Voice Coaching Ireland

As a singer, it can be so frustrating when you sing a song perfectly with the exception of that pesky high note in the chorus!  When a note makes you squeak or isn't as strong as the rest of your range - what you decide to do next is vitally important.  A lot of singers will give up at that point and state that the note is unattainable for them.  When performing the song again, they tell themselves 'oh no!!!  here comes the big high note!!!'  When you tell yourself things like this, you create tension and stress in the body, even if you aren't aware of it.  The chest restricts, the throat tightens, your airflow gets messed up and you get your body into a position of strain.  So - when it comes to trying that note again, what happens?  You guessed it - of course the note is going to squeak or not be hit at all.

So, instead of telling yourself how you're going to mess up, wouldn't it be more useful to focus on something that will help you?  Here are some tips:

• Take that note and focus solely on it and it alone.  Practice singing the note over and over again. Softly at first - don't feel that you need to push like a maniac to get it out of you.  Get your muscles and chords used to aiming higher than you would normally.
• Keep your eyes at eye level.  Don't look up for the note as all you're doing is sending a signal to your brain that the note is 'up high'.
• Don't think of it as singing at first.  Take the note and make a number of different sound styles with it.  I like to use an ambulance siren.  So I practice the note i'm going for and also use the note below it.  So, now i'm not singing - i'm simply making a neeeee-nawwww sound with two notes.  When you can reach the note with relative ease, try singing it again.
• Involve the body.  When you go to sing that high note, extend your arm out.  Just like you are literally taking the sound from your body and handing it to the space in front of you.  Sounds mad, but it works!
• When things go wrong - laugh!  Laughing greatly reduces stress.  Plus - it makes practising more pleasant.  Win-win!

If you are in pain doing any of this, stop IMMEDIATELY.  This should not hurt - ever!  If it does, you may need help with your technique.

To get the notes you want, perserverance and patience are the name of the game