Adding your personality to a song

As a vocalist, making a piece distinctly yours is of vital importance. It enables you to deliver the piece in a way that is uniquely your own, fostering a genuine connection with your audience. This method also highlights your individual style and artistic persona, distinguishing you from your counterparts in the industry. But how can one achieve this?

Begin by deciphering the lyrics, the story they tell, and the emotions they encapsulate. What narrative does the song unfold, and what significance does it hold for you? Are you able to resonate with the emotions it stirs up?

I firmly believe it's advantageous to establish a personal link to the song and employ this connection to instil authenticity into your performance. Do the lyrics mirror a personal experience or an emotion you're familiar with? This personal connection can steer your rendition and grant it a unique flavour.

Having established an emotional connection, you can now start manipulating the musical components. This involves experimenting with the key (to suit your vocal range), tempo, rhythm, melody, and phrasing. You might even consider transposing the song into a different genre. Test out various vocal techniques (refer to my attached pdf) to unearth a unique sound that you're comfortable with and that aligns with your artistic persona. This process might be easier to navigate with a teacher.

The secret to truly owning a song lies in authenticity. Your interpretation should vibrate with your identity and reflect your style. If it feels contrived or out of sync with your personality, it might fail to resonate with your audience. Hence, keep your rendition sincere and personal.

I strongly encourage all singers to venture into songwriting in addition to performing. This can be a potent avenue for swiftly discovering your vocal style, even if you choose not to share your compositions publicly.

The ancient Greek aphorism 'Know Thyself' carries immense significance for artists, particularly vocalists. Understanding yourself is paramount to the process of interpretation and creative expression. Being cognisant of your emotions, your strengths, your weaknesses, your role models, your positioning in relation to your contemporaries and predecessors, and your experiences can greatly impact your artistry. It's about recognising your unique viewpoint and infusing that into your music. When you genuinely know yourself, you can forge a deep connection with your material, adding authenticity and depth to your performance. This self-awareness can also assist you in selecting pieces that reverberate with your experiences and convictions. Essentially, the journey of creating music becomes an exploration of the self, transforming each song into a manifestation of your identity. Embrace this journey of self-discovery, as it will not only revolutionise your music but also stimulate your personal and artistic growth.

Remember, there is no definitive right or wrong approach to making a song your own. It's an intensely personal and creative process, with each artist bringing their unique touch to it.