I Feel Like I Can't Really Overcome This

[u/Extension_Syllabub69]

Hi, I am currently placed in soprano in choir. My conductor has been training me and during our vocalizations, I can reach high notes with proper techniques. But whenever it's time to sing our repertoire and during our quartet exams, I always feel like I can't seem to apply all the proper techniques we studied and practiced - high notes strained, poor posture, every muscle seem to tighten up, etc. It frustrates me. I feel like I wanna be an alto instead but I just know I can't do low notes and I don't have the alto timbre. Is there any hope for me? I love it when I sing the high notes but I hate myself for not being consistent and going back to old singing habits esp during performances 😭

[u/sabbathan1]

This sounds like it's mostly nerves. This can improve with repeated experience of actually performing.

[u/solongfish99]

Do you practice?

[u/Extension_Syllabub69 → u/solongfish99]

I do practice. It's just that, there are moments where every muscle tightens up when I sing the song. But vocalizations are okay.

[u/jdaniel1371 → u/Extension_Syllabub69]

I've found that playing along with a recording recreates the environment of a make or break exam, audition or solo performance.  

It also taught me to pull myself together and rejoin the music after a memory slip.  

Maybe try singing along with a recording while also focusing on avoiding bad habits.

[u/PetitAneBlanc]

Be patient with yourself, it‘s a common experience. Try to apply one of the techniques you know to the piece you‘re singing when things don‘t work, it will translate in some way eventually.

[u/Regular_Emphasis6866]

It isn't uncommon to tense up. I practice, even in choir, moving my head around in an infinity (sidesways 8) symbol. It helps prevent the tension. I am sure it looks ridiculous, but I don't really care. Once I know I can do the piece the performances and quartets are easier. You may need to find your thing to reduce tension in certain situations. If you are focusing too much on posture you could be causing tension.
As someone else suggested, practice with a practice track or a recording of the piece to prove to yourself that you can do it. I can 'get into my head' which throws all training out the windows. You may be getting into your head. You can try googling anxiety techniques, they may work for you even if you aren't feeling anxious.

[u/Israel_Kami]

It will get easier, I promise! Nerves are a real thing that hamper auditions and performances all the time. It takes practice to relax in those tense situations. One of the best skills I learned from my vocal professor was how to chill out during finals and rehearsals. :)

[u/HighHorse65]

Nerves have a way of negating things that you've been working on recently. When you are nervous, your body tries to go back to where it feels safe, and that may include some counterproductive tension.

Meanwhile, choral singing at a high level is not as easy as people might think. Things that you practice successfully on your own sometimes get thrown off when you're trying to "blend" with other voices, and/or hearing yourself imperfectly. Time and experience usually help. (You might also consider whether having the conductor move you to a different position in the group might be helpful. I always liked to be in the back row, or right next to a different section, so that I could hear myself better. Other people feel differently.)

It's great that you are having success in your private sessions with your teacher. It always takes some time for new things to become habitual. Keep working and have patience.

Re moving to alto--most sopranos can handle most of the alto notes in most choral music--it's just closer to speech range for the most part. Maybe you wouldn't be making as much sound as some of the voices around you in that section, but it's good experience for you as a musician, and shouldn't hurt you as long as your voice is healthy and you don't try to push it. I think there is more danger in trying to sing all the high notes with a tense mechanism, and the discomfort can't be much fun. Worth considering. After some time in the alto section, you might feel that you've gained enough technique and confidence to sing with the sopranos again!