Feeling Shaky

Working with Regina Spektor on a song she wrote after becoming a mom was such a wonderful experience. We were working on it before she recorded it for a record. In order to sing light, tender and stable, I had her rehearse it intensely - leaning into it, getting a strong full tone. 

Balance, strength, and dynamics build from the middle out. We find our balance and our alignment, and as we get stronger we can get both more intense and more gentle. 

Think of it like this - you need to go 45 miles per hour steadily, consistently and then slowly but surely you’re able to go 60 or 80, 110 and 35, 15, 5 mph without falling off balance, without hitting the brakes, without burning out. 

Stability happens from a center point energy first. Then, we’re able to sing a higher note lightly because it takes a lot of strength, as much as it does to sing a big powerful belt. 

So don’t go for power. Go for balance. Don’t go for the note. Go for consistency and ease. Don’t go for the endpoint - build in stages and appreciate the process. 

No one would sit down and bench press four times their weight the first time. 

Singing is athletic. There are muscles that you are training and aligning. Slow and steady wins the race. Consistency wins the race. By the way, there is no race. 

This is your life, livelihood, career, and joy - enjoy every step of the way, notice your gains, adjust and have fun with all the skills that you have at any given moment. And most importantly - move your audience. Take them on an emotional ride!