So you’ve run the gauntlet and have reached a level where you’re now a professional singer.
Whether you do 3 sets every Friday night at a local pub with your band or a 10-month tour of the US, Europe and Australia, you may have concerns arise about your voice. Is that tickle you feel in your throat going to end in a cancelled show? Can you hit the high notes night after night?
Here are 5 habits that my professional singers embrace which help them from freaking out when living the life of a professional singer:
Don’t over worry about your voice
Though the quality of your voice can vary somewhat each day – the more you know your voice, the less out-of-your-control being a singer will seem.
Don’t panic when you must sing sick
Just have strategies to avoid getting sick in the first place and actions you can take to minimize the extent of the symptoms.
Plan on being a ‘vocal monk’ when performing a lot
That means minimal to no talking when touring and NEVER yell or scream.
Live healthily
Don’t expect that you can party every night or drink and eat anything.
Don’t expect that you can party every night or drink and eat anything. Work out, be fit. Treat yourself like an athlete prior to a game.
Be grateful
How many people get to sing well in this life? And don’t forget what a gift good singing is to all the people who can’t sing at all. I’ve seen it often…all the hard work has paid off and a student is now ready for the big time.
Yes, it’s all very exciting but learning to manage one’s emotional stress is key. I recommend that singers create quiet time daily to recuperate and revel in the miracle of having this amazing opportunity to perform.
– Lisa
Lisa Popeil is one of LA’s top voice coaches with over 40 years of professional teaching experience. As a singer, she’s performed and recorded with Frank Zappa and ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic and her album ‘Lisa Popeil’ was a Billboard ‘Top Album Pick’. Lisa has an MFA in Voice, is the creator of the Voiceworks® Method, and is regularly featured in leading music magazines, journals, books and conferences.
