Before you start to sing you must have an idea of what the song is about and what it means to you. Your emotions and imagination will have an effect on the sound you produce.
Look ahead; just like you would read a book, to see what will happen in that phrase and how much breath you will need. Each phrase needs a specific amount of breath – too much creates too much pressure and a breathy sound and too little makes you have to breathe at an inappropriate place which doesn’t sound good as it disrupts the line of text. Too little breath makes long notes at the end of phrase flatten off as well as loose energy. The last note of the phrase is as important as the first. You should aim to finish a phrase with just a little breath left.
Each phrase has a rise and fall just like you would speak and you must sing this phrase as you would imagine speaking it or reading it out loud.
Ideally look at the song just before the piano starts to play and if that isn’t possible then there is usually a few bars of introduction before the singing starts. Use this time wisely by thinking of what you need to be thinking about. It is important for you to start your in breath a few counts before you need to sing. As you breathe in also imagine you are singing the first note so that your mouth is taking up the shape of the vowel of that first word. Rushing a breath creates an initial sound that isn’t as nice as it could be and makes the first word less audible for the audience.
Each phrase should be approached like this and yes there isn’t always time and you have to practice getting quicker at preparing.
When there are interludes don’t switch off – listen to the others singing and prepare for your own entry, if nobody is singing listen to the accompaniment and keep the emotion/sentiment of the song in your mind. The audience can feel when you switch off and then you loose your connection with them.
When the postlude is playing remain engaged in the song – do not turn the page in preparation for the next song.
Remember the 5 p’s : Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.
Exercise
At the next rehearsal be aware of how much time you are taking to prepare the first note of each phrase you will sing.
Speak through the text of a song to find meaning and use your imagination.
