Singer Songwriter | How to Write a Song, Make Music, Song Lyrics, Music Theory, Singing Lessons

64 | Ready to Express Yourself Freely as a Singer? How Vocal Improvisation Can Help You Get There

Are you wanting to express yourself freely through your singing voice, but feel restricted or confined within a box of ‘shoulds’ and ‘supposed to’s?’
 
Do you wish you could find your unique sound without feeling stuck in the trap of trying to sound a certain way rather than just being yourself?
 
Today I want to share with you the greatest vehicle I’ve found for unlocking creative freedom as a singer and songwriter.  And that is ~ vocal improvisation.  
 
If you want to experience the freedom of expression that comes with finding your authentic voice as a singer, then tune in to hear how vocal improvisation can help you get there.  
<3 Lainey
Next Steps:
 
Join the Email List: reawakenyourvoice.com/workshop
Visit the Website: reawakenyourvoice.com
Email: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

63 | Dreaming of Writing, Singing & Performing Your Own Songs? 3 Things You Actually Need First

Today we’re talking about what you actually need to make music as a singer songwriter.  
 
Before you are actually out there living the dream ~ whatever form that takes for you, whether it’s singing at a local open mic night or touring with a band or recording your songs or creating for the sake of creating, expressing yourself, or simply making something you’re proud of… these are 3 things you actually need first.
 
So if you’re ready to take that dream that’s been planted firmly in your heart for as long as you can remember, and swirling around in your head for longer than you’d care to admit ~ and actually take the steps necessary to make it happen… let’s dive in. 
<3 Lainey
Next Steps:
 
Join the Email List: reawakenyourvoice.com/workshop
Visit the Website: reawakenyourvoice.com
Email: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

62 | Afraid the Neighbors Might Hear You Singing? 10 Reasons You Should Sing Anyway

Ever stopped yourself from practicing singing because you worry about what the neighbors (or the people who live with you) might think?
 
Ever found yourself “whisper singing” because you’re afraid of singing full voice? (“What if someone heard me singing?”)
 
If being heard is something you are yearning for but something you’re afraid of at the same time… you’re not alone.  There is a quote about artists and creatives, attributed to D.W. Winnicott:
 
"Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide.” 
 
Can you relate?  I know I can!
 
If you’ve ever felt this fear arise in you ~ this fear that someone may hear you singing ~ and you’ve let it stop you from unleashing the full power of your instrument, this episode is for you.
 
I’ll share with you my own perspective, as well as 10 reasons why you should SING ANYWAY.  
 
If you want to be able to express yourself freely through your singing voice without worrying about what others may think ~ tune in for some encouragement to let go and free your voice.
<3 Lainey
Next Steps:
 
Join my Email List: reawakenyourvoice.com/workshop
Visit the Website: reawakenyourvoice.com
Email Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

61 | Vocal Warm Ups for Singer Songwriters: A Step-by-Step Plan to Create a Singing Practice You Love

Today we’re breaking down the key components of a creative singing practice that will support your vocal and artistic development as a singer songwriter.
 
I want you to LOVE your singing practice.  I want you to feel lit up when you go to warm up your voice and sing through your songs, so we’re weaving in our signature dose of creativity and PLAY as I walk you through a typical practice session.
 
This episode is going to take the guesswork out of the process so that when you go to sing, you know where to begin, how to move through the process of warming up your voice, and what to focus on as you work on your music and practice singing through your songs.  
 
Join me inside as I guide you through a simple series of steps that lead to a creative, productive, inspiring singing practice that supports your desired outcomes, your dreams, your goals and creative projects as a singer and songwriter.
<3 Lainey
Related Episodes:
56 | Can’t Find Time to Sing? My Method for Cultivating a Creative Singing Practice That Works for YOU
 
60 | “Why is it So Hard to Make Myself Sing?” The Real Enemy of Creativity & What to Do About It
 
Next Steps:
 
Join the email list: reawakenyourvoice.com/workshop
Visit the Website: reawakenyourvoice.com
Email Me: hello@reawakenyourvoice.com

60 | "Why is it So Hard to Make Myself Sing?" The Real Enemy of Creativity & What to Do About It

Does it ever feel like pulling teeth when you go to practice singing?
 
Do you go out of your way to find anything and everything else to do EXCEPT actually sing?
 
What is this repelling force that we come up against as artists whenever we're faced with actually doing the work of our craft?
 
If you've ever struggled with "making" yourself sing, then you know all about today's topic.  We're shining a light on the real enemy of creativity to identify what's really stopping you from singing, making music, creating, writing songs, and doing what you love.  
 
When you learn the truth about this force of nature and what it takes to overcome it, you can finally get to doing the work necessary to become the artist and singer songwriter you were designed to be.
 
<3 Lainey
 
Next Steps:
 
I want to hear from YOU, dear artist!
Email me with questions and topic requests to have yours featured on a future episode:
hello@reawakenyourvoice.com
 
Become an insider and join my email list:
reawakenyourvoice.com/workshop

59 | Beyond Vocal Technique: Why a Holistic Approach to Singing is the #1 Way to Find Your Voice

Vocal technique isn’t everything.  
 
Vocal warm ups and exercises and drills aren’t everything.  
 
Hitting all the right notes with the most beautiful tone quality and with the most well-coordinated breath support isn’t everything.  
 
Vocal technique is just one piece of the puzzle.  That’s why in this episode, I’m going deep into why it’s so important to nurture the WHOLE voice, the WHOLE instrument, and that includes YOU, dear artist, as the human being behind the voice.
 
Sure, I can teach you proper vocal technique.  I can show you how to improve your overall tone quality and manage your breath and navigate your full vocal range with resonance and beauty.
 
But I’d be neglecting the other parts of your instrument if I didn’t address what makes you a human being, an artist, a creative, living, breathing soul with so many other moving pieces and parts.
 
You are not your voice.  You are so much more.
 
These are the 4 parts of YOU, the WHOLE artist, that are essential to finding your voice as a singer, a songwriter, and a creative human being.
 
<3 Lainey
Next Steps:
 
Visit the Website: reawakenyourvoice.com
Email: support@reawakenyourvoice.com

58 | Worried Your Song Lyrics Will Be Misunderstood? 4 Truths You Must Embrace to Express Yourself as an Artist and Singer Songwriter

Do you worry about how your creative work will be interpreted or what other people will think of the songs you write?  If so, you’re not alone.  
 
These questions arise in artists of all kinds: 
 
Will I be misunderstood?  
Will it hurt someone?  
Will people judge me?  
Will they misinterpret what I was trying to say?
Is it too much? Not enough?   
 
It’s a very vulnerable act to express yourself in your song lyrics and tell a story that may be very personal.  
 
I know these worries intimately because I’ve had them all myself… until I finally realized and embraced these 4 truths about being an artist.  
 
If you want to not only write songs, but also express yourself freely, share your music, and sing those songs for others, then listen up ~ this episode will help you release the fear of being misunderstood and embrace these truths about creative, artistic expression.
 
<3 Lainey
Next Steps:
 
Watch the Free Workshop: reawakenyourvoice.com/workshop
Visit the Website: reawakenyourvoice.com
Email: support@reawakenyourvoice.com
Work with Lainey: reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

57 | Why You Should Learn to Play a Musical Instrument as a Singer Who Wants to Write Songs

Are you a singer who wants to write songs and make your own music, but you don’t play an instrument?  Maybe you’re feeling held back by your minimal or lack of instrumental skills and musical knowledge ~ but singing & songwriting just keep calling your name.  
 
I know the idea of learning yet another new thing can sometimes feel like too much… and maybe you JUST want to sing… 
 
So in today’s episode, I want to encourage you and lay out the case for picking up an instrument and giving it a try… whether for the first time, or for the first time in a long time… brushing off the dust and giving it a fresh chance.  
 
Here are 4 reasons why you should learn a musical instrument and how to begin with ease.
 
<3 Lainey
Next Steps:
 
Watch the Free Workshop: reawakenyourvoice.com/workshop
Visit the Website: reawakenyourvoice.com
Email: support@reawakenyourvoice.com
Work with Lainey: reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

56 | Can't Find Time to Sing? My Method for Cultivating a Creative Singing Practice that Works for YOU

Are you struggling to find time to work on your music? 
 
In this week’s episode, we’re going to explore this elusive concept of time and how we can realistically make this whole singing / songwriting thing work in our ordinary, everyday lives.  
 
Between caring for loved ones, kids, a spouse, aging family members, a household, our work, whether that be a 9-5, freelance work, full time, part time, running a business, juggling creative projects, cooking, cleaning, staying healthy… all the things… that can often leave our creative work untouched at the end of the day.
 
That’s why I want to share with you my very simple “sprinkle and pour” method to keep you creatively nourished, so you can live a creative, fulfilling life as a singer songwriter ~ in addition to all the other titles / roles you carry.
 
<3 Lainey
Next Steps:
 
Watch the Free Workshop: reawakenyourvoice.com/workshop
Visit the Website: reawakenyourvoice.com
Email: support@reawakenyourvoice.com
Work with Lainey: reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching

55 | 5 Lessons I Learned from Finishing a Creative Project that I'm Applying to Recording an Album of Original Songs as a Singer Songwriter

If you've ever struggled with starting, finishing, and following through with a creative project, this episode will give you 5 lessons to keep you moving through the creative process ~ start to finish ~ so you can bring your creative ideas to life as a singer, songwriter, artist, and musician.
 
Whether you’re having a hard time starting or having a hard time finishing that creative project that’s on your heart ~ I’ve been there, too, and you’re not alone.  
 
As artists, we face resistance at every turn.  We have more ideas than we know what to do with, and sometimes, it just feels so big that we don’t know where to begin.  Or there are too many possibilities, we don’t feel ready, we keep refining and perfecting our idea into oblivion… and we don’t know how to put a bow on it and call it “complete.”
 
So today, in celebration of ONE WHOLE YEAR of this Podcast (yay!), I'll be sharing with you 5 lessons I learned from following through each and every week to release a new episode into the world. 
 
These are lessons that I'll be applying to album creation ~ recording an album of original songs ~ and lessons that you, too, can apply to that creative project that's on your heart.
 
<3 Lainey
 
Mentions:
 
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Horacio Printing’s Project Journal
 
Next Steps:
 
Watch the Free Workshop: reawakenyourvoice.com/workshop
Visit the Website: reawakenyourvoice.com
Email Us: support@reawakenyourvoice.com
Work with Lainey: reawakenyourvoice.com/coaching