Become a better singer or choir leader by mastering new habits

I assume that we’d all like to become better at what we do. That could be teaching songs, singing, or leading a choir. 

Changes Ahead by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Alpha Stock Images

Inevitably, to improve, we will need to develop new habits or change existing ones. But that can feel awkward and unfamiliar, even painful at times.

Choir leaders and singers: how do you know when you’re overdoing it and need to stop?

I wrote recently about Why your throat might be sore after singing. One of the reasons can be overuse. You’re just doing too much.

photo by Lee Haywood

But how can you spot when you’re in danger of doing too much so you can stop in time? Here are three ideas that might help.

Working with an established group (who are set in their ways)

No matter how flexible and self-aware we think we are, inevitably we all end up becoming a bit set in our ways.

photo by Social Gabe

This can particularly apply to any choir or singing group who’ve been together for a long time. What happens when a new leader comes along and tries to change this?

Is it time to widen your musical horizons?

Many of us are in choirs which sing a particular kind of repertoire.



But it’s good to get out of our comfort zone now and again and see what else is out there.

How to keep your warm ups and singing sessions fresh and engaging

I teach singing workshops across the UK. I’m lucky to get a lot of the same singers turning up each time.



Which means that I can’t keep on using the same old jokes or worn out warm up routines. Here’s how I keep things fresh.

Singers and choir leaders: what bad habits have you got into?

We are all creatures of habit. Which is no bad thing until it starts to affect what we do adversely.

photo by CTRLF5

How many bad habits have you got into this past year and how might you change that?