In my last post I described a little bit of my amazement by gaining a whole octave extra in my vocal range after about 6 month of following lessons in the Alexander Technique. It was like magic to me back than because I certainly didn't understand what was going on: I stop doing breathing and singing exercises and I get a whole octave extra! What is happening to me?
Of course I did my lie down every single day, together with my regular Alexander Technique lessons. That is how space was created for my voice to come out freely and for my breathing to be free enough that I never have to think of it anymore and to support my voice on its way out.
In the voice workshops I had the opportunity to get in touch with my own voice.
When I started singing professionally (about 15 years earlier than my first Alexander lesson) of course I took the example of my favourite singer, to the point that I almost 'became her'. It was not my intention to copy her, but I was after that big sound. When I found out I was stuck 'being someone else' I decided to take examples of other singers to have a 'good mix', so unconsciously I kept on copying.
I was amazed by the fact that I didn't have to do anything, whenever I did any of the old singing habits my teacher would stop me so I could be aware of 'falling back into my own trap'.
My voice kept on changing, during my private lessons I went through many voice changes, later I started the training course to become a teacher on this technique, and my voice kept on changing, to the point that my body had to rethink 'the road' of getting the air out of the air pipe (which reminds me of the 'free your neck and go bubbles post). Every body change reflected in a change of voice.
In my process I learnt how to meet and accept my own voice, I didn't have to make any extra effort nor effects to get my voice beautifully working, and I learnt that I need to make mistakes in order to find it.
I am happy to say I finally did it, maybe I should say that I am doing it. I am sure I don't please everyone with my voice and my songs, but I am very happy because I don't do it to please others, I do sing because it is my calling and I just can't stop doing it. Of course it is nice when other people can also relate and like what you do, but if you depend on what others think you will never be yourself and never meet your own voice.
In one of my earlier posts (mind and voice) someone send me a message and told me how much she agreed with it, I thought it was really sweet from her, yet I felt so misunderstood because she also mentioned telling her pupils to think: 'how does my favourite singer does it?'
That is very sad to me, because it is a 'snow ball of uncounsciones', the teacher bringing the pupil to imitate his/hers favourite singer, and the pupil doing it because he/she wants to learn how to sing.
So, I will tell you the little secret and wonderful presents I got from the Alexander Technique, if you stay true to this principles you will never have voice problems and you will be able to sing like you never did before:
* finding your voice doesn't require magic tricks nor singing diets
* singing well doesn't require any muscle effort
* if you shorten or collapse the torso will be impossible for your voice to come out freely
* if you know what you are saying your brain will bring enough oxygen into your lungs for you to be able to bring the whole phrase out
* you don't need to pull or push any muscle nor put your ribs out for breathing, this will be on the way of your own voice and taking energy out of you.
* belly breathing (or abdominal breathing as it is called nowadays) does not exist
* don't try to do the job for your body, allow the body to do it for you
* be in touch with the message and true to the emotions of the song
* listen
This is one of the old recordings from back than when I still amazed by it all happening to me, my voice did change quite a lot since than, but this was the first recording in which I managed to stay true to my own voice:
It is as simple as that. If you want to experience it with the help of a voice and Alexander Teacher you are welcome to take part in one of my workshops, or find an Alexander Teacher near you that works with the combination. In case you can't find anyone in your area I am also happy to bring a workshop to your area.
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