Wax on, wax off. Paint the fence!

This week I’ve been using a lot of karate kid references with my students and I figured it was time to do a full-on blog about it. One of my absolute favorite movies as a kid was The Karate Kid (in case you’re wondering how old I am, I am That Many Years Old). I was trying to explain to a student why we do some of the silly sounds we do in vocal classes and the truth is that vocal exercises and The Karate Kid may seem unrelated at first, but there are actually some major similarities between the two. Here's how they can be compared:

1. Discipline and Practice: Just like in The Karate Kid, vocal exercises require discipline and regular practice. In the movie, the main character, Daniel, learns karate through repetitive exercises and drills. Similarly, vocal exercises involve practicing various techniques and exercises to improve vocal skills.

2. Building Strength and Control: In The Karate Kid, Daniel learns to build strength and control in his body through karate training. Similarly, vocal exercises help singers and speakers build strength and control in their vocal cords and muscles. By practicing vocal exercises, individuals can improve their breath control, pitch accuracy, and vocal range.

3. Progression and Mastery: In The Karate Kid, Daniel starts as a beginner and gradually progresses to become a skilled martial artist. Similarly, vocal exercises follow a progression from basic exercises to more advanced techniques. Through consistent practice, individuals can master different vocal exercises and improve their overall vocal performance.

4. Focus and Concentration: Both vocal exercises and karate training require focus and concentration. In The Karate Kid, Daniel learns to focus his mind and body during training sessions. Similarly, vocal exercises require individuals to concentrate on their breathing, posture, and vocal technique to achieve optimal results.

To wrap it all together in how I’ve been wording it in classes, you keep doing these workouts and then one day when you’re in that peak moment and you’re Daniel Laruso fighting Johnny Lawrence in the tournament (going on stage and belting out a tough song), you’ve put in all the work and your voice sounds the best it ever has (crane kick to the audience’s face LOL).

While vocal exercises and The Karate Kid may be different in their physical nature, they share common themes of discipline, practice, progression, and focus. Both require dedication and effort to improve skills and achieve desired outcomes. Have you booked lessons yet today? If you have, You’re the Best around ;-)