Our current economic climate is challenging just about everyone on the planet. Our biggest problem is fear. I never realized what FDR meant by, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Now I do.

Most of my students’ economic status has not changed since the recession began, but their ease with spending money on voice lessons has. Fear. But for those of you who must study to keep your skills sharp without a teacher? And because the job pool is diminishing rapidly, the need to hone your craft to its maximum strength is essential to your survival as an independent artist. Terrible dilemma.

You may want to look at how much money you might loose if you don’t keep your craft voice in good shape. With fewer gigs available your skills and flexibility make you much more desirable to those hiring you. So if continuing your voice (acting/dance) studying is out of the financial picture, here are some suggestions to help you keep growing on your own as an artist.

Practice. Always practice. Perfect practice makes for perfect results – that’s what the gurus of sports coaching tell us. What does that mean? It means taking one very small point of technique and concentrating fully on that one point.

Let’s say you know your jaw is tight and interfering with your vocal freedom. So during your next practice session, resting your jaw is the focus of the entire session. First action you take for every inhale is to rest your jaw. During phonation keep the jaw at rest. All you need to do is to remind yourself.

Watch in a mirror. Instantaneous feedback is invaluable in learning. Watch your jaw. Is it tight? Release it! This will reinforce the thought process of resting your jaw. In fact, while watching in a mirror, your jaw may behave very well because of the instantaneous feedback.

Record yourself – audio and video too. Tell your recording if you didn’t feel the jaw was loose enough and then repeat the exercise with your jaw loose. You’ll hear the difference and learn.

Take your small point of technique into the rest of your life. Practice happens all the time – especially when the instrument is your body. It’s always with you. When you are at the computer or cooking dinner, keep your jaw at rest.

Something I talk with my students all the time about is that you cannot separate your speaking life from your singing life. That means every day, all the time, as best you can be aware of that jaw. If it is tight, let it rest. Then it becomes a habit. If a released jaw is a habit for you, then when you are on stage, you it’s one less thing to think about to make your vocals great.

As always, allow your unique voice, your unique personality and style to lead the way. Individuality will make you stand out as much as your talent. Be bold about being you!

Reliability is just as important. Gone are the diva days where the star got away with coming late to rehearsals. You will be fired in a heartbeat.

There are other tools available to you to keep your voice in top shape.

• How about a workbook and 4 practice CDs?



• If you’ve gotta’ sing, but can’t get to NYC or don’t have the cash for private lessons, you can still study with a top NYC voice teacher – me. Get my online video lessons and work in the comfort of your own home for a mere fraction of the cost of private lessons.
• Consider taking a voice class. I love teaching classes – you never know what is going to happen and who is going to learn what from whom in the room. It’s a fascinating dynamic and a valuable learning experience. Email me for more info. SingLikeYouSpeak at gmail dot com.

Lastly, listen. Take the time to listen to singers you admire. Preferably singers with great technique and listen deeply.

• How is phrasing defined – rhythm, lyrics, other?
• How is the unique sound of the song achieved? Instrumentation, vocal presence, other?
• Do you hear the song done differently? Try it.
• Absorb the music and take it with you.

Best of luck to all! Please let me know if I can help you in any way to become who you are meant to be!

About the author

Sally Morgan is a professional vocal trainer with over 30 years of experience. Sally is also the creator and author of SingLikeYouSpeak(TM)!

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