Disney. He also did the theater sports venue here in town and again, he was the main attraction. Everything was going well for this kid, because he worked at it.
Every time he came in for a lesson, he would always be making some kind of weird noise with his mouth. He was whistling odd tunes and making other sounds that I finally asked him what he was doing. He replied that all his life he loved making different noises and sound effects. So I asked him, if you like that so much lets explore it as well, and he said ok. Through a friend we got him an audition with one of the local agencies that specialized in voice-overs. He immediately got hired and that turned his life around. He was now doing something that he loved doing and getting paid for it! He started expanding his repertoire of "creature" sounds, babies crying, and frog noises. I loved teaching him singing and he was a great student, and I hated to let him go. He moved to Los Angeles and his career in the voice-over industry went ballistic. Now he has more work than he can handle. He is a well-known artist in Los Angeles and does cartoon voices for almost every cartoon and movie in the industry. What a model for other young students. He had a career path as an actor/singer but, with my intervening, he found out what he really likes doing and, hello, making obscene amounts of money with obscene sounds and loving his life.
I recently saw him in Orlando, and he was happy doing what he is doing, and if I had some part of getting him there, both of us have achieved some phenomenal success. D, you are Mighty!
So. What I'm trying to say is:
1. know yourself
2. be true to yourself
3. if you have some talent, exploit it with all your might
4. nurture that talent, feed it
5. Have goals, short term and long term
6. work at your craft continually
7. Life is short---don't throw it away
Sunday, June 13, 2010
OMIGOD!!! I HAVE A NODULE ON MY VOCAL CHORDS!!!
WHAT DO I DO NOW! OMIGAWD!!!!!
What most people do is cry for a week, go to a doctor, where he will tell you to rest your voice for an unlimited number of months to a year or he will suggest surgery on your vocal chords to remove your node. Most often that will not work, and your voice will always be breathy and the top will never be the same again. He will, after you refuse surgery, after a time, recommend a vocal therapist where he/she will teach you how to talk again!! What nonsense, poo-poo and folderol!! ( I love exclamation points, don't you?)
Before panicking and crying all week, think about this: REHABILITATION!
To avoid this catastrophe you should have been:
1. going to a reputable voice teacher. No? then you deserve nodes.
2. can't afford a teacher? With all that money you spend on frivolous things and not a penny keep your voice healthy, since that is your career, then you deserve nodes
OK: enough finger pointing. This is what you do. FIRST, you have to understand what causes nodules. What really causes nodes is the fact that, in a two register technique you have pushed the "chest register" too high, into the passaggio or break area, therefore compromising the break and the head register that you have, and pushing the head register up higher or totally out of the voice. One starts to hear the voice become raspy, or the voice coming in and out, and totally losing your voice in a very short time. This is the beginning of a nodule on your chords. At one point or another, those who abuse their voice will get nodes, like speakers, belters, and those who constantly are talking too loud and too high.
SECOND: Rehabilitate your voice by putting back the head register you blew out. Now this might take some time, depending on the severity of the crime. But what I do as a voice teacher, besides calming the student/patient, is teach the student how to help himself/herself and give them vocal exercises to do. One has to practice a lot of head register, with no mix, back into the passaggio area using the headiest of the vowels like "oo". Do triads or a 1-1-3 2-1 only on head voice. Sometimes it may be hard, but persevere and the results will be there.
THIRD: another exercise to add the the first one is to do triad falsetto (head voice, no mix) notes "until the cows come home" throughout the voice, particularly on the top of your range. After all, you banged out your voice in that area. Just p0ut the head voice you pushed out. Now, doesn't that make sense?
FOURTH: Starting on a "g" or any note in the middle of your range, using the full voice and do a 1-3-5-8-5-3-1 scale dropping as much weight or chest register going up the scale as possible ending in the passaggio with only falsetto or head register. This is called "stripping the voice" and does wonders for the voice.
FIFTH: Octave chest-head-chest yodel to the top and then back to chest. so its chest/ head/ chest (don't forget to yodel on the top note).
Whatever you do, don't go to a vocal therapist. Every vocal therapist I have known knows nothing of singing and can't help you. Go to a reputable voice teacher. Yes, rest is good and wonderful, but rehabilitation is better along with the rest.
Now, its difficult to tell you how long its going to take to get better. After all, you have been banging the voice for a long time. Nodes don't happen overnight! Just practice using only head/falsetto.
I will not lie, some times you feel like what you do is not helping. Yes it is. If its too slow, you need to see if you are "mixing" the top with chest. If you are, that's a no-no! Make sure its head register or falsetto ONLY!!!! It will take time but after a few weeks you will feel a little better, and after time you will gain your full voice without the need for surgery.
Finally, feel good about yourself. Learn about your voice and how it works and how to keep it healthy.
What most people do is cry for a week, go to a doctor, where he will tell you to rest your voice for an unlimited number of months to a year or he will suggest surgery on your vocal chords to remove your node. Most often that will not work, and your voice will always be breathy and the top will never be the same again. He will, after you refuse surgery, after a time, recommend a vocal therapist where he/she will teach you how to talk again!! What nonsense, poo-poo and folderol!! ( I love exclamation points, don't you?)
Before panicking and crying all week, think about this: REHABILITATION!
To avoid this catastrophe you should have been:
1. going to a reputable voice teacher. No? then you deserve nodes.
2. can't afford a teacher? With all that money you spend on frivolous things and not a penny keep your voice healthy, since that is your career, then you deserve nodes
OK: enough finger pointing. This is what you do. FIRST, you have to understand what causes nodules. What really causes nodes is the fact that, in a two register technique you have pushed the "chest register" too high, into the passaggio or break area, therefore compromising the break and the head register that you have, and pushing the head register up higher or totally out of the voice. One starts to hear the voice become raspy, or the voice coming in and out, and totally losing your voice in a very short time. This is the beginning of a nodule on your chords. At one point or another, those who abuse their voice will get nodes, like speakers, belters, and those who constantly are talking too loud and too high.
SECOND: Rehabilitate your voice by putting back the head register you blew out. Now this might take some time, depending on the severity of the crime. But what I do as a voice teacher, besides calming the student/patient, is teach the student how to help himself/herself and give them vocal exercises to do. One has to practice a lot of head register, with no mix, back into the passaggio area using the headiest of the vowels like "oo". Do triads or a 1-1-3 2-1 only on head voice. Sometimes it may be hard, but persevere and the results will be there.
THIRD: another exercise to add the the first one is to do triad falsetto (head voice, no mix) notes "until the cows come home" throughout the voice, particularly on the top of your range. After all, you banged out your voice in that area. Just p0ut the head voice you pushed out. Now, doesn't that make sense?
FOURTH: Starting on a "g" or any note in the middle of your range, using the full voice and do a 1-3-5-8-5-3-1 scale dropping as much weight or chest register going up the scale as possible ending in the passaggio with only falsetto or head register. This is called "stripping the voice" and does wonders for the voice.
FIFTH: Octave chest-head-chest yodel to the top and then back to chest. so its chest/ head/ chest (don't forget to yodel on the top note).
Whatever you do, don't go to a vocal therapist. Every vocal therapist I have known knows nothing of singing and can't help you. Go to a reputable voice teacher. Yes, rest is good and wonderful, but rehabilitation is better along with the rest.
Now, its difficult to tell you how long its going to take to get better. After all, you have been banging the voice for a long time. Nodes don't happen overnight! Just practice using only head/falsetto.
I will not lie, some times you feel like what you do is not helping. Yes it is. If its too slow, you need to see if you are "mixing" the top with chest. If you are, that's a no-no! Make sure its head register or falsetto ONLY!!!! It will take time but after a few weeks you will feel a little better, and after time you will gain your full voice without the need for surgery.
Finally, feel good about yourself. Learn about your voice and how it works and how to keep it healthy.
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