Permission to sing!

Have you ever been told you "can't" sing? Are you the person that qualifies any use of your singing voice with "Well, I'm tone deaf" or "I am really bad at singing?" This is your message to change your self-talk and give yourself permission to sing.

Where does this negative self-talk come from?

Singing is often described as a talent and a gift. As if it is something we are born doing "well." The truth is, the majority of us are born with a very organized voice. Think about crying babies (I am very aware of baby cries right now). They just came into the world and even though they cant speak, they sure can use their voice efficiently making all different kinds of sounds at many different volumes... trust me. The same is true of elementary school children. Then something happens; puberty, a negative comment, a change in voice, etc. Whatever it is, suddenly you get really self conscious about self-expression. Add on top of that talk around someone being good at a particular form of self-expression - dance, music, singing, acting - and now we internalize the message that we must not be good at it.

Here's the good news and better news

First of all, it doesn't matter if you have had training or not. You should feel free expressing yourself with your voice regardless whether speaking or singing. Easier said than done, but if we can change the language around how we talk about our voices and the voices of others, maybe we can get back to a place where everyone's voice feels more free the way you do when you're singing happy birthday in a group or singing in the car with friends.

The better news is that singing is a skill that you can practice if you want to expand your ability to express yourself through singing. Some people are born with certain apptitudes but that does not necessarily determine their achievement. For example, someone who is born naturally flexible may excel in gymnastics but if they do not train and grow their skills they may not make it as far as someone who is less flexible but applies themselves more.

OK, so how do I start?

Most of you can already manipulate your speaking voice expressively. Your voice can get louder and softer depending on what, where and to whom you are communicating. The quality of your voice can change based on the emotions you are experiencing. You can elongate the words you are saying. Your speaking voice has pitch, rhythm and melody; you just don't think about it. Try the following:

Voice play 1: Bubbles!

• Make lip bubbles - like raspberries, or a horse sound

  • Can you sustain the bubbles for 5 seconds? How about 10?

• Add a pitch or note to your bubble and see if you can sustain for 5/10seconds

• Try a high pitch

• Now a low pitch

• Take 30 seconds and see if you can connect high middle and low pitches with your bubble

Voice play 2: Speech play

• Take a phrase and vary the:

  • Pitch - at one pitch or see if you can take the pitch up and down within the phrase

  • Duration - Take the vowel of a syllable or two and elongate it

  • Volume - not just loud and soft but can you change the volume within a phrase? Suddenly? Gradually?

  • Emotion - can you say the phrase with different emotions or communication intention? How does that change the elements above?

    • Ex communication intention: talking to someone close/far away, needing to get someone's attention, talking to a grandparent/sibling/parent/friend

• Vocal exercises

  • "Hey, how ya doin" - this will sound the most like your speaking voice and may feel silly to say your name so many times.

  • "Hoo, hoo, hoo" - this will likely not feel like your speaking voice. It could feel, hooty, sharp, ungrounded, floaty, silly etc.

Start where it feels comfortable and go up little by little and then back down.

Tips for successful voice exploration/play

• Find a safe space - keep in mind your voice will sound different in different spaces (more on that later)

• Consider doing playing with these exercises with a group of friends

• Keep it lighthearted but intentional

• Stay curious and inquisitive

• Be playful and experimental

• Give yourself permission to take up space!

Happy Singing

Sara <3