Keeping up the momentum: staying motivated and other challenges for intermediate singers..

The Road To Success is not a Straight Line ..

So you’ve covered the basics, you’ve got your diaphragm to start behaving itself, you know what’s meant to go up and down when, the sound is improving, and you don’t feel quite as terrified anymore…

Anyone bored of doing their exercises? Yeah me too..

This is the true test of whether you will end up with lasting skill as a vocalist, or whether this was all just an exotic affair you had once on a holiday to a Grecian Isle…. This happens. We all hit a plateaux from time to time.

Firstly, don’t beat yourself up – it’s no reflection on you as a person or a singer or anything else – if you’ve been on the same regime for a few weeks or months, it’s normal.

Secondly, don’t give up – refer to the first point. This is not a sign from the universe that you will never move forward, it just means it’s time to try something different.

Thirdly, don’t waste all that hard work getting off the starting block by letting it fizzle out.

Here are some ideas…

…for things you can do with the resources you may already have, and things readily available to you at Igloo.

1) Try a song radically different from the style you’re used to.

Backing tracks and lyrics are readily available on the Internet for pence nowadays – try some traditional jazz, a blues track, some bossa, disco, funk, swing, a show tune, a traditional Portuguese folk song if you really want a challenge, something from a radio station you don’t normally listen to.. Browse your kids/mum’s/friends music collection, ask other people what songs they really like at the moment… Remember, the purpose of this song is to get you out of a funk, not to learn the song itself, so it doesn’t really matter if you like it that much in all honesty. Don’t put off doing something different because you’re waiting to discover your next favourite song – just do something. Even if you don’t stick at it for long, it will help to keep you moving forward.

2) Use ALL the CD

If you’ve got the Igloo ‘Vocal Exercises For Beginners, Volume 1’ CD, try some of the exercises other than the combo – be honest, when was the last time you tackled the ear training, range extension or improvisation exercises – we all know most of you skip straight to the combo and that’s fine – it is the best for building up fitness in the beginning, but try other combinations of exercises. I regularly talk to students who have had the CD for years, and they’ve forgotten what else is on it. Try track 2+9 and your new song for a week, then the following week 3+8 and another new song if you need it, etc… Remember this song is a tool for exercise first and foremost. If you’re really stuck email us for advice info@igloomusic.co.uk or tweet for help even @igloomusicuk

3) Focus on one aspect of your singing at a time.

So break down all the different skills you know you currently have. Over a month for example, focus on breath extension for the first week, cord closure for the second week, strengthening support muscles for the third week, and bringing it all together, working on coordination for the fourth week.

4) Work on what bothers you.

What are your biggest fears or weak spots as a singer at the moment? Be as specific as you can. Just saying ‘I’m rubbish, I sound like a strangled cat and I want to get better’ is actually not only unkind and counterproductive, but also totally useless information. What don’t you like? What specifically do you find difficult? Upper range? Lower range? Power? Breathiness? Scratchiness? Strain in some parts of you range? Expression? Dynamic control? Lack of consistency? Does it feel tight sometimes? Is supporting difficult sometimes? Do you find it difficult to achieve a freely produced sound consistently? Do you flag quickly? Do the improvisational and creative exercises bring you out in a cold sweat? The list could have all sorts of things on it – but be specific. Then pick one, and work just on that and that alone for a fixed period of time. This could be for a week, a fortnight or a month, but give it a short time limit. Take some notes or recordings at the beginning of the time period for your reference, and store them for comparison at the end. For example, if you have 3 different exercises to tackle the same issue, over the month, try exercise A three times a week, for the first week. Then exercise B three times a week for the second week, exercise C three times a week for the third week, then exercises A,B and C in one session, three times a week for the fourth week. Each exercise may be only a few minutes long, so choose a day that suits you and really give it your full attention for those few minutes. Don’t do it whilst driving or making dinner if you can help it. Give the exercise your full attention, and don’t get distracted by results – just do your reps and concentrate on the quality of the exercise. Also don’t jump to implement the technique in song straight away if it is still elusive or frustrating – that comes later. Throughout the month, don’t analyse progress, rather, refer back to your notes and recordings at the end and see if you can notice any difference. Remember the difference may be subtle – like it’s easier to be consistent, or you feel more confident, or your stamina has improved. These all add up to more efficient singing. Next month, move on to something else on your hit list.

5) Sing a different song every day.

Variety is the spice of life, and so it is with your singing practice. Choose your favourite album and sing a new song from it every day. Choose 5 completely contrasting songs and try a new one every day. Do a quick warm up and just give it a bash – remember not to strain and to always observe your basic principles, even if this means you have to leave some parts out of the song, or modify it.

6) Do all of the above

That should keep you out of mischief for 3-6 months!

Remember, boredom and frustration is a sign that you need to do something a bit different, that’s all. Mix it up, keep yourself interested, and keep going. Ask for help if you need it! info@igloomusic.co.uk @igloomusicuk

Categorised in: Choir, Singing