Singer's Ego: Finding Balance Between Music And Life

by Lynn Eustis

Many singers deal with the problem of separating themselves from the ëthe voice.í Dozens of singers I know will describe the actions of ëthe voiceí as completely alien to their own desires, as though ëthe voiceí itself were another person misbehaving in their relationship.î -Lynn Eustis, in The Singer's Ego Few people, other than singers themselves, understand the daily psychological conflicts that make up the singer's world-challenges unique to those who carry their instrument in their own body. Singers must deal with crises of vocal health and self-doubt, take criticism of every aspect of their appearance, and endure the stereotypes of the ìdivaî label, all while communicating the most profound human emotions through their music. And while music schools do much to prepare voice majors technically, they often look past the inner turmoil that is an unavoidable part of the singer's life.The Singer's Ego is a groundbreaking book that explores the serious issues singers face, issues with profound implications for both singers and their teachers. From the psychological to the practical, anything that can or will affect a singer's performance is included in this book. Author Lynn Eustis, a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and voice instructor at the University of North Texas, draws from her experience as a professional singer and the wisdom gained from her many years of teaching voice.This book is divided into two ìThe Inner World,î which covers all of the emotional and personal issues involved with singing, and ìThe Outer World,î which addresses questions of public perception and performance. At the end of each chapter, Eustis includes a section called ìFurther Exploration,î which is filled with introspective exercises. This book is an invaluable addition to the libraries of singers, conductors, and teachers of singing at all levels.

162 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

Reviews

[Allegra Martin - Find me on Fable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful book. The framework is confined to Western Classical vocal music and opera, but the discussions of vulnerability and sense of self as a singer are broadly applicable to other musical genres and all kinds of artistic disciplines.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book that singers and voice teachers should read. One of the things that I like about it is that she says things that I have been thinking for years but no one seems to want to discuss. There was not much new material in the book for me, but it was a wonderful opportunity to remind myself of the powerful effect I can have, for good or ill, on my students.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been so helpful for me! I am sure some people might not find this book to be as wonderful as i did, but I can imagine many singers would benefit from reading this book. It's true she writes what many singers/teachers are thinking, but topics no one will really address. It is great to read about these topics that are so relatable. I only wish I had found it when I was younger!