This article will hopefully help you find your perfect balance when singing.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve mentioned the Zen aspects of singing throughout the program, so now is as good a time as any to try and clarify this concept. \u00a0 In essence, \u201cthe Zen of singing\u201d relates directly to the concept of singing \u201cfrom the center\u201d.<\/p>\n
Everything needs to be balanced, mentally, physically and emotionally, working as one, for the voice to be at its best. \u00a0And because everything can be heard in the voice and there\u2019s no safety net, many find singing very challenging. \u00a0Any imbalance, and you can hear it right away.<\/p>\n
For example, you have stage fright, so the body is tense and this affects the vocal cords. \u00a0Or you\u2019re just not feeling the song, and so, even if technique might be in place, you\u2019re not in the \u201cright place\u201d to give an inspiring performance. \u00a0Or the feeling and confidence might be there, but technique isn\u2019t developed, so you make a mistake and concentration and focus is lost, and thus the thread of the song. \u00a0So getting to know your instrument and its challenges is key (for every voice is different). \u00a0Then it\u2019s a case of developing and strengthening the voice step-by-step, day-by-day.<\/p>\n
One of the roots of singing is the paradox that occurs. You have to take it incredibly seriously and yet not care about the outcome of the note. \u00a0This translates as focusing with clarity, so that no energy is wasted when creating the note. \u00a0Then, once the note is made, \u201cletting it go\u201d. \u00a0Our inclination is to try and hold on to the note, to make it perfect (\u201cparenting\u201d the note) until the last breath is uttered. \u00a0Yet again, the result of this is tension and constricted vocal cords.<\/p>\n
This is especially true if we\u2019ve got a loud note to sing. We tense the body and try to force the note out. Because everything can be heard in the voice, we get a tense, strangled note. \u00a0Understanding the instrument, and what we\u2019re trying to achieve can go a long way to alleviate this.<\/p>\n
Which brings us to another paradox. \u00a0The core, i.e. the back of the mouth and throat, the chest and the diaphragm (including the stomach), need to work together as one to achieve the best results. \u00a0The rest of the body needs to work together to facilitate this action.<\/p>\n
So it results in one simple action: we take a relaxed breath in, focus our energy, and produce a clear vibrant note. As soon as we\u2019ve created that note we let it go so we can keep centered to create the next note etc. The computer of the mind staying one step ahead at all times. \u00a0Lose concentration and obsess the sound we\u2019re making and it\u2019s all over before we\u2019ve even taken a breath. \u00a0The more we practice, the more the path to the note is in place before we\u2019ve even taken a breath. Over time the body \u201cgoes to the right place\u201d automatically. \u00a0It then feels like \u201cthe song is singing us\u201d, and it takes no effort.<\/p>\n
Staying centered<\/b><\/p>\n
Because, yet again, singing is about being centered. For example, the note itself. \u00a0When practicing we need to focus on the center of the note, not it\u2019s vibrato or the breath around the note, but the clarity and purity of the note itself. \u00a0We then gain power and strength in the voice without strain.<\/p>\n
I mention elsewhere in the program how the power points that relate to singing also relate to power points in yoga. \u00a0Once again, everything interconnected. The perineum, stomach, solar plexus, chest, back of the throat, and the \u201cmask\u201d all relate directly to the chakras of the body (this having been pointed out to me by students who\u2019re yoga teachers and students of yoga). For example, when singing high notes, it can help to think of the note going out the back of the neck, where the head meets the spine. Yet again a point of power in yoga.<\/p>\n
But we can\u2019t be thinking of technique when we sing a song, we need to be focused on the story of the song, the thread of emotion that runs through it. \u00a0Singing is a feeling, not a thinking thing. Yet that computer of the mind needs to be one step ahead, working for us automatically.<\/p>\n
Which is where the subconscious comes in, the \u201cZen machine\u201d. \u00a0We have, on average, about 10,000 thoughts a day. \u00a0The subconscious is capable of many times that. \u00a0And we often bring learnt responses, especially bad habits, to singing that need to be undone: Shallow breathing, bad vowel placement, tense jaw, stage fright, bad posture et al. \u00a0Which is why learning to sing takes time. \u00a0Changing the path from how we used to do it, to a new way that works better. Show the subconscious a new way that works better and it will, over time, change the path for us. \u00a0It makes its life easier. \u00a0We get out of our heads and into our bodies, and then trust the body to do the work for us. So the new subconscious path may be: \u2018OK, I know this is a long passage, so take a big breath in, and as I do so tap in to the emotion of the song. \u00a0I relax the back as I do this, relaxing the singing instrument. Because I\u2019m using the diaphragm the high note is so much easier because I\u2019m not singing from my head like I used to\u2026here\u2019s the high note don\u2019t raise your head, or tense the jaw\u2026\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
So, once again, it\u2019s practice, practice practice. \u00a0Sing whenever you can, and try to enjoy it. \u00a0And try not to judge what you\u2019re doing, but trust that learning to sing is a process and your subconscious is working just as hard as you are. \u00a0Be observant, and gradually iron out the bad habits, replacing them with ones that work better.<\/p>\n
For example, look in the mirror, especially at first, to see what happens when you take in a breath. \u00a0Are you tensing your jaw, or just breathing from the chest, or raising your head? When you get it right, try to remember the feeling, how it feels when you get it right, and get used to going to the right place every time. \u00a0With singing, there\u2019re a few key things that need to happen all at the same time for everything to work properly, the whole body working together. And it\u2019s getting it all to happen all at the same time that takes the work, initially.<\/p>\n
However, when it starts to feel right, and sound right, then odds on it is<\/i> right. In my experience with students, at that time you\u2019ll start to get feed back from others. \u201cWow, that was great\u201d etc.<\/p>\n
And over time, it\u2019ll feel like the song is singing you, and it\u2019ll be a joy:)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This article will hopefully help you find your perfect balance when singing. I\u2019ve mentioned the Zen aspects of singing throughout the program, so now is as good a time as any to try and clarify this concept. \u00a0 In essence, \u201cthe Zen of singing\u201d relates directly to the concept of singing \u201cfrom the center\u201d. Everything needs to be balanced, mentally, physically and emotionally, working as one, for the voice to be at its best. \u00a0And because everything can be heard in the voice and there\u2019s no safety net, many find singing very challenging. \u00a0Any imbalance, and you can hear it right away. For example, you have stage fright, so the body is tense and this affects the vocal cords. \u00a0Or you\u2019re just not feeling the song, and so, even if technique might be in place, you\u2019re not in the \u201cright place\u201d to give an inspiring performance. \u00a0Or the feeling and confidence might be there, but technique isn\u2019t developed, so you make a mistake and concentration and focus is lost, and thus the thread of the song. \u00a0So getting to know your instrument and its challenges is key (for every voice is different). \u00a0Then it\u2019s a case of developing and strengthening the voice step-by-step, day-by-day. One of the roots of singing is the paradox that occurs. You have to take it incredibly seriously and yet not care about the outcome of the note. \u00a0This translates as focusing with clarity, so that no energy is wasted when creating the note. \u00a0Then, once the note is made, \u201cletting it go\u201d. \u00a0Our inclination is to try and hold on to the note, to make it perfect (\u201cparenting\u201d the note) until the last breath is uttered. \u00a0Yet again, the result of this is tension and constricted vocal cords. This is especially true if we\u2019ve got a loud note to sing. We tense the body and try to force the note out. Because everything can be heard in the voice, we get a tense, strangled note. \u00a0Understanding the instrument, and what we\u2019re trying to achieve can go a long way to alleviate this. Which brings us to another paradox. \u00a0The core, i.e. the back of the mouth and throat, the chest and the diaphragm (including the stomach), need to work together as one to achieve the best results. \u00a0The rest of the body needs to work together to facilitate this action. So it results in one simple action: we take a relaxed breath in, focus our energy, and produce a clear vibrant note. As soon as we\u2019ve created that note we let it go so we can keep centered to create the next note etc. The computer of the mind staying one step ahead at all times. \u00a0Lose concentration and obsess the sound we\u2019re making and it\u2019s all over before we\u2019ve even taken a breath. \u00a0The more we practice, the more the path to the note is in place before we\u2019ve even taken a breath. Over time the body \u201cgoes to the right place\u201d automatically. \u00a0It then feels like \u201cthe song is singing us\u201d, and it takes no effort. Staying centered Because, yet again, singing is about being centered. For example, the note itself. \u00a0When practicing we need to focus on the center of the note, not it\u2019s vibrato or the breath around the note, but the clarity and purity of the note itself. \u00a0We then gain power and strength in the voice without strain. I mention elsewhere in the program how the power points that relate to singing also relate to power points in yoga. \u00a0Once again, everything interconnected. The perineum, stomach, solar plexus, chest, back of the throat, and the \u201cmask\u201d all relate directly to the chakras of the body (this having been pointed out to me by students who\u2019re yoga teachers and students of yoga). For example, when singing high notes, it can help to think of the note going out the back of the neck, where the head meets the spine. Yet again a point of power in yoga. But we can\u2019t be thinking of technique when we sing a song, we need to be focused on the story of the song, the thread of emotion that runs through it. \u00a0Singing is a feeling, not a thinking thing. Yet that computer of the mind needs to be one step ahead, working for us automatically. Which is where the subconscious comes in, the \u201cZen machine\u201d. \u00a0We have, on average, about 10,000 thoughts a day. \u00a0The subconscious is capable of many times that. \u00a0And we often bring learnt responses, especially bad habits, to singing that need to be undone: Shallow breathing, bad vowel placement, tense jaw, stage fright, bad posture et al. \u00a0Which is why learning to sing takes time. \u00a0Changing the path from how we used to do it, to a new way that works better. Show the subconscious a new way that works better and it will, over time, change the path for us. \u00a0It makes its life easier. \u00a0We get out of our heads and into our bodies, and then trust the body to do the work for us. So the new subconscious path may be: \u2018OK, I know this is a long passage, so take a big breath in, and as I do so tap in to the emotion of the song. \u00a0I relax the back as I do this, relaxing the singing instrument. Because I\u2019m using the diaphragm the high note is so much easier because I\u2019m not singing from my head like I used to\u2026here\u2019s the high note don\u2019t raise your head, or tense the jaw\u2026\u201d So, once again, it\u2019s practice, practice practice. \u00a0Sing whenever you can, and try to enjoy it. \u00a0And try not to judge what you\u2019re doing, but trust that learning to sing is a process and your subconscious is working just as hard as you are. \u00a0Be observant, and gradually iron out the bad habits, replacing them with ones that work better. For example, look in the mirror, especially at first, to see what happens when you take in a breath. \u00a0Are you tensing your jaw, or just breathing from the chest, or raising your head? When you get it right, try to remember the feeling, how it feels when you get it right, and get used to going to the right place every time. \u00a0With singing, there\u2019re a few key things that need to happen all at the same time for everything to work properly, the whole body working together. And it\u2019s getting it all to happen all at the same time that takes the work, initially. However, when it starts to feel right, and sound right, then odds on it is right. In my experience with students, at that time you\u2019ll start to get feed back from others. \u201cWow, that was great\u201d etc. And over time, it\u2019ll feel like the song is singing you, and it\u2019ll be a joy:)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,20,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-93","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-learn-to-sing","category-level-2"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/singingfromthecenter.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/singingfromthecenter.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/singingfromthecenter.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/singingfromthecenter.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/singingfromthecenter.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=93"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/singingfromthecenter.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":390,"href":"https:\/\/singingfromthecenter.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93\/revisions\/390"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/singingfromthecenter.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=93"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/singingfromthecenter.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=93"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/singingfromthecenter.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=93"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}