July 18, 2024

Some weeks, I’m especially grateful to be living a relatively private life.

Monday night, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter sang the National Anthem.

It did not go well.

​Comments on Reddit included, “If you told me this was an intentionally bad joke overdub someone did on YouTube I would’ve believed you”

“The Star mangled banner”

“Bad week to be an ear in America”

Some speculated that live auto-tuning was to blame. Maybe the singer’s earpiece was malfunctioning? Surely there was a scientific explanation for how bad it sounded.

Tuesday morning, the singer posted a public apology.

​“I’m not gonna bullshit y’all, I was drunk last night. I’m checking myself into a facility today to get the help I need. That was not me last night. I apologize to MLB, all the fans, and this country I love so much for that rendition. I’ll let y’all know how rehab is I hear it’s super fun.”

It’s hard to imagine a worse 24 hours for any kind of performer. And it reminded me of all the times I’ve heard, “I sound better after a couple drinks.”

Maybe. To yourself. Because alcohol lowers your inhibitions and blurs your hearing. You probably sing with more confidence, more emotional commitment.

But alcohol also diminishes your fine motor control. Singing is a fine motor skill. You physically can’t sing better with alcohol in your system. Well enough, maybe. But inebriated singing will never be your best singing. Monday night proved that.

Trust me, you don’t need to go watch the train wreck. 

Singing while relaxed is a skill you can learn. Private voice lessons are a great place to start. So is singing around a campfire. “Can I feel my feet, and open my throat and let whatever is going to come out, come out?”

Like everything worth doing, it takes practice, but you can do it. 

You can learn to sing well without drinking first.

Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to learn more.

And check out My Top 5 Tips for Singers – there’s some good help there, too.