WELCOME
SINGING FOR NON-SINGERS
E-COURSE
WELCOME!
Hello My lovely Singers!! Welcome to the ‘Singing for Non-Singers’ e-course. I am delighted you are here and really looking forward to teaching you all I know about the voice, singing, and some healing techniques for helping your voice journey!
WHAT can you expect? 4 weeks of videos + pdf’s with practical as well as woo techniques for developing your voice. Each week will have an intro video to tell you about that week’s theme and exercises. Several new vocal exercises, breathing techniques, plus some extra singing tips + techniques, journalling prompts, a meditation, some healing modalities to help you get over any fears about singing and using your voice and an affirmation or two. I encourage you to connect with me and your fellow singing students in the facebook group ‘Singing for Non-Singers’ to get live support, share your questions and breakthroughs and to have some accountability! The course is designed to flow from start to finish and be quite interactive, so my suggestion is to watch the videos and join in as you go, download the PDF’s which are at the end of each week and mark off the videos as you watch them and jot down some journal ideas.
What do you need? Just your beautiful self, an open-ness and willingness to learn and try new things! A journal to write in (or download and use the space in the pdf’s) some sticky notes & a pen to write your affirmations each week! (glitter totally optional)
Who am I? I’m an Australian Singer-Songwriter based in Europe. I’ve developed my own career in the music industry touring as a full-time performer for almost 10 years and playing ‘on-the-side’ of my many varied careers before that for many more years, performing shows in all kinds of venues, festivals, hotels, pubs, house concerts etc. I’ve recorded vocals and guitar in many studios (on my own CD’s and as a guest on others’ albums). I have 7 CD’s which I’ve independently created and released. I’ve taught private lessons for voice + guitar, aswell as working in schools as a music teacher after hours (voice, guitar, ukelele!). I love all things to do with the voice and have a passion to help others harness the power of their own unique voice! I’ve sung forever but was also quite shy about being a performer until I got over the fear of putting myself out there and whether I was ‘good enough’.. So I am confident I can help you overcome any fears you might have about getting out there and using your own unique voice! I was also a massage therapist for many years and studied all kinds of energy healing and alternative therapies which I found to be so valuable on the self-discovery and performing journey that I’ve included some here! Mind-set goes hand-in-hand with being a good performer and having the courage to sing in front of others. I hope to be able to share as much knowledge and information as I can from my own experiences to give you a ‘leg-up’ on your voice + performing journey!
WEEK 1
INTRO
This week is all about playing, being imperfect and enjoying exploring the voice and the sounds you can make! One of the great things about singing at home and in your own space is that you can sound however you want to sound, there is no audience (generally), and this is the time to really play and get to know your own voice. How High feels comfortable for you, how LOW, how nasal, how chesty, have a play around with different sounds (there is no one ‘right’ sound and everybody uses a mixture of different tones to create their own unique sound). So let yourself be SILLY, have FUN, and don’t take it too seriously!
IMPERFECTLY PERFECT
We all want to do things ‘Perfectly’ and sometimes that can really make us procrastinate doing anything at all.. for example me creating this e-course.. I wanted it to LOOK perfect aswell as have great content and be fun and educational.. and this was making me ‘procrastinate’ with searching for the right technology etc.. instead of just doing it… so today I decided to stop making it harder than it had to be and just start building it and I realised I could tweek it as I went and even spend time at the end making it look ‘fab’ but that it wasn’t the most important thing just yet.. getting the content up and happening was the most pressing thing.. and now I’m on a roll and feeling great and the energy is flowing again!! (funny that)
POSTURE + ALIGNMENT
Posture and Alignment is so important for good singing and allowing your voice to come out unrestricted. Stand up straight with your feet about hip width apart, relaxed but upright. Imagine a cord going from the top or your head up to the sky like a puppet on a string and feel your neck stretch out and up and your spine align! Do some stretches to open up your chest and ribs, and shake it out. Watch this video for suggestions on how to get yourself set up and ready to SING!
QUICK STRESS + NERVE RELEASE
Getting centred and grounded and releasing stress before singing = GOLD.
10 SECOND BREATHING
Use this breathing technique to lengthen & deepen your breath (pulling faces optional)
Here comes the singing part!! Are you ready?! first to make noises.. Just follow along with me in the videos below and have a play with it. Remember the aim is not ‘perfection’ but ‘playfulness’ this week!
RESONATING
HUMMING + FACE RESONATING SCALES
VOWEL SOUND SCALES PART 1
VOWEL SOUND SCALES PART 2
JOURNAL PROMPTS
Why have you chosen to do this course?
What would you like to get out of it?
What are your voice goals/dreams/wishes?
Where are you at now with your voice?
How do you feel about your voice and the sound of it?
HEALING MODALITY – LOVE KI HANDS
Using your hands – rub them together until they are warm, feel them tingling and imagine them being full of love and light, then slowly move through each position. First position prayer position over the heart -then put one hand on your ‘belly button’ and one hand on your heart/upper chest, feel grounded, close your eyes and feel centred, breath into your hands and feel the warmth going into your body. Rub your hands together again or just move onto the next position, putting your hands on either side of your throat close your eyes and send love to that part of your body, feel any sensations, breath, let anything come up that wants to, release it with breath, move onto jaw + ears putting one hand on each side covering your ear and jaw on the left + right side, breathing and sending love, then move onto forehead + back of the head – one hand on the front and one on the back, send love and breath, and finally one hand on top of your ‘crown’ and one at your ‘base’ again breath and send love, end on prayer position.
You may see images, colours or have different feelings at each spot, the idea is to send love to each area of your body and help you to feel centred and calm using a mixture of reiki, visualisation + kinesiology = Love Ki Hands.
AFFIRMATION
‘I TRUST MY VOICE’
Grab a post-it note and write ‘I trust my voice’ and stick it up somewhere prominent where you will see it often throughout the day! (ideas – the fridge, a mirror, your car, a door, your desk.. ) bonus points for posting a ‘selfie’ in the fb group with your and your post-it note!
MEDITATION
GROUNDING
‘Grounding’ or ‘Anchoring’ is so important for good singing! When we have a solid base and firm but flexible structure we can really learn to sing from the ground up! Practice getting grounded before you sing and feel the difference – once you’ve done the meditation a few times you will be able to quickly tune in to yourself and get grounded even without it, or by just using a quick visualisation if you don’t have time to do a meditation.
HYDRATION + SLEEP
These are both so important for good vocal health as well as steering clear or dairy (as much as possible) before singing. Drinking lots of water or eating/drinking high water content foods such as cucumber, melons, strawberries.
FACEBOOK REFLECTION + Q&A’S SUPPORT
Let us know how you got on with this week’s exercises in the facebook group ‘Singing for Non-Singers’
BONUS WEEK 1
Record a short video of you singing your favourite song – even just a short verse or chorus – we will revisit this at the end so you can see how far you’ve come over 4 weeks! 🙂 you can choose if you want to share it in the fb group or not – totally up to you.
#INSTAGRAM #SELFIE #FUNCHALLENGE
#SINGINGINTHESHOWER
Watch this video then for a bit of fun take a #selfie of yourself #singingintheshower and post on instagram or facebook with the hashtag #singingfornonsingers @pritagrealy.
WEEK 1 PDF’S DOWNLOAD
Week 1 PDFs Singing For Non-Singers e-course
WEEK 2
INTRO
Week 2 is all about letting go of things that are holding you back so you can really explore and expand your voice. Hopefully by now you’re starting to get the hang of playing with your voice and experimenting with the sounds you can make. This week we are going to go further into the voice with some more vocal exercises, the ‘Opera’ breathing technique (one of my favs) and some journal prompts and meditation for you to work on self expression and loving your voice, releasing any past memories or beliefs around your voice that might be holding you back.
SIMPLE STRETCHES + BODY WARMUPS
I always do some kind of stretching before I sing – for many reasons – but basically to get in touch with your body, to free up your muscles so you can sing better! and to relax and release any ‘tightness’ I might be holding on to.
OPERA BREATH
This is one of my favourite and most used kinds of breathing! It provides the stable structure for you to have powerful base for your voice!
SIRENS AND CHEST/MIDDLE/HEAD VOICE
There are several ‘parts’ to your voice – namely the ‘chest’ ‘middle’ and ‘head’ or ‘falsetto’ voice, they are all part of your natural voice and what makes up your unique sound. These exercises will help to smooth over any ‘breaks’ between the voices and make it more of a smooth ‘one voice’. The more you can strengthen the different parts of your voice the less you will also notice the different parts and it will sound more like ‘one’ voice. At the beginning don’t be surprised if one of you ‘voice parts’ is stronger/louder/clearer than the rest, that’s totally normal and ok!! just play with it and enjoy discovering your voice!
LIP TRILLS
TONGUE TRILLS
JOURNAL PROMTS
Write down any thoughts / memories/ things that people have said about your voice positive / and negative ( we are going to do some emotion clearing on any negative memories / beliefs).
Any triggers around your voice or your sound?
Any voice memories / stage fright / times when you were told to speak in front of others and felt too shy/not confident etc.
Times you were put on the spot or in the spotlight and didn’t feel confident or ready to sing or speak your truth.
HEALING MODALITY – EFT
EFT or ‘Emotional Freedom Technique’ is a great tool to release the ‘stress’ or ’emotion’ around a belief or memory. It’s easy, non-invasive and you can do it anywhere! Watch the video to see where the points are on the body and how to do it.
Using your journal prompt answers ‘tap’ or use ‘eft’ on any things that bring up stress or negative feelings and watch them dissolve!
AFFIRMATION – ‘I LOVE MY VOICE’
‘I love expressing myself’
‘I sing with love’
‘I speak with love’
Grab your post-it notes and write the affirmations for this week and leave them stuck in prominent places around your home, workplace or bedroom! Somewhere you will see them often and silently or out loud repeat them like a mantra.
MEDITATION
‘LIGHT + TRUE SELF MEDITATION’
FACEBOOK ACCOUNTABILITY + Q&A’S
Come and share your experiences from this week here in the facebook group Singing for Non-Singers and ask any questions you may have! I’m happy to answer in the group and that way we all learn together!
#INSTAGRAM #SELFIE #FUNCHALLENGE
#SINGWHATYOUWANTTOSAY
This week’s instagram selfie challenge is to take a #selfie of your best #operaface singing pose! tag #singingfornonsingers @pritagrealy
WEEK 2 PDF’S DOWNLOAD
Week 2 PDFs Singing for Non-Singers e-course
WEEK 3
INTRO
Week 3 is about stepping into your power and confidence. Wow, we are up to week 3 already! how are you going? I’d love to hear from you! This week we are learning some more about facial stretching, the power of yawning, some new vocal scales plus a surprise guest energy healer!
FACIAL STRETCHES + JAW MASSAGE
Face Yoga is a thing apparently! Learn some easy stretches and get a bonus natural face-lift from laughing.. and then… Release the JAW!!
THE YAWN
Yes, Yawning is a singing technique! who would’ve thought? Napper’s unite!
THE OPERA EYOO SOUND SCALES
Because sometimes you just have to make up your own name for things.. ‘The Opera Eyoo’.. so eloquent.. but yet so handy!
OPERA EYOO SCALES PART 2
What goes up!.. must come down! 🙂
MINGY MINGY MAAA
Excellent nasal resonating exercise..
MAYO MAYO MAYO NAISE…
Not just a salad dressing..
THE CORK TRICK
Yes, you should open wine to do this.. any excuse, right?
JOURNAL PROMPTS
How do you feel you are going with the course so far?
How is your voice feeling?
Any discoveries about your voice?
Any frustrations? or successes / breakthroughs?
Any fears coming up or memories? (use new ENERGY EDIT TECHNIQUE to release)
Any resistance to the affirmations?
HEALING MODALITY
Today we have a special guest! Michelle Lowbridge is a lovely lady I have had the pleasure of working with being part of her energy editing groups online and what she does is amazing! I asked her if I could share this really easy and simple technique with you for releasing limiting beliefs and she said ‘YES’ so here it is:
MICHELLE LOWBRIDGE’S Limiting Belief Release 30 SECOND RELEASE
https://www.michellelowbridge.com/lbr
You can use any things that came up in your journalling or use the affirmations below – both will work to help release any ‘stress’ or ’emotion’ around the statements.
AFFIRMATION ‘I AM CONFIDENT IN MY VOICE’
‘I am more and more confident every day’
‘I feel more confident with my voice’
‘Confidence is my natural state of being’
Grab your post-it notes and make some pretty affirmations this week to stick up around your space somewhere you will see it often and be reminded to repeat it often! You can also use the new healing technique with the affirmations to clear any emotions around them!
MEDITATION
‘STEPPING INTO YOUR POWER + CONFIDENCE’
Great exercise before you perform!
FACEBOOK REFLECTION + ACCOUNTABILITY
How did you go this week? any new discoveries? come and share in the facebook group Singing for Singing for Non-Singers
#INSTAGRAM #SELFIE #FUNCHALLENGE
Grab your hairbrush and get ready to give us your best #selfie singing your heart out pose. Watch the video for inspiration! #singingfornonsingers @pritagrealy
WEEK 3 PDF’S DOWNLOAD
Week 3 PDFs Singing for Non-Singers e-course
WEEK 4
INTRO
Giving yourself PERMISSION TO SING is one of the most powerful things you can do. Stop waiting for someone else to say you are ‘good enough’ or ‘sound great’ or whatever.. do it because YOU want to! Do it because it makes YOU feel good! Singing is an amazing way of lifting your ‘vibration’ and creating good vibes around you, aswell as making you feel happy and allowing yourself to express whatever’s inside.
BALLOON BREATHING
Yes, you are a balloon.. for this excerise..
DIAPHRAGM BOOK BREATHING
Weight lifting for your diaphragm!
GOOG SCALES
Think ‘googy egg’ that kind of ‘goog’.. and get ready to sing some scales with me!
GUG SCALES
Just like the ‘goog’ scales but this time with ‘gug’ as in ‘Sun’.
MA MA MA SCALES
SINGING HIGH NOTES 2 TIPS
I know.. youtube made me look like I’m doing the ’emu’.. a couple of great tips for singing ‘high’notes.
HEALING MODALITY – EXPANSION VS CONTRACTION
Take some time to experiment with the feelings of ‘Expansion’ and ‘Contraction’ or ‘softening’ verses ‘tightening’. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, scan your body for any feelings of ‘stuck’ or ‘tightness’ for example today I can feel in my throat I feel a bit ‘tight’ spend a moment to acknowledge how that part of your body feels. Then imagine ‘softening + letting go’ of any stress or tension in that area and visualise it expanding infinitely like the blue sky, the feeling of letting go and relaxing.. Repeat as you scan through and find any other areas of your body that might be feeling tight or stuck and release them with your mind and using breath to let go. Focus on feelings of ‘open-ness’, ‘letting go’, ‘release’ and imagine an beautiful blue sky – feeling as expansive as that. Ask yourself ‘can I let this go?’ whenever you feel an area that needs to soften more.
REMEDY FOR NERVES
BACH Flower essences are great for calming the nerves! I use this one often ‘Rescue Remedy’ when I’m travelling a lot and when I get nerves before I go on stage!
THE THROAT CHAKRA
Balancing the fifth chakra or throat chakra improves the way you speak, listen and express yourself. The throat chakra is the energy centre for expression of your authentic self and speaking your inner truth. Download the PDF’s for some more info on the Chakras and the Throat Chakra Balancing tips!
THROAT CHAKRA MEDITATION
yes, I know there’s 2..
so you can choose.. bonus! (or do both)
JOURNAL PROMPTS
Where would you like to be in 3 weeks time, 3 months time, 3 years time with your voice?
Future you with your new voice skills and abilities opening up, new confidence – where do you see yourself using your voice more in your biz/life?
Picture a happy joyful confident future you using your voice in a way that brings you more joy & confidence – describe in detail what you see, where you are, how you are using your voice.
AFFIRMATION FOR THIS WEEK ‘I GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION TO SING’ (AND TO SING LOUD)!! ;P
‘I give myself permission to sing, to be heard, to be loud, to have a voice!’
Grab a post-it note and write your affirmations for the week and stick them up somewhere you will see them often! Repeat like a mantra for best effects.
FACEBOOK ACCOUNTABILITY + Q&A’S
How are you feeling this week? any big goals for performing or singing in front of others? Share your journey with your fellow singers in the facebook group Singing for Non-Singers
WEEK 4 BONUS
Record a short video of you singing your favourite song again (week 1) and give yourself a pat on the back at how far you’ve come over 4 weeks! feel free to share in the facebook group if you’re game!
#INSTAGRAM #SELFIE #FUNCHALLENGE
#dancebreak #songbreak
Give us your best #selfie having a #dancebreak #singbreak and post to instagram or facebook with the hashtags #singingfornonsingers @pritagrealy
WEEK 4 PDF’S DOWNLOAD
Week 4 PDFs Singing for Non-Singers e-course
CONGRATULATIONS!
QUIZ + TESTIMONIALS
Thankyou so much for being a part of this journey learning about YOUR VOICE. I’d love to hear what you enjoyed, what you didn’t, and any changes you would make to make this course more enjoyable and informative? If you loved it I’d also love to hear from you! And if you feel like writing a short testimonial that would be fabulous! Simply click the Quick Survey + Testimonial Link below to leave me some feedback x Much love x Prita
BONUS SECTION MODULES
Performance Tips + Audience Connection
Performance Tips + Audience Connection
When you are singing to an audience or a crowd EYE CONTACT, SMILE, OPEN FACE and STRONG body posture.
Go out with the INTENTION of connecting.
Get GROUNDED and CENTRED before you get on stage – breathing, imagining roots down into the ground, feet touching the floor. (more on this in meditations if you want to do a grounding and centering exercise).
The more PREPARATION you do before you get on the stage, the better it is once you are on stage. (this means knowing your material – practice and / or trusting that you can handle it if you want to ‘wing it’.) Having your own routines to get you in ‘your zone’. For me this is usually a nap in the afternoon, drinking lots of water, getting dressed and warming up about an hour before the gig.
The More you perform the easier it becomes and the more triggers and routines you will have that ‘get you in the zone’. It becomes like riding a bike.
Singing to different people in the crowd, giving eye contact to a person on the Left side of the room, the back, the front, the right side – this gives the audience the feel that you are singing to ALL of them.
Telling stories between songs.
Original songs – tell the story about why you wrote the song or what it means to you, or add another story there that sounds like it goes.
Cover songs – what it reminds you of, why you chose that song, who its’ by, who performed it before, any fun or interesting story around the song or your memories to do with the song.
If you’re travelling or on tour – mention the name of the town or place, any experience you had there, any little stories about how you got there or any people that you had interactions with etc.
BODY LANGUAGE open stance with open chest and open face will give the audience a more open feeling and will make them more receptive to you.
FAKE it til you make it – ACT as if you are confident and HAPPY and you soon will be!
MISTAKES are normal, everyone makes them, if you can learn how to laugh or smile or even ignore your mistakes and just keep going, the more comfortable the audience will feel aswell. The audience will feel everything you feel AMPLIFIED so if you can smile and laugh about it instead of worrying or getting upset you will notice the audience will just roll with you! The KEY is to make everyone FEEL at ease.
Download Audio MP3
Download PDF
ALL the VIDEOS as MP3 Downloads
DOWNLOAD or STREAM all MP3’s HERE
March 2018 LIVE ROUND REPLAY ZOOM calls.
WEEK 1 ZOOM REPLAY
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=R2UtpWt1i3w
WEEK 2 ZOOM REPLAY
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=qvhdZF3nnk0
WEEK 3 ZOOM REPLAY
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=EzSiNN3A92Y
WEEK 4 ZOOM REPLAY