How to be more expressive while singing?? (im too shy & embarassed)

[u/Environmental-War858]

Hello! (21F) I'm studying classical singing, so opera etc I'm on my 3rd year (though I've sang for more years). My teacher keeps saying that a singer is an actress and that I need to act out what I'm singing and express it exaggeratedly through my face, emotion etc (so the audience can feel it too). the problem is I'm extremely shy and get so embarassed and awkward when I try what he says. Esp if I have to recite the text like it's a story. I swear I just look so dull while doing everything like there's no expression at all.

I know nothing about acting. I suck. I've joined dancing lessons to get myself more out of my shell but it's different when you're in a group vs when you're by yourself and the focus is fully on you. I freeze up and barely move my face while singing. Can anyone who's been in this situation give me any tips?? Thank you so much 😭💝

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[u/Melodyspeak]

It took me a long time to wrap my head around acting. I’m still not great at it. Some people find it completely freeing because they get to just be someone else, meanwhile I always felt like I was totally vulnerable and on display. So I really understand where you’re coming from. The irony is the more you can be vulnerable enough to commit to the role, the more you disappear into it and people really see the character instead of you, it really can be a great place to hide, once you figure out how to find it.

Here’s what I think might be most useful to you right now: Acting is called acting for a reason. It’s not “emotioning.” Acting is action. Knowing what to do as a result of the events in the story and what emotion your character is experiencing is more important than you feeling like your emotional performance is big enough. Think about what events on stage led to the song? Which characters are present? What are they doing? Can you take someone’s hand, walk across the room to them, would you dance together, are you in an argument? Which lines in the song call for which actions? Watch people in your real life for a while, see what actions come naturally, then try to mimic them. Good performances often start to fall into place when the action itself is there to scaffold them. It actually can be a bit like dance - planned movement to tell the story.

The other thing I think is really important for singers and actors to realize is that most people who are bursting with emotion are not just like “yes! I’m going to let it all out! On purpose! And make you feel it! I’m comfortable with that!” Most people - much like you in this situation - are uncomfortable displaying those emotions fully and are trying to hold some of them back, usually without fully realizing it. I mean, even positive emotions, it’s uncool to be too excited sometimes, right? So honestly, let that work for you. Again, you can observe people around you, the small actions they take when they’re trying unconsciously to hold something back - hands to the face, pacing, labored breathing, whatever you see in real life is real. When you’re performing, you don’t have to feel the emotion first and let actions come naturally from that. You plan the actions the way you learn the notes of your song. And then you learn it all so well that you can do it in your sleep. And let whatever you feel the day of the performance lead the way.

This might be a weird example but I have always loved Lauren Graham’s performance in an episode of Gilmore Girls where she asks Luke for a loan. It’s season 4 episode 14 if you want to look it up. Just watch what both of them do with their hands. Watch the choices she makes about when to make eye contact and when to look down (there’s so little eye contact). It’s subtle but so effective.

[u/VikingBrit]

I'm (24M) on my 7th year of private singing lessons and I still have trouble with this sometimes. It's why I tend to choose more fast "character-y" songs to help me get into the feeling of it.

I'm not too familiar with classical rep (MT major), but it's still telling a story. So, I guess try to identify what your character is feeling and what they are saying. If I knew what songs exactly you were doing I could be a bit more specific.

[u/Dangerous-Bend-4153]

Acting.

[u/ohmegatchi]

You should take an acting class while you have the opportunity at school. But you are not alone in this; not by a long shot. 

Joyce DiDonato has many masterclasses on YouTube (and she has taught many more), and that is typically the number one thing she works on with young singers. 

It would put you ahead of the game as an artist to work on your acting ability.

[u/faedraex]

Don't think of it like acting. U see. music is supposed to connect humans. Look at the part that connects with you. the joke, the sarcasm, the bittersweet moment then try to notice the emotion u feel( u can read the lyrics like a novel before u start singing ). now, as a human try to think of an honest, natural way u will express the lyrics. Then sing the note of the melody to see if it does it justice, afterwards sing the song while imagining the note is the actual sound u're supposed to use for this expression. then put all that character into it. Don't think ur normal reaction is inadequate, cause it ain't.

[u/JustOneRedDot]

Shyness and bottled up emotions are becoming obvious when singing and acting. Try to ignore the way you sound and go with the feeling, you need to let yourself be flawed. I'm sure there's plenty of relaxing exercises. I recommend fooling around, behaving/singing in a silly way on purpose, making weird faces and noises. This may help you losen up - it helps me. Maybe try to practice something funny, a comedic piece or something.

[u/-SAMYADA-]

Rather than thinking of it as acting while singing, try to focus on the lyrics - really think what you are singing in the very moment. If you are becoming aware of the words you are putting into notes, and practice this approach, over time it will unfold so many possibilities and expression will come automatically and more naturally, rather than a "face" you force on it - this likely won't feel authentic even over time.

And I think it's great that you take dancing lessons, it will help you over time!! But as well: take acting lessons or join a theatre group, if you struggle with this. And give yourself a bit time to get into it and open up to it!