My Recording Experience by Benita Charles

Benita Charles in New York City

My recording experience by Benita Charles

I recently had a great recording session this past weekend. The song was great, the producer was engaging and had great ideas and my vocals were on.  It was truly amazing.

That hasn't always been the case. When I first started recording, I had a difficult time in the studio.
Because I started as a live performer, I was use to singing in front of an audience. In the studio, it was just me and a mic. I was out of my element and it was difficult at first.

I tried so hard and I over thought everything.  In turn, my recordings would turn out horrible.  Not to mention, some of the producers I was working with didn't know how to bring things out of me. It was not a good situation. My confidence and self esteem were wrecked.

One of the things that helped me was when I performed the song live first before I recorded it. It made all the difference in the world. In this case, I was able to experiment with the song first before I went to the studio. When I returned to the studio, recording was a breeze. This boosted my self confidence and raised my self esteem tremendously.

Benita Charles with super producer, Themi

Here are 3 top lessons I learned from recording:

1) Always be prepared
-- Know the song and make sure you are performance ready

2) Get out of your own head
-- Relax and take your time
-- Usually, the first few takes are the best

3) Never, ever give up
-- Keep up working at it, eventually you will get better
-- This will definitely improve your confidence in the matter

Best wishes as you take your music to the next level!

Much love,

Benita Charles Music

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

http://benitacharles.com

Blog: http://singingtipsbybcm.blogspot.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcmsings/

Email: singingtips.bcm@gmail.com

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/benita-charles/id200276662

Singing Tips Live by Benita Charles - Tip #40

 Benita Charles in New York City

Singing Tips by Benita Charles - Tip #40

Your Image: Your Behavior

SELF-IMAGE/ SELF ESTEEM
"Self-esteem is the reputation we acquire with ourselves." -- Nathaniel Branden

"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." -- Marilyn Monroe
"Never say anything about yourself you don't want to come true." -- Brian Tracy


In this episode, we discussed self image/ self esteem and how it affects your behavior in every aspect of your life. 

*Self image is the idea one has of one's abilities, appearance and personality. (Reference: Google)

*Self esteem reflects a person's overall subjective, emotional evaluation of his or her own worth.  It is important because it shows ourselves how we view the way we are and the sense of our personal value. It affects the way we are in the world and the way we act towards others. (Reference: Wikipedia)

Things that shaped self esteem:

Childhood
Experiences with family and friends
Work experiences
School/college experiences
Society (cultures/religion/race)


Here are 5 key ways to enhance your self esteem:

1) Love yourself
-- Be kind to yourself as you are to others
-- Accept yourself for who you are
-- Treat yourself to something nice (a nice bubble bath, a nature walk, etc.)

2) Take care of yourself
-- Your health is #1. You can't do anything if you're not healthy
-- maintain a healthy lifestyle: eat a nutritious meal/exercise/get plenty of rest/drink water

3) Give yourself a break
-- Practice positive self-talk (build yourself up)
-- Forgive yourself for your mistakes. Learn from them and move on

4) Schedule "Me Time" everyday
-- Ideally: 10 minutes first thing in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening before bed

5) Focus on your strengths, gifts and talents
-- Develop your talents and sharpen your skills
-- This will increase your self confidence and self esteem


Best wishes to you as you take your voice to the next level!

Much love,

Benita Charles Music

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

http://benitacharles.com

Blog: http://singingtipsbybcm.blogspot.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcmsings/

Email: singingtips.bcm@gmail.com

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/benita-charles/id200276662

"Be good to yourself. You are enough. You are special!" -- Benita Charles

Back in the studio: Benita works on new music!

Benita Charles with super producer, Themi in Queens

BENITA CHARLES MUSIC

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

http://benitacharles.com

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/benita-charles/id200276662

The Never Settle Show wraps a successful season on May 5th!

Benita Charles and Mario Armstrong, creator of the Never Settle Show

Hamilton Landmark Galleries Artist Jam Session - May 7th!

Harlems' Hamilton Landmark Galleries

Hamilton Landmark Galleries Artist Jam Session in Harlem! It was so great meeting talented artists creating beautiful music: This is what happens when you put a bunch of creatives together! Pure magic!!  (May 7, 2017)

BENITA CHARLES MUSIC

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

http://benitacharles.com

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/benita-charles/id200276662

Weath Summit with Daymond John in New Jersey!

Daymond John in New Jersery

PATR rocked Rubulad on April 22nd!

Preachermann and The Revival @Rubulad - April 22nd!

 

Singing Tips Live by Benita Charles - Tip #39

Benita Charles in New York City

  Singing Tips by Benita Charles - Tip #39

Your Image: Your Behavior

SELF CONFIDENCE

"One important key to success is self-confidence. A key to self-confidence is preparation." -- Arthur Ashe

In this episode, we discussed self confidence in all you do in life. Self-confidence will set you a part and attract success to you.

*Self-confidence is a feeling of trust in one's abilities, qualities and judgement.

Self-confidence is a set of behaviors you can improve and it's built from the outside in. You can improve your self-confidence by changing your behavior.

Self-confidence should not be confused with self-esteem.

**Self Esteem is an evaluation of one's own self-worth. In other words, self-esteem is how we feel about ourselves (it's built from the inside out). Based on where you are in your self-esteem, it can take years to repair and improve.

I. Here are 3 key ways to enhance your self-confidence:

A) Look the part
 -- Always look your best
 -- When you look good, you feel good (buy a new dress or suit. Get a new hairstyle.)

C) Act the part
-- Make your presence known in every situation
-- The way you sit and stand speaks volumes: sit up straight and stand tall
-- Look people in the eye when speaking
-- Speak slowly and deliberately
-- Be assertive and self-assured, not timid

D) Know your stuff
-- Study your industry and gain the knowledge you need
-- Practice your speeches, presentations, songs to perfection (Practice makes perfect!)
-- When you know what you're doing and what you're saying, it automatically makes you more confident

II. Fake It Til You Make It

***The purpose of this phrase is that by imitating confidence, competence with an optimistic mindset, it can lead to the realization of that imitation in an individual's life. In other words, acting as something can lead to that something.

Aristotle once said: "To be virtuous one must act as a virtuous person would act."

**** I read an article from a coach, John Sannicandro and he said that he once worked part time in a psychiatric ward. He discovered that the patients did well when they were exposed to positive behaviors (such as bedtime curfew, mandatory group attendance and structure). He found that structure, behavior and routines are the best ways to create positive change. This can definitely apply to positive behaviors to enhance your self-confidence.

References:

* Source: dictionary.com
** Source: Wikileaks
*** Source: "Fake It Til You Make It" mindbodycoarch.org (John Sannicandro)
**** Source: "Fake It Til You Make It" mindbodycoarch.org (John Sannicandro)
http://mindbodycoach.org/fake-till-make/

Here's another great resource in terms of enhancing your self-confidence: "25 Killer Actions to Boost Your Self Confidence" by Leo Babauta (zenhabits.net).
https://zenhabits.net/25-killer-actions-to-boost-your-self-confidence/

Best wishes to you as you take your voice to the next level!

Much love,

Benita Charles Music

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

http://benitacharles.com

Blog: http://singingtipsbybcm.blogspot.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcmsings/

Email: singingtips.bcm@gmail.com

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/benita-charles/id200276662