3 Steps for New Singers
Whether you’re singing for the very first time or for the first time in a long time, here are 3 steps to get yourself prepared for your unique vocal journey.
Consider the relationship you have with your voice
Find a vocal coach or a vocal support system to help you grow!
Identify any vocal anxieties you carry while singing or that keep you from singing confidently
Let’s break it down, shall we?
1) Self-Reflection and Appreciation - You done good kid
I’d like for you to think about what you’ve done already to cultivate and hone your talent into skill. Have you taken lessons? Have you tried and failed and succeeded in other parts of your musicality? Have you hammered away at certain technical issues in your voice? Or perhaps you have devoted yourself to conquering emotional barriers through singing or voice work. Maybe you’ve been injured and are taking the first steps to vocal rehabilitation. It could be that this is your first foray into singing or expression, and if that’s the case, well done! You’re getting started on something new and exciting. That’s a big deal!
Whatever your experience, cherish it! Pat yourself on the back for doing the work you’ve done, celebrate where you are now as well as where you’re going.
Robert C. Sussuma, a vocal teacher at the Musical Theatre Department at Pace University in New York, has a vocal focus exercise called “The Singing Self: A Three-Part Contemplation”, as described in the brilliantly helpful vocal technique book “The Vocal Athlete: Application and Technique For The Hybrid Singer” compiled by Marci Rosenberg and Wendy D. Leborgne.
In this exercise, the singer is encouraged to contemplate their experience and relationship to their voice from three perspectives.
First, your vocal past: Think about the challenges and successes involved in becoming the singer you are today. Second, your vocal present: Appreciate how far you’ve come! Third, your vocal future, how you want to grow as a vocalist.
I would encourage you to take some time to think about where you’ve come from and where you’re going musically.
Make a list of three things you love about your voice and three things you’d like to improve.
Write down questions you have and make note of confusing or unclear elements of vocal technique that you’d like to learn more about!
Learn to articulate your vocal goals. What do you want your voice to sound like? What do you want out of your voice? More range? Better tone? More volume? Name a singer whose voice you’d love to emulate.
2) Find your Vocal Coach - Or a support system for your voice/music
If you don’t already have a vocal coach, now is the time to start doing your research. Simply reading this blog will not completely change your vocal style or technique, (Though I certainly believe it will help **crosses fingers**) It really does help to have a coach to guide you and encourage you. If you’re not financially in a place where private lessons are doable, create a musical support system instead. Talk to your friends who also sing about their experiences!
I would encourage you to find a vocal coach, voice therapists, musical friend(s) or writing partner(s) who are willing to get to know YOU and YOUR voice. Stay away from coaches or people whose methods revolve around making your voice fit a certain ‘standard’ of technique, tone or balance. Your voice is unique. Your vocal practice should be designed for your voice, not the other way around.
If you can afford to try out some vocal lessons, here are a few helpful tips.
Before you walk into your first session, prepare 2 insights to share with your team, teacher or coach:
Your goals: Articulate your goals with language you’re familiar with. Don’t feel like you have to know any fancy musical lingo or vocal jargon to express your dreams for your voice. Goals can be simple and large-scale like: “I want to sing louder” or “I want more range” or “I want to build confidence are all”. Your teacher will help you create more specific goals to ultimately reach the larger macro goals you walk in with.
Your learning style: Help your teacher out if you know the way you like to learn. Are you a visual learner? Do you internalize information best by doing or do you prefer to learn by watching/hearing examples first?
During your first session, it’s important to remember it’s not about impressing your teacher. Don’t worry about sounding good, the whole point is to get better right? So make sure you showcase all sides of your voice during the session:
Your weaknesses: Don’t be afraid to showcase and discuss your areas of weakness.
Your strengths: Diva-out and show off a little in front of your teacher!
After your first session, ask your teacher about their method and what you can expect from lessons in terms of vocal warm-ups and exercises.
Exercises: Make sure you walk away with a vocal practice that you feel comfortable with. It’s important to understand WHY you’re doing to exercises that you’re doing. Don’t be afraid to ask questions so that you're confident in the vocal practice you’ve been given.
Your good vocal habits: Ask your teacher if they felt you’ve naturally developed good or healthy vocal habits and what they are.
Your bad vocal habits: Ask your teacher if they felt you’ve developed bad or potentially harmful vocal habits and what they are.
At the end of the day, your personal growth as a vocalist hinges on you, not your teacher. A teacher will provide exercises and insight into technique, but the most priceless thing they can offer is their faith in you to reach your goals. You do the rest. If private lessons are not doable, ask around! Many of your friends have taken lessons and probably have some amazing insights! So explore your options and find someone or a team who believes in you.
3) Address your vocal fears and anxieties - Don’t worry about conquering them, just ponder them
The fear of failure is one of the most common anxieties that singers experience. “What if I can’t hit this note?”, “What if my voice cracks?”, “What if I go flat?”. There are many anxieties (embarrassment, being TOO loud, being TOO quiet, looking or sounding silly…etc) that can get under your skin as a performer and vocalist. I’ve found the best way to start addressing those fears is by acknowledging them.
Are you nervous about singing in front of new people? Are you anxious about certain parts of your range or tone? What are you nervous about? What creates anxiety for you while you are singing? For now, don’t worry about facing these fears head-on, just consider them. Ponder on them.
Tonal, physical, mental or emotional anxieties will have a very physical effect on your body, creating tension where there should be none, creating self-doubt where there should be confidence.
Here is the greatest truth in all this, singing is the most naked and vulnerable exploration of music. We have no buttons to press or strings to pluck. We can only sing out and that can feel exposing and scary.
Through the good graces of good humour and good people, you will find comfort and confidence, I promise. Play with music. Laugh at yourself when your voice cracks or when you feel uncomfortable singing in a new setting. Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
We are often of two minds while singing. One side of our brain recognizes that we have a talent and a method of expressing it through song. The other side often obsesses over our perceived weaknesses. Find the humour in these antics. Don’t take yourself too seriously and most importantly, have fun with it.
Your fears and worries are yours, and that’s really important. You’ve cultivated them as a singer, and you can own them and conquer them.
Best of luck on your vocal adventure!
