The Truth About Singing With Emotion vs. Technique
I first fell in love with music at a very early age. Because of that love, I studied it deeply and in all the ways I could: I played the flute in band, joined chorus and chamber ensembles, took piano lessons outside of school — you name it. Those early, foundational lessons in classical vocal training, music theory, breath support, diction, pitch, and tone taught me so much about the art form. And honestly? That solid technical foundation is what’s sustained my voice over years of consistent singing.
But even early on, I could feel something different happen when I sang songs I loved — whether in school performances or talent shows. I didn’t have the words for it then, but what I was tapping into was the emotion beyond the technique. That spark, that internal shift…that’s what makes a performance truly memorable.
It wasn’t until I started studying the art of performance that I really understood the difference between singing with flawless technique and singing with intention and connection.
Technique = The Foundation
Technique is critical. It’s the thing that:
Protects your vocal cords
Keeps your tone consistent and strong
Guides you in using your body as a full instrument
Without it, you risk strain, fatigue, and unpredictability — especially as a working vocalist. But let’s be real: technique alone doesn’t move people. And for a long time, I was caught in that loop. I wanted every performance to be “perfect.” Notes? Hit. Runs? Clean. No cracks. No missteps. Just precision.
And while that discipline did strengthen my skill, I eventually realized it was even more fun — and more fulfilling — to dive deep into the art of storytelling.
Emotion = The Soul
Emotion is the soul of singing. It’s what makes a song personal. It’s what connects you to the audience and transforms a technically sound moment into something unforgettable.
I try to live intentionally, and when it comes to singing, it’s no different. Recently, pianist and virtuoso Cyrus Chestnut gave me a piece of advice I’ll never forget:
“Sing what you mean. Mean what you sing.”
That one line sums it all up. Once your technique is second nature, it’s your emotional connection to the song that makes it yours. That’s what allows you to personalize every performance and it’s what people really remember.
Think about your favorite singer performing a song they clearly love. You feel it, right? That emotion becomes contagious because their internalization and interpretation of the lyrics hit your heart. And no amount of perfect pitch can replace that.
Balancing Emotion and Technique: What Changed for Me
I started finding my balance when I shifted my mindset. I had to trust that my years of vocal training were now embedded in me. That shift gave me the freedom to interpret songs as stories. And after that? Everything changed.
Let me be clear: I’m not saying emotion replaces technique. I’m saying they’re partners. My favorite vocalists of all time mastered both. And my goal is to follow in their footsteps — in my own voice and on my own path.
How I Tap Into Emotion Before I Perform
Here are a few practices I return to often:
Read lyrics like a story: Sometimes I’ll literally speak them out loud in prose form. This breaks me out of “singer mode” and drops me into the emotional heart of the song.
Visualize the scene: If I personally relate to the lyrics (or even if I don’t), I’ll imagine myself as the main character — or the villain! This keeps the performance honest, expressive and not mechanical.
Ground in the moment: I take time before a set to remind myself of the why behind each song. What do I want the audience to feel? What do I want to feel?
These small shifts help me move from “am I hitting every note?” to “am I telling the truth with my voice?” That mindset makes performing way more meaningful — and a lot more fun.
Why I’m Sharing All This…
These posts are meant to give you a real-life (and real-time) look into my ongoing evolution as a Vocalist — not to come off like I have all the answers or studied to be a teacher (because I didn’t, lol). But I do live this. I’ve been on this journey for years, and I want to share the lessons, epiphanies, and behind-the-scenes moments with you so we can grow together. And hopefully, through all of that, I can offer something meaningful to you in your journey as a musician, performer, or creative artist.
🎵 A Real Example: “At Last”
One of the first songs I ever learned to sing with pure emotion was “At Last.” I’ve been performing it for years, and it still means the world to me — not just because it’s a classic, but because of how it relates to my own real-life love story (lol).
Here’s a clip of a performance a few years ago — I hope the emotion comes through as much as the melody:
🎙️ Final Thoughts
I strongly believe that emotion and technique aren’t rivals — they’re partners. When you trust your training and your natural response to a song, that’s when your brand of magic happens — in music and in life.
💬 Let’s Chat:
Are you a fellow Vocalist? If so, how do you balance technique and emotion when you perform? Send me a message and let’s build community around the real work of being a performing artist.
→ And if you haven’t already, be sure to grab my Live Show Checklist here — a free PDF you can download to prep for any gig with confidence.
Musically Yours,
Aja