Is singing good for stress? Yes, it can actually stress you out a bit...
- By rushing to rehearsals, trying to park the car and not finding a space, or getting stuck in public transport at peak times (I really wish there were more morning choirs)
- By loosing your sheet music, or having it disorganized or arranged in a complicated way. (Unless you learn music by ear).
- By trying to reach notes you are not ready for or you simply haven't got in your vocal range
- By singing in a group that tries to perform too many songs for the rehearsal time they have
- By singing in a group that works at a faster pace than you can cope with
- When your singing teacher expresses his or her frustration as you feel unable to do what they are asking you to do (I have even witnessed teachers shouting to students, in what is supposed to be professional training)
- When rehearsals are focused more on quantity than on quality
- When you don't warm up properly
- When your fellow choir singer tries to correct you
- When all the energy in rehearsals is directed towards an upcoming concert
… and even then... you most probably still got something good out of it!
(As published in the Singing4Health blog in October 2013)
Maria Soriano
www.mariasoriano.org
www.mariasoriano.co.uk
www.singing4health.com
@singing4health