How to connect with a song when singing

Today I want to share with you some tips on how to connect with a song when singing, so you can sing it much more easily and enjoy it more too.

Very often singers sing songs thinking about the wrong things on stage or even during a practice session. This leads to frustration and confusion. You can easily fix this by learning to connect better with a song.

Why is it so important to know how to connect with a song when singing?

Knowing how to connect with a song when singing is important and crucial because your mind, body and voice are intrinsically connected. 

Your posture matches your thoughts, which are matched by your breathing and therefore by your voice. In other words, whatever your predominant thoughts are, they are shown in your voice.

If you are singing a love song but you are thinking about how scared you are because there is a high note in the middle of the song, what your voice will transmit is some form of fear which is not what your song is about. There will be a disconnection between what you are feeling and what you are saying.

When you can connect with a song, the interpretation, and even the technique becomes way easier.

How to connect with a song when singing – some tips to get you started

• Listen to the song 

Give yourself all the time you need to understand what the song is about. What is the story behind it, what is the main emotion behind it, and what does the singer want to achieve with those lyrics.

For example, in this song:

I would say that the main emotion is a peaceful sensation of love and trust. And the objective when saying those words to the object of the song is to convince them that they are safe to trust.

That is what I feel when I listen to the song. For you, it might be a different experience. And yours will be as valid as mine.

And remember that whatever your interpretation of the song is, it is correct. There is no right or wrong. Everyone connects in a different way to songs because we all carry different stories. 

• Empathize with the song

Songs represent an emotion in a particular moment. They are incredible tools to express, release, and let go. 

When you are learning a song, it is really important that you try your best to truly empathize with the message and to not judge the singer or the song. Chances are that you have felt that way at some moment in your life, even if the story is different for you.

• Listen to the song with your whole body

Find a relaxed position – either lying down or sitting down- that allows your body to breathe deeply. You should be able to do “belly breathing” for this exercise, make sure you don’t tense the abs so the lungs can be filled with air with less resistance from your muscles.

When you allow this kind of breathing, chances are that you are going to feel one of 2 things:

1. You will feel the emotions that the song transmits more easily and strongly.
2. You will find more resistance to your breath (for example by tensing the abs more instead of letting them be relaxed). If this is the case, it is showing you that there are emotions that you are resisting. Focus on your breath until you let go of these tensions so you can connect with your song more easily and sing it more easily as well.

• Make the story yours

By now you have identified a story and the main emotion, and you have empathized with it a bit more.

Now you have to decide what does the story means TO YOU? How does it connect with you particularly? 

Maybe you went through a similar story. Maybe you went to a similar emotion even if the story is totally different. Maybe you just connect with the emotion regardless of if you remember a personal story or not. Maybe you imagine a new story that makes you connect with the song strongly.

• Decide what YOUR intention is 

When you are singing the song, what is your intention? Is it the same intention as the original singer? For example, in the example of Katy Perry “Unconditionally”, when I sing it maybe I will decide that my intention is not to inspire trust in someone particular, but rather to calm them down, or even make them more excited about being with me. The differences are slight, but if you are clear with your intention your voice will sound differently.

Just as it happens when you are speaking!

Again, there is no right or wrong here. Even when you see different versions of the same song, you can see different intentions and even different emotions.

I hope this was helpful to you!

If you are interested in learning to sing from a holistic approach, contact me for one on one singing lessons in North Shore Auckland (New Zealand), or for singing lessons online (Zoom and online programs)

Singing lessons for adults, kids, and teens 🙂 In Glenfield area.

At Auckland Singing School you can also take group singing classes for adults in Auckland (Unsworth Heights, North Shore, and Glenfield, North Shore)