Each phrase must be started with care and confidence. Watch the MD and count so you are ready to start when you have to, the first note is very important as it sets up the rest of the phrase. Do not launch into the first note hoping for the best but prepare it as follows:
A few counts before you have to sing make sure you prepare your breath and prepare the shape of the vowel in your mouth that you will sing first. Feel and hear your first note before you sing.
Consider the length of the phrase as that prepares your brain for how much breath you need.
Consider the meaning of the first phrase.
When it is time to start singing you will be ready. I am sure you have heard of the 5 p’s – prior preparation prevents poor performance and I like to consider the 5 p’s more positive as – prior preparation produces polished performance. The more you prepare the better, you can never practice too much. However with too much practice you can become a little bored so finding a way to balance that is for you to consider. At the performance stage boredom will be replaced by the excitement of the event.
Your entry must be confident, don’t wait for the others as they could be wrong and then the whole phrase ends up a little disorganised which people all coming in at different times.
A lack of confidence and preparedness at the first note creates a small sound which then bursts into a bigger one once everybody feels more secure in what they have to sing.
High note entries are particularly scary but not if you hear them first and know exactly when to come in and have prepared your breath and vowel shape in your mouth for that entry.
Don’t worry if you can’t read music, just make sure you make a note on your music of either how many beats to count or write something that helps you remember to prepare.
Some entries are quick and you must practice breathing and getting the shape quickly, this can be hard but like most things all things are possible with dedicated practice. The muscles between your ribs (intercostal muscles) have to be flexible in order to take a full and quick in breath. As we age we loose this flexibility so it becomes hard to breathe in quickly.
Ideally you will hear the whole of the phrase to be sung before you even start, look ahead to the text of the next phrase as that prepares your brain to take the appropriate amount of air in. Doing this will help you deal with any distractions you might face during a song.
Exercise
Be aware how much you prepare before you sing. Could you do more? How does it feel if you do prepare more?
