Posted by ElaineM on August 29, 2006, at 9:03:01
In reply to Re: Overcoming phobias, past it bitting me in the butt, posted by muffled on August 28, 2006, at 22:57:30
HF: Singing is pretty scary -- your voice is so attached to emotions. If you're nervous, your throat will clench and strain, or you'll start breathing too shallow. It's probably easier to feel confident in playing -- no words, more reliable, easier to stay in tune. Alot of people don't like hearing the sound of their own voice, and singing often feels worse. When I was teaching kids, the first thing I had the shy ones do was get used to the volume of their own voice. I'd have them lie of their backs with their hands on their stomachs and just work on singing, full, supported "HA's!"
You're probably used to hearing the sound come from the bell of your trumpet, farther away from your body. The good thing is that because you're a musician you know you're not rhythm deaf, you can pitch (and can work on transfering the skill over to voice), and already breathe using your diaphram.
You should sing with your music up loud and slowly work on lowering the volume until you can sing without the backups :-) And also, find your range and scour the music libraries for songs that stay inside it -- you'll feel so much more confident that way.
Once you get used to it, singing a performance is so liberating -- I would get more nervous accompanying than when I was the performer. I would think that your instructor would be understanding -- fear of singing is very common. Because of that, most people are forgiving of other singers. Having your voice crack is just like when you kack your trumpet (I'm assuming it happens) -- you just keep right on going.
I would love for you to have a positive experience with it, but if you're not able to, then I agree with Emily -- maybe art class would be better. Photography is fun :-)
EL
poster:ElaineM
thread:680930
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20060826/msgs/681118.html