Singing Is Lifelong Learning
(whether I like it or not)
Singing came late to me, but I’d always belted out tunes at the top of my lungs in the car during my straight job/commuting years, and without knowing it, acquired a little technique along the way.
People have a curious attitude about singing. We tend to believe that whatever you can belt out naturally (i.e. untutored) is it — that’s what you’re capable of. As if it was some kind of magical ability you have or have not.
As a writer, I’d already researched that idea, and found it to be scientifically false; very few of us are actually tone-deaf, and almost everyone’s voice can improve with an understanding of technique.
As a singer, I first developed the craft recreationally, belting it out as part of a big group of people who’d get together with guitars around a table. Everyone joined in, and it was a good place to get comfortable with the idea of singing around others.
Exposure to proper singing exercises and warm-ups via a stint in a public choir project first opened my eyes and ears to the value of technique, and a view of my voice as an instrument.
A Singing Evangelist
That’s when I first learned to focus on the interior architecture, and began to develop my voice in earnest. I also became something of a singing evangelist in the process — earnestly attempting to convince everyone I can of the value of learning how to sing.
There are sooo many benefits.
- It relieves stress;
- Benefits immune responses;
- Increases pain threshold;
- May actually improve snoring;
- Improves lung function;
- Provides one of the enduring links to memory in patients with dementia;
- Among others.
Not to mention musical literacy and appreciation. There are a lot of things you can appreciate so much more by doing them, and music is one of those.
But I’ve already released my EP…
When I released my first EP in 2020, while I was thrilled at hearing the songs that had been in my head for so long finally get out there into the universe of music, I couldn’t help but notice that I’d largely stayed within my comfort zone as a singer.
Like most people, I think, I’d developed my middle and lower range pretty well, but still had an upper register that remained somewhat mysterious and out of my comfort zone.
Over the years, I had participated in a few isolated workshops that had helped a great deal, but was looking for help with that specific issue, and it seemed to me that individual rather than group instruction would serve my purposes best.
However, my schedule as a freelancer makes it extremely difficult to commit to any block of an hour’s length, any time in the week. Even remotely on Zoom, it’s hard when same-day changes to my schedule are the norm.
I also recognize that, even though I’m looking for help with one issue for now, there will be similar times later on when I will want to check in for the advice of a professional singing coach. What teacher would be willing to just hang around on standby whenever I need them?
Confession time
Also — confession time — I have a certain resistance to asking for expert help. I think this may come from the fact that I’d had teachers in music, flute instruction, and other subjects as well, who left me with a lot of negative feelings.
I am the kind of person who learns by jumping in unprepared and working my way through it. I have to feel how something is put together, and understand it, before I can do it well, or even at all. Once I do, it’s all good. However, the “jumping in unprepared” part is where many such figures in my past have become impatient, and imposed the idea of failure on me. In fact, what they should have been doing is teaching me the big picture, which I had to learn about on my own.
I’m also stubborn, which I’ll freely admit to.
When I was approached by Singdaptive, a vocal coaching programme, it seemed to address all my issues with a simple premise they call asynchronous delivery. What it means is that the lessons are delivered via a series of video exchanges between student and coach. Supplementary materials in the form of instructional videos complement the direct exchanges to add more information, specific exercises and techniques, and the like.
I was concerned about a couple of things when I set out.
- Could the instructor actually identify the issues I was having difficulty with?
- Was there practical advice that could help me start improving right now?
Because of the timing, and my ridiculous work schedule, it took me about six weeks to complete my first module (which they call an Exchangely).
I’ve already seen improvement — the exercises and techniques I’ve learned immediately addressed the problems I’d been having. The instructor was both encouraging and insightful, and left me with a wealth of information and ideas.
That’s the most important part, especially since I’ve been writing songs throughout the pandemic, and have another several I want to start rehearsing and recording later this year. It has already enhanced my performing abilities. And, I’m left with tools that are helping me continue to improve and gain more and more control over my entire register (provided I keep using them!) as time goes by.
- Because — singing is work, and it does require ongoing effort.
- I like that I can work on my own, and come back any time for more help.
It’s also helped in another area of musical study. I’ve been learning keyboards over the last year, ever since the pandemic cut me off from other musicians, and I realized I could apply the same principles. Approaching difficult passages, my hand — my whole arm — would seize up in anxiety, much like my throat and shoulders would tense leading up to a high note. Keeping the focus on my fingers has also helped when it comes to the flute.
A free account lets you get started and gives you access to some of the material, as well as a welcome lesson and evaluation. It’s a nice way to get started and see if the programme and delivery method are right for your purposes. In-depth study, private and premium lessons, as well as an all-content pass, are available to purchase.
The moral of the story is still: everyone can sing, and flexible learning options are out there to answer all of your excuses. :)
