Have you ever been told (or noticed yourself) that you have a numb or lifeless singing voice? Getting to the cause is the only way to change ineffective, lifeless vocal performance into a voice that is understood at an emotional level.

The top 9 causes I see for numb/ lifeless singing:

1. You don't know what your main vocal goal should be. 

• Your #1 goal should be to make somebody feel and/or understand something... much more important than technically 'singing good'.

2. You don't know what the song is really about. 

• Read the lyric out loud... what is it saying? Go deeper... What is it saying between the lines?

3. You don't know to whom you should be communicating . 

•  Once again... read the lyric. Who is it talking to? Who is it NOT talking to? (Hint, the object of the lyrical message is usually not the producer, the engineer, everyone listening, etc.)

4. You don't know what response you want from your performance.

• How can you get a response you don't go for? If you communicate effectively, you will create some kind of response from the listener. Not everyone has to like what you say, but you should be able to generate some kind of response energy from your performance. Sometimes it's just a feeling of electricity in the room... you know it's there (or not).

5. You're thinking too technically while singing.

• The time to think technically is during vocal training and technical rehearsal, not during actual performance.

6. You are psychologically constricted due to past trauma, low self esteem, fear, fatigue, chronic pain or physical illness 

• Treat the underlying physical or psychological condition. Yes... freely singing can do wonders to free the psyche, but sometimes it can also uncover the need for some extra help from counseling or medical professional. Go the distance to free yourself up... and your singing will do as much for YOU as it does for others.

7. Your mental focus is scattered.

•  You, like many extra-creative persononalities, may need to rein in your enhanced sensitivity to read a room. You must focus your thoughts on your #1 goal (above), informed by knowing the who, what and why of the song!

8. You are not using facial and/or body language.

• Singing with a poker face or stiff body will generate a numb vocal sound because of the breath and throat issues that result. Using your body and your face communicatively will give life to vocal tone.

9. You are uncomfortable and insecure vocally due to vocal strain, inability to hit high or low notes, do vocal licks or sustains, or make use of tone colors, or have other vocal control issues.

• Hit me up. I can help you with vocal training to conquer all of the above issues.

You don't have to settle for numb singing. When you discover the cause, the cure can be found - and your voice can move the hearts of your listeners.

PS... this works for the speaking voice, too.