In this blog, a part of the vocal training tips series, I will discuss the all or nothing syndrome, and why that can be so detrimental to vocal development.
I can’t count the number of times I have gotten a phone call, a week or a month before the local auditions for American Idol, The Voice, or The X-Factor are held. On the other end of the conversation is someone who wants “a few lessons to get ready for the big audition”.
And let’s talk about the parent whose child asks them for voice lessons after viewing the glamour and fun of these shows, who pays for a few lessons and then quits because the child does not practice and they are “wasting their money”. I am always appalled at the message that sends to a child- “if it’s hard, don’t work at it- just quit”!
All singers should know that good vocal training includes exercises and is not just singing songs. Singing songs is undoubtedly more fun than practicing exercises, but will not develop, improve, or change the voice. Vocal development occurs with a scientific approach that emphasizes strengthening both the chest and head registers, and blending the upper and lower using an approach called “mix”.
Parents should know that building good practice habits in a child will require a “hands on” approach, and, like eating your vegetables or brushing your teeth, may not be their child’s favorite thing to do. But the results are worth it! And the fun of singing songs (well) does happen, too, but as a result or payoff of good practice habits, built over time. Perfectionism is not helpful here- rather the focus should be on helping the child (even teenagers often need help with this) improve their discipline skills, rather than an “all or nothing” (quit if they don’t practice enough) approach.
It seems to me that there is a misunderstanding about how great singing happens. The most frequent misquote I hear is “either you have talent for singing or writing songs, or you don’t”. I think some artists promote this idea by claiming they have never studied voice, when in fact, they have studied with a teacher for years to develop and hone their craft. Apparently they would like to promote the idea that their gifts are “natural” and you shouldn’t have to work at it, if you are really talented.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Any artist who has sustained a career over time has worked hard at developing and maintaining their vocal instrument (whether they admit it or not). In fact, the right vocal teacher and a good, disciplined practice routine is the primary determinate of whether an artists voice will hold up under the rigors of daily performing and touring. And the time to start is BEFORE the career happens. By the time you are touring and having to sing daily, it’s a bit difficult to correct vocal production., because the voice is always tired and strained, and you are expected to perform anyway. That is why many careers fizzle before they take off- untrained singers are bound to experience vocal issues due to lack of preparation and vocal training, before the career happens. Even super-talents like Adele experience vocal trauma that could have been prevented with proper training.
Good voices and solid vocal technique are built slowly, over time, using a scientific vocal training approach to exercises that build, balance, and registrate the voice, increasing power and control with sustained and consistent practice and work. Classical singers understand this- the idea of taking only a few lessons before a big audition would be laughable to an operatic singer. Daily discipline and practice are part of any real musician’s lifestyle. I wonder why pop singers get the idea that their art form would require less?
I consider singing to be similar to athletics. Athletes understand that training their bodies and muscles is of primary importance. And staying in shape is vital. Athletes work with trainers and coaches who design workout routines that will maximize their performance ability.
In the same way, good vocal training (and let’s be clear- not everyone who claims to be a voice teacher actually understands the science of vocal development) will build the small intricate systems of the voice, so that the singer is free to emote powerfully when performing a song. When singers are confident that the voice will always work, they become much more free and emotional in their singing. (Stage fright is paralyzing to a singer, and is a result of fear that the voice might crack on high notes, or might otherwise not function correctly. This can be avoided with good vocal training).
Another misguided approach is the person who is so “gung-ho” when they start their vocal study that they over-do it, spending hours a day on singing (usually trying to add their own incorrect version of the exercises, or making up their own exercises, or just singing songs). These people eventually burn out and get frustrated because they are trying to accomplish too much in too short a time, while failing to focus on doing the prescribed amount of vocal technique. These people usually have a specific singer in mind that they are trying to emulate, but are incorporating excessive muscle when trying to do so. They often take the teacher’s instructions, but think they will speed things along if they “do more”- more hours, more loudly, make up their own ideas of vocal training, etc.
The voice is an intricate system that can only handle so much air pressure. We want to build the stamina and power of this system by exercising the voice, correctly, but more than an hour a day will probably start to tear down the muscles instead. If the voice feels hoarse, and continues to be hoarse on the day following a practice session, that means there is swelling, or edema, and that is an indication of doing too much, or perhaps of singing with too much volume. Professional singers whose voices are correctly developed can, of course sing for much longer periods of time. Vocal stamina is built up over time, just like everything else.
Rather than having the objective be “to get on American Idol, The Voice, or The X-Factor”, a true artist’s goal should be “to become the best singer I can be, over time”. In today’s “give it to me NOW” culture, that kind of attitude is a rarity, but that is the approach that will actually succeed. Consistency and patience combined with the right vocal technique will get you there!
I have a sign in my studio that says “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going”. Daily, consistent practice of technique exercises (about a half hour per day to start) over a period of a year, will totally transform a voice. (This is only true if you are studying with a teacher who understands how to teach mix).
When you have put in the daily work, over a period of time, the payback is so incredible that you become inspired to continue on to greater heights of vocal achievement.
If “being a star” or “getting on American Idol, The X-Factor, or The Voice” is your only objective, you are likely to be disappointed, particularly if you have not spent a great deal of time and training working toward these goals. There are a lot of people out there who have the same goals, who DO work at it daily. Remember, once you get on the show, or your band does get a record deal, now you as the vocalist are expected to deliver a flawless performance, every time. Unless you have trained and prepared for “the Olympics” of singing, you will not be much of a competitor over the long run. Getting on the show or getting a deal means nothing if you can’t consistently deliver the vocal goods, under pressure, every time.
However, if your goal is to develop your particular voice and unique talent to the greatest degree possible, once you have done that, you will be amazed at the doors that will open for you! It could well be getting on to one of the shows mentioned above, or it could be learning to write your own songs and releasing your own record, (we can help you with that at Sing Like a Star), or it could be getting the lead in the high school or community theatre musical, or leading the praise team at church.
The first step is to train your vocal instrument, to work it for about 30 minutes each day, standing in front of a mirror to monitor your posture, breathing, and alignment, singing along with vocal exercises designed to address your specific voice, and where you are that day. (This is why CD programs, while helpful in some ways, don’t really do much to further your vocal development- they are not designed for you personally- rather they are a “one size fits all” approach). Take a weekly voice lesson. You cannot teach yourself to sing. Put yourself in the hands of a qualified voice trainer who understands the mix. Be patient, daily, and consistent. With the right training, you WILL see results. And when that big opportunity comes around, you will be ready, and successful!
To recap, the “all or nothing” approach seldom works well for vocal training, but a sustained, long term approach is a sure bet to success!
For professional singing lessons in the Atlanta, Marietta and Alpharetta GA area, or to register for voice training online by skype, facetime, or speakerphone, please visit the website at www.singlikeastar.com, and click on the GET STARTED tab to register for a professional vocal evaluation and consultation.
