Vocal Athletes

I’m just going to say it: singing is as much an athletic pursuit as any sport.

It needed to be said.

Very often there is a disconnect, particularly for students who possess musical aptitude, that because they can already sing – match pitch, read music, and memorize lyrics – their practice responsibilities are met simply by memorizing their assigned songs. Doing vocalizes and exercises is not very gratifying at all. Frequently, students will do their perfunctory scales, and then jump right in to singing the songs they like.

When a budding athlete joins a sports team, an essential part of the commitment is going to practice several days a week for hours at a time. At these practices the athlete participates in drills to hone specific skills related to the sport. Think of batting cages, golf ranges, basketball hoops on garages, and the like. At the beginning of the sport season all of the team players participate in the drills, not just the newbies. For those athletes serious about their sport, training continues throughout the year, not just during the season.

When I listen to a voice and get to know and understand its capabilities and limitations, I go to my toolbox of vocalizes. I put together a regimen of exercises designed to target the weaknesses of the student in order to expand their capabilities. Some exercises generate an almost immediate payoff, while others take time and commitment. Exercises designed to address registration issues – chest voice, mixed voice, head voice, and the pursuit of a unified voice – take the most time and commitment. The exercises should actually make up a significant portion of the singer’s practice time. This is why the student is taking lessons; to address their weaknesses.

Go. Practice. Work on your technique. Shoot those baskets. Swing in the batting cages. Drive on the golf range. Work on your technique. Practice.