Last month I talked about singing with feeling on stage. We touched on the idea of expressing yourself on stage and reaching out to other people through the vehicle of song. The word 'vehicle' is an important word to consider. Just exactly what does it mean. Well, accoding to the dictionary:

Vehicle: (1) any means of carrying, conveying or transporting (2) the means by which a substance or property, as sound or heat, is conveyed or transmitted from one point to another (3) a substance serving as a means for easier use or application of another substance mixed with it (4) a means or medium by which ideas, impressions, feelings, etc. are communicated. Language is a vehicle of thought. Singing is a vehicle of feelings and self-expression.

That leads us to my next definition, the definition of the word 'expression'. Expression means: (1) a putting into words (2) a word or group of words used as a unit (3) the manner or form in which a thing is expressed (4) a showing by look, voice or action, i.e. A sigh is the expression of sadness (5) the indication of feeling, spirit, character, etc., the meaning or beauty of something read, spoken, sung, played, painted, etc. (6) a showing by a sign, figure, etc. (7) manifestation in action, condition or otherwise of any fact, quality, feeling, etc. (8) the act of expressing or pressing out.

Well, that adds quite a lot of colors to the prism. Nothing is mentioned here about inward feelings. Everything in the definition implies or directly states leaving youself and pressing out to the listener, the receiver of the message. Self-expression, therefore, implies doing this, using your own feelings as the vehicle.

Now, that leads me to my third definition. I have learned through my experiences, that self-expression is a function of responsibility. When you are performing, you are the one person directly responsible for what is being communicated. You are the source of what is created in the performance. You are in charge. How many times have you heard the word responsibility used? People toss that word around so often that you probably think you know exactly what it means. Well, let's take a look, once again, at the dictionary definition:

Responsibility: (1) legally bound to take care of the welfare of another (2) the ability to deal with what comes (3) personally accountable as the source or cause of trust (4) to render accountable (5) answerable (6) trustworthy, reliable (7) able to think and act reasonably (8) obliged or expected to account (9) involving obligation or duties. In an AGMA contract to appear in a live performance, you are legally bound to perform every night at a sustained level of excellence, quality and accuracy. You are also legally bound to prepare, at the dear cost of your job.

When a performer is on stage, he or she is legally accountable and responsible for the welfare of the audience. You are there to take care of them, not the other way around. So you must be prepared. When you are 100% prepared, you are then free to be in the moment. Performers have the ability (and the responsibility) to inspire the audience, to move them past the point they are stuck in with their own feelings. If you get in touch with your purpose as a singer, you can then channel that energy, using the vehicle of song as a self-expressive way of taking responsibility for your audience. Getting in touch with your purpose as a singer is a big project and if you are truly to communicate on stage, this must be something you pursue with all your energies.

Being prepared is one of the ways to get in touch with yourself as a singer and thereby recognize and expound on your purpose as a singer. Being prepared does not mean just learning the notes and the words. It includes preparing your body through proper rest and daily exercise. Yes, daily exercise. The human body must be strong and flexible if it is to be a proper vehicle for the production of sound. If you are truly serious about your singing you should realize that physicality is a part of being a singer. As I have said countless times, a singer is an athlete. That includes the whole body, not just the voice.

Next, you must take care of your health by eating proper foods, avoid process foods, sugar, salt, and caffeine. Eat plenty of raw vegetables and fruits, seeds, nuts and sprouts. Make your meals simple but nutritious. Avoid foods that are difficult to digest; save your energy for the physical job of singing. Drink lots of fluids, like spring water and natural, sugar-free fruit and vegetable juices. Avoid canned and over processed foods, fried foods or chemically treated foods -all of these drain your energies and poorly affect your health which, in turn, hinders your singing.

Finally, take care of your voice. Keep you throat warm when you are outside. Don't use up your vocal strength by talking too much off stage. Get proper rest so that your voice is fresh. Don't hang around in smokey clubs when you're not working and avoid smokey areas when you are working if it is at all possible. Keep your voice down and your mouth shut and concentrate on your performance. Your voice is your vehicle of self-expression and you must be responsible for it if you are to have a professional career as a singer.

If you do all this, you will be on the road to performing at your best, most prepared, most responsible state. You can then begin to make the house come to you, by going to them. The audience will respond to your respect for and committment to them.

Find ways to communicate to the audience with the beauty of your soul and the power of your own feelings. Be prepared -don't leave a stone unturned. The people who are the most successful in this business have assumed those responsibilities for themselves. Follow their lead. Think of the power you could generate if you did!