We’ve all felt it—that pressure to avoid mistakes in rehearsal. You might catch yourself singing more quietly, or even skipping over certain parts to dodge potential mess-ups. You’re trying not to draw attention, hoping that, by holding back, no one will notice any uncertainty in your singing. Maybe there’s a tricky note or a word that trips you up every time, and you’d rather blend into the background than risk singing it wrong.
But here’s the thing: when we hold back in this way, we’re also holding back from truly improving. In fact, every time we make a mistake, it’s a new opportunity for growth—not just for us, but for the whole chorus.
Why We Hold Back
Singing in front of others can feel vulnerable, especially in a group setting where everyone around you is doing their best to sing the right notes, lyrics, and rhythms. It’s easy to worry that if you sing out, any mistake will stand out, leaving you feeling exposed. So, you pull back. Maybe you let others carry those hard sections, or you sing just a little softer so any mishaps are less obvious.
This desire to “get it right” before singing confidently is common, but it’s actually a barrier to learning. When we’re too focused on avoiding mistakes, we don’t allow ourselves the freedom to hear what truly needs work. And the truth is, our directors are here to help us work through these exact challenges. When we make mistakes, we’re giving them the feedback they need to support us—and the chorus—in the best way possible.
Mistakes Help Us Master the Music
When you make a mistake and sing through it rather than holding back, you’re giving yourself a gift: an opportunity to identify and correct what needs more attention. The brain learns best when it has a chance to recognize what’s going wrong and then solve it. If we avoid certain sections or sing too softly to be heard, we’re not giving ourselves that chance to learn and master those areas.
Mistakes are like flags pointing directly to the parts that need extra focus. When we encounter those tricky spots, it’s a chance to address them, correct them, and move forward with greater confidence. And the more we practice this process, the more we’ll be able to tackle challenging music with ease.
The Value of Mistakes for the Whole Chorus
Not only do mistakes help us improve individually, but they also help our directors understand where the chorus as a whole needs support. When we all hold back, our directors can’t hear where we’re struggling and might not realize where we need help. By singing through mistakes, we’re giving them the insight they need to guide us better. Directors rely on these moments to identify areas to revisit, adjust rehearsal focus, and make sure everyone is on the same page.
When every member feels comfortable singing fully, even with the possibility of mistakes, it strengthens the chorus. Mistakes become less about “messing up” and more about pointing us all in the right direction. And as we get more comfortable taking risks, our confidence and skills grow together, helping the chorus sound its best.
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How to Get Comfortable with Mistakes
If you’re still hesitant, here are a few ways to get used to the idea of learning through mistakes:
- Sing Out Anyway: The best way to get better is to sing with confidence, even when you’re not 100% certain. You might be surprised by how often you get it right! And if not, it’s a chance to hear exactly what needs more attention.
- Stay Curious: When you make a mistake, take a moment to think, What made that challenging? Was it a rhythm? A note? A lyric? By approaching mistakes with curiosity rather than judgment, you’re building a positive, effective learning mindset.
- Give Yourself Permission: Remember that no one expects perfection in rehearsal. It’s the place to experiment, grow, and yes—mess up! Give yourself permission to make mistakes as part of the process. That’s exactly what rehearsal is for.
Mistakes Aren’t Failures; They’re Building Blocks
Ultimately, mistakes are just proof that we’re pushing ourselves, expanding our skills, and learning something new. When we stay in our comfort zones, we’re less likely to grow. It’s the moments where we sing through mistakes, learn from them, and move forward that actually lead to mastery.
So, the next time you’re in rehearsal, let yourself sing out with confidence, knowing that each mistake you make is just another step toward improvement. The chorus, your director, and you are all working together toward a common goal. And if you need help navigating those tricky spots or building confidence, I’m here at SPARK! to support you in every step of your vocal journey. Embracing mistakes is a skill, and I’d love to help you make it part of yours!
❤
Rachel
SPARK! Music & Artistr 
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