Help me... Singing?!
Question: I need some ways to practice high notes for a song that I am singing. It is a solo, and I can hit all of the notes, and I practice it all the time, but what are some ways that I can hit the high notes easier. Its kinda like... for an alto song it has to start lower, but if there is going to be high notes it has to start higher. But this song starts low, then goes high, then goes low. and keeps doing that the whole song.
Also, when I go to sing in front of people even though mentally I'm not nervous, but my whole body starts shaking, and I can't breath. But I'm never really nervous. Idk why either. So how can I stop that?
Answers: I need some ways to practice high notes for a song that I am singing. It is a solo, and I can hit all of the notes, and I practice it all the time, but what are some ways that I can hit the high notes easier. Its kinda like... for an alto song it has to start lower, but if there is going to be high notes it has to start higher. But this song starts low, then goes high, then goes low. and keeps doing that the whole song.
Also, when I go to sing in front of people even though mentally I'm not nervous, but my whole body starts shaking, and I can't breath. But I'm never really nervous. Idk why either. So how can I stop that?
One of the concepts for singing high notes is sing it from above rather than reach for it. In most, untrained, singers, we have a tendency to reach for and push up to the notes that are in the upper part of our range. The real trick is to come back down for them rather than push thru to them.
It is amazing how and movements helps us not only describe a technique, but also tricks our brains into doing what we are trying to learn. (If I remember right, my teach calls it "associative" training.) As you run through your scale exercises for training your higher register, or as you come to the run in your song, as you practice, use your hand and act like you are placing something on the top shelf. When you do this, you take the item higher than the shelf and set it down. You do not push it through the shelf or you would break it. Your singing that upper note is just the same. The act of placing on a shelf while singing will cognitively remind you to do the same as you are singing.
Another vision to think of when singing to your high range. If you are walking up stairs, you always take your foot higher than the step and come down to the step. If you just push to it, you will trip yourself.
Any exercise to remind you to come back down to your high note, will help you sing it cleaner, and with more confidence.
Hope this makes sense. It is a concept that is hard to put down rather than demonstrate.
For your question on getting the shakes and not being able to breath, I answered a similar question last week, and here is how I answered that questions:
The physiology of stage fright is nothing to get worried about. Many people do not really understand what is going on when they start to perform, so by understanding what is happening is the first step in overcoming it.
Really, all stage fright is is an increase in adrenaline, caused by what is happening or about to happen. Adrenaline is natural, and was instrumental in early human development, as it triggered the fight or flight mechanism when faced with something fearful. Those that can harness this rush can use it to propel them into greatness, whether on stage or in athletics. Those that cannot control it, live in fear of it.
The best way to prepare for getting stage fright is to know your music and your abilities so well you do not have to think about them when performing. Know yourself and what you can do, and do not worry what others think. You need to know the music so well, you are almost cocky about it. If you are as good as you believe your are, show the band, don't ask the band. In the audition process, it is a matter of believing in yourself, because if you don't believe, neither will anyone else. Once you have that state of mind, then use the adrenaline to pump up your performance, not lock you down in shattered nerves.
One thing I do before walking on stage, is to take the edge off by controlling it a little. Best way to do this is to consciously tighten and relax every major muscle in your body, one at time. I start with my toes, then feet, the calves, hamstrings, and so forth on up to my facial muscles. Tighten one at a time, hold for 5 seconds and relax. Take a breath, and do the next muscle in series. This does not get rid of the adrenaline, but it takes the edge off, and gives me the feeling I can control it where I need it.
well i can help wiht the stage fright. but not the singing part. lol. well first gather up alot of your family and friends and practice in front of them, then move to a stage wiht only a little people then more and more and so on till you are over it. it will work belive me.
I have compiled some tips for you
1. Just keep practicing: I know you've heard it a million times, but it really does help. Every time you sing it, it will get a tiny bit easier
2. Try thinking low, while singing high... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv0Jl4TIQ...
3. Practice More! If you keep practicing, it will feel easier in front of people. You might not think your nervous, but you are at a subconscious level. Practicing should help you with that too.
get singstar for the playstation, then practise keeping your notes in the lines, as you sing to the games, there is a line to keep in, but if you miss the tone, it puts a line outside so you can see where you went wrong, my daughter plays it, and she gets it better everytime she gets on it
I am not sure about the high notes part as I am not a singer although I wish I were because I love to sing I just don't sound good, but I did have afriend years ago that told me if you want to sing that it has to come from way down in the inside, she always said Laura sing from your stomach and make it strong. I am sure I was of not much help to you but as Mama always told me "Keep the faith"