Successful Seasonal Singing

By Author: Maxwell David
Total Articles: 26
Comment this article

As we embrace the Christmas spirit, it's possible we will attempt a few festive fa-la-la's to get the celebrations underway. But do we sound any good?

Now help is on hand with a few top techniques to make sure you give a performance to be proud of this Christmas. Whether you're planning to sing in a concert, go carol singing with a few friends or just partake in a little Christmas Karaoke, in just a few simple steps you can enhance your performance and impress your audience.

I am amazed at the number of people who turn out to sing at Christmas. People who don't sing a note all year suddenly decide they fancy a good sing. Unfortunately, the results aren't always pleasing to the ear. As an aspiring performer, I am sure this won't be the case for you. However, if you don't do much singing during the year and you find yourself preparing for a special solo this Christmas, you may want to think about ways you can achieve singing success. We could obviously discuss all kinds of singing techniques here which would help you to develop your singing skills and enhance your performance. But if singing is only something ...
... you do on high-days and holidays, all you need is a few tips:

#1: Tuning
Are you sure you are singing in tune? If you're not absolutely sure, then there's a chance you might be singing out of tune and this would obviously be damaging to your performance. You might be producing a rich, colourful tone to your voice; your breathing might be perfect and you might demonstrate some other excellent singing skills, but if you're not singing in tune, your performance will be uncomfortable to your audience. The first step to identifying any tuning issues and going about correcting them is by listening more carefully to the sound you are producing. I normally tell beginner singers that successful singing involves about 50% singing and 50% listening. So, never underestimate the importance of listening to the sound you are producing. By doing this, you will also hear where you are going out of tune and you should be able to correct this more easily.

#2: Breathing
Putting just a little bit of thought into your breathing when you sing can make all the difference to your performance. First, make sure your breaths are slow and low - as if you're breathing in through your tummy button. Don't rush your breathing - you probably have more time to breath than you think, so use the extra time to take in more air. This will help you to sing longer, smoother phrases and produce more sound along the way. Be careful not to breath in the middle of words or during important sections of sentences. If you're unsure what I mean, read the sentence you are singing out loud and breath as you do when you sing the sentence. Does it still make sense? If not, you did to change your breathing so the sentences stay intact and still make sense.

#3: ENJOY
Nothing worries me more than when I see an inexperienced singer trying really, really hard to produce a perfect performance but getting all nervous and worked-up in the process. Having thought about your tuning and your breathing and providing you don't plan to be the next Pavarotti, enjoy your performance! Have fun, sing out and go for it! I guarantee your audience will enjoy your performance more if you look like you're having a great time and if you happen to stumble over a word or forget to come in at the right time, your audience will be more forgiving. After all, it is Christmas!

Register free today at mystagedoor.co.uk and get unlimited access to training advice and guidance for the performing arts as well as showbiz news, videos of top London shows, performance opportunities and the chance to meet and chat with other like-minded performers. Don't miss out - register free today at mystagedoor.co.uk - the UK's leading website for aspiring performers.
Maxwell David is one of London's leading performing arts specialists and Co-Founder of register free at mystagedoor.co.uk and get unlimited access to training tips, career advice for the performing arts, info on events in their area, industry news and the opportunity to meet other like-minded performers.