Go Play Your Instrument!

When most people think of singing practice, they imagine hard work, discipline, and repetition. But what if practice could feel more like play? Science—and our moods—tell us that not only is this possible, but one of the most effective ways to learn.

Why Play Matters for Singers

Children learn to walk, talk, and interact with the world through play. In play, the nervous system is relaxed yet alert, which is the optimal state for learning. The same principle applies to singers. When we approach practice as a game—curious, lighthearted, experimental—we create the conditions for faster growth, deeper joy, and more authentic communication.

The Anatomy of Playful Singing

Here’s what happens in your body when you shift from stress to play:

Breathing: Stress often causes shallow, upper-chest breathing. Play triggers deeper, diaphragmatic breathing, freeing up the natural support system for the voice.

Muscles: Stress activates “fight or flight” tension in the jaw, neck, and shoulders. Play releases these muscles, allowing the larynx and vocal folds to work efficiently.

Brain: Stress narrows focus and shuts down creativity. Play engages the prefrontal cortex, boosting memory, coordination, and problem-solving—essential skills for singers.

Turning Stress Into Play in Your Practice

Make it a game. Try silly challenges: sing a phrase in slow motion, change one vowel, or “act it out” as a character. Your brain loves novelty.

Use your body. Dance, stretch, or bounce before singing. Movement reminds your nervous system that you’re safe and free.

Reframe mistakes. Instead of “I did it wrong,” ask, “What else can I try?” Play thrives on exploration, not perfection.

Celebrate small wins. Like a child stacking blocks, every note you balance builds skill and confidence.

Singing as Play, Singing as Freedom

When you practice with play in mind, you don’t just train your voice—you rewire your nervous system to associate singing with safety, joy, and exploration. Over time, this state becomes your natural “home base” when singing, which is the whole point, right?

Singing is about expressing your aliveness. And aliveness, as every child knows, is play.

Happy practicing!

Coach Nelle