Trying on Repertoire

Choosing a song to learn and perform can often be like trying on clothes. Sometimes you see something at the store and you want nothing but to wear it right away. But then, when you go to try it on it just does not work. Other times, you grab a sweater just to make do and it becomes a staple in your wardrobe for years. Songs can feel very similar. We singers need to take our time learning a new song and making sure that it is just right for our voice at that point in our singing journey. I regularly allow my students to pick the song they’d like to learn. Sometimes, despite how much they love a song, it just may not be the right fit at that time. Other times, I may assign a song for a student to learn that, at first, the student doesn’t have much interest in, only to be surprised by just how much the song ends up helping them make a breakthrough with their voice. It really isn’t something that can be predicted. It’s best to take our time and allow ourselves to see what works best. So give yourself some grace as you begin any new song. Allow some time for a trial period to see if the song will be one that becomes a staple to your repertoire.