Vocal Affirmations

I have my first rehearsal / jam session with a group of new people in my new city - now it is time to again put into practice what I've here preached! I find my stomach-nerves beginning to manifest - and so it is time to take control of the situation. I plan to do a short yoga flow, followed by meditation, visualization, and affirmations. Here are some affirmations that both you and I can use before any audition, rehearsal, or performance to increase confidence in yourself and your talents:

• I am a great singer. 
• I am an impeccable performer with lots of energy and talent.
• I am creative and open to sharing my creativity with others.
• I am self-confident, courageous, and excited to express myself.
• I share my talents with others, joyously, and receive their talents joyously.
• I release any energy blockages to creating. I am excited to create. I create beautifully on my own, and am open to doing so with others.
• I release myself from the binds of perception and judgment. I believe in myself and my talents. I am excited to share in the creative process with other musicians.
• I am a musician.
• My voice is a beautiful instrument for which I am very grateful.
• I am grateful for this experience to collaborate with other talented musicians.
• I am open to creative inspiration.
• I am calm, I am peaceful, I am love and I am loving.

Affirmations are really powerful tools for asserting who you are and what you wants - for quieting and focusing the mind - and for reminding yourself of just how talented and worthy that you are - as a vocalist and beyond!

Singing and the Art of Confidence

Hands down, the most important factor to being a good singer is Confidence.

Certainly practice helps, thereby increasing your confidence as a vocalist. But above all, the courage required to sing in any capacity is the most challenging tool to develop, and the most essential.

Not to discourage shy singers out there! Confidence is challenging to obtain at first, but once you get past that initial fear, singing/performing becomes easier and easier. Start by taking small steps: sing in front of a mirror. Gradually move up to singing in front of your mom, roommate, boyfriend, whomever you feel comfortable with. As you become more bold and comfortable, expand your audience - join a choir, take voice lessons, participate in karaoke or an open mic.

Whenever I am about to perform, I take some time to myself to just close my eyes and breathe. While doing so, I remind myself that we are all human - no one is better than any one of us, and therefore, there is nothing to fear. I know that I am a talented singer. Therefore, I will do well. Silent meditation paired with reciting affirmations can really help soothe anxiety for any performance, and boost your self-esteem. Because in all reality, what does it matter? You are seizing the moment - expressing your joy/sorrow/enthusiasm for living via song - and that is truly beautiful. Life is too short to be concerned with the potential judgment of others - or judgment inflicted by yourself. Trust me, I've been there, you're not alone. But you see, your voice is the most intimate musical instrument that exists - because it is a part of you. Therefore, whatever style of singing you choose, whatever range of singer you are, in whatever capacity you use your voice - you are doing something beautiful and real. Nothing else matters.