Tuning the singing brain
Posted by editor on Apr 24 2006 | Category: Technique
We’ve heard it in sports metaphors: Whenever a player goes into a slump, the coach usually advises, “Let’s get back to the basics.” The same is true of music and singing. To improve upon our ability to sing well, it is essential to get back to the basics.
The mental approach
A singer needs to get the brain ready to sing. Getting the brain ready goes beyond recall. Certainly, the brain needs to recall the notes, words, emotion, movements, and other trained aspects of each song. But even more so, the brain must switch into singing mode and move away from talking mode.
Throughout the day, we talk to one another. As we talk, we are unconscious of the way we are breathing, the way we are forming our vowel sounds, the gestures that we might make. It is second nature to us.
Singing is different. We must be able to:
- Sustain a tone
- Maintain pitch
- Sing correct intervals
- Modulate our voice part to fit the chord
- Move to the planned choreography
All this is different from day-to-day talking. It is not second nature. Therefore, we must prepare mentally to sing.
Mindful melodies
The next time you go into a rehearsal or performance, take time out to mentally prepare yourself to sing. The warm-up offers a perfect time to do this. Use the time wisely, being mindful of what you are about to do.
I have developed a ritual when preparing for a performance or contest. I get dressed into my uniform in silence. Like the matador who dresses quietly before going into the ring, I take time in silence to mentally prepare.
I go over in my mind the basics of proper singing. As a baritone, I must also pay attention when I should come out in a phrase and when I need to back away. Because I have rehearsed sufficiently, I trust my brain to recall the notes, words, and choreographed motions. I don’t stress about those things. I take a few deep breaths, feeling my lungs fill up with air. I let the air out slowly, feeling the diaphragm support upwards. I’m getting my brain ready.
Try it sometime and see if being mindful makes a difference. If you take time to mentally prepare yourself to sing, talking at rehearsals will diminish. Won’t that be a pleasant side effect for your fellow singers and your director!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
