Choral Singing vs.Solo Singing and Voice Lessons- When Should You Focus on Your Individual Singing Voice and Cut Back on Choral Singing? Part 3 of 3

Choral Singing vs. Solo Singing and Voice Lessons- When Should You Focus on Your Individual Singing Voice and Cut Back on Choral Singing?  Part 3 of 3

Advanced singing and higher level singing goals may cause you to make a decision- do I keep singing in the choir or do I need to focus on my own voice right now?  First listen to your body and your heart!  Is you voice troubled doing both from potentially too much use or different types of singing?  If not, why not continue both?  It is good to sing in a choir to keep your ears in tune with the whole picture of a piece of music.  How does your voice part fit with the other voices, with the orchestra.  Also, there is a fun social component to singing in a choir.  Why give it up if you don't have to while you develop your individual/solo singing voice?

If you are vocally and physically tired, then you need to look deeper within yourself.  Your voice is telling you something- this is too much or these are two different types of singing and I am having troubles!  In choral singing we are often asked to hold back our sound.  If one cannot do that without adding extra tension, it can cause fatigue.  Solo singing encourages 'letting it all out' and developing the voice as a whole in addition to the musical work.  Some people have no difficulties with this differentiation while other voices do. 

Which is most important to you, solo singing or choral singing? Which do you want to do something with in your future?  If you want to become an operatic singer, you may need to put the choral singing on hold for a little while.  This will allow you to spend time and energy truly developing your voice without anything holding you back.  If on the other hand you adore choral singing and aspire to sing in a professional opera chorus or professional chorus of any type, you may want to keep your toe dabbling in the choral world while you take lessons to prepare solo repertoire for auditions.

 Every person and every voice is different.  Pay attention to your body's signals and what your heart says about which direction you should go.  Ask for advice from your voice teacher and choral director if you are unsure.  It is our job to help guide you, but your job as a student and singer to follow your body's signals and needs.  Maybe you can be a choral singer and solo singer right now in your life, or maybe you need to decide which direction to go.

Have you ever been faced with this dilemna? What did you do? How can your story help others?

Did you miss Part 1 or Part 2 of this discussion?  Visit  http://www.healthyandconfidentsingingvoice.blogspot.com/2013/01/choral-singing-vs-solo-singing-when-is.html and http://www.healthyandconfidentsingingvoice.blogspot.com/2013/02/choral-singing-vs-voice-lessons-when.html to find out all of the reasons to sing in a choir and take voice lessons!