I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of the human voice, not only from the perspective of being a teacher and sharing the joy of singing with learners, but in life generally.
What is the real meaning and purpose of our voices? What do we want people to hear from us when we sing? Are we just going through the motions? Do we just want to ‘sound good’ like a singer we admire or do we really aim to find our true selves? What makes hearing a voice a relatable, moving, impactful, and transformative experience for the singer and listener? How can a voice make an impression on another person’s soul? What makes a voice unforgettable for some but not for others?
In my experience and opinion, it is a combination of things – the musical composition, the song’s message, how it is delivered, the singer’s preparation, style, technique, appropriate sound system, acoustics, instruments, accompaniment (or none), the unique taste and preference of the listener, opportunity (right time, right place), and so on. But even this is not enough to explain why some voices can stir the heart to tears.
Is it luck, genetics, or a God-given gift reserved for the few?
A great voice can be technically flawless and pleasant to listen to, but still lack emotion, love, and spirit. It can miss an inexplicable ‘something’. If a voice is all about the trained singer displaying vocal pyrotechnics and nothing else, then what is the point of difference between one professional to the next?
The most outstanding singers may not necessarily be perfect vocally, but can still usurp professionals who have worked hard for years if they can instantly connect with others in a very deep-seated spiritual way.
A recent example is the Rich Men North Of Richmond song by a humble and hardworking blue collar family man, Oliver Anthony, who was living in obscurity and struggling with personal issues until his song wildly exploded all over social media virtually overnight. Even a cursory read of the comments posted under his YouTube video for this song indicate how Anthony’s powerful vocal delivery, his personal story, and the song’s message touched listeners as if tapping a hidden well of emotion finally able to be expressed in challenging times. In Anthony’s own words:
"These songs have connected with millions of people on such a deep level because they’re being sung by someone feeling the words in the very moment they were being sung... Just some idiot and his guitar. The style of music that we should have never gotten away from in the first place." — ‘Rich Men North of Richmond’ Debuts at No. 1 as Oliver Anthony Makes Billboard Chart History
This is precisely what an authentic voice can do. It feels. It elicits a cathartic primal cry to the heavens. It moves. It shakes and disturbs for the right reasons. It rings true across our common humanity. It reaches into a person’s essence and squeezes out all fakery.
Authenticity is not contrived. It is not Artificial Intelligence or auto-tuned out of existence. It is an unmasked and makeup free face, bared for all the world to see, warts and all.
The authentic voice is also versatile, playful, and willing to try new things. This is very important for singers. You don’t have to be afraid to discover what your voice can do!
Listening to this a cappella cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water by VoicePlay allows the mind and ear to wander and appreciate a fresh spin on an old classic. Voices blend and cleverly substitute physical instruments to the point where you cannot discern the difference.
What is your authentic voice like? Do you enjoy it? Do you criticise it? Can you appreciate it for what it is no matter what your age is? Are you prepared to find out and stretch a little more?
If you have been inspired and would like to reveal your inner authentic sound, Bel Canto can help you! Take a look at the learning opportunities I have created for you, meander through this website, and contact me for further information and/or a FREE Discovery Consultation.
Be authentic, be you, and always remember…
Be Free To Sing,
Be Free To Sing is a proud member of the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing (ANATS) Limited.