...  taking care of your voice

...  taking care of your education

...  taking care of your career

Singing responsibly is all up to you.

Taking care of your voice

Find a knowledgeable teacher.

Take at least one lesson each week.

Do exactly what your teacher asks you to do.

Do nothing that your teacher would not have you do. 

Practice "smart".

Work with an accompanist regularly.

Work with a coach or coaches when you begin studying serious repertoire and when your technique is adequate.

Taking care of your education

Study what you need to learn before anyone requires you to study and learn it. 

Read recognized textbooks on the subject of voice production.

Learn the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

Learn a minimum of one other language in depth (English, Italian, French, German).

Have a working knowledge of current singers, trends in opera, new productions, etc.

Watch other singers in lessons, recitals and master classes.

Go to concerts featuring recognized artists.

Listen analytically to recordings of artists past and present.

Learn "about" your music before you learn your music.

Listen more than you speak.

Asking will gain you more than will telling, in most cases.

Taking care of your career

Be a people person when you need to be.

Genuinely respect everyone.

Know who the important people are.

When you don't need to be a people person for the sake of your career, take advantage of your time to yourself. 

Treasure your valuable solitary time.

Be your own person, for the sake of your career.

Always be, think and do positive.

Act with forethought and considering short term and long term implications.

Live conservatively.

Do nothing personally or professionally that does not directly or indirectly positively affect your career.

Use your art and your career as your measure of quality in other aspects of your life.

Don't diversify. That may be fine for entertainers, but you are an artist.

Never look back "I wonder what would have happened if…"

Let go of energy wasting minor concerns of the present and keep your focus on your career.

Always introduce yourself as a classical singer, even if you are tired of inappropriate responses.

Taking care of your health and well-being

Stay away from all diets.

Avoid emulating too thin fashion models or too bulky muscle men. Their disciplines are not your discipline.

Maintain a consistent weight within medically accepted ranges.

Eat sensibly.

Exercise regularly -- a little aerobic + light weights (be careful) + body alignment or balancing.

If you must watch TV, watch only the occasional favorite program or, preferably, the occasional arts program on PBS. TV is a time waster and it contributes little if anything to your career.

Singing responsibly takes intelligence

Singing responsibly takes resources

Singing responsibly takes a support system

This site is maintained by Patricia Shanks

Email to Patricia Shanks

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