Tips for Songwriters from a Vocal Coach

I have no confidence in my voice. You'd think I'd stress about it before presenting a new song, but I don't. Apparently I should.

 Here are some tips from Songwriters: Pump up your vocals! A Q&A with vocal coach Siobhan Quinn

1. Start your day by stretching (yoga’s great!) and vocalizations (no words, start with humming. It’s the  best simple thing you can do, gently running slides through your entire vocal range)
2. Hydrate with room temperature water — no ice! — and clear liquids (not soda) throughout the day
3. Watch your food intake, make sure you get protein.
4. Warm up your voice thoroughly.
5. At the gig– get some room temperature water for the stage, stretch again (you’ve just lugged in your equipment), vocalize again a little so your voice gets used to the microclimate you’ll be in.
6. Enjoy yourself!  Try to sing with as little stress in your body as possible and don’t concentrate on your vocal technique at a gig…that’s for your home studio…concentrate on the emotional meaning of your songs.

Resolved: The next song circle meeting will begin with 15 minutes of yoga. Or not.