The Secret to the 'IT' Factor!

Have you ever gone to a concert where the singer just totally mesmerized you, even though they may not have been the best singer in the world? The performer just had the 'IT' factor? One way to develop the 'IT' factor not only when you're onstage, but in your everyday dealings with people day to day, is this: THINK OF YOUR BREATH AS PURE ENERGY! When you are preparing for a concert; a meeting; a difficult conversation, visualize the air you are breathing in as PURE ENERGY! Fill yourself up with that energy. THEN: RELEASE THAT GOLDEN ENERGY OUT TO THE WORLD! Energy comes in, energy goes out. Your audience will feel that energy, it will create a connection with the person or people you're speaking to. BREATH IS ENERGY - USE IT! I have a new Facebook page... All About Voice - please join the conversation there, and give me your comments on how this 'breathing in the energy' works for you!

Don't Worry, Sing Happy!

Here's my August Voicegram. Would you like to receive my Voicegram by email every month?


Don’t Worry - Sing Happy!
©2010 Beth Lawrence

If you’re like most people, you worry. Throughout the day you may be seized with ‘fear thoughts’ which cause you anxiety. I call these ‘what if’ thoughts....‘what if I lose my job?’; ‘what if my proposal isn’t accepted?’; ‘what if I’ve gained three pounds this weekend?’ and on and on. We’re all plagued with worry, most of it so habitual that it has become our way of being.

You can think of worry as ‘a negative prayer’ - in other words, instead of visualizing and expecting good things to happen, we dwell on the negative, putting energy into something that hasn’t even happened yet! This does nothing but cause stress, further draining our vitality. Most importantly, when you put your focus on something, it tends to manifest in your life!

So let’s apply this state of worry to singing. Most of my adult clients have two main issues: they worry that they ‘can’t sing high’, and they fear that their voice will crack when they do. This sets up a cycle of anxiety that taken to an extreme, literally keeps people from singing at all! They just give it up because their fear completely overrides the joy they used to have as a free, unself-conscious child.

When you are focusing on, and fearing a particular note or ‘high’ section in a song, you are not focusing on the story you’re telling. Have you ever seen a singer whose eyes go blank as they enter a tricky section of a song? They get that ‘deer in the headlights’ look as their anxiety forces them to think of ‘technique’ instead of ‘emotion’. When you’re fully connected to the emotion of your song, there’s no space in your head for worry because you can only think one thought at a time!

So how do you stop worrying and start singing? There are four steps that will take you from fear to fabulous:

Become Aware.
Pay attention to your anxiety and learn to identify it when it comes up. Monitor your focus - where are you putting your attention? On the phantom fear of something that may happen in the future, or on the real emotion you’re feeling dictated by the lyric? Start being in the moment and putting your attention where it needs to be...on the story you’re telling.

Don’t focus on individual notes that may scare you. You are singing in phrases that are telling a story so there should be no fear of ‘notes’ within a phrase. Think in complete sentences!

Take Action!
If you’re having vocal challenges, take charge of your mind and your voice! Invest in voice lessons so that you can get over those mental and physical blocks that are holding you back from joyful singing. Wouldn’t it feel wonderful to learn the skills that would help you end your cycle of anxiety once and for all? What would that be worth to you?

Start vocalizing every day so that you strengthen your voice and reinforce the new vocal skills you’ve just learned. Not only will you speed your vocal growth, but daily vocalizing will energize your mind and body as well!

Visualize!
When a worry thought comes up, take control of your own mind and turn your fear into an opportunity to visualize a positive outcome. Rather than seeing yourself go for a high note and crack, see, feel and hear yourself hitting a clear, powerful, gorgeous note that just flows to the end of the phrase with tremendous emotion. See your audience moved by your heart-felt singing. Imagine your song-story unfolding with you totally focused on the emotion of the story, not your technique.

4. Surrender It!
Once you become aware of your habitual worry habits; and having taken action steps to remedy whatever is causing you to worry, then it’s time for the fourth step which is simply to let go of the perceived problem, and turn it over to a higher power, whatever that may mean to you. That may be ‘God’; the Universal ‘Is’; a Guardian Angel; Nature; ‘Source’ just something outside of yourself that you can conceptualize as a greater power than yourself. You are being willing enough to surrender your problem so that you don’t bear the entire burden yourself. You are allowing the power of the universe to help you. In doing this you will have a sense of empowerment and well-being!

If you don’t believe in a power outside of yourself, then simply surrender your perceived problem. Give it up, let it go. You’ve taken action, now there’s nothing more for you to do, is there? Now you’re free.

Think of singing as surrendering to the emotion of the story you’re telling. You must BE the character who is singing the song. When you are totally immersed in your story you transcend space and time....you are connected to Source! This is the magical alchemy of song.....a truly inspired performance comes through you from somewhere else, your voice is just a channel for this beautiful energy to flow through, out to the listener’s heart.

Happy Singing!
So now that you have the four steps for ending the cycle of worry, what action are you going to take? If you want to sing, if you want to play guitar, if you want to learn to fly a plane, what steps do you need to take to make that happen? Before you answer that question, have you already created worry thoughts that tell you why you can’t do what you want in life? Go through your four steps and create what you want in your life, not what you don’t want. I really believe it is all up to you....your thoughts create your life. Rather than continuing to live in fear, wouldn’t you rather take charge and be free of your anxieties? Then all I have to say in conclusion is:

‘Don’t worry....sing happy!”

© 2010 Beth Lawrence.  Please feel free to pass on this message to others, leaving our copyright, logo and web address intact. Thank you.



‘DON’T WORRY...SING HAPPY’ OFFER!

Complimentary 30 minute Online Skype Coaching Session!

Get rid of fear.....let me help you ‘Sing Happy!’

Go ahead, Do It! Email me for details:
beth@vivalavoice.com
(put ‘Skype Session’ in the subject line)

UPCOMING EVENTS:
“New Thought Mondays...the positive path illuminated” Mondays, beginning August 9th, 2010: : http://bit.ly/cpXeUH
“Voicework for Parkinson’s” - September 16, 2010, Central Utah Parkinson's Support Group, Specialty Hospital, 306 W Riverbend Lane, Provo
“The Successful Voice for Speakers” - September 21, 2010, Salt Lake City
“Sing To Your Baby” - September 28th, 2010 Salt Lake City
“Conscious Speaking for Parkinson’s”, September 30, 2010, Salt Lake City

Beth Lawrence has developed"The Lawrence System for Vocal Excellence”, a singing system that takes a holistic approach to voice coaching and therapy honoring the connection of body, mind and spirit.  Beth is the CEO of Viva La Voice!, a company offering private and online coaching for singers, songwriters, and presenters in all walks of life. To learn more:  www.VivaLaVoice.com   800-567-1718

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Step Five for a Youthful Voice!

5.  Vocal Rest
Just as it's important to exercise, it's also important to rest.  We use our voices constantly, and those who use their voices in a professional setting are even more prone to overuse and tire the voice.  Be kind to your voice - don't scream, try to talk over background noise, or speak to large groups without a microphone.  When you don't have to talk, don't. Once you become mindful of your voice, you'll begin to honor silence as a great way to care for your voice.



Remember to treat your voice with respect and care and you'll have a rich, strong, healthy and youthful sounding voice for your entire life!

copyright 2010, Beth Lawrence

Step Four for a Youthful Voice!

4.  Vocal Exercise
            Your vocal cords are muscles that need to be exercised throughout your life.  Doing simple singing exercises to warm up the voice in the morning is a perfect way to start the day.  Vocal exercises strengthen the voice; get rid of phlegm, and conscious breathing oxygenates the blood!  My best advice for folks who are noticing an 'aging' of their voice is to sing everyday!  A great time to vocalize is in your car going to work.  You'll arrive with a voice that's ready to take on the challenges of the day.  Just like your body, simple vocalizing will strengthen and tone the voice, maintaining a supple and youthful tone.

copyright 2010, Beth Lawrence

Step Two for a Youthful Voice!

2.  Conscious Breathing
The basis for proper speaking and singing is conscious breathing.  This means becoming aware of relaxing the belly, breathing low and slow, allowing the diaphragm to lower while the lungs fill with air.  Think of filling up like a balloon:  on the inhale the abdominal area 'fills' up; on the exhale, the abdominal area 'deflates' or goes slightly flat.  Most people breath very high in the chest and keep their bellies tight, which doesn't allow you to take in a full, deep breath.  You can also imagine your ribs as a bellows expanding as you inhale and going back to the normal position as you exhale.  Breathing is natural and is essential for supporting the voice so that the throat is not forcing the volume.  A youthful voice is a well-supported voice!

copyright 2010, Beth Lawrence

Step One For A Youthful Voice!

1.  Mindfulness
In general, the first step to change is awareness.  We've got to become mindful of how we're using, or abusing our voice.   As you speak, start listening to yourself!  Do you talk loudly in order to be heard over talking or background noise?  In your job, do you attempt to push your voice for maximum volume?  Do you use your voice constantly without occasional rest?  Begin now to monitor your volume, pitch and breath control and be willing to learn new ways of using your voice to maintain vocal health.

The Singer As a Harmonious Entity!

As you take the stage to share your music, you’ll find that you must operate as a harmonious entity, with your voice reflecting your music; your body movement reflecting your emotions; and your mind clearly present in the moment, reflecting your authentic connection to your audience.

Is Your Ideal Self Taking Center Stage?

Your 'Ideal Self' is that confident, compassionate, fearless, open person that resides silently inside of you.  It is your 'Best Self'.  When you sing or speak in public, is it your 'little me' or your 'Ideal Self' that takes center stage?

Please join me for my workshop 'Conquer Stage Fear Forever!' where you'll learn to act from the 'Ideal Self'.

Where Are You Focusing?

 One of the questions I'll be asking the participants of my March 6 "Conquer Stage Fear Workshop" in Salt Lake City is: "When you take the stage, are you focusing on your perceived inadequacy, or on your authentic connection to your audience?" How about YOU?

Stand Up To Fear!

My February Viva La Voicegram is available!

From my February's Voicegram: "It takes some work to stand up to fear and put it behind you.  But isn't an open, joyful, fearless life worth a little effort?  Believe me, it takes more effort to keep the desires of your heart subdued than it does pushing the fear out of the way so that your happiness breaks through."

What Makes a Great Performance?

What makes a great performance? Making your audience FEEL. Technical perfection isn't nearly as important as emotional authenticity.

Singers Are Storytellers First and Foremost!

First and foremost, singers are STORYTELLERS!  A character is telling his/her story through you.  As a Storyteller, you determine what your audience will feel.  You must know what the character's emotional state is, then let your emotion determine your voice quality, your face and body actions.  If you're truly immersed in your character and story, emotions, movement and expressions will be authentic and natural....you won't even be thinking about it, you will BE IT.

You're invited to my workshop on February 20, 2010 "HOW TO SELL A SONG...making the emotional connection with your audience"

Singers - Tight, Tired Throat?!

I recently got a question from a reader on my ASKBETHLAWRENCE.COM site who wrote:

 "I am contacting you just with a concern.  I am a musical theatre major, which requires me to sing on a regular basis.  I am planning on seeing an ENT within the next week or so, but I was just wondering what all could cause fatigue in my upper registers.  It is mainly when trying to sing soft that I experience this.  Is this most likely only related to technique?  Or could it be more serious than that?"

This was my response which I believe could be helpful to a lot of singers who have the same issue:

Sorry you're having challenges with your voice.  Without hearing your voice, or seeing you in person, I can only give you an answer based on my experience in what you're describing.  It could be any number of things, but it doesn't sound to me like you're having these symptoms based on anything more than poor technique, but it's good you're going to the ENT to check it out.   I had lots of vocal problems early in my career until I found a Maestro who saved my voice.  I hope you can do the same!  

If you're planning on having a career as a singer, then you owe it to yourself to sing effortlessly and easily, as your voice IS your career!

By fatigue, a singer could mean just a 'feeling' in the throat (tightness?), or actual hoarseness which would indicate damage.  Number one, are you supporting your tone?  Your breath support is critical and you need to make sure that you are breathing fully; expanding the ribs and belly; softening the belly but not 'pushing out' or having any tension in your belly, diaphragm or throat.

Two, if your throat is feeling tight and tired when you sing, your tongue may be the culprit!  If you're not supporting, then your body compensates by tensing the base of the tongue in an effort to 'hold' the tone, which is really uncomfortable.  This also causes the larynx to jam up, which again, causes a tight throat.

If your throat is tight and the larynx raised you're causing constriction which not only feels bad, but forces you to push the voice to get more sound out.

All in all, a cascade of events  is set in motion that feed upon each other creating a pinched sound, excessive force on the vocal mechanism, mental distraction, a tight, tired throat, and ultimately can result in vocal nodules.

If you haven't already done so, go to my website and read 'A Singer's Story' and some of my philosophy on voice.  

Do you have any questions about voice?  Let me know!

Singing for Health and Breathing!

Another great 'Singing for Health' class today. Still working on reversing years of habitual breathing patterns in my adult students.

Joyful Singing Class - laughter and tears!

First of my 'Joyful Singing!' classes last night - we had lots of laughs, and even some tears as the attendees shared their desire to sing without fear. I love empowering people to get rid of their old beliefs and sing with CONFIDENCE! It's life-changing! Class continues next Monday in Salt Lake.

3rd Grade Singing Humiliation!

In my Singing For Health class yesterday I had each student sing a solo line, then had the whole class do an appropriate exercise that would address the vocal challenge the student was having.  After class a woman came up to me and said that she had had a humiliating experience at the hand's of her 3RD GRADE choir teacher, and had never sung again until yesterday.  Unbelievable how long we carry these old hurts that hold us back from enjoying life fully!

You Don't Have To Be A Perfect Singer!

I've been teaching voice for 20+ years, and one thing I'm adamant about with my students is letting them know that it's okay NOT to be perfect!  What is most important is the authentic emotion you are feeling when telling your 'story', not a technically perfect performance.

Until your singing technique becomes natural and second nature, you are usually focusing totally on technique, and not on the emotions you should be feeling while singing.  We all strive for a perfect voice, but when we're focused on our breathing, our placement, tension in the body etc., it doesn't leave any space for what's really important....being totally tuned in to the story we're telling!

I would much rather hear a good story teller who is authentic in performance than a technically perfect singer who leaves me cold.  You can't obsess about technique once you are in front of an audience.  You've done your prep; put all of your energy into WHAT you're singing, not HOW you're singing it.

Yes, that's hard to do, but you'll find that your performance, as well as your technique will greatly improve when you let go of trying so hard to be perfect, and just 'be'.   Ultimately, folks want to be moved emotionally by your music, not dazzled by technique that has no real feeling underneath.

Teenager Gift Idea!

f you're wondering what to give your teenager for Christmas, try music lessons! Voice, piano....any instrument. It will give them a big self-esteem boost!

Beyond the Mechanics of Singing

Although there are a lot of physical mechanics involved in singing, most of this mechanical theory defies science.  To be a really great singer one has to move far beyond the science of how we sing; beyond the perfecting of the physical technique; and discover the reason why we sing.  We sing to express our emotions.

Singing Is A Confidence Booster!

Dancing With The Stars!  It's fun to watch the improvement in the contestants over the course of the show, not to mention average weight loss of @20-40 lbs.! Just like singing, learning basic dancing skills is a real confidence booster!