You’re confidence in singing, or talking for that matter, doesn’t happen overnight – the key just happens to be ‘practice’. Most tend to overlook the psychological aspect of their vocal training as they believe in concentrating hard upon developing their technique letting self-confidence take a back seat. And when students start to tackle their voice with real intentions and a course of action, they start to win these little battles that add up to self-confidence. It is the consistent little victories that build a belief in one’s potential, and that creates motivation to keep going and explore further.
It’s not repetition for repetition sake, but strategic repetition. By practicing consciously—not just going through the motions—you’ll make sure that each drill reinforces certain skills. Vocal warm ups, breath control exercises, articulation drills are of more value when a student knows what he’s working toward and is concentrating on precision. Practice is also a time of comparing and noticing that one can improve over time which adds to ones sense of competence and feelings of self-doubt diminishes.
But perhaps most important to building our mental resilience is to learn how to face challenges as opportunities, Kuydesk said. Tough passages, high ranges and unfamiliar music cause anxiety but also produce toughness. When students stick with the discomfort of learning something new, they learn to trust their own voices and stretch out of some pretty narrow comfort zones. Confidence doesn’t come from never making mistakes, confidence comes from responding to those mistakes purposefully and gaining the ability to adjust your technique based on feedback and self-observation.
And self-assurance, of course, is bred by reflection. Students get to see proof of improvement reflected in their recordings, hear their listening back critically and compare their progress against the themselves from a few days/weeks/months (pick one) ago. Reflection turns abstract labour into tangible progress, supporting a positive attitude. As they progress, students change from doubting themselves to believing in the fruits of their labor.
And lastly, the confidence obtained through repetition transcends technique; it influences performance presence and personal expression. When my students realize that they have taken the time to prepare and are ready, they give authentic and poised performances. Mastery becomes a synergy of skill, practice and belief in self, which enables the voice to flower as an integral part of life both in the moment and for your lifetime.