Stop Focusing SO Much on Your Voice

 

"I find while I’m performing I focus too much on my voice instead of enjoying it. How do I NOT do that?"

 

This was a question I got at the Q & A of my Step into the Spotlight Workshop last week. (Thanks to all who attended!! We had a blast!)

 

This question in particular stuck with me because it’s something we can ALL relate to as singers.

 

We all struggle with this.

 

It’s the struggle we have with over monitoring our sound, with the negative thoughts that pop up while we are singing that keep us from actually enjoying the experience.

 

So the question is, how do we not let these thoughts take over? How do we not let these thoughts hold us back, keep us from showing up fully ourselves?

 

The hard part to all of this is that as singers, we do need to monitor our experience.

 

→ Listen for pitch.
→ Check in with our breath.
→ Feel for resonance.
→ Scan for tension.

 

There’s a time and place for all of that.

 

But what happens when you’re performing and you can’t stop listening to yourself?

 

❌ Did that sound good?
❌ Was that note flat?
❌ Do they like my voice?
❌ Ugh. That sounded terrible.
❌ Who do you think you are?

 

Suddenly, instead of being inside the music, you’re watching yourself perform.

 

It’s what I think of as onstage monkey mind.

 

Your attention is bouncing around between your voice, the audience, your body, your nerves, your last mistake, the next high note…

 

And before you know it, you’re no longer singing.

 

You’re monitoring yourself singing.

 

But here’s the good news:

 

Our attention is something we can train.

 

Think about how much of our attention gets pulled these days.

 

I don't even need to list it out. (I'm looking at you, social media!)

 

Our minds are constantly being asked to shift gears.

 

So if you want more control over where your attention goes when you sing, it makes sense to practice when you’re not singing, too.

 

The best way to do this is through.... (drum roll please.....🥁)

 

Mindfulness. (Lots of research to back this up! A book I recommend is Peak Mind by Amishi P. Jha, PhD)

 

Mindfulness doesn't have to mean sitting cross-legged in a silent room for 45 minutes.

 

🚶🏻‍♀️ It can be taking a walk and really feeling your feet on the ground.

💨 Noticing your inhale and exhale.

☕️ Savoring your morning coffee or tea.

👂 Listening to the sounds around you.

🌞 Noticing the sensation of the sun on your skin.

 

The practice is simply this:

 

Notice where your attention has gone… and gently bring it back.

 

Again.

 

And again.

 

And again.

 

That's the exercise.

 

Not never getting distracted.

 

Not having a perfectly quiet mind.

 

Just noticing…and returning.

 

And this is exactly what we can practice when we sing.

 

Let's say you're performing and suddenly you realize:

 

Oh geez. I'm monitoring my voice again.

 

Instead of getting frustrated with yourself, try: Noticing without judgement and redirecting back to what you want to focus on.

 

Maybe it's the storytelling, the person you're singing to, the meaning of the lyrics.

 

Your body.

 

Whatever helps you reconnect with the experience rather than watching yourself from the outside.

 

And if 30 seconds later you catch yourself doing it again?

 

No big deal. Notice. Redirect.

 

That's not failure!! That's the training.

 

The goal isn't to never think about your voice.

 

The goal is to keep your attention from being completely hijacked by monitoring it.

 

You deserve to actually enjoy this singing thing!

 

Ok, so here's another little practice you can try today:

 

Take two minutes.

 

Put your phone away.

 

Choose one of your five senses and give it your full attention.

 

What can you see?

 

What can you hear?

 

What can you feel?

 

What can you smell?

 

What can you taste?

 

When your mind wanders...and it will...just notice and come back.

 

Don't judge.

 

No fixing.

 

Just return.

 

You are strengthening your attention muscle.

 

And the more you practice that little return, the more choice you have about where your attention goes….not just in meditation, but in rehearsal, auditions, performances, and everyday life.

 

I talked about this in this week's episode of The Joyful Singer, Stop Focusing So Much on Your Voice, where I go a little deeper into this idea and share more about the simple “At Ease Breaks” I use to practice it.

 

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

 

And if you try this, I'd genuinely love to know how it goes and if you notice a difference.

 

Thanks for being here and being a part of the community!