VOCALS
THREE SIGNS THAT YOU NEED TO STOP PRACTICING( FOR NOW) | Renée Maranan
Discipline is a powerful expression of devotion and gratitude for the gifts that God has given us. But often, we think of discipline solely as the ability to persevere through challenges – to show up to voice lessons even when we don’ t feel like it, to work on our music despite the lack of motivation or energy, and to persist with our vocal exercises until we get it right. This perseverance is noble and well-intentioned, but what if I told you that this isn’ t the only expression of discipline as a singer?
Because here’ s the truth: discipline as a singer isn’ t always about powering through. Sometimes, it’ s about powering up.
And that means knowing when to keep going and when to take a break. That means knowing the line between perseverance and punishment. That means understanding that rest is part of the process, too – because without it, not only do we keep ourselves from flourishing, but we may also be inflicting true harm on our own instruments.
This isn’ t just important for the voice, but also for the mind and morale. After all, we sing and sound a lot better when we feel good, vocally, mentally, and emotionally. We are also more effective as team members and leaders when we are rested, cared for, and nourished. function is usually a symptom of fatigue. Rest your voice and come back in half an hour or maybe save your voice for another day.
YOUR PERFORMANCE HAS PLATEAUED. The most obvious performance plateau is diminished vocal function, as described above. But another sign of a performance plateau could be diminished cognitive function, like forgetting lyrics or struggling to retain melodic or harmonic parts that you normally wouldn’ t have any trouble retaining. You might also feel yourself losing stamina or creativity, that“ spark” that you feel when you’ re fully energized. If you keep practicing the same song with no noticeable improvements, it might be time to let your voice and your mind recharge.
YOUR THOUGHT PATTERNS HAVE BECOME NEGATIVE. Everyone has an internal narrative when singing, and some individuals experience more self-criticism than others. There might be times when you need to push through these thoughts, and there are many tools that can help you create a better mindset for practice. But when you notice your self-talk becoming harsher or more despondent than usual, this could be a sign that you need a change of pace, a different perspective, or simply some time and distance from what you’ re practicing.
RESET YOUR VOICE. Take two to five minutes to do a simple vocal reset. Do some lip trills on a scale pattern or a melody. Hum through some simple scale patterns within a comfortable part of your range. Try some straw or straw in water phonation. After doing your vocal reset exercises, give yourself 15-30 minutes of silence to rest your voice.
RESET YOUR BODY. Inhale through four counts and exhale through six counts while looking around at your environment; repeat until you feel more still and grounded. Try rolling your shoulders, doing a gentle stretch, or walking around.
RESET YOUR ENVIRONMENT. If possible, move to a different space and spend a few minutes there. Take a moment to observe your surroundings; make note of what you can see, hear, smell, and touch.
As singers, we need to remember that our voices are organic instruments, susceptible to wear and tear. It’ s just as important to work on building our skills as it is to prioritize replenishing our stores. So when you feel your voice, body, mind, or heart calling for rest, take heed. Take a rest. Power up to sing and serve another day.
So here are three signs that you need to take a break from singing practice:
YOUR VOICE IS LOSING FUNCTIONALITY. You might notice that you are struggling to hit notes that you normally wouldn’ t have any trouble hitting. You might have a harder time singing phrases at a certain volume, whether it be quiet or loud. You might find it more challenging to sing with agility, or clarity, or vibrato. These are all possible signs of deteriorating vocal function, and loss of vocal
Take it from someone who has been through it many times and who has seen countless singers go through it many times: don’ t wait until your body forces you to stop. Tune in to your instrument, your thoughts, and your emotions, and pay attention to what your body tells you.
And when it asks for a break, do your best to listen. When you need a reset, here are a few simple things you can try:
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 20 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
34 November 2025 Subscribe for Free...