Voice Technique Vs. Stage Presence

One of the most hotly debated subjects among singers, musicians and folks in the music industry is the impact – positive or negative – of voice technique on performance and stage presence. Some feel that the singer who goes on “feel” or “instinct” alone can better connect with his or her audience and that voice training and technique ruins a singers “edge” and squashes his or her passion. Still others argue that vocal “chops” (technique) are the true mark of a great singer, and that without training a singer will ruin his or her voice and be bound to a fate of vocal limitations.

To singers it may feel like we have to make a choice between: 1) emotion, passion and stage presence, but at the cost of a blown-out voice and a short career or 2) a voice that has been developed and is working well, but at the cost of a unique sound, emotion and stage presence. Personally, I wouldn’t want to have to make that kind of choice.

Is there a 3rd option? Is this some deep mystery that only a few lucky singers seem to have figured out?

To begin to answer these questions, let’s first define each of these terms:

Stage Presence
The quality of self-assurance and effectiveness that permits a performer to achieve a rapport with the audience. (The American HeritageÒ Dictionary of the English Language, 2003)

Technique
Skillfulness in the command of fundamentals deriving from practice and familiarity. (WorldNetÒ 1.6, Ó1997 Princeton University)

Ok, so rapport, and essentially a connection with one’s audience, are integral parts of Stage Presence. This is permitted by self-assurance (confidence). Technique, on the other hand, has a lot to do with skill gained from practice.

How does one gain this self-assurance? How does one achieve a rapport with his or her audience? Is this more or less important than technique? Must singers sacrifice one for the other?

The truth is it’s all about balance. As someone recently pointed out to me, how effective can a singer be in achieving a rapport and connection with his (or her) audience, if he is worried about how tight his throat feels? Or is thinking “oh no, here comes the high note, will I hit it tonight?”

Similarly how much rapport can the singer achieve with his audience when all of his attention is on the mechanics of how he is creating his vocal sound, or how beautiful his voice sounds? This would be like the guitarist who is so caught up by how fast he can play the notes that he’s completely forgotten about the feel or groove of the song – not to mention what the meaning of the song is.

What exactly is voice technique? Good voice technique will enhance your connection with the audience and help you release your passion. Good voice technique is about giving you freedom. Freedom comes from choices and confidence: choices about what kinds of sounds to make; confidence in the knowledge that whatever sounds you choose to make, your voice will work well for you.

Bottom line – your vocal sound is created by tiny muscle movements. Getting the muscles of your voice in shape results in self-confidence. What do you do when you want to get in shape? Exercise! The result of correct exercise? Your voice works effortlessly. Then, when you step onto the stage you have no worries about your voice. You are now truly free to SING!

Jennifer Truesdale is the Director of Jeannie Deva Voice Studios in Boston. She is a professional vocal coach, certified in the Deva Method, and a professional music career coach. An 18-year veteran of the music industry, she has performed internationally and has worked with hundreds of singers, helping each to achieve their own personal goals. Jennifer is a published songwriter who has written, produced and performed on recordings for major network television shows including: All My Children, Soul Food, Melrose Place, Sunset Beach, One Life to Live and The Young and the Restless. A former record label-marketing executive, Jennifer has earned Gold and Platinum Albums and uses her music business expertise to advance her own career as well as those of her clients. Jennifer graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music and currently serves on the Berklee Alumni Association. Jennifer is also Co-Director for Chick Singer Night Boston (www.chicksingernight.com) a nationally recognized performance series for women.

Contact Me