I don’t know about you, but there were days when I was in college that singing became hard. I think the most difficult part for me was when I realized that singing was no longer just my hobby, or a skillset I was developing. When I chose to pursue vocal performance as a degree, singing became the career path that I was pursuing. And this changed things! Whether you are majoring in vocal performance, or taking voice training seriously, sometimes it can feel like a high-stakes job that comes with lots of pressure. Here are some tips to help you get through the difficult days, when singing can be stressful and feel more like a chore than anything else.
- Find new hobbies. If you’re a vocal performance major, you probably will find yourself spending a lot of time in the music building focusing on homework and practicing. You might find that you no longer turn to singing to help you release stress. In fact, singing might have become a big part of that stress. Now it is important to find new hobbies to help you decompress after a long day or week. It doesn’t have to be anything huge – you can try reading, another art form, or taking a workout class you’ve never tried before!
- Find low-stake performance opportunities. Sometimes we can forget that not everyone is analyzing our voice the way we are, especially when we’re in the thick of intense training. Finding opportunities to perform when the stakes are low can remind you that you are doing much better than you probably think. You can showcase your voice at karaoke night, volunteer to sing as a service, or whatever other opportunities you find that you enjoy!
- Find ways to make practicing more interesting. If you approach your practice sessions with really high expectations and putting a lot of pressure on yourself, you might find that you struggle to enjoy practicing. However, if you approach your practice sessions with a mindset of curiosity, discovery, and experimentation, you will notice that it’s easier to become invested in practicing every day. Plus, you’ll excel more quickly!
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Also, it’s important to remember that not everyone practices the same way. How do you learn material best? Do you do better with practicing in shorter increments of time more frequently, or in longer chunks of time? Do you like to incorporate a lot of movement into your practice? There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to practicing. If you practice in a way that makes sense to you and helps you accomplish what you need to, that is a successful way to practice.
- Try to not compare yourself to others. Comparing how fast you are improving to others is a really quick way to become discouraged. It can be hard to remember to only focus on yourself when you’re competing with other people for roles or spots in voice studios. However, remember that comparing yourself to others won’t help you. Rather, it will hinder you from improving to become the best version of yourself. Try instead to place trust in yourself that you will get where you want to go. The more you trust yourself, the less likely you are to compare.
- Remind yourself to get what YOU want out of vocal training. If you are trying to meet the expectations of your teacher, your peers, or your school without knowing your own wants or expectations, singing will become extra difficult. It might be a good time to ask yourself what you want to get out of your voice training. Do you want to make performing a career? Do you want to open up a private studio? Go to grad school? Discuss your goals and expectations with your teachers, so they can help you achieve what you want to achieve.
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Remember this: a job isn’t always fun, but it can be rewarding. When singing becomes your job, it will be a little more stressful and mentally taxing at times. However, if you prioritize your needs and goals while working hard, you will develop your voice in ways you couldn’t before. Hope these ideas help!
