Image via Brett Manning's Singing Success
All singers want their voices to sound better, stronger, more controlled, and professional, and of course we all want that bigger range. And yet, vocal training is usually something we only do when we’re first starting out.
As a singer, your voice is your instrument. You should be working on improving and mastering your voice every step of the way. That’s why you see stars like Lauren Mayberry from Chvrches coming to vocal coaches like Brett Manning even after they’ve “made it.”
Of course, vocal training will help you with the technical side of singing, but there are a lot of other benefits that you’ve probably never considered.
1. Better posture
One of the first things any good vocal coach will notice is your posture. That’s because a hunched posture really limits your breath capacity and can obstruct your vocal chords. It’s just harder to sing with bad posture.
After you’ve had your posture corrected for the umpteenth time by a vocal coach, it starts becoming a habit, and that habit will carry over to the rest of your life. You’ll find yourself sitting up straight in your chair at work, you’ll stand tall onstage, and you won’t be hunched over on the bus or train. And that all adds up to less back pain and aches.
2. More confidence
Building off the previous point, simply having a good, tall posture can instantly make you feel more confident. Which is good, because singing in front of a crowd can be scary. Even the most outgoing and confident people get a little anxious before getting onstage. A big reason we get so anxious is because we fear people judging us badly. This is especially true for singers who are being judged on something so personal as their voice. Vocal training can help you get past that fear and build confidence.
[6 Ways to Look and Feel Like a More Confident Musician]
3. Less stress and increased mental alertness
Another thing a good vocal coach will notice is your breathing. As a singer, you will get better tone, power, and sustain if you breathe deeply and fully from your diaphragm. You’ll learn breathing exercises, and just like posture, those techniques will become habit and you’ll find yourself breathing deeper even when you’re not singing.
Deep breathing is scientifically proven to improve your mood, relieve stress, and increases mental alertness, concentration, and memory as the brain and other organs get more oxygen. And all of this can help your performance, your music career, and your life.
4. Better connection with your audience
Think about all your favorite singers. What draws you to them? At first we think it’s their singing, but there are plenty of people out there with voices just as good (and sometimes better). Often what we really fall in love with is their performance and the uniqueness and personality they convey with their voice.
If you know how to properly control your voice, you don’t need to spend as much time and effort worrying about getting your tone right, hitting that high note, or controlling your dynamics. All of that will flow much more naturally so you can focus on your performance. You can work on developing your sound, conveying the emotion of the song through your voice, and adding in little nuances that are uniquely you.
If you want to get vocal tips and techniques, be sure to join Brett Manning and me in this free online vocal workshop. Brett is one of the most sought-out vocal coaches in the country. He’s taught Grammy and CMA winners like Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, and Hayley Williams, and more recently he’s been working with Leona Lewis and Lauren Mayberry of Chvrches. Brett will be sharing some of the techniques behind a really professional sounding voice, so make sure you join the workshop!
Next up:
- 10 Qualities to Look for in a Voice Teacher
- How to Prep Your Voice for Your Next Big Show: A Three-Week Guide
- 6 Simple Tips for Nailing Your Vocal Recording Session
- How to Keep Your Singing Voice Healthy
- Top 5 Exercises to Warm Up Your Voice Before a Show
Dave Kusek is the founder of the New Artist Model, an online music business school for independent musicians, performers, recording artists, producers, managers, and songwriters. He is also the founder of Berklee Online, co-author of The Future of Music, and a member of the team who brought midi to the market.
