SPIN

TIME FOR A FRESH START
A FORMULA FOR SINGERS AND SPEAKERS
by Christopher Beatty

Athletes know not to tire or wear out the muscles that they’ll need in competition. Tennis players and baseball pitchers don’t use up their arm strength the night before a game. A marathon runner knows not to run a practice marathon the day before the big race. But what about singers and speakers who go about business as usual, talking, laughing, and singing the day before a performance? It’s no wonder their voices are tired when they need them most. Sound familiar? And what about the pastor who coaches Little League Saturday and is surprised by the lack of vocal endurance on Sunday?

The voice is physical! A voice that is misused, or not allowed to rest at critical times, will wear out. Does that threaten you? Maybe it should. Every week I coach singers who are reaping the results of poor life and voice habits. They don’t warm-up or cool-down the voice. They pay little attention to their eating and sleeping patterns. They only pray or read the Bible when there’s trouble. No successful athlete would practice this kind of injury-promoting lifestyle. So why do we, “Vocal Athletes?”

Carole and I have been traveling throughout the United States, Canada and into Asia and Europe for several dozen years singing, coaching and teaching. As the physical demands and stress have taken an increasing toll we have had to take action to avoid “M.F.S.” better known as “Ministry Fatigue Syndrome.” That means being more careful about the things that physically and spiritually impact us.

Here’s the plan: It starts with letting God show you His plans for your day. A minimum of 20 minutes of time in the Word and 40 minutes of prayer will all but guarantee success in this area. Remember: It’s hard to give out what you never took in to begin with.

And then there’s the physical part, and that includes three areas. First, is rest and the Sabbath principle. Second, is what you eat. “No, not a diet or food restriction!” you might be crying. No. Just this simple rule. Only put into your body that which will add to a successful day and not bog you down. Good foods, in balance and in reasonable amounts (why did he have to say that!) make the difference.

Third is the “E” word: Exercise. I know it may not fit into your stay-up-half-the-night schedule, but guess what? The way we were designed (by God, I might add) requires us to stimulate and challenge our muscles in order to have the strength and stamina to due what we do. The good news is that exercise promotes lean muscles, and those muscles burn off fat, and that makes us happy and healthy. What a concept!

“But, but, but....rest...relaxation...prayer...the Word...reasonable eating.. .exercise. How can all this possibly be good for me? Why, it will alter the way I live!” That’s the idea. You see, when Hebrews 13:8 says “...yesterday, today and forever,” it refers to the unchanging Jesus; not the unchangeable us. We, in fact, are to be in transition. You know...doing more His way each day. This is a heads-up for all of us to do what we know to do.

Let me close by quoting a saying on one of Carole’s favorite, T-shirts. I simply says, “GOD SAID IT, I BELIEVE IT, THAT’S IT, PERIOD. Let’s walk this out together and see the fruit come forth for ourselves and those we serve.

About the Author:
Vocal Coach Chris Beatty trains the Christian singers of today and tomorrow. He and his wife Carole believe that those who communicate with a clear and strong voice will dramatically affect those around them. If that’s your goal visit the Vocal Coach web site at www.vocalcoach.com and see over 30 CDs, Cassettes, Videos and Books to help you be your best. The Beattys also have a voice studio in Nashville, TN. Their mailing address is P.O. Box 2144, Brentwood TN 37024.