How Posture Affects Live Performance by Vocalists

Posture sounds like a cold, technical word. But the posture a vocalist assumes makes a big difference in vocal skill and effectiveness. Here are some guidelines for posture during the live performance:

WHOSE —

• YOU DON’T LOOK TOUGH
  
• DO NOT LEAN FORWARD toward the audience in such a way that your ribcage is squeezed forward; this will also cause problems with support and breath control. If you lean forward, lean from the hips to keep your ribs wide open.
• DON’T TIGHTEN YOUR RIB CAGE by slouching when you sing while playing the guitar, keyboard, drums, or other instrument.

DO —

• Stand or sit TALL and FLEXIBLE.
• Play your instrument with your CHEST OPEN! Move towards the mic with your feet and body so you can lean back a bit, not forward!
• Stand or sit so that your weight is BALANCED ON YOUR BUTT.
• FEEL THE GROOVE – Allows a dance move in your feet, legs and spine. This will also transfer energy to the hips and buttocks, resulting in more correct breathing support (vocal force should come from the pelvic floor).
• Move TOWARDS THE MICROPHONE STAND (causing you to lean back and open your chest) when using an articulated stand while standing, singing, and playing. This advice is VERY important. If you’re using a straight stance, make sure you get close enough that you don’t have to lean forward and lock your ribs. Or take the stand in your hand and tilt it towards YOU. Or better yet, get out the mic and use it to help you balance. Don’t tilt your head to follow the mic, bring the mic to him!
• Use CONFIDENT BODY LANGUAGE… This is not an arrogant posture. It’s a take care of business stance that tells your audience that you have something good to give them!
• Keep your HEAD BACK, CHIN LEVEL, neck loose, and when reaching for a high note, pull your head level. slightly by the side.
• TALK WITH YOUR HANDS!…they are connected to your arms, shoulders, spine, rib cage and eventually your diaphragm. This is a good stage presence, too. just make it look real…make sure your hands are part of what you say or sing. Don’t let them become dead weight pulling your ribs down and in.

The posture you assume says a lot. Make sure it communicates confidence, courage, freedom, and connection. Your audience will not only see and hear the difference, but your voice will FEEL the difference.