By Cheryl Porter
You know that feeling when you are trying to sing a new run or riff, and it just does not click? The rhythm feels off. The notes blur together. It is like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. I have been there. And I have a trick that works every time: get your hands involved.
I teach this to my students from day one. When your fingers and hands are part of the process, everything locks into place faster. You hear the run more clearly. You feel it in your body. And most importantly, you stop guessing.
Why Confusing Parts Stay Confusing
When your brain is overwhelmed by new notes or quick timing, it goes into survival mode. That means tension. Overthinking. Rushing. And the run ends up sounding sloppy. But when you bring your hands into the equation, your brain gets a helper.
Tapping or snapping while singing is not a distraction. It is a guide. That motion gives your body a way to physically track where you are in the phrase. Suddenly, it all makes more sense.
A Trick That Works on Day One
Even absolute beginners can improve fast with this method. I developed a set of finger twister exercises that help singers master difficult runs and patterns by pairing voice with hand coordination. The moment you involve movement, your brain starts to learn faster.
What Changes When It Clicks
Once the puzzle starts to make sense, confidence grows. You are not guessing anymore. You are landing each note with control. That shaky feeling goes away. You know where the run starts and ends, and you feel every beat along the way.
Final Thoughts from Cheryl
Do not let tricky vocal parts frustrate you. Use your hands. Let your body help your brain make sense of it. Because when you solve the puzzle, you are not just singing better. You are growing into a confident, connected artist.
Now go on. Try the trick. And watch how quickly the pieces fall into place.
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