To: Vocalist <vocalist>
From: Naomi Gurt Lind
Subject: re: vocal problems
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Leslie wrote:

> okay so heres my problem when ever i sing in a choir i seem to tighten up my
> throat and not support with enougth breath
> but when i sing in my voice lessons with my instructor i can open up and not
> tighten what can i do in choirs to keep from tightening up my throat

Good question! I know this is a common problem. One thing that helps me
is to work on keeping my body relaxed in choir rehearsal. Oftentimes,
choral singers pick up each others' physical tensions and habits -- swaying
to the beat, straining forward in an effort to sit up straight, tensing the
shoulders to hold the music up properly. If your conductor will allow it,
you might try using the back of the chair to remind you that sitting up
straight is not helped by leaning forward. (I usually sit back in the
chair and when I'm singing I have the gentle reminder of the chair back --
I don't lean against it but I always know it's there. This helps me to
keep my body aligned better.)

And I second Peggy's suggestions about bringing the choral music to your
voice lesson & not relenting from healthy voice technique on "easy"
passages.

Naomi Gurt Lind