Music Teacher's Helper Blog

Have you hunted any wabbits recently?

When we voice teacher’s hear a singer we immediately begin to process the voice – is the sound effortless, does it move you in some way, is their too much tongue involvement or jaw tension, etc. How often do you put your mind at rest and just listen?

As teachers of voice we spend our time living in the critique mode- seeking out the flaws and embarking upon repairing and reprogramming how those sounds are made to make them more effortless, powerful, efficient, expressive. We live in the “what is wrong” and “how do we fix it” mode.

I challenge you as you embark on your fall teaching to step out of that critique box and into the audience mode. Marvel that even your weakest singers have improved upon something. Hunt for the wabbit! Share that success with the singer! If they are family dependent share that with their families too! Drop them a note or send them an email or stop everything and run out to their car as they pick up their singer and tell them how excited you are about this progress!

When I was in college in an elite music conservatory, a sought after young singer who entered with great confidence, I felt attacked by the continual stripping away and the lack of positive feedback. I lived in a world of critique. How I walked and stood was examined (Alexander Technique). How I phrased every line (private vocal coaches). How I pronounced every vowel (diction class). and of course, how I performed! By the time I hit preparing for my senior recital I was a mess! I had lost my voice for 3 months my junior year due to TMJ and GERD due to stress! I was in classes and rehearsals 8am till 10pm, practicing for 2-3 hours outside of that , studying, and auditing a dance class 5 mornings a week. This was what I thought I wanted and yet I was not having any fun! I needed someone to say to me “Great! You mastered that! Well done!” Instead I lived in this world where things were always wrong. I no longer trusted the audience’s positive feedback, or my friend’s and family’s, or my own opinion. I lived in a world of questioning how I did everything, so I learned to question how I did everything! It took me years to trust myself on stage again. Years.

My goal as a teacher of voice is to help singers find their voices. I teach a classic technique that is based on the wellness of the individual singer. Lets face it – as voice teachers we are part psychologists: if the body isn’t well, the voice ain’t working!

We must build our singer’s confidence. As teachers of voice it is our job to create a well polished, well used, and a well singer. We must look out for the heart and head of our pupils as well as for their instruments because all of these aspects are intertwined in supporting that instrument. If a singer masters an issue you are working on with them take a moment to celebrate that success! I use hugs, high fives, phone calls, email, “woo-hoo’s” and even stickers! I stop everything and celebrate the success.

I am honored to say I run a waiting list for my studio – with more students wanting in continually. I have evaluated why this is the case – I don’t advertise, it is all word of mouth. I do not yet have any singers on Broadway or at the Met or winning Grammy’s. But I do have accomplished, confident, talented, and happy singers and they tell their friends! My singers tell me they love their voice lessons – they come when they are sick, they come when they are tired, they postpone trips and come back early and change other plans to come to their lessons. I am humbled and amazed by it. But I can say that I always celebrate their successes, no matter how small, and for the most unaccomplished singer. And therein I believe lies the key. Singing should be fun! And it is in my power to make it so. I always hunt for the wabbit!

Hunt for the wabbit!