Before You Sing a Note: Scan for Tension !!!

by Suzann Kale

No matter how well-practiced we are, tension can always creep in. Any kind of physical tension (except for the natural tension necessary in your breathing technique) will hurt the quality of your voice.

Look, feel, and listen for the following "red flags" while you're singing or speaking. Then consciously let them go.

Elbows pressed too tightly against your body. (Antidote - Loosen up your arms. If you're practicing or in rehearsal, swing your arms and roll your shoulders.)

Knees locked. (Antidote - Walk around to unlock them. Dance, if appropriate.)

Lips tense. You can feel it if your lips are tight, and you can hear it as your sound becomes pinched. (Antidote - If you're vocalizing or in rehearsal, take a break and do lip trill exercises (p. 227 in Vocal Vibrance) or take a moment to gently move the muscles around in your face. If you're on stage, make sure you are dropping your jaw on the vowel sounds.)

A pinched sound or the beginnings of pain in the throat. (This means you're not breathing! The antidote - remember to breathe and sing from the diaphragm and lower rib area. When you inhale, only your midriff should expand - never your shoulders or upper chest.)

On upward interval jumps, you're not hitting the top note precisely. Or, you're hitting below the note and sliding up. (You're exhausted. Antidote - If you're vocalizing, it's time for a break. If you're new to singing, you may only be able to vocalize 10 to 20 minutes a day while your breathing muscles develop. If you're an experienced singer or if you're onstage when this happens, you've got to get that adrenaline going and consciously make those intercostal and diaphragm muscles work for you. Straightening your posture will help tremendously.)

Your knuckles around the microphone are turning white. (This indicates whole-body tension. It creeps up on the best of us. If you can be aware of it, you can let it go.)

Your voice sounds thinner than usual. (This is a part of stage fright. Antidote - Support that breath! Walk around while you're singing - walking loosens up the body. If you're between songs, talk to the audience, and laugh if you can work that in. Laughter is an immediate healer. Tell yourself that this gig is not the beginning and end of the world and remember that the Universe is made up of billions and billions of galaxies.)