Helping the shy singer

Next week I'll be offering a group vocal class for adults. I've taught this class many times before, and it's always neat to see how everyone blossoms in class. Usually, I get lots of inquiries about the class with lots of concerns from 'shy singers'. They tell me how terrified they are to sing in front of anyone, and are afraid they'll be put on the spot. These are all people who love to sing, but can't stand the thought of having anyone actually hear them sing! What a sad and awful burden to bear!

How great that they have the courage to come to class, in hopes of getting over their singing phobia. That's really what it is, a phobia that they've developed as a result of someone criticizing them, or a choir teacher scolding them in front of the group etc. So in class, we sing all together; fun songs that are easy. We then learn basic Integrated Voice skills which immediately give lots of the singers 'aha' moments as they crack through and eliminate vocal challenges that have plagued them all their lives. When we start to de-mystify the vocal skills the shy singer becomes empowered to take more chances, and when they find that their vocal mastery has increased, their self-confidence goes through the roof. They even begin to like their own voices! They get so excited and yeah! want to do more singing!

As I say over and over, singing is 90% mental; and if you have faulty belief systems surrounding your vocal ability, you're going to fulfill your own prophecy. So I also work a lot on the limited beliefs the students have and the messages they give themselves about singing. Once we clear those away, we start with a fresh slate to work with.

Everybody leaves the four week class energized, excited and confident in their new found vocal ability. Oh, and did I mention, they're no longer 'shy singers'?!

Quantum Physics and Singing

I rented "What The Bleep???" again last night. I got a lot out of it. If you haven't seen it, you should. It opens your mind to how the world really works. Basically, all the 'quantum physicists' say WE CREATE OUR WORLD. They said that our belief about the world and things in it being static is false. That at any moment, we can change what's in our world just by taking control of our emotions and thoughts. What we end up doing though, is creating our world from past experiences and the emotions associated with those experiences. The idea of cellular memory impressed with i.e. 'victim' as opposed to 'victor' mentality was really interesting. Because the cells are programmed to respond a certain way, our brain then sets out to create situations that will 'feed' those cells and maintain the neural pathways that support the victim or victor role! So things come in to our life because we draw them in to reinforce the 'addiction' to being a victim or victor!!

So it's really true that at any moment we can change our thinking and create new neural pathways. The scientists said that to do this, it's more than just 'positive thought', you MUST CHANGE YOUR BELIEF SYSTEM and radically alter your belief to know that every moment is fluid, a river of possibilities, but we must CHOOSE what we want to experience. It takes effort and vigilance to do that.

How does quantum physics apply to singing? Your belief system plays a huge part in your ability to sing well! I tell my students that singing is 90% mental! So many people come to me holding on to their vocal limitations, or what they perceive as their vocal limitations. They'll say to me 'I can't sing high', or 'I'm not a solo singer' or 'I'm terrified to sing in front of an audience'. In making those statements they are reinforcing that belief. That limited view has become their reality! Even though they don't know it, their cellular memory is programmed with 'I can't' sing high' etc.; based on suggestions given to them long ago by someone else. When we're young, and haven't yet formed a strong self-image, the comments and suggestions of others (usually negative) become our reality. As we grow, those thoughts of limitation become an ingrained part of our brain chemistry and forge strong neural pathways because we play them over and over in our head!

My method, The Integrated Voice works on that mental and emotional level to bring to consciousness those faulty beliefs, and get rid of them once and for all. When my students learn correct vocal skills they begin to see that those limitations they held on to are based on faulty information, and with my support, they begin to forge new neural pathways that are based on correct information! Their confidence soars, and they're able to sing beyond their wildest imaginations! They've created a new belief system for themselves, that is positively reinforced every time they sing!

And what does this new confidence do for them? It opens up every other area of their lives. They begin to see other faulty beliefs that are holding them back from living their best life. I like to say that I help them open up a chink in their armor of limitation, and out flows confidence, creativity and positive expectation.

Belief is the key to manifesting positive events and action in your life. What are you believing about your voice, your singing, your life? If you take the quantum physics view, then what ever you're believing is manifesting right now in your life, good or bad. It's up to you to take control of your thoughts and emotions, and begin making changes in your own life. If this view of the world is correct then everything begins on the inside. It's not that things outside of yourself 'happen' to you; you create these things to feed and reinforce your world view! Whew! What ever it is, you can do it if you believe you can! If you want to sing without fear and limitation, find a good teacher who can help you not only be a good technician, but who is intuitive to the belief systems surrounding your voice, self-expression and singing. You are an integrated whole, and your voice is an expression of the positive and negative beliefs you have about yourself. Listen to what your voice is telling you!

The Power of The Integrated Voice - letter from Bruce Morris!

I'm always amazed and gratified at the power of 'The Integrated Voice' method that I've developed. It's miraculous and very revolutionary. It's based in Bel Canto, a method I learned from Giusseppe Balestrieri in Los Angeles. (See 'My Story' in the articles section of my website.) Once I started taking lessons from Giusseppe, I never had a single voice problem again, so I know first hand what a godsend a good vocal teacher can be. I'm really so thrilled when I can help someone 'find their voice' and give them back the voice they seemingly had lost.

The following letter is from Bruce Morris, who took one of my classes at Puget Sound Guitar Workshop last summer. He recently wrote me this letter, and I'd like to share it with you in hopes that you all can find a great teacher with a great vocal method who can help you heal your voice and give you new, correct skills for a healthy, youthful voice. It's never too late! My Uncle is 81, and he just started singing and taking voice lessons! He loves it! By the way, my Integrated Voice Vocal Exercise CD will be available online very soon! Here's Bruce's letter. Thank you Bruce!


Beth -

Bruce Morris here. I took your class at PSGW last summer. I seem to have lost the CD of vocal exercises I got from you last summer. If you sell it on your web site, I don't see it there. Is there a way I can get another one?

I should let you know that you are the best vocal coach I have worked with in 25 years. If you lived in Portland, I'd be studying with you on a regular basis. Using your methods, I am in good voice all the time now. Being a lay cantor, many people have noticed and commented favorably, including the rabbi where I chant regularly.

During rehearsals for the Jewish High Holy Days, I used your techniques as warm-ups with my congregational choir. Only a handful would call themselves musicians, even fewer are vocalists. Yet all of them found voices they didn't know they had. We never sounded so good. Again, the congregation commented on how good we sounded this year. And the choir had such a good time, and was so energized, that a regular group has now formed to sing all year long, not just at the Holy Days.

I also really appreciated how you coached me on the song I did at the student concert. Its amazing how disconnected I had become from the words I was singing. Again, I used your coaching to great advantage just last night, where I was Haman (the bad guy) in our Purimshpiel.

I haven't had this much fun with my voice in years. At 50, I was beginning to have trouble controlling my vibrato and was thinking of hanging it up vocally before I started to embarrass myself (and everyone around me). Now I think my voice sounds like it did 15 years ago, maybe even better. I am ever so grateful.

Oh yeah - don't forget. How can I get another exercise CD?

Thanks,
--Bruce

Radio Interview AM 1340

My dear friend, Cass Ho, has a new radio show for women, and invited me to be her first guest this morning on AM 1340. She's a great interviewer; asks interesting questions, and uses really neat words like 'plethora'! To that I say 'seldom used, always appreciated!' I love fancy words, and Cass comes out with some zingers.

We were talking about the 'glamorous world of show business', and how it's sometimes not what it's cracked up to be. Cass would know about that. She was a celebrity wife, married to the incredibly famous quarterback, Joe Montana when he won the superbowl. Can't get much bigger than that. She also spent 20 something years as an attractive flight attendant for United; dazzling mostly first class passengers on the U.S. - London route. So Cass has no lack of stories about the so called 'glamorous world of show business and International travel'.

She and I talk a lot about 'change'; how crucial it is to be able to adapt in life. Things change. Thankfully, she and I have been able to enjoy the high life while seeing it for what it usually is - a lot of hype. Celebrities, Politicians, Atheletes, no matter how powerful, are still just people, the same as you and I, except at the highest levels they can't even go out for a hamburger! There's a lot to be said about peace, privacy, and being able to go to the supermarket without everyone staring at you wondering why you don't look like you do on TV!

So here's to my friend Cass, who's weathered a lot of storms, slayed some personal demons, and has arisen the most beautiful, loving, talented, unselfish Phoenix I have the good fortune to know.

First Day of Spring?

This is a photo taken this morning from the studio. Hey, wait a minute, isn't today the first (or second) full day of Spring?? Any of you out there who are lucky enough to be seeing leafing trees, crocus, tulips, and daffodils, please take a photo and send it on to me, I'll post it here on the blog! It really seems odd to me that in other parts of the country it truly is Spring, with Nature bursting forth through the thawed earth. Not here! We have another two months of snowy, mushy weather before glorious Summer arrives. I did see a few daffodils poking up last week, but they're now hopelessly buried under 8 inches of snow!

Cheer me up with some Spring blog photos, would ya? I'm going to take my own advice and start singing cheery Spring-like songs, like 'Oh What A Beautiful Morning!' etc. to get me in the spirit. Maybe if we all raise our collective voices, we'll usher in the season a bit earlier this year!

Spring Is The Time To Sing!

Tonight is the Spring Equinox, a time for new beginnings! When people hear me in concert, or find out that I'm a voice coach, I'm always amazed at how many of them tell me 'I've always wanted to sing.' They usually say it in a rather wistful way, as though it's a dream that's totally out of reach for them. I usually respond, 'then why don't you?', to which, invariably, they say 'oh, no! I can't sing!' Why do we so stubbornly defend our false beliefs and limitations?! If you'd love to sing; if you harbor that secret desire to belt out a tune or be the next American Idol; or just want the courage to sing 'Happy Birthday' without embarrassment, I'm here to tell you that YOU CAN!

Everyone can sing! You were born singing! Along the way, though, someone told you that you couldn't, and that became your belief system. Spring is the time when all things come back to life. Even dusty, forgotten dreams can be born again. So do something wonderful for yourself - take a few voice lessons! You'll see it's not as scary as you thought, and it will give you worlds of self-confidence. I offer both group and private coaching, and I find that most people are so anxious about singing in front of me initially, that we spend lots of time working on that inner critic that demands vocal perfection. My goal is to help my clients sing from their hearts, not their heads! Singing is all about raising your voice in joy; not worrying about how good you sound, but how good you FEEL when you're sharing your music.

If you yearn to sing, then DO IT! You will feel great and you'll feel proud of yourself for taking a risk and emerging a stronger, more confident songster! I love to help people find their voices, and now is a great time to take that step of self-discovery and self-love. Sing because you've always wanted to. What better reason is there? And if you're a bit shy, then take a few lessons (study with someone who's method is based in Bel Canto) so that you gain skills that will give you confidence in your voice.

Spring is the time to start something new; something that's going to feed your soul and bring a bounce to your step! Singing has incredible physical and emotional benefits, and it's a great way to meet new friends! My uncle just started singing at age 81, and it has changed his life! He sings every Thursday night in Los Olivos, California, and just loves it! And his audience loves it, too! How fantastic that he took the initiative to take singing lessons at the local community college, then had the guts to get up and put himself on the line. And you know what??? This is now his PASSION! He lives and breathes it. I am so proud of him, and wish everyone would have the courage to open up and sing! My uncle Dick is 81 and singing every week in public; what's your excuse?!
Spring is the time to sing!!

Vocal Performance Workshop

A good time was had by all! Left to Right: Bonnie Warnock, Becky Johnson, Charlene Johnson, Anke Summerhill, Bill Stoye

Last month we had a great Vocal Performance workshop at The Studio at Harvest Lane in Midway. Unlike my 'Stage Skills 101' class where singers and speakers work on stage movement, talking to an audience, using the mic, moving easily onstage etc., the VPW helps singers do all of the above, adding a crucial element - emotionally connecting with the audience. We really get into our lyrics (or for speakers, you topic/content); reducing them down to the pure, underlying emotion. I always talk about the importance of 'subtext' or what you're really saying underneath those words.

We had a really eclectic group for this workshop, sharing music from Opera all the way to "Girl From Ipanema'. This all day workshop gets the participants focused on what's important - connecting with their audience, while being relaxed and at ease on stage. So it's more than a stage skills class - it's about being a consumate performer. During the day, there were many emotional moments which were great break thrus for the participants. I reminded everyone that it's OKAY to cry! All of us were right there with the performer as they let their raw emotion spill out. IT WAS POWERFUL! Isn't that what music is all about???? Sharing feelings???! If you're covered, or insincere, your audience won't feel a thing. If you're authentic and exposed, we'll all be able to identify with you. We've all been there! I am big on being an authentic performer! Everyone emerged from the workshop more confident, more open, more aware of the underlying emotions in their lyrics.
Here are some comments from the class:

"(The workshop) gave me tools to develop and sustain focus and courage on stage." B.S.

"If you like to sing at all, you will benefit from this!" Becky J

"I learned from everyone's experience, not just my own. Thank you! I love you!" Charlene J

"...gave me new insight into lyrics and helped boost the confidence level" BW

"Take it! A very powerful performance workshop in a great environment for learning!" AS

The Toddler's Voice

Have you ever heard a toddler when they're unhappy, tired, or just want attention? That voice could break glass! When I'm teaching voice, I often say 'how would a two year old sing this?', the answer, they just LET THEIR VOICE OUT. They don't TRY to do anything with their voice, it's just a natural, released voice that has incredible volume. Most of the time my students get it in their heads that when they sing, they have to control, cajole or 'project' their sound. All that does is lead to constriction, pushing and too much compression on the vocal cords. I can't stress enough that to sing correctly, you must release, never push the voice. There's a huge difference. You'll get so much warmth and volume when you use the body as a resonating chamber, rather than pushing the voice, or forcing volume by trying to 'project'. If you feel like you're pushing too much, 'sing like a two year old'!

Sound Healing

This is an exerpt from my March Viva La Voicegram. If you'd like to receive my monthly newsletter that features the complete article: "Sound Healing - Not Just for Britney Spears!', please sign up at: www.VivaLaVoice.com

Using sound as a tool for healing is as ancient as time itself. Shamans and Priests have used voice, rattles, drums and bells to stir the soul and free the body of physical pain and emotional suffering. Toning, using the voice as a healing tool, is incredibly powerful, and is used by everyone from sound healers to music therapists for grief therapy, energy balancing and emotional recovery. If the thought of toning makes you uncomfortable, let me tell you that you use toning every day without thinking about it. Imagine, you’ve just hit your thumb with a hammer. You unconsciously scream in agony. Can you imagine how unbearable the pain would be if you couldn’t release that pain with your voice? You didn’t even think about it, you just naturally expressed your feeling with the sound of the pain! Toning is simply a means of creating a healing, expressive vibration with your own voice.

There is much emerging data to confirm what sages have known for centuries, that sound, voice and music have the potential to heal the world. More and more people are seeking alternatives to the high cost, invasive, and often-ineffective nature of western medicine. If you think sound healing is only for Pop Divas and movie stars, think again. The power of sound is available to everyone, and worthy of continued investigation by the scientific community, as well as those seeking personal harmony and health.

If you would like to experience the power of sound healing first hand, I invite you to join me for a Chakra Tune Up workshop presented by Viva La Voice and Sacred Balance, March 25, 2006, in Salt Lake City. We’ll work with elements of sound, color and movement to clear and balance your energy system.
For more information: http://vivalavoice.com/chakra.htm
Voicegram recipients, get a $30 discount by registering before March 20!

The Right Path

Music can sometimes be a cruel mistress. There have been many times in my career when I struggled financially; was frustrated when a deal fell through; discouraged when I felt doors weren't opening when they should be. These feelings aren't exclusive to the music business, it happens to everyone. Life is inherently full of challenges. A wonderful writer friend of mine, Tama Kieves ("This Time I Dance") shared the following thoughts in her monthly newsletter. I especially loved the line 'I think the Universe loves you so much it won't let the wrong life take off'. Wow, isn't that great? It confirms that when things aren't flowing like you'd like them to, perhaps you're banging on the wrong door. We all have a path that is uniquely our own. Most of us spend a lifetime finding it, but when you do, your life opens up in glorious ways. Take time each day to do something you love; follow your artistic path, your altruistic path, the path that your heart yearns to follow. Thanks, Tama, for the reminder!

"What isn't working in your life? Maybe it's not supposed to. It could be there's a bigger life that calls you. Or a sweeter or more appropriate approach to what you're doing. That closed door may also be protecting you from an experience that would not serve you. Your true plum may not be behind the door you think, but behind another door that belongs to the house in the woods – that you won't even see until you take the wrong turn and find yourself lost...then found. I think the Universe loves you so much it won't let the wrong life take off.

I know that when a door closes, it can feel like all doors are closing. A rejection letter can feel like everyone will reject us. But a closed door leads to clarity. It's really an arrow. Because we cannot go through that door, we will go somewhere else. That somewhere else is your true life." -Tama Kieves

UVSC Songwriter's Class

Check out the photo of some of the students at radio station KTMP 1340: R to L - Dave Howard, Doug Swensen, Kelly Wright, Jerry VanBuren,Traci Madsen, Beth Lawrence (songwriting guru!) and Cary Hobbs

Last month I taught "Songwriting for Fun & Profit" at UVSC. It was the first time the class was offered (a four week class) and was a real success! There was a wide range of experience in class, which always makes it interesting and a great learning experience for all. A couple of the students had cut their own CD's; some had never written a song; others just wanted to learn how to put their ideas together in song form.

For our class 'final' Cary Hobbs, multi-talented musician and budding songwriter, had the class come down to radio station KTMP 1340 in Heber City (Cary's also an on-air personality there!) to share the music everyone had written in the four week class. Wow! It was really impressive! Even folks who had never written a song brought a completed version of the tune they'd been working on in class. It was good experience for the songwriter's to present their music live and on-air, and 'a good time was had by all'!

It's really amazing to see how much confidence everyone gains when the nuts and bolts of crafting a song are laid out logically, and presented in a de-mystified format. Usually at the beginning of the first class the students reluctantly and apologetically share a snippet of an idea; but at the end of that first class, with me laying out the foundation of rhyme scheme, cadence and form, everyone leaves empowered and excited to get writing.

We're so often told 'you can't' that when someone finally tells you 'you can!' it makes all the difference. All of a sudden, the students creativity opens up, as they change their belief system about their songwriting capabilities. I work really hard at getting the students to give up their belief in limitation, which blocks us from so much joy. So what a great reward it was for me to see the enthusiasm and creativity of each student culminate in this KTMP Songwriter's Showcase! I love to empower people to get excited about their art! Keep writing!

Jumping Off into the Blogosphere!

Here I go jumping off into the blogosphere! It's a brave new world here at Viva La Voice! Since some of you may have found this blog yesterday and read my first entry 'the quick brown fox', let me assure you that I'm a bit more creative than that template text would have let you believe.

Please check back often, as I love sharing my daily epiphanies. In fact, I told my fabulous Webmaster, Nashlah, at Buzz Booster, that if no one hears from me for a few months, they'll probably find me unshowered and surrounded by piles of discarded Starbuck's coffee cups....blogging!

Just finished teaching my Songwriting class tonight. It was a great class; we worked on how to get unstuck. I have a formula for that! Well, more like a 'process' that will take you from stymied to stellar! The secret is to open up the mind, quiet the self-critic, and basically, just let your self brainstorm the line, word, image or feeling that will lead you to your song concept. Then the overall concept drives the rest of the creative process. Okay, it's a bit more involved than that; please look for my EBook soon on this subject!

Well, too much fun for my first posting. I'll have photos of my recent workshops and this week's KTMP showcase for my fabulous songwriting students soon!
Beth