Heather's Happy Voice Blog

Notes from a Holistic Singing Coach Inspired by some recent one-to-one sessions with my private clients. Don’t be afraid of your emotions when you sing - particularly when you start exploring your voice as an adult - with all the judgemental thinking we can bring to it! Very often, for many different reasons, people, myself included, can become tearful and emotional during their singing lesson - and it’s usually a really good thing. Some people feel grief for the lost years they felt prevented from singing, or being shamed about their voice.  Others can feel frustrated by their level of skill versus the level they desire.  As adults we are happiest doing what we know we are good at, and learning new skills can feel challenging to the ego and our self-esteem. Most are simply overwhelmed by the stresses of daily life, seemingly unrelated to singing, which bubble up when they finally spend time focusing on themselves.   But none of it is unrelated. Our voice is part

Recently, I have enjoyed coaching the Crouch End Players community theatre in preparation for their musical play "Sea Airs" - a love story set in my native Cornwall, featuring Sea Shanties and traditional methodist hymns, as well as songs from the 1980s. As opening night approached, the cast have been beset with seasonal colds, coughs and the usual Autumn term  lurgy!  Under these circumstances there is a lot of well-meaning advice given to amateur performers, some helpful and some downright destructive! But finding the right advice can be a minefield, particularly relating to amateur performers who have to work all day and perform in the evening, and who don't get much rest! I remember when I was studying at Trinity College of Music (now Trinity Laban) in the 1980s, we were lucky enough to have a lecture from the eminent throat specialist, Mr David Garfield Davies, to educate the singers about vocal health and hygiene. Mr Davies is laryngologist to the RSC and

EDIT     The Podcast "Happy Voice Conversations" is now available on all podcasting platforms! Please subscribe and help spread the word! We also have a Facebook page   https://www.facebook.com/voicepod  and community on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/happyvoice_podcast Like to be featured guest?     Happy Voice Conversations explore people's relationship with their voice. If you have a story to share please get in touch. Original Blog post I will be producing a series of Podcasts starting in 2019.  The content will be based on my 25 years coaching experience, research and exploration of ideas around people's relationship with their voice, on a professional, personal and emotional level. I will also be in conversation with voice practitioners, singers, speakers, healers, thinkers and inviting people to tell their vocal stories I wanted to share some of my early ideas and notes, below, with this in mind: Podcast n

"Thanks so much for a great session today! I feel tons better than when I walked in..." People love a "good sing"!  It can help us relax, unwind and express ourselves, while providing those well-earned endorphins. Singing is a fabulous stress-buster as it releases the body's natural "happy chemicals",  gets us breathing properly, helps the energy to flow and gets your feelings out.    Singing together bonds and unites us, singing individually helps us connect with our spirit and our emotions. ....(and, of course, it's also good fun!)  Some people have instant access to their voices and  seem to sing effortlessly.  But what if you believe you "can't" sing? Too many people live with the belief that they just "can't" sing or have a "terrible voice".  One in fifteen people even believe themselves to be physically "tone-deaf".   In reality, only 4% of people have  Congenital

I have been moved by many background stories from my singing clients lately, and wanted to share the following. A shocking number of people never sing, or never enjoy singing because of what I call "negative vocal beliefs". Usually, at some point in their lives, they were ridiculed, teased or humiliated by a remark about their voice, and the pleasure and joy of singing withered on the vine. These beliefs stick, and they affect our confidence. They shut us down. Understanding the root of the belief and acknowledging those feelings and emotions in a safe context can be the first step to reclaiming your right to sing. It is your voice. It is nobody else's business! You don't have to be a soloist or an entertainer, but you have a right to use your own voice without judgement or criticism. And, whatever stage you are at, you can learn to be in better control of the sound you produce. Learning technique and getting into a simple routine of practice can make an

A young woman I teach went off to sing her first professional "session" today. I have no doubt it will be the first of many! Although she is an accomplished and confident singer,  she was shocked how her nerves played havoc with her body and mind, before she even left the house.  She called to ask me what to do. I thought I would share my advice... Firstly - Understand what's going on: Nerves, adrenaline, butterflies, nausea, shakiness, wobbly knees, shallow breathing, needing a wee..  These (charming!) symptoms are all natural responses to fear, excitement or other emotional arousal.  They are part of the body's primitive "fight, flight or freeze" response to danger, signalled by the amygdala in the brain.  Oxygen pumps to your muscles,  so you're ready to run and react in super-fast time. Great for saving you from a stampeding woolly mammoth, but singing a jingle for a TV commercial? Not so much. (Alas, the amygdala doesn't k

 It's lovely to get into singing as an adult. It helps us relax and express ourselves, while providing those well-earned endorphins! Singing is a fabulous stress-buster as it  gets us breathing properly, helps the energy to flow and gets those feelings out! Many people feel as if singing gives them a therapeutic experience. The more  your  singing technique improves, the more control you gain and confidence grows as a result. Also, singing is such an individual form of expression, and everyone has their own relationship with their voice.  As well as being a singing teacher, I am also a qualified life coach, and use those skills to help people identify singing/creative goals. I try to  work with everyone in a way that suits them, towards achieving those goals, whatever they may be. Some people have instant access to their voices and  seem to sing effortlessly . Others need to develop an awareness of how the voice works, and  build up technique and methods using a combination