Make Lessons A Priority During Periods of Heavy Vocal Use

Today, I want to emphasize the importance of maintaining your lesson schedule as religiously as possible while in the midst of performance commitments.  It is common for students to want to drop out of lessons when they get into a show (or whatever singing opportunity it is) & start up again when it's over. That is the WORST decision you can make for yourself, as this is the time when your vocal technique should be reviewed weekly. 

Unhealthy vocal habits set in quickly (it only takes a week or two of rehearsals) in performance environments that can cause permanent damage or that can take a year or more to undo.  I have witnessed this over and over, AND have experienced it myself.  

Whether it is a dramatic role, a musical role, joining a rock band, a school A cappella group, or even a folk duo singing in coffeehouses...the more you use your voice, the more you need to stay on top of your technique. 

A poor sound system, singing material keyed outside your range, performing material that unbalances the voice by singing only alto or only first soprano, directors who want full voice at every rehearsal, and so on....all lead to a greater likelihood of vocal abuse.   Never, never, never put your voice at risk. 

A few of you reading this have  had a taste of this situation.  Many of my students already get the 'lecture' on excessive compression and pulling up of the chest voice on a weekly basis-- simply as a result of their high school or community singing activities!  These issues must be addressed constantly to maintain good technique & avoid injury.

If music is going to be a big part of your life, regular technique lessons will be necessary all along the way.  Even for me...I have to go for 'checkups' regularly & sure enough, if I wait too long, there is something for me to 'undo'.  No one is immune.  Even my teacher developed nodules & had to increase her own schedule of lessons.  It is the same situation for a professional golfer & their 'swing', or a basketball player & their 'shot' or a pianist & their technique.  

For those of you who will be entering college soon, if you are planning to major in music or theater you will want to research and find a great voice teacher as a part of your college plan.