Every day one of you walks into my studio with a huge weight on your shoulder. It’s always been a mystery to me to see the process and to figure out what is in the way of you accomplishing your goal. We are daily bombarded with social media and all of the latest techniques, products and advice given by those I’m sure who have the best of intentions but often not the experience to have witnessed the long term results of these methods. I’m learning every day and realizing even more that we can never stop learning and more importantly, no one has the magic bullet to make it all right with our voices.
What I do know for a fact, is that you can have the best technique on the planet, have the voice teacher to the stars, have the latest voice product and tons of exercises you’ve purchased from the internet and if you’re not addressing the weights on your shoulders that are pulling you down from every day life, none of the above matters. Some of you sabotage any progress because you can’t get out of your head long enough to let the process work. Past trauma, stress, lack of self respect and even one life event can set you back from attaining the voice you want.
Remember that your “voice” is your soul expression. Think about how any emotion you experience shows in your voice. When someone picks up your phone call, you immediately know how they are doing. If you start to cry, no amount of technique can cause your cords to relax momentarily. If you have a physical ailment, it shows in your voice. I’ve had several students over the years who have shown signs in the sound of their voice that there is something going on physically that needed addressing that had nothing to do with the voice itself.
Begin to be aware of what you’re feeling emotionally when you sing. When things aren’t coming out like you think they should, take a breath and try to “let it go.” Meaning, for a brief moment, live in the moment and tell those haunting voices to !@*#&$. Be ok with YOU! Because YOU are ok and often the voice you are wanting is there. It doesn’t need any more special gadgets, no more unique exercises, no $500 per hr voice teacher who coaches the latest stars. It needs you to be OK with YOU! Just as you are. To accept that it’s not going to be perfect and that as you start to let go of life’s daily stresses and burdens, your voice will have the freedom of emotion to fly so to speak.
I always hope to offer that safe place. Sometimes we just need a room to be. To be imperfect without judgement, to realize that we are our own worst enemy. You were born with what you were born with. All I can do as a teacher is guide you to bring that gift you have to its potential. And more often than not, you just need to learn to be ok with it and realize that your voice is your expression. If you don’t love the sound, maybe you need to spend a little more time and effort loving on YOU. Take a moment……be easy on yourself.