Train Like a Champion
TRAIN LIKE A CHAMPION
In light of the Winter Olympics, a few thoughts popped into my head: how can one TRAIN LIKE A CHAMPION?
BE FEARLESS: How did Shaun White learn his signature move "The Double McTwist 1260?" As seen in this video [](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQIvm_2ay-U) he did the move over and over into a pit of foam blocks. The goal was to practice the move, making mistakes in a safe environment before transferring to "real" performance. This is what singers should do: be fearless and make aggressive mistakes in rehearsal so the performance is ready. Chickening out or doing something half-way is just wasted time, delaying necessary growth.
HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME: Alexis Paxton had the thought "What if there was a physical consequence for doing poorly?" Olympians train hard not just because they want to win, but because to do poorly could result in serious injury. How we would train as singers if we knew poor training could result in injury? Likely, we'd be more invested in our own mastery. Will we get injured singing poorly? Vocal nodules? Maybe. But more likely is the threat of feeling let down by one's own performance, which is a spiritual injury. When we train to do our best, our ego is never at risk. We can always be proud of our work no matter what the rating or outcome.
Choir Bites Interactive Slides can enhance online/hybrid lesson plans or be used as supplemental assignments. Your singers’ awareness will rise as they engage with these simple, “sticky” concepts! Click here to learn more!
SACRIFICE: Why are snowboarders, skiers, and ice skaters willing to do things that risk serious injury? Because for them, conquering that hill, that halfpipe, that triple axle is everything. Singers are unlikely to face physical harm from extra practice, or from focused work in rehearsal - so get after it!
GET EVERY EDGE: One of my students throws shot-put for track and came into rehearsal with a roached voice. I asked him why and he said, "It's the grunting. When you grunt you can get extra feet." So he grunts. Swimmers shave all their body hair. It's all about finding every way to get one more inch, one tenth of a second. My voice teacher called singing "millimeter work." To be a champion, we should look for every edge in our posture, breathing, placement, etc. Every little bit counts.
