Trust Your Technique

'Tis the season for college auditions. Keep it simple - don't deviate from your normal routine too much. Hopefully, you've been practicing and building your technique - the foundation of your singing. Trust in the work you've done and don't put your faith in any hocus pocus - special potions, drinks or foods. And don't be like my dear friend, Patty. For years she would rise early on audition days and make herself a healthy, protein-rich breakfast of eggs and bacon. After limited success and a great deal of time and money trying to find out why she kept sabotaging herself at auditions, she learned she was allergic to eggs...!

Practicing

I know you're probably thinking, "Oh no, here comes the lecture about practicing." Don't worry, we're all grown-ups and I know you each take your own approach to practicing and that different people set different priorities for practicing. So, this isn't a lecture, this is an invitation, an invitation to enjoy practicing. So many of us, myself included, approach practicing as a chore rather than a musical experience. Remember the passion, that initial spark that drove you to sing in the first place and let that lead you to a new perspective, one in which practicing is play, experimentation and an opportunity to do what you love - SING! Be spontaneous! Of course, there are warm-ups and technical exercises but it's OK to trust your own intuition - do the ones that feel best to you on a particular day OR warm-up and then get to work on a song you love to sing. Be curious. Is there a song you've been wanting to try out? Do you wonder whether you can do that phrase in one breath now? Sing! Sing your heart out and enjoy the sensation of singing. Practice singing. Practice fun and joy. Practice - I double dog dare ya!