Our Late Summer Edition Is Here!

Welcome to our late summer edition of Golden Key Voices newsletter! I'll be discussing singing and vulnerability as a gift. 

Singing and Vulnerability

Singing is about communicating from the heart and if at some point in your life, you have experienced harsh criticism, have not been allowed to join in or have just been a bit scared to try for fear of not being good enough, it can be difficult to persuade yourself that you are safe to try. The good news is that I have been there before you, allowing myself to be vulnerable, to let my heart and soul shine, through singing, even when I was terrified. I know what it is to overcome performance anxiety and the rewards that come with taking one brave step at a time.

Vulnerability is what touches other people’s hearts when they listen. This, combined with preparation, practice and patience creates a powerful experience for the listener. Have you ever listened to someone singing and tears filled your eyes? Perhaps you couldn’t identify what it was about that singer’s voice that touched you but it just did and you don’t need to know why.

Here are some of the limiting beliefs I hear some people say, when they would like to try to sing in public or join a choir:

“I’m scared I’ll be rejected.”

“I’m scared I’m not good enough.”

“I’m scared the sound won’t come out if I’m too nervous.”

“I’m afraid someone will laugh at me.”

“I can’t sing.”

“I haven’t sung since school.”

“I’m too old.”

What helps us step into new confidence as we release old beliefs that are creating tension, which affects your sound?

Firstly, K-I-S-T. Kind Internal Self Talk, free from judgement.

Placing your hand on your heart, first notice where the breath is in your body. Is it high up in the chest? Is it short and shallow or is it more expansive, lower in your body? Is the breath fast or slow? As soon as we start to notice, without judgement, we can allow our nervous system to feel safer. The breath often becomes calmer and this expands us into possibility instead of a feeling of lack.

Secondly, a mindful approach when singing is extremely beneficial. I learned to notice ever-changing physical sensations as they arose, saying “Yes” to them, sometimes in a whisper or an inner voice if I was about to go on stage. By giving permission to what was already going on in my body, I was then free to explore the emotion that came up with it, giving it space to move and change. It works!

How did I learn to teach people to sing who were lacking in confidence? Well, I approach learning as a chance to explore and become curious about your voice instead of judging it. Because it is such a unique expression of who we are, since it comes from breath, body and from within our deeper self, our soul, it can feel like a huge step to let someone else hear us, when we’ve only been singing in the shower or in the privacy of our own home. Whatever I teach you, I have explored and continue to heal and grow in myself.

Find Your Voice Singing Workshops For Women

Within a safe community where there is fun, laughter and you are encouraged, progress can be made not only in learning to listen well but also in beginning to enjoy your own voice.

Our new series of Find Your Voice Singing Workshops for Women is designed to build your confidence, step by step. Many women experiencing hormonal change, from postpartum to postmenopause, find that their voices have changed. Our workshops give you the tools to breathe well and sing in a way that’s sustainable into your mature years. We start on Monday 7th September, 6pm-7pm in the Small Chapel, The Renfield Centre, Bath St., Glasgow and have seven sessions, finishing on 7th December.

Here are the dates:

Monday 7th September, 6pm-7pm

Monday 21st September, 6pm-7pm

Monday 12th October, 6pm-7pm

Monday 19th October, 6pm-7pm

Monday 9th November, 6pm-7pm

Monday 30th November, 6pm-7pm

Monday 7th December, 6pm-7pm

All ages and levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced singers. For more information and to book tickets, please click the link here.

We are looking forward to introducing more workshops in new venues throughout the coming months.

Scottish ‘Pause Summit

The Scottish ‘Pause Summit is happening in Glasgow on World Menopause Day this year, Sunday 18th October. There will be an array of speakers and workshop presenters offering education and empowerment for women on various aspects of Menopause. I’m very much looking forward to presenting a workshop on Breathwork Meets Vocal Games, where you don’t need any experience of singing to take part. Tickets are £70 until the end of August, then go up to £80 on 1st September. Still well worth it if you book later. For tickets and more information click here to find out more.

Testimonial

Here is a testimonial from a workshop participant, who experienced and overcame voice loss and fear. She also had one to one lessons. If this is something that would interest you, please feel free to contact me using the link below, via my website. Lessons start at £40. Online and in-person are possible. Please feel free to contact me via my website Louise Macdonald Golden Key Voices.

“A bout of covid left me with a long lasting cough and as a result of this, a temporary loss of my singing voice.

Louise was recommended to me by a professional vocal coach to support my vocal recovery. I'd never heard of recovery lessons and I was really relieved to know it was a 'thing' and that my voice could recover.

Louise met with me for a consultation and we talked about what the course would entail. Only then did I sign up. I was nervous at first but over the next 12 weeks, Louise worked with me to regain my vocal health. She nurtured me very gently, taking a holistic approach to the lessons and always taking the lead from me and what I was comfortable with but at the same time moving me forwards and instilling in me a confidence that I could actually do this; that my voice was gaining strength every week. Of course, she was right and by the end of my lessons I was singing top Cs again. Absolutely amazing!

As well as the vocal health, Louise gave me back my confidence and I'm continuing to follow the exercises that she used while working with me. A few people have asked me about my lessons and I've pointed them in Louise's direction after telling them all about my amazing experience.”

Heather

I hope you're all well rested and refreshed after the summer holidays! We're looking forward to welcoming you at our workshops and lessons this season. Any questions, please drop me a message via the Contact page. 

Warmest wishes,

Louise x.