Category: Wisdom

Get Over Yourself

4/13/2015

C.S. Lewis said, "True humility is not thinking of less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less."

This is especially true when singing. If you have your mind on yourself you will invariably become too self-conscious and tense, which will close up your throat. If you concentrate on conveying the story to your audience you will be thinking about how to bless and inspire them. That should keep you loose, open, and able to sing without fear.

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It's All About The Story!

3/20/2015

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It's so simple, yet so profound. Over the years Wayne has taught voice lessons and conducted chorales, he is amazed at how many singers he's come across who don't understand this basic concept. You must be prepared to tell the story. Music is not about the notes, it's about telling a story. You can't engage your audience if you are staring at a piece of paper. And you can't watch the conductor if you're eyes are looking down at the music.

Whenever Wayne has performed - whether it be a major opera or singing a few songs for any size venue, he always starts by learning the story. He encourages his chorale to do the same. Actually he commands that we do so. Learn the story so you can speak it as confidently as if you had written it yourself. Practice saying the words as an actor or actress would deliver their lines. Then and only then can you start to learn the music. The music will come much faster if you aren't tripping over the words.

Tell the story and you will inspire your audience. Tell the story and you will engage their souls.

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Back To The Basics

2/23/2015

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Wayne goes through the roof if anyone comes to him asking him how to breathe properly for singing. The reason is because, as he often says, we were born breathing correctly, then we spend the rest of our lives figuring out how to screw it up. If you look at puppies or babies breathing when they are asleep, their belly moves slowly up and down. Same with any of us when we are sleeping. But somehow when we are "trying" to sing, we forget how to breathe naturally and start trying to "help." Breathing correctly for singing is as much about expiration as it is inhalation. We should be like bagpipes or an accordion. As the breath comes up from the diaphragm it crosses over the vocal chords creating sound. If you cut off the breath from below and try to sing from your throat, you won't have much sound or resonance. When it comes to singing and breathing, it's important to get back to the basics.

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Get Over Yourself

It's All About The Story!

Back To The Basics

Amy Allen

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