So, you’ve decided to give singing lessons a go? Great! But, why do you need good technique when you sing?
Well first, let’s discuss ‘good technique’. What does it mean?
Good technique is knowing how to use your voice and getting the full potential out of it. When we sing we use a combination of air and muscle to produce sound. Good technique is when there is a balance of air and muscle known as ‘vocal balance’.
This ‘vocal balance’ allows us to sing in a free and flexible manner, with a clear strong tone, which is what we call good technique. And the best part is, it’s healthy!
So, now you understand what ‘good technique’ is, let’s discuss why you need it!
Good technique will prevent your voice from damage
This is a big one. With good technique you are letting your voice do what it wants to do, free from tension and strain. This prevents your voice from potentially developing vocal problems like nodules and polyps (Truth about Nodules and Polyps by the British Voice Association). Whilst nodules and polyps won’t be a death sentence to a gigging musician (left untreated it might be a different story), it can seriously affect your voice and your vocal abilities!
Good technique becomes habit over time
Good habits in singing are much better than bad habits, and the less you have to think about avoiding the bad habits when you are performing, the more you can focus on your performance. Practising good technique starts to build those good habits by default. The more you practise good technique, the quicker it becomes a habit.
As you practise more your voice gets used to having good technique, then you might start to notice when the technique you’re using is wrong; it might not feel as free and relaxed as you are used to, or it might be uncomfortable or even painful.
It’s a bit like being a weightlifter at the gym. There’s a specifically safe way to lift weights and to build muscle, and doing it wrong can cause major problems, such as hernias or back problems. You really don’t want to do it the wrong way! Singing is the same.
Singing teachers, voice coaches and vocals . . . oh my!
There are plenty of other techniques out there, some good, some bad, some just plain mediocre. Some aren’t even techniques at all.
There will always be a debate over the best technique for singers, but the reality is, once you’ve found your vocal balance (good technique), you’re pretty much free to do what you want with your voice.
The IVA Technique teaches you how to find this vocal balance in your voice and then apply it to songs. The exercises we use in your lessons are tailored to meet the specific needs of your voice, helping you to fix the issues and achieve vocal balance.
The good thing is, is that it works almost immediately to start balancing your voice using targeted exercises. Using the IVA Technique, you’ll find the positive changes become permanent more quickly and you feel the benefits in your voice sooner (with practise of course, there are no magic wands I’m afraid!)
At Your Voice Studio, we teach you how to practise properly, and with your lessons and a good practise regime you’ll begin to understand the benefits of good technique first-hand, in no time at all.
With continued practice and development, you’ll develop a balanced, happy voice that will last you a lifetime.
So, if you’re still debating, come and see for yourself. Book a lesson with Laura or Tom and we’ll show you what good technique can do for your voice!
Do you have some tips of your own, or a story to share about your own experience with the IVA Technique? Share it below in the comments box, or find us on Facebook or Twitter and let us know.
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