Sure, it's cliché- but with Thanksgiving around the corner, November is the month of gratitude. And, you know.. an absurd amount of pie.
November is also when the hustle and bustle of the holiday season really begins, so it may be hard to find time to stop and appreciate the positive things in your life. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can boost your mood and improve your mental and physical well-being, but did you know that it can also be used as a resource to better your singing both on stage and in your practice time?
Just like with singing, begin with a deep breath.
Why do singers get nervous before a performance, or even in lessons? So often, we are focused on all of the things that could go wrong. Will my voice crack? Will I remember the words? Will I trip and fall in front of everyone and never be able to show my face here again? (Been there.) Next time you feel your nerves creeping in, take a deep, slow breath, and think of 3 things for which you feel grateful related to your singing. Maybe it’s how far you’ve come in your technique, your gratefulness for being a working musician in such a busy season, or even the guidance of your wonderful teacher here at VBC (wink, wink).
Stop comparing yourself to others.
As a voice teacher, it is all too common to hear a student reveal that they don’t love their voice or that they wish they sounded like someone else. Find the gratitude around loving your own unique instrument and sound. A flute can’t be a cello. A cello can’t be a trumpet. These intruments have their own distinct, yet beautiful qualities and textures. Be thankful for what it is that makes your voice special.
Focus on what went well.
At the end of a performance, lesson, or even your personal practice time, be grateful for what went well rather than beating yourself up about what you feel wasn’t your best. We are usually our own worst critic, so this one may be a challenge. When you feel thankful about the things that went well in your singing, you are able to appreciate the progress you've made and feel hopeful about the improvements that are yet to come. So next time you feel the urge to nitpick your performance and vocal technique, take a deep breath and think about how grateful you are to be learning, to share your gift with an audience, or to have an instrument that is uniquely you.
Here at Voice by Chelsea, we are incredibly grateful for our incredible students and the trust you continue to have in our studio.