In this week’s Blog post, I want to share with you one of my very favorite motivational statements. Then I’ll relate it to what we do and how we do it in Vocal Training.

How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything

This statement speaks to the extreme level of detail at which we must work in learning to sing. Specifically, I relate it to the start of tone, what we call onset, or the “clean start” to the vocal tone.

Starting The Race Clean

Have  you watched some of the US Olympic trials recently? If so, then you’ve noticed that every so often, one of the competitors “jumps the gun.” In other words, the race doesn’t have a clean start. When that happens, all the competitors must return to the starting blocks and begin again. They don’t like it, but everyone understands getting a ‘clean start’ to the race is essential to fair play.

It works exactly the same in singing. We train to the ‘clean start’ of the vocal tone (onset) each and every vocal tone that we make. If we don’t, we stop, then try again.

Remember: it’s never about you “getting it wrong.” It’s always about you learning to get it right! And it’s well worth taking the time to train to get it right.

Here’s why:

• the vocal folds (vocalis muscles) operate in only one neurological mode at a time. Once started, the mode cannot be changed without stopping the tone and restarting.
• By patiently repeating the process, the singer eventually finds the necessary muscular coordination and assures proper vocal fold operation all the time; and
• By taking time to train the ‘clean start’ of the tone, a reliable, sustainable vocal technique is built in over the long term. Eventually the singer does everything in a neat, clean way at the beginning of every single tone.

This is considered ‘best practice’ about singing and builds strength, endurance and efficiency into the vocal tone as we train and perform.

Bottom line:

Sometimes being a ‘clean freak’ is actually a good thing. Training to sing with a clean beginning of tone each and every time leads to effective singing and beautiful artistry. Your ability to live a long, healthy vocal life in the studio and on the stage is enhanced — IOW — you get better!

#letyourfreakfoldsfly
#dothereps
#majovta