I have often been struck by the allegorical elements contained within the discipline of singing. As a person learns to sing, more is learned about everyday life than first realized.
In this month of resolution and optimism, I find myself ruminating over various singing tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years, unearthing their metaphysical nuggets to inspire and empower everyday life.
1. Open your mouth-This is my number one Most-Often-Shouted-at-Cowering-Voice-Students phrase. (If you know me at all, you know there is actually neither shouting nor cowering in any of my lessons, but ‘most-often-exuberantly-reminded’ just didn’t have the same ring to it.) Why don’t we want to open our mouths? Fear of something falling in? I propose that we are actually afraid of something falling out. I am reminded of Horton’s little yo-yo-ing shirker in Whoville who is called upon to join his fellows in shouting for their lives—his one little voice makes the difference between salvation and being thrown into beezle-nut stew. We all want to be seen, to be known, to be loved. Haven’t we all felt like shouting with the Whos down in Whoville, “We are here, we are here, WE ARE HERE!” Well, you are on this planet for a reason, so OPEN YOUR MOUTH and make a noise. (Confession: I cried a little during the ‘We are here’ scene in the Horton movie. It was a beautiful moment.)
2. Exercise – Singing is an athletic endeavor! Singers are urged to exercise to improve stamina, breath capacity, breath control and core strength, but isn’t exercise useful in much deeper ways? While I used to be paralyzed by worries of dress size perfection, now I’m just grateful for a body that works most of the time! I would argue that this is less about lowering my standards than it is about discovering what is truly important. When I exercise, I am suddenly more comfortable in my own skin, literally and figuratively, and most importantly, it makes me grateful for my many blessings: two working legs, the wind on my face, the stars in the sky, this reflective vest that keeps the cars from hitting me…
3. Drink Water-Just like an athlete, a singer needs an efficient body. A well-hydrated body more easily combats fatigue, infection, dry skin, scratchy voice and headaches, among other unpleasantries. Drinking water is also really good for things you need like your liver and kidneys, and according to this video, it’s way more fun to do if you’re in space.
Singers are always asking me what they can do to help them get over laryngitis (loss of voice due to inflammation of the vocal folds) and my answer is simple: water and rest. Our bodies can’t function without water—doesn’t it seem silly that we have to remind ourselves to drink it? Perhaps this is the human condition sending us headlong towards things that are bad for us while ignoring the stuff that will benefit us the most. Now I feel guilty enough to throw out all my diet soda.
4. Fix your posture-Singers who have studied with me always get a good laugh when I imitate their singing posture. It’s usually a Smeagal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gollum)-like semi-crouch with fingers curled in and ankles flailing. It is very strange to see, but very common, this subconscious apology in their posture. This body position whimpers “I don’t have anything to offer, so why am I here?” My retort?
“Stand up straight, say what you have to say, sing what you have to sing.” Enough with the self-deprecation: We have voices, so let’s use them. (See Tip #1.)
Posted: January 2, 2012 by admin
Part I:Top Tips for Singers (and everyone else!)
In this month of resolution and optimism, I find myself ruminating over various singing tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years, unearthing their metaphysical nuggets to inspire and empower everyday life.
1. Open your mouth-This is my number one Most-Often-Shouted-at-Cowering-Voice-Students phrase. (If you know me at all, you know there is actually neither shouting nor cowering in any of my lessons, but ‘most-often-exuberantly-reminded’ just didn’t have the same ring to it.) Why don’t we want to open our mouths? Fear of something falling in? I propose that we are actually afraid of something falling out. I am reminded of Horton’s little yo-yo-ing shirker in Whoville who is called upon to join his fellows in shouting for their lives—his one little voice makes the difference between salvation and being thrown into beezle-nut stew. We all want to be seen, to be known, to be loved. Haven’t we all felt like shouting with the Whos down in Whoville, “We are here, we are here, WE ARE HERE!” Well, you are on this planet for a reason, so OPEN YOUR MOUTH and make a noise. (Confession: I cried a little during the ‘We are here’ scene in the Horton movie. It was a beautiful moment.)
2. Exercise – Singing is an athletic endeavor! Singers are urged to exercise to improve stamina, breath capacity, breath control and core strength, but isn’t exercise useful in much deeper ways? While I used to be paralyzed by worries of dress size perfection, now I’m just grateful for a body that works most of the time! I would argue that this is less about lowering my standards than it is about discovering what is truly important. When I exercise, I am suddenly more comfortable in my own skin, literally and figuratively, and most importantly, it makes me grateful for my many blessings: two working legs, the wind on my face, the stars in the sky, this reflective vest that keeps the cars from hitting me…
3. Drink Water-Just like an athlete, a singer needs an efficient body. A well-hydrated body more easily combats fatigue, infection, dry skin, scratchy voice and headaches, among other unpleasantries. Drinking water is also really good for things you need like your liver and kidneys, and according to this video, it’s way more fun to do if you’re in space.
Singers are always asking me what they can do to help them get over laryngitis (loss of voice due to inflammation of the vocal folds) and my answer is simple: water and rest. Our bodies can’t function without water—doesn’t it seem silly that we have to remind ourselves to drink it? Perhaps this is the human condition sending us headlong towards things that are bad for us while ignoring the stuff that will benefit us the most. Now I feel guilty enough to throw out all my diet soda.
4. Fix your posture-Singers who have studied with me always get a good laugh when I imitate their singing posture. It’s usually a Smeagal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gollum)-like semi-crouch with fingers curled in and ankles flailing. It is very strange to see, but very common, this subconscious apology in their posture. This body position whimpers “I don’t have anything to offer, so why am I here?” My retort?
“Stand up straight, say what you have to say, sing what you have to sing.” Enough with the self-deprecation: We have voices, so let’s use them. (See Tip #1.)
stay tuned for Part II….
Happy New Year!
Category: blog