Your Voice is an Instrument

Did you know your whole body is involved in playing music? Not just your fingers or vocal cords! When playing an instrument, your body becomes an extension of that instrument. Your fingers pluck strings or press keys, your mouth forms correct embouchure, your posture and breath work together to create control and tone. Your feet tap out a rhythm. Your mind, emotions, facial expressions, and focus all contribute to the music you are playing.

If you’re a vocalist, your body is your instrument! Planting your feet and standing strong without locking your knees creates stability, support, and confidence. When you breathe, your diaphragm muscle engages below your lungs, allowing the lungs to fill up with the breath you need to sustain your sound. The breath then releases through your respiratory system, activating energy and vibrations through your vocal cords and producing sound. That sound then resonates through your chest, mouth, and nasal cavity, changing with every movement of vowel and consonant to create tone, texture, volume, and beauty. Your facial expression and body movements tell the story of the song.

Then there’s the brain and how your mindset and emotions effect your sound. If you’re nervous, shy, or overly critical of yourself, your sound may be quiet, under-supported, or sound “pinched.” If you’re confident and comfortable, energetic and focused, your sound will improve exponentially. If you’re afraid of cracks and squeaks, you’ll tense up and they will happen. But if you come open minded and ready to try anything, you’ll find more success. Many times your own mindset is the only thing truly holding you back from growth as a musician.

It is so important to keep all of these things in mind as you study music. If you’re tired or not giving energy to your craft and allowing your body to reflect this during a lesson or performance, your sound will suffer, your technique will suffer, and you won’t be rehearsing or performing at your best. Try it next time – engage your strength, practice with poise and energy, breathe deeply, and focus your mind. I promise you’ll see, hear, and feel a great difference.

Happy singing, friends!