Number 8, August 1, 2021

How to Practice – When Do I Find Time?

I know many of you are challenged with finding time to work on music and singing, especially now that our world is gradually opening back up.  With all of the confusion and uncertainty going on around us, it’s difficult to harness the focus and motivation to make time to practice.

Whether you’re a player or singer or both, I suggest that you make singing an integral part of your daily life.  The best way to do it is by singing as you go about your day, in an informal way – while doing house chores, exercising, gardening, etc.  Put your guitar or instrument out where it’s handy so you can pick it up and sing and play without fussing for space.  Or if you want to set aside time to learn a song, for example, by all means do so, but with a different attitude:  consider singing to be a facet of your self-care time you give yourself now.  Spend 30 minutes on singing as you would on anything that enriches you or focuses your mind on yourself and what you need.  Working on music can take your mind off troubles, or even help you express sadness.  I’ve had many of those moments and I can tell you that singing, even the sad songs, always helps me feel just a little bit better.

Take time for yourself now and carve out a calm space for your practice on music.  You’ll be glad you did.

The Seven Minute Workout

Another good discipline now for uncertain times is short bursts of exercise.  It will re-charge your mind and body and even regulate emotions.  If you’re needing some physical exercise at home, check out the Seven Minute Workout on YouTube:  It really works and it takes almost no time!  Find The Seven Minute Workout Here

More on Breathing Techniques from the World of Yoga

I wrote previously about breathing being a source of focus, relaxation for the body and the essential support for singing.  In my research, I found this great article from the Well and Good website for cultivating yoga breathing.  “5 Yoga Breathing Techniques to Cultivate Chill Vibes on and Off the Mat.”  Check it out here: Read the Article HERE

See you next time for more on voice production, performance and storytelling in song.

Thanks for reading!

Blessings and love,

Susie

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Award-winning recording artist, Broadway singer, journalist, educator and critically-acclaimed powerhouse vocalist, Susie Glaze has been called “one of the most beautiful voices in bluegrass and folk music today” by Roz Larman of KPFK’s Folk Scene.  LA Weekly voted her ensemble Best New Folk in their Best of LA Weekly for 2019, calling Susie “an incomparable vocalist.”  “A flat out superb vocalist… Glaze delivers warm, amber-toned vocals that explore the psychic depth of a lyric with deft acuity and technical perfection.”  As an educator, Susie has lectured at USC Thornton School of Music and Cal State Northridge on “Balladry to Bluegrass,” illuminating the historical path of ancient folk forms in the United Kingdom to the United States via immigration into the mountains of Appalachia.  Susie has taught workshops since 2018 at California music camps RiverTunes and Vocáli Voice Camp.  She is a current specialist in performance and historian on the work of American folk music icon, Jean Ritchie.  Susie now offers private voice coaching online via the Zoom platform.   www.susieglaze.com

 

Quick Announcement:  I’m opening my voice studio to new students, so if you’re interested in studying singing, check out my teaching HERE   Then get in touch!   Email me HERE