Over the years I have noticed that there is one common make or break factor that determines the ease at which someone improves their Belting or prepares for a big audition.

What is it?

(Drumroll please)

Thanks Little Drummer boy

SAFETY

The safer you feel in the practice or audition room, the easier it will be to acquire new skills and perform at your best.

Why Safety?

As humans, our brains control everything, and the brain's #1 Priority is Survival. If we are perpetually stuck in a state of “Fight or Flight” our brains will always prioritize Survival over Learning and Performance.

We can also reframe it this way:

“Fight or Flight” = A Scarcity mindset

Safety = An Abundance mindset

You can try all the the Belting tips and tricks, you can memorize the anatomy, you can even take the Christina Aguilera Teaches Singing by Masterclass (TM), but you may still struggle if you aren’t feeling safe.

Here are some ways to encourage more safety in your practice and performing:

Set aside enough time to practice/audition prep so that you don’t feel rushed

Find a place to practice where you don’t feel judged by neighbors, roommates, the improv group in the hallway, or old biddies who love to share their unsolicited opinions. My pals at Spectra Studios in NYC have a room that’s only $12/hr to rent!
Start your practice session with a grounding. This can be a short mindfulness meditation, Body Scan, Pranayama Breath work, Somatic Movement work (Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, Somatic Experiencing, etc.)
Work on the “hard stuff” from a comfortable place. Get confident on the words, notes, and rhythms before you try to Belt the high note. Slow it down before you speed it up. Try it silently or in head voice first. Find a more comfortable way of sitting/standing.
Stuck in a loop of self-judgement? Get curious. Curiosity killed the cat. It also kills the cycle of judgement. Notice things, explore, wonder.
Still judging? Get weird. Do something strange and playful as a reset. I recommend the Electric Slide. (“It’s ELECTRIC…boogie oogie oogie!)
Unpack your baggage: What are the stories you have around your ability to do this? Are they actually true? While it sounds cliché, believing you can do the thing will greatly increase your chances of being able to do the thing.
Change the rules of the game: If you are finding yourself obsessing over “perfection,” change the metric for success in the practice session or audition. Aim to be more expressive, more in your body, to have more fun, to be more truthful

How do you encourage more safety in your practice/performing? What would you add to this list?

Happy Holidays! May your learning and performing this year be safe and abundant.