Singing Workshops

For the past three weeks of the Performance Block in college, I have been attending singing workshops held by one of the lecturers (previously mentioned in my last post). I found the whole experience very interesting and gained lots of tips for my own performance skills.

One thing that I found very helpful was how to present yourself whilst performing. Having played the flute, I find it easy to hide behind my instrument, but while you are singing, you can't hide. I started really developing my singing in my Amateur Dramatics Society and I learned a lot of tips and gained a lot of advice on performance skills. In order to perform a character in a play, you have to gain an image of the character and portray them. I tend to use this trick in my singing as it helps with my confidence as well. It's harder to sing as Jennifer Gillespie than it is to sing whilst pretending to be e.g. Johanna in Sweeney Todd.

So, this is how I prepare myself for a performance. I did this in the singing workshops and I did this in the Cabaret Night last week. During the workshops, it was pointed out to me that I tend to over-act some of the words i.e. too extravagent arm movements which also looked slightly 'cheesy'. Looking back, I have to admit that I do do that but I think that is a nasty habit I have picked up from performing in shows for the last twelve years.

Another habit or action that was apparent was that I tend to panic whilst in front of a microphone. When I sing, I don't tend to use microphone, I tend to project. And I also admit that microphones scare me, which isn't a great thing for a singer to be afraid of!! I don't really know what I am suppose to do with a microphone in my hand or in a stand. I also worry about my being to close to the microphone which means nobody can hear me or I am too loud or if I am too far back and no-one can hear me at all. This results in me forgetting to breathe and rushing my words and basically me looking rather silly.

So, what I have learned from the singing workshops is that I need to start using more subtle hand movements when performing in smaller performance spaces and try to make sure I am aware of the space around me, and I need to do a lot more work with microphones. Both of these are more than attainable and I will be putting more work into these areas.

Until next time, bye!