How to be a Jedi Singer
Last month I went to the cinema to watch my first Star Wars movie ever (Note from the future: I wrote this in 2018) – (never too late!) I got really fascinated with the concept of “the force” and realized that it can be easily applied to singing in order to become a Jedi singer.
One of the components of singing training is actually very similar to that concept. During training, we learn about our internal energy and how to redistribute it in the body in a way that helps us achieve true voice expression.
Usually what happens is that we concentrate our energy in the upper body. As a result, the energy works as a blockage there. This happens for a number of reasons, although all of them are interconnected, for example, posture, the unconscious blockage of emotions through over-tensing the rectus abdominis muscle when we don’t need to, and the incorrect use of breath support (all of that is interconnected).
When “the force” is distributed this way, we are actually in defense – or alert – mode. For singing, we need to allow ourselves to be vulnerable in order to truly express emotions. Otherwise, we are sending opposite signals to the listener! (Which makes it hard for us to connect with people.)
With this configuration, we are completely disconnected from our bodies. Because all the energy is in the neck, we are not grounded and are not receiving energy from the ground, which prevents us from making the energy (sound) flow through us. It’s as though we are floating, not giving any weight to the floor, not connected to gravity. The sound can’t flow through us. As a result, we feel a sore throat and a sound that gets stuck in the body and doesn’t travel. Not very healing! Also, if we are tensing our neck, we are probably also tensing our abs. This prevents us from using our personal power energy center, located above the navel, or our emotional center, located below the navel — two centers we definitely want to be activated when we sing!
How to Sing using the Force – Becoming a Jedi singer
What we want is to have the “force” distributed in such a way that all of our body is connected. The main energetic place will be the area below the navel; our lower body will be charged with a lot of flowing energy that allows us to connect with the ground. The upper body will be relaxed with the least possible activity coming from the muscles, allowing the sound to flow through all of the body and be expressed and liberated from the throat. The neck, then, should be relaxed and free from tension. You will easily be able to increase your power and express through it, without losing any power! When you find this new distribution in the body, you will find singing even more pleasant!
I always see singing as a tree. Trees have their trunk (legs) so well-grounded that their leaves (upper body) can express themselves freely. That’s the energy distribution we want for singing.
There are many things that can help you find this new distribution of energy, such as finding your posture; meditation; even Tai Chi and martial arts!
Once you get it, you will be a Jedi singer! A master of your own energy 🙂
May the force be with you . . .
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Image by Mirko Toller
I help people to develop their voice and singing from a holistic approach. I teach vocal lessons in person in Auckland, NZ, and online. Also stay tuned for my new online singing programs!❤️
My greatest passion has always been the voice, music and energy arts.
My personal and artistic journey has led me to understand that the voice and the body are fully connected, and that includes not only the physical body but also the mental, emotional and spiritual body.
Through holistic vocal training you not only learn to become a great singer while taking care of your voice, but you also improve your mental and physical wellbeing❤️
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