5 Ways to Be Emotionally Prepared for Your Performance | VoiceCouncil Magazine

4/20/16, 10:44 AM

April 20th, 2016 | by VoiceCouncil

5 Ways to Be Emotionally Prepared for Your

Performance

Its time to stop questioning every part of your performance and tap into a better emotional state
says Ron Browning.
The crumbling performance is a scenario that all singers dread, as it is a thief of inspiration and
throws confidence and self-esteem into a state of flux.
Here are a few tips that I have shared with singers who want to know how to get a tougher
control on their emotional state when it comes to performances, auditions, recording, and
competitions.
I do not guarantee that attention to these points will up your performance level any, but I have
not seen failure so far from any singer who has mastered these.

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5 Ways to Be Emotionally Prepared for Your Performance | VoiceCouncil Magazine

4/20/16, 10:44 AM

Working on new vocals with Wynonna

Judd

1. Know Your Songs Well

I have found that performers feel better and do their best when they have done an indepth study of their songs. The study should go beyond mere memorization of the words
and melody. Find the string of dramatic events and examine how they build. Study the
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5 Ways to Be Emotionally Prepared for Your Performance | VoiceCouncil Magazine

4/20/16, 10:44 AM

intervals in the melody and notice how they follow the dramatic action. This will allow you
to phrase better, but more importantly, it makes you feel as if you are contributing
something of value because your heart is in it. It is the first step in feeling true
confidence because you are really present.

2. Get Plenty of Rest, Eat Well, and Do a Daily Vocal Workout

This is a no-brainer! The voice is a living instrument that must endure the stresses of the
working day. It needs good rest and it needs to be fed well in order for the voice to work
efficiently. It also needs to be well hydrated. Singers also need a good vocal workout
program that they do every day, prescribed by a voice coach and/or teacher for your
voice type and your level of ability. When the singer falls short of taking full responsibility
for these, performances start to decline.

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5 Ways to Be Emotionally Prepared for Your Performance | VoiceCouncil Magazine

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3. Think Positively
Affirmations can be extremely helpful for some performers in focusing energy in the right
direction. Affirmations like, I surrender myself every moment to be the best that I can be
with my music. If you say it enough, you start believing it and eventually youll start
doing it. Write it on Post-it notes and place them everywhere. Always try to see the glass
as half full. Never half empty! Remain hopeful! Avoid being self-critical, especially when
you are in artist mode. There is no time for the critic when its time for you to be
creative! Also, visualizations can be a powerful tool for the performer. Spend time
everyday imaging what you want. See it! Believe it! Have it!

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5 Ways to Be Emotionally Prepared for Your Performance | VoiceCouncil Magazine

4/20/16, 10:44 AM

4. Stay Calm, Cool & Relaxed

Besides sleeping and eating well, the body needs exercise. This is true for everyone, but
it is crucial for performers. The body is your instrument from head to toe. The entire body
needs to feel a sense of ease in order for you to be able to fully surrender it to singing,
dancing, acting, and speaking. The body should be relaxed, yet energized and ready for
action. If you have physical tension, you will doubt your ability to do well from the very
start of your performance. Do not go through your entire show wishing you had
scheduled a deep tissue massage the day before, or that you had taken that walk in the
park to chill. Do what you must to take care of body tension.

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5 Ways to Be Emotionally Prepared for Your Performance | VoiceCouncil Magazine

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5. Control Your Behavior

Before a performance you will want to see to it that nothing happens to throw you an
emotional curve ball. Monitor your phone calls and text messages, responding only to
those that are necessary. It is best to watch how you react to situations so that you are
not moved to anger or other negative emotions. Pressing issues must be put on the side
and not thought about until your performance is over. Avoid getting in tiffs with tough
personalities on your production team or the venue staff. Stay detached from any
potential drama. Nothing will throw you off any quicker than a little drama right before
your opening number.

My Reaction to This Week's Singing Competition Entry

Betty Groovelle - 2013 Spain
You definitely have a lovely lyrical voice for jazz! Sometimes you sound a
bit like Julie London. I would love to hear you do this tune by memory and
standing up. It is difficult to perform with the lyric in front of you, and
especially on a difficult song such as this. But from what I can tell, Id work on the rhythms and
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5 Ways to Be Emotionally Prepared for Your Performance | VoiceCouncil Magazine

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phrasing more, until they spark. Allow the words to be more percussive instead of so melodic
by keeping all the words down in front of the teeth and lips. If a consonant can make noise,
then let it, play it, like castanets or finger cymbals. Dont be afraid to stress a special word here
and there. That will keep the listener pulled into the story. Get into the juicy details! But the
main thing islet those words dance in a Latin-kind-of-way. Take advantage of all the fun
syncopation. You might consider practicing at a much slower tempo so you can work out the
rhythms with the guitar so you are better in sync. And have fun! Let us feel your joy when you
sing, paper or no paper.
Ron Browning is internationally known as the Voice
Coach to the Stars. His clients include all levels of
singers from beginners to Grammy-winning celebrities in
all genres of music. Ron works with the major record
labels producing vocals and preparing artists for radio,
concert tours, and special television appearances. He is
a voting member of the Grammy Foundation and the
CMA Awards. Ron has been seen and heard on
Entertainment Tonight, The Voice, Oprah Network, and
BBCs Simply Classics, to name a few. He is a
successful songwriter, jazz pianist, painter, and is
currently writing a series of voice and performance
manuals, which will include interviews with many of his
students and celebrated clientele. His solo jazz piano CD, In a Sentimental Mood, is available
on iTunes and CD Baby.
Website

| CD Baby

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