Have you ever been singing when all of a sudden some unusual, unintentional sound comes out of your mouth? Maybe it manifests as a fluctuation in pitch, a sudden gasp when you breathe, or a surprising shift in voice quality? Where do these sounds come from? What can you do with them? You could use these idiosyncrasies as yet more fuel for self-criticism OR perhaps you could use them to your personal and vocal advantage!
A case study:
Several years ago, I worked with a young student who had a particularly poignant case of ‘unintentional singing.’ Every time she sang, her voice began trembling uncontrollably. This was troubling to her, but she was used to it after years of singing in this way. I was curious about it, so I asked her to exaggerate the pulsing in her voice rather than just gloss over it. When she did, she noticed a curious sensation in her chest and abdomen. I then asked her to exaggerate that feeling and what started out as a pulsing in her diaphragm grew to a violent heaving throughout her entire torso. Suddenly, was as panting with panic. As she stayed with this intense movement, she realized that she felt this kind of panic all the time when she sang in public as a young girl. She recalled that, back then, singing was strongly associated with fear. Even on that day, that fear was still expressing itself through the trembling in her voice. She began to cry. Soon, she was able to alternate between the panic-filled breath pattern and a relaxed, easy sensation in her torso–with and without tone. Eventually, she was able to find a sense of easy confidence and choice while singing (and breathing) and felt greatly relieved!
Here’s how you can work with YOUR unintentional singing:
1. Stay open to noticing anything unintentional while singing and speaking. It can be a very tiny tonal detail or blatant vocal eruption. You just have to notice it when it happens!
2. When you notice something unintentional repeat it consciously and purposefully several times. Get to know it!
3. Begin to exaggerate the unintentional sound or feeling slowly, deliberately and gently. With each iteration, exaggerate it a bit more.
4. You will likely notice some new details as you exaggerate each new detail. Follow and exaggerate whatever arises. Keep your awareness diffuse–scanning throughout your whole self–so you can notice all of the rich details of your new experiences.
5. You might be surprised where this process can take you. Follow the unintentional trail like a sleuth following clues until the process comes to a natural end. You will be amazed by what feelings, thoughts and images are lurking in your unintentional singing!
Keep learning!
Robert
