Summer Non-Negotiables

Dear students, 

As we head into summer, odds are there is a disruption in your routine one way or another, whether it’s summer va

cation, out-of-town company on the weekends, seasonal responsibilities, or (hopefully) more free time! (My summer routine is looking like a summer schedule for my voice studio, a 5-week community choir session, lots of gigs, putting a lot of work into my first studio album, and an exciting theater project with the Chocolate Church Arts Center - follow me on Instagram @janeclukeymusic to get the latest news!)

In situations where routine is disrupted, it can be helpful to get back to the basics - simple habits that will make the most difference in your singing and playing. In no particular order, here are a few of my non-negotiables: 

1. Your health. Keep it simple: hydrate (especially if you’re out in the sun), nourish yourself with food, move your body, get sunshine, get enough sleep, take time to recharge. 

2. Cultivate your instrument, (ie practice) for 5-10 min. It takes 6 minutes to be physiologically warmed up. Even if you’re not a singer, warming up your voice with hums, buzzes and vowels will make your experience speaking throughout the day more pleasant. Physical stretches are a great idea too! 

   1. Singers: warm up your voice, stretch your back, neck, facial muscles, and ribcage 

   2. Instrumentalists: stretch your fingers, arms, neck and back, whatever you use to make music! 

3. Practice positive beliefs about your identity as a musician. Don’t forget that making music should feel playful, not like fight or flight. Believe in yourself! Try something new! It's not that serious! 

4. Be well rounded. My undergraduate voice teacher, the late Ellen Chickering, told me “Jane, you’ll never be a great singer until you’ve lived a little more.” So it's ok to enjoy your life, and work hard at things that aren’t related to music. Life is what feeds art. 

5. Listen to music and go see live music. Especially if you’ve been feeling stagnant and uninspired. I guarantee you it makes a difference and it will remind you why you got into music in the first place. One of my favorite parts of the summer is going to see outdoor concerts! 

6. Find an opportunity to make music with others! A community choir, open mic, jam circle, or karaoke night. This feeds the soul like nothing else. 

What does your summer look like? Please let me know if there are any exciting musical projects you’ve got going on this summer that you’d like me to share with this group. What are your music routine non-negotiables? Shoot me an email; I’d love to hear from you. 

Warmly,

Dr. Jane