WORDS OF WISDOM

A toddler smiling, standing in front of a field of red flowers. The text quote on top reads "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great"

So many lovers of singing give up before they even start. They believe, or have been told, that singers are born with the ability. That is simply not true. Sure, there may be around 1% who have an innate natural ability. That doesn’t mean that they don’t seek some help from a professional teacher to be able to maintain and extend their skills. That’s a very small percentage. The rest of us have a desire to do it, to figure it out and get some help when we realise we need it. There is passion to keep growing, because of that amazing feeling you get every now and then when it all comes together. You have heard that saying “It’s 10% talent and 90 % hard work” - that’s true. It’s hard work and fun, especially when you can tell that things are improving all the time. I highly recommend getting started!

An action figure of the clown Pennywise holding a red balloon. The text reads "Have you got IT?"

Have you got IT? … and I’m not talking about Covid or Pennywise. The IT factor! In my early career I had a big performance to prepare for and was very nervous and concerned I would stuff it up, and so I asked someone I respected for advice. I was told “you’ve either got it or you don’t!” I was terrified but I didn’t want to pull out or let anyone down and I decided to ignore that advice. I went looking for solutions and found something that resonated with me. I trusted my gut and practiced my butt off and to my relief and delight it worked! There is no growth without risk! Many of the greatest performers have struggled through these challenges. You can build the skills! Performance and technique skills. Don’t give up! Not even if IT tries to terrify you into not following your dreams!

Two men blowing giant horns towards the camera. The text quote reads "Tell the negative committee that meets inside your head to sit down and shut up." The quote is credited to Ann Bradford.

I have taught many singers and so many of them feel they are the only one afflicted with nerves and anxiety about their singing. I always let them know they are not alone. It comes with the territory, and guess what? I know cos I’m one too! We’re all a little crazy and I mean that affectionately. Our goal is to learn to know and trust our instrument so much that we have the immense pleasure and satisfaction of being able to pour our heart out into the meaning and soul of a song! That’s what it means to sing. Accept the crazies. You can learn to control them.

A pale pink background. The text quote reads "Vulnerability is not winning or losing. It's having the courage to show up when you can't control the outcome." The quote is credited to Brene Brown.

Lately I’ve been thinking about taking risks. It’s scary being vulnerable. I love Theodore Roosevelt’s quote where he states that it’s not the critic who counts, but that the credit belongs to the person in the arena, who “spends himself in a worthy cause”. We should all dare greatly, because even if we fail, at least we are not timid souls. Let yourself dare greatly! Or in the current wisdom - YOLO!

An image of a pizza on a wooden cutting board, artfully surrounded by rosemary and cherry tomatoes on a stalk. The text quote reads "Look, if cauliflower can become pizza... you, my friend, can do anything."
An image of four men with varying pieces of camera equipment bolting away from a bear. The text quote reads "sometimes you go looking for motivation... sometimes motivation finds you!"
A blurred background of four bars of soap, coloured yellow, light and dark green, and pale blue. The text quote reads "singing in the shower is all fun and games until you get shampoo in your mouth - then it just becomes a soap opera!"

GET IN CONTACT

To enquire about lessons or register your interest in lessons, events, or workshops, contact Sue by emailing sue@suekingham.com or filling out the form.