A vocal athlete? Yes! Athletic strength, training and stamina are required to get through this song, go on tour, give a great performance night after night. Your body is the instrument. You must treat it like a valuable, precious gift. Which it is.
Take a couple minutes to watch me sing a very athletic song.
You might not think of a singer as a world-class athlete, but some medical professionals say that the demands put on your voice when singing is as intense as those made by a professional athlete.
“The singing voice carries with it an inherent risk, in that you only get one instrument,” warns Daniel Ebbers, Associate Professor of Voice at the Conservatory of Music of the University of the Pacific. “If you ruin a clarinet or a guitar, you can buy another one, but you can’t get another voice. You don’t get another chance.”
We’ve all heard of pop stars who have had major vocal problems. Adele is at the top of the list. She burst a blood vessel in her vocal cords when singing a concert in Boston and had to have emergency surgery.
Then there’s Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, John Mayer, and others who have had to take months or even a full year off from singing to recover.
What I do not understand is these folks whose life, profession and passion is singing – but they don’t have a voice teacher/vocal coach to help them learn the techniques that would keep their voice healthy.
I may be prejudice on this subject, being a voice teacher myself, but seriously folks, what’s the hang up? I’ve helped many singers recover from vocal damage and an unhealthy way of using the voice. It’s possible and not painful at all.
To protect your voice, use this exercise every day…
#1 Be gentle with your self-talk because you CAN do it
#2 Align your body, your instrument, so you are straight and grounded
#3 Open down into your pelvis to inhale
#4 Exhale saying a light FFF to create a free pathway for breath and sound
#5 Use this natural pathway – without pushing at all – to sing
It’s not your voice, it’s how you are using your voice that causes damage.
You might think you cannot afford voice lessons. Truth is you can’t afford not to learn a healthy, natural use of your vocal instrument. There are less expensive options than private lessons such as online lessons and group lessons. Find the option that suits you best and go for it. You will soon know the joy of singing with a healthy voice!
Contact me so we can find the best option for you.
Sally Morgan
https://singlikeyouspeak.com
Master Voice Teacher
Hi! I’m Sally Morgan award-winning singer-songwriter, pianist, internationally respected voice teacher, speaker development trainer, keynote speaker and author.
My Sing Like You Speak® vocal technique has helped singers, songwriters, recording artists and others find their natural voice. When your voice is empowered your live is inspired with the tools and techniques to communicate with freedom and confidence.
My teaching expertise developed over 40+ years of doing what I love. Singing so simple it feels like talking to your best friend. Every class I teach, every student and every workshop teaches ME more and more. I love what I do every day!
I’ve given workshops at SXSW, AFTRA at work, Women in Music (NYC), the voice foundation, NYSTA, NATS and other professional voice organizations. I taught for the Screen Actors Guild Conservatory, Actors Studio Drama School, Yamaha music education system and more. Every class, every student, every workshop has taught me more. I’ve seen the results of the power of the tips and techniques to increase your joy of singing.
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