The Eyes Are The Windows To The Soul

One of the most critical experiences for audiences is that they feel connected to what is being presented.  That means, for those of us who perform, that our job is to allow the audience that experience.  We have the huge weight on our shoulders to bring them in to our own experience with the music.

Regardless of how well you sing, if the audience doesn't feel that you are involving them in your experience, they might just dismiss your talent.  However, there is one thing that most certainly locks in your audience to your performance...the expression in your eyes!

Eyes really can reveal so much about how and what we feel.  It is essential that your eyes (and eyebrows) emote according to the lyrics.  And even though you might feel like a fool, the fact is you are probably NOT "over"emoting.

If you feel you have a hard time involving your audience into your emotional, musical experience, you can better your eye expression:

Make a list of differing emotions.  In front of a mirror, practice showing these various feelings or emotions by expressing them only with your eyes.  (For example: Open your eyes wide.  Squint them pensively.  Close them tightly.  Look to the sides.  Think thoughts that will spur you to emote different feelings with your eyes.)  Practice being as dramatical as possible in front of the mirror.  When you are in front of a crowd, you will probably hold back a bit anyway.

Remember, your eyes can either block your audience out or lure them in to an emotional experience they long to experience with your beautiful voice!

5-Step Checklist (per your request)

Well, if you've been wondering where I wandered off to - I was on the Amazon!  We did some music word there and it was a long, exhausting, but WONDERFUL trip!

In the last poll, I asked which 5-step checklist you might like to have and the winner was:

How to better your breathing technique.  So, here we go:

1. Make sure that you do deep breathing exercises before you start your vocal warm-up

2. Although many professionals may advise you to breathe through your nose when singing, as long as you are well-hydrated, taking deep breaths through your mouth as you sing can be very beneficial to sing longer and stronger

3. When inhaling, your breaths should fill your lungs - as a "byproduct," you should see your stomach expand during your inhalations - use rests and commas as your cues to when you can inhale (do NOT inhale in the middle of words or in melodic runs)

4. When exhaling, especially on high or long notes, your abdomen muscles should slowly contract forcing your stomach to return to its relaxed position - make sure to use the strength in your abs to push your air all the way through long notes and melodic runs.

5. Listen carefully to your singing voice for "wasted" air, airy sounds, obvious breaths, hoarse or cracking notes and piercing notes.  TOO MUCH AIR ("wasted'): If you can hear air in your sound, and especially if you can feel it (put your palm about 4-6 inches in front of your mouth), you are not controlling your airflow with your abs and therefore, are probably exhausting yourself with excessive breathing.  TOO LITTLE AIR: If you have trouble finishing phrases, long notes or melodic runs, you are either not inhaling enough, or you are allowing the air to leave almost completely at the beginning of your phrase.  If you often hear hoarse, cracking or piercing notes, and especially if you feel pain after singing, you are probably not inhaling and maintaining with your abs correctly.