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Why Do You Feel the Desire to Sing?

Motivation

Do you know what motivates you to sing?  I feel singing promotes a release and expression of the self.  Music and singing invoke the expression of emotion which can be a tremendous release and healing for both singer and listener.  Singing can require one to draw from a wide spectrum of emotion.  The more emotionally aware a person is, the more they will be able to express what the music or character requires of them.  Some people choose singing not only to express emotion, but to feel loved or appreciated.  They are perhaps looking for the love and attention they missed as a child and seek music as their venue for expression.  I wonder how many performers there would be if everyone had a wonderful therapist.

Is Music For You?

Some students have asked if they should go into music.  I feel there are two answers to this question.  Music of any type is a very competitive and difficult field.  It is expensive to study and pursue and difficult in which to make a living.  Unless one comes from a wealthy family and you have their support or if your soul calls to you to be expressed in music, then it is best to find another profession.  Singing is extremely fulfilling while you are performing, but it takes tremendous work, perseverance and commitment. 

What is Fine Singing?

Fine singing is a balance of artistry and technique.  One can sing from the heart, but if one is not secure with some semblance of reliable technique, the singer will never be free while performing.  When a singer is young they can get away with singing ‘au natural’ without having yet acquired a solid vocal technique.  They may sing fine for a few years and then as bad habits develop when their muscles begin to mature, they will more than likely run into vocal problems.  I believe that one should search for a good teacher and work diligently to develop a good understanding of how their body and voice works while at the same time learning to be musical and develop their artistry.  Artistry is what takes over as a singer matures when the muscles may not respond as quickly as they once did, but the singing can still be beautiful.  This, however, shouldn’t occur until a singer is in their twilight years.

Importance of Studying

I have found that many singers, both famous and not so famous, stop studying technique after they are working.  It is something I don’t understand.  One can find many performing singers in real vocal trouble and it makes you wonder if they hear or feel what they are doing.  Have their egos gotten so big that they choose not to re-tune their instrument?  When one sings on stage it is difficult to not give ‘too much’ and one can easily push the voice too far.  Learning to pace one’s self is a very important lesson to learn. Also, when we perform we need another set of eyes and ears to inform us when we are doing strange things vocally or physically. Some people begin to lift a shoulder or perhaps stand with one arm visibly shorter than the other.  Some singers will start listing to the left or right or pull their head consistently in one direction often while going for a high note.  These physical mutations interfere with good alignment and centered singing.   Often these are physical signs that something is out of balance in the vocal mechanism.  Sometimes you will see a singer with their mouth twisted to one side or neck in a very tense position. One will often see a singer on television with their tongue turned or pulled back into the throat.  This is known to muffle some of the sound and is obviously tongue tension which effects the larynx position.   How can they sing well for very long?  ‘Tis a mystery.