Affirmation Building Exercise
Performance affirmations are short, first-person statements that reinforce a specific physical sensation, musical intention, or artistic goal. They provide a simple point of focus that singers can return to throughout practice or performance, helping keep attention on the process of singing as distractions naturally arise.
What is an affirmation in this context?
An affirmation is a brief statement that captures the experience you want to cultivate while singing. It should reflect something you can actively attend to in the present moment, be framed in first person language with affirmative rather than negative language (for example, “My jaw is heavy” rather than “My jaw is not tense”)
Why it matters for singers
A well-built affirmation offers a simple and consistent place to return your focus during the task of singing. With repetition, these statements can become reliable mental cues that support concentration and reinforce healthy technical and artistic habits.
How to do the exercise
Choose one area of your singing to focus on.
At least think, and ideally write down a short statement in the first person with affirmative, present tense language.
Internally repeat the affirmation before singing and whenever your attention begins to wander.
Sample Affirmation Statements
“My breath sustains my tone”
“My jaw is heavy”
“My feet are grounded”
“My tone is liquid and connected”
“My sound vibrates”
Applications
Practice
Lessons
Rehearsals
Performance (very effective here!!!)