The hardest part about voice lessons was remembering all the little improvements I was trying to make. I’d sing the song, go back over a phrase and do it over and over, focusing on resonance. Then, Eric would work with me on the next phrase of the song, focusing on my vowels. The next time through those two phrases we would try to breathe properly, then the next week we’d work on dynamics.
Each week was the same. I felt like I’d never get it. As soon as we would work on one thing and I felt like I got it down, we’d move on to a new concept. When I worked on the new concept, I would forget the old one.
Only by consciously repeating the same songs over and over did is just barely start to become habit. I forgot things weekly, until I’d concentrated so long and hard that it finally stuck.
Choir can get like that. We’ll drill a phrase and focus on phrasing, vowels, breaths, or placement. Just when we get it down, we move on to a new concept. Then, the next time we sing it, you get the new concept but forget the old.
I don’t know what to tell you except this: focus every minute of every rehearsal. Eventually you’ll remember to remember the right things.
-Bro. Ryan