2 simple changes = huge breakthrough
I recently started taking voice lessons, because I got tired of feeling like I was holding back when I sang. I felt like there was so much more I could do, but didn't know how to break out of where I was.
In my first lesson, my coach (who is amazing, by the way) taught me 2 things that have helped her:
- Open your mouth more
- Release the tension in your tongue
As she was coaching me, I started to feel the difference. Suddenly it didn't feel like I was working as hard to get the sound out, and things felt like they had clicked into place in a way they hadn't been before.
Practicing felt easy and fun, and my voice didn't get tired nearly as fast as it previously had. I could finally focus on expression, rather than performance.
I feel like these concepts hold true far beyond vocal training.
In any area of our lives, if we're not opening our mouths fully -- or if we're withholding our gifts and not actually wanting to be heard -- the expression is lacking (both for those listening as well as the person making the sound).
Similarly, a tense tongue -- or one that holds back out of fear -- prevents the output from matching the intention, resulting in miscommunication and dissatisfaction (or "mid," as my teenagers would say) for all involved.
We are all meant to express ourselves freely. Otherwise, would we have been given unique experiences and unique sets of strengths? I hope today you open your mouth a little more and loosen your tongue so that your gifts can be fully expressed and enjoyed.
