So I started this singing class…now what??

As the latest semester of Feet First Vocal Program is getting started, I find myself thinking a lot about how to make my clients feel supported and give them enough info to get them going, but not so much as to overwhelm them.

It’s so easy to give too much info which, in my not so humble opinion, is worse than giving too little info.

I keep coming back to practicing and how I can support people in creating a SUSTAINABLE practice habit.

Pardon the all caps, but sheesh, so many folks set such unrealistic expectations and then just feel miserable when it doesn’t work perfectly. 

Can you relate?

The trouble in the beginning is a lot like a new years resolution–clients come in with this idea that they’re going to be “perfect students” and practice 30 minutes a day and experience linear and consistent vocal growth. 

Nope. This isn’t how it works. Like, ever. 

You may be able to sustain this for a while, and that’s great!, but what about when it stops being a novelty and starts to feel like work? It’s really hard to keep that kind of intensity up. I mean, yes, some clients are able to do this, but not most. Not by a longshot.

My goal is to set my clients up with realistic expectations for themselves AND to remember their WHY.

Why did you start taking voice classes? Was it so you could berate yourself for inevitably “failing” because you can’t meet your own unrealistic expectations? Good lort, I hope not! I am not here for that. #NoThankYou

Singing is FUN. It’s emotional. It connects us. It’s never perfect. NEVER. And it shouldn’t be. Perfection isn’t real, and perfection isn’t particularly interesting or engaging. 

So the answer I have to begin with is often not satisfying for folks: 

Just start making some sounds regularly... 

and start noticing how singing feels in your body. 

In a world that teaches us that our bodies are not to be trusted and that we should look outside of ourselves for validation, this is actually the hard part: 

Learning to turn inwards, notice what we’re experiencing, and begin to build self-trust.

The singing itself really doesn’t matter all that much at the beginning–we just need to start using our voices more. 

This is a hard pill for a lot of my clients...at first. 

And I get it. We give a shit what we sound like, and none of us want to feel like we’re making fools of ourselves if/when we sing in front of others.

(Side note: This is one of the beautiful things about the classes. EVERYONE is scared to sing in front of others. It’s human nature. The more they do it, the more they realize that everyone struggles with something, community develops, confidence grows, and it gets easier the more you do it. I LOVE WHAT I DO.)

So for my new clients, here are a few ways to get some singing in:

Plan to sing a little bit most days.

What can this look like? 

Example 1: 

• Sing through the song you’re working on for class a couple of times.

• Just notice what feels good/less good. 

  • Are there any sensations in your body that you notice when it feels good? When it feels less good? Just take note.

Example 2:

• Sing through the song you’re working on for class.

• Then, lip trill or sing with a straw through a song or two.

• Then sing through your song again. Notice what you notice. What felt easier? The same? Worse? 

• All you have to do is notice, and if you’re feeling sassy, take some actual notes!

  
  

Example 3:

• As you’re driving around instead of belting out the songs you’re listening to try lip trilling through one song.

• On the next song, sing some hooty oo’s. It doesn’t matter if the song is a belting song–this is just an exercise.

• After that, try taking the words off and singing on some nasty meows or use the word “my”.

• Then go about your day.

In the beginning this is really all you need.

Open up your awareness around how singing feels in your body and use your voice more.

In a few weeks, you’ll likely notice that some things are starting to feel a bit easier. 

And: ENJOY IT!

Singing is fun–folks want to sing because it feels good and if we’re terrible to ourselves when we don’t make the perfect sound, well, that’s no fun. 

How do you want singing to look in YOUR life this week? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Happy singing!