Tips for Singers

Weekly Teaching Tip – July 8, 2013
by Teri Stock

I found the following on a dancing blog and adapted it for singers. I think these are wonderful points to remember as singers ourselves and to point out to our students. Never forget as teachers we are singers first. I hope as teachers we are also setting an example to our students as we seek for more education and be not only the best singers we can be but also the best teachers. I am so excited for all the information that will be shared at the conference in two weeks. Hope to see some of you there!

1. A singing career is hard. “A singer rarely becomes and stays successful riding only on their natural born talents . Singers are artists and athletes. Singing professionally today is akin to participating in an extreme sport. Natural ability and talent will only get us so far. Singers must work hard and persevere. Singers can give years of their lives plus their sweat, tears and sometimes vocal damage to have the honor and pleasure of performing on stage.

2. You won’t always get what you want. “We don’t always get the role we wanted, hit the notes we want, get the job we want, hear the compliments we want, make the money we want, see venues run the way we want, etc, etc. This teaches us humility and respect for the process, the art form ,and the masters we have chosen to teach us. The faster we accept this, the faster we can get on with being brilliant. We’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but we can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work.

3. There’s a lot you don’t know. “There is always more a singer can learn. Even our least favorite teachers, or directors can teach us something. The minute we think we know it all, we stop being a valuable asset.

4. There may not be a tomorrow. “A singer never knows when their singing career will suddenly vanish: career ending injury, car accident, death. Sing every day as if it is the final performance. Don’t save the joy of song for the stage. Infuse even your routine vocal exercises with passion!

5. There’s a lot you can’t control. “You can’t control who hires you, who fires you, who likes your work, who doesn’t, the politics of being part of a theater company. Don’t waste your talent and energy worrying about things you can’t control. Focus on honing your craft, being the best singer and performer you can be. Keep an open mind and a positive attitude.

6. Information is not true knowledge. “Knowledge comes from experience. You can discuss a task a hundred times, go to 1000 voice lessons, but unless we get out there and perform we will only have a philosophical understanding of singing. Find opportunities to perform. You must experience performance firsthand to call yourself a professional singer.

7. If you want to be successful, prove you are valuable. “The fastest way out of a job is to prove to your employer they don’t need you. Instead, be indispensable. Show up early, know your material, be prepared, keep your opinions to yourself unless they are solicited and above all be willing to work hard.

8. Someone else will always have more than you/be better than you. “Whether it’s jobs or money or roles or trophies, it does not matter. Rather than get caught up in the drama about what others are doing around you, focus on the things you are good at, the things you need to work on and the things that make you happiest as a singer.

9. You can’t change the past. “Everyone has a past. Everyone has made mistakes, and everyone has glorious moments they want to savor. Would you keep a chive in your tooth just because you enjoyed last night’s potato? Boston Common TV Series. Singing is an art form that forces us to concentrate on the present. To be a master at song we have be in the moment; the minute the mind wanders, we can lose connection with the listener.

10. The only person who can make you happy is you. “Singing in and of itself cannot make us happy. The root of our happiness comes from our relationship with ourselves, not from how much money we make, what part we were given, what label we record for, or how many competitions we won. Sure these things can have effects on our mood, but in the long run it’s who we are on the inside that makes us happy.

11. There will always be people who don’t like you. “Singers are on public display when they perform and especially in this internet world, critics abound. You can’t be everything to everyone. No matter what you do, there will always be someone who thinks differently. So concentrate on doing what you know in your heart is right. What others think and say about you isn’t all that important. What is important is how you feel about yourself.

12.Sometimes you will fail. “Sometimes, despite our best efforts, following the best advice, being in the right place at the right time, we still fail. Failure is a part of life. Failure can be the catalyst to some of our greatest growth and learning experiences. If we never failed, we would never value our successes. Be willing to fail. When it happens to you (because it will happen to you), embrace the lesson that comes with the failure.

13. Sometimes you will have to work for free. “Every professional singer has at one time or another had to work without pay. If you are asked to work for free, be sure that you are really ok with it. There are many good reasons to work for free, and there are just as many reasons not to work for free. Ask yourself if the cause is worthy, if the experience is worth it, if it will bring you joy. Go into the situation fully aware of the financial agreement and don’t expect a hand out later.

14. Repetition is good. Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result is insane. “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. If you keep doing the bare minimum of practice, don’t complain to your teacher , if you are not progressing. If you want to grow beyond your comfort zone, you must push yourself beyond your self-imposed limitations.

15. You will never feel 100% ready. “Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Singers have to be willing to take risks. The greatest opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means you won’t feel totally comfortable or ready for it.

Teri Stock
tstock54@aol.com