Putting an End to Singing Myths
A myth is BS. A myth is a Belief System that has no basis in fact. Basically, it just ain’t so.
Singing myths are normal. Unfortunately, the result – the physical response of your instrument – is not normal, natural singing.
Let’s begin by agreeing on some truths of singing.
The human voice is a perfect musical instrument.
However a prevailing myth of singing is that Singing is Difficult – unnatural. I have to do something extraordinary with my body to sing.
The truth is that singing is the most natural form of communication. When you allow the body to work naturally – through technique that opens your mind and body – that’s when singing becomes an art.
The body is much smarter than the mind.
However, most singers hold the myth that they must “control” the voice to produce a better sound. You don’t trust the body so you think, think, think and over think that process until it is completely unnatural and doesn’t sound so great.
The truth is found and experienced when you have a technique that supports and encourages you to trust your instrument to respond to the music and the need to express yourself.
You sing on the vowels but you get paid for the consonants.
Years ago when I was studying singing there was not a consonant in sight during the lesson until I got to a song. The myth was Consonants Interfere with Singing. I had a teacher who would say, oh yes, that’s right, you sing lyric-driven music. Isn’t it all singing lyric driven?
You cannot communicate without lyrics. And lyrics happen to have many consonants. You can use those consonants to define rhythm and phrasing, to express emotion. Consonants also connect us to the powerful muscles that know exactly how to help you phonate without the mind interfering in that process.
It can be fascinating to discover your own myths about singing then to observe what effect the belief in the myth does to your singing. Once you have discovered a myth you can change the thought to a truth. Every time you observe yourself buying into a myth – BS – take a split second to look at the truth. You can always trust the truth.
Keep in mind as you begin seeing your singing myths never ever get upset with yourself. I’ve had students who are thoroughly disgusted with themselves when they discover a myth. How could I have been so stupid! Please don’t go there. It’s painful and not productive.
End singing BS. When you discover a myth the only way to bust it is to be thrilled that you’ve seen the myth and then gently turn the myth around to a true way of thinking. I’ve often laughed out loud when I realized a singing myth. Then the productive way to move forward is to observe your singing as you let go of that myth and replace it with truth.
Heal the world with your singing!
Sally Morgan, NYC voice teacher, wrote the book on contemporary vocal technique — literally. Sing Like You Speak™ is specifically designed to restore the effortless vocal production that is natural to the human instrument making your singing powerful, joyful and free. Sally has been successfully teaching people how to sing for more than 35 years.
You can see and hear some of Sally’s clients on Broadway stages, Off-Broadway, in Musical Theater – Regional, on Major Label Recordings, the Conan O’Brian show, A Prairie Home Companion and in Federal Courts, the PA House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate.
Sally teaches singing voice lessons in NYC and worldwide on ZOOM.
Sing Like You Speak™ Academy online voice lessons http://SingLikeYouSpeak.com/onlinelessons
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