VOCALS
ONE THING I WISH EVERY SINGER KNEW | Renée Maranan
I was invited to speak on a podcast recently, and the interviewer only had one question for me:
What is one thing you wish every singer knew?
It took me a while to reflect on this question. And I’ m not sure if this is the most important or helpful thing for every single singer out there, but it’ s something I’ ve had to teach students time and time again, in one way or another. My answer was this:
Learn to be with your voice in the present moment. Not the voice that you had yesterday. Not the voice that you will have or that you wish you will have tomorrow. The one that you have – right here, right now.
What does it even mean to“ be with” your voice? A singer who chooses to“ be with” their own voice simply chooses to spend time with it. To listen to it. To feel it. To be curious about it.
They don’ t run away from the experiences of singing that feel uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or difficult. They don’ t hide the parts of their voice that they don’ t like, and they don’ t judge the parts of their voice that feel unfinished. They also don’ t determine their self-worth by the glories or pitfalls of their singing.
Singers choose to“ be with” their voice when they decide to just let it be what it is and allow themselves to open up to what it shows them in the moment.
Sounds nice, right? It’ s easier said than done.
When the mind goes astray, the voice follows Research has revealed that people’ s minds are wandering almost half the time. We think about things that have happened in the past, things that may happen in the future, or things that probably won’ t ever happen at all. Having been a voice teacher for over two decades, I can attest that this is a reality even in singing. Singers are quite often preoccupied with thoughts like this:
“ My voice is going to crack when we get to my upper register, it’ s going to sound terrible.”
“ I’ ve never been that great at singing, and I probably never will be.”
“ When am I gonna get to learn to do the really cool things, like riffing or belting?”
“ I remember when I used to be able to sing this without any problems … what happened?”
And yet, when I ask them to tell me how their voices are feeling at the moment, they say they simply didn’ t notice. They don’ t realize that they’ re unconsciously shifting their vowels or adding grace notes where they don’ t belong. A few will be so distracted that they forget the exercises they are singing even as they are singing them. All of this is because they’ re preoccupied with thinking about what was, what has been, and what could be … rather than being present to their voice right now.
Singing begins with the mind, and the mind can only correct what it is aware of. It can only execute with precision when it is working in connection with the body. And that level of awareness and connection can only come with attention and intention. When the mind habitually dwells on our flaws, the voice will inevitably follow by recreating those same imperfections. And when the mind lingers too long on what we wish our voices could be in the future, it ends up missing the details and nuances that need to be attended to in the present.
Ground yourself so your voice can take flight Find an environment where you can come exactly as you are – whether it be in a voice lesson with a coach, at practice with your team, or at home in your own private space. When your mind starts to wander, simply notice the thoughts and return to the present moment. Practice curiosity – what does my voice feel like right now? Where do I feel it in my body? What is its texture, color, weight? How do I feel it moving through my range? How much volume, pressure, effort, or breath am I using? How am I holding my body as I sing? These are just a few questions to ask yourself that can help you stay connected to the experience of singing in the moment; don’ t be afraid to ask more or ask none at all. Sometimes, it can be incredibly profound and revelatory to just allow the sensation of singing to wash over you. No matter how you choose to do it, remember to“ be with” your voice in the moment.
Got a singing question? Send an email to hello @ reneemaranan. com with“ WM Vocals Question” in the subject line!
Renée Maranan Renée Maranan is a vocal instructor, voice teacher trainer, and life coach, with over 25 years of experience working with singers, vocal instructors, and performers from all over the world. For more vocal help, visit her www. reneemaranan. com or follow her on Instagram(@ reneemaranan).. www. ReneeMaranan. com Instagram @ reneemaranan
72 August 2026 Subscribe for Free...