[Words] have power, not by repetition, but by belief and acceptance.
[Words] have power, not by repetition, but by belief and acceptance.
The most rewarding thing about being a vocal empowerment coach is seeing a student realize that finding their core voice does not have to be difficult. When a student has this epiphany, her whole disposition suddenly becomes more relaxed. Quite a few have even shed tears of joy.
I’ve already established that our instrument is the accumulation of three things: 1️⃣ Thoughts (Mind), 2️⃣ Feelings (Soul), and 3️⃣ the Voice (includes Body). So now, let’s examine briefly how they affect one another.
What we think and feel is what I refer to as our inner voice or inner dialogue, which serves in this model as the cause. For example, you may think, “My voice is going to crack on the high part…” or feel afraid to make a mistake in front of people. The actual sound quality of our voice is what I like to refer to as the outer voice, and is the effect or result of those thoughts and feelings. In this case, the effect will most likely be that your voice sounds shaky.
Too often, singers look at me in disbelief and confusion, when I tell them to pay attention to what they do well as a singer. They feel that if they disengage from their inner critic (which is what most of singer’s inner dialogue really is), there’s a good chance their voice won’t deliver the desired results. All the while, they are unknowingly stifling their own vocal freedom.
In order to illustrate just how important the cause and effect relationship of our instrument is, and how learning to sing is unique from learning any other instrument since it’s connected to our “vocalized” soul, try the following exercise.
Begin to treat your voice with the same care you would a child (or best friend). It’s easy to understand that by yelling at a child, by harshly criticizing him or her, and by only looking at what they do wrong, the child’s growth and confidence will most likely be destroyed, resulting in resentment, fear and bitterness (which we tend to bury or “stuff”). On the other hand, if we take time to listen with compassion, become aware of the child’s strengths, and patiently love him or her unconditionally, the child is bound to grow into a confident and balanced adult.
Finding your CORE Voice works the same way. Arianna Huffington understood this principle when she wrote, “The more we refuse to buy into our inner critics—and our external ones too—the easier it will get to have confidence in our choices, and to feel comfortable with who we are.” My CORE Vocal Power® method will teach you how to have the courage to let go of the inner critic and boldly move into confident, vocal freedom.
As you begin to practice this approach to your voice handling your voice with care, awareness, and patience—you will most likely experience a shift in how you feel about it. You may even notice a lighter, happier feeling around your vocal expression.
Now is the time to begin experiencing your natural voice at a whole new level!
