Hi Everyone

Please forgive me if this post turns out to be an enormous piece of showing-off, but I'm on a real high at the moment.

As you know, a couple of weeks ago I went back into work after four months off.

Well, last weekend I had a singing lesson on the Saturday morning, at which I sang better (in both my own estimation and my teacher's) than I ever have before.

The Saturday afternoon and evening I sang at a performance of Brahms' Requiem in Guildford Cathedral. The person standing to my right (whom I know slightly from various festival events) asked me "what are you doing differently, your voice sounds so much better this year?"

Then on the Sunday, I sang in The Really Big Chorus performance of Carmina Burana at the Albert Hall. I was standing next to a friend whom I see on a regular basis, but with whom I haven't sung since Easter. "Gosh" she said "your voice has changed a lot in a short time!"

Then this morning I was the visiting soloist at a local church. After the service, the minister said "Have you changed teachers or something? Your voice was amazing today - so much better than I've ever heard you before."

From these I have to conclude (modestly) that being back at work has done something beneficial to my singing.

Does that sound totally crackers? I had been worried that I wasn't making much progress while I was at home, despite the considerably increased practice, and being pretty relaxed generally. But now my voice seems to have "taken off" again despite being a lot more stressed and tired in the week - not to mention negligible practice on workdays. Perhaps mentally and emotionally it's back in its proper place in my life - rather than being the main activity for the last four months it's now my relaxation again.

Cheers

Katyjay

That's brilliant, Katyjay.

May I make an alternative suggestion? Often we don't see the benefits of increased practice at the time, as new habits take time to become established. What you are experiencing may be partly due to the weeks you had at home between jobs, helped by your different feelings towards singing now you have a day job again.

It's lovely to hear that, Katyjay! I daresay that in a few years' time when you're touring the world and are a famous singer, we'll be able to tell people that we were in adult learners' concerts with you at the beginning of your career. (And no, I'm NOT joking or talking tongue-in-cheek!)

So pleased to hear that things are taking off for you now....

If only you could pass on the recipe. It's so easy to feel that you are in a hole and can't get out of it.

Hey Kayjay!

Wow that's wonderful! I love it when people say those kinda things! It really puts a smile on your face doesnt it?

Really pleased to read such a lovely upbeat post. Congratulations, and enjoy your lovely voice.



Amber
x

Congratulations! I am off work because of health problems at the moment, so I know how it can get you down. It's great to hear that you're back at work and feeling so great that it's making you sing better than ever!

T xxx

That's great, katyjay! I'm sure there are lots of potential reasons... but on the whole, who cares, if the improvement is that good then YAY! and well done you!

Aw, I'm glad it's going so well for you - all your hard work practising is paying off!

Excellent news! I often find that if I do extra work on my voice, the benefits actually surface some time later (seems to take extra long to sink into my thick head...)
Maybe it's also something to do with the fact that with a job you aren't worrying about how the bills are going to get paid etc, even at a subconscious level.
The most important thing is that, whatever it is, it's working!

Good for you, Katy!

It's probably a combination of the benefits of the extra practice, the confidence the new job etc will have given you and life just going well. Tends to make us perform better in all aspects of life. Even I can make a passable vocal noise when I'm happy and confident!!!!

Elisabeth

That is amazing. Please to hear that. Wish I can sing.