A friend recently sent me this great interview clip of Ed Sheeran talking about our success-focused culture's reluctance to address setbacks and failures. He openly discusses the overlooked value of failure: “We celebrate success, but we treat failure like shame,” Sheeran points out, yet paradoxically, “we learn nothing from success and everything from our failures.” For vocalists and those dedicated to mastering their craft, this insight is SO powerful!

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Navigating Through ‘Wonky’ Sounds

Developing technique is a lot of experimentation and exploration that often involves making uncomfortable and unusual sounds as we discover and stretch the capabilities of our voice. Whether it's cracking during a performance or struggling to hit the right pitch in practice, each mishap teaches invaluable lessons about our vocal limits and capabilities. Embracing these moments is crucial—they are not merely setbacks but are true stepping stones guiding us toward vocal mastery.

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Learning What Doesn't Work

Cultivating impactful performance skills requires experimenting with different styles and delivery methods, which will undoubtedly lead to moments of disappointment and dissatisfaction as you figure out what works and what doesn't. Yet, each 'failed' performance provides clear signposts for future improvements, helping refine our stage presence and emotional engagement with the audience.

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Sifting Through the Junk

Songwriters know all too well the mountains of discarded drafts it takes to uncover the gems. For every lyric or melody that touches the soul, countless others miss the mark. Ed Sheeran’s journey as a songwriter mirrors this process—his global hits are products of relentless trial and error, underscoring the necessity of perseverance in the creative process.

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A Trial by Fire

The quest to find and refine your voice and sound involves extensive trial and error, adopting elements from various genres, and sometimes exploring styles that feel completely foreign. What eventually resonates as ‘your sound’ often comes after many attempts and missteps, each one a crucial step toward your ultimate artistic identity.

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Embracing Failure as a Vocal Artist

Understanding that failure is not just a part of learning but a cornerstone of creative success is EMPOWERING! As vocalists, if we shift our perspective to see each unsuccessful attempt not as a setback but as a vital part of our growth, we can alleviate some of the pressures that come with the pursuit of perfection in our craft. Embracing failure is the path to your success aud it makes the journey a lot more fun and interesting, all along the way!

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If you love this conversation, you can watch Ed's clip here!

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Then sign up for our mailing list to receive regular vocal tips, inspiration, and access to our FREE training on how to sing the songs you want, free from vocal breaks and cracks.

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Sign up here and start embracing every step of your vocal journey, failures included.

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xo,

Amber

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