Firstly, please don’t be put off by the title of this book – Master Your Voice by Freya Casey. 

Even if you do not sing or are not a musician, there is so much to learn from this book.

We all have a voice for speaking as well as singing, so loving it and taking care of it is important for everyone.  Even if for some reason you ‘do not have a singing voice’ (which, by the way, I believe is not true – anyone can sing if they are prepared to take the time to work at it) you can still take away many things from this book. 

Freya’s positive messages have a general appeal and motivational thread from beginning to end, particularly regarding mindset and finding your passion, which can be applied to any activity in life. 

Having said this however, the book is primarily about how to improve your voice, singing technique, mind and body factors, and the reality of life as a singer.

Freya Casey is a professional singer and vocal coach.  You can find more details about her on her Master Your Voice website.  She has vast experience with singing in various genres including opera, classical, jazz and so on, so she knows her stuff.  Her professionalism, care, and advice as a teacher is evident through her online offerings for all singers.    

The book begins with an overview of her childhood, family life, early years as a performing artist, and her all-round singing experiences, which at times is quite moving to read.  This allows us to get to know her before diving deeper into her thoughts and teachings.  If I were to find a singing teacher, I know that I would want to know them as a human being first to establish greater rapport and trust before studying with them.  This is exactly what Freya does in her book.  I felt a sense of warmth about her commitment to music and singing from the outset.

What I particularly liked about the book is Freya’s honesty about life as a singer.  From the very beginning she gets straight to the truth about the work and dedication which is required to sing well.  For example:

Singing is hard work, both physically and mentally… But it’s also the most rewarding thing you can ever do… Singing is hard work but also lifts you incredibly high. (pages 15-16)

The phrase ‘hard work’ was repeated a few times in the book, but this is not something to baulk at or is meant to scare anyone away – it is an absolute fact if anyone wants to be a singer and do it well to convey the song’s message and touch others.  I know that this applies to all singers – professional or not.

As someone who sings voluntarily at my church, I definitely resonated with Freya’s words.  Even if singing is not my livelihood, the hard work required to sing well and keep learning is just the same.  Many people look at church singers, especially during the most joyous times of Christmas and Easter, and think that it looks like it could be fun times, so they want to jump on board and join. 

When they realise how much work is involved including preparation, rehearsals, repetition, vocal care, self-discipline, mind work, having a mature attitude to the Mass and being of service, and so on – not to mention actually believing and practicing the faith we are singing about (i.e. it’s not about ‘performing’ to show yourself off or be ‘discovered’ as a great singer) – they often find it too much.  Singing, especially in a sacred place, should never be taken flippantly.

Freya uses words such as ‘draining’, ‘exhausting’, and ‘tired’ to describe the singing experience – and it really is – but all in a positive context.  When you love what you do, which Freya clearly does, the love and motivation behind the work you put in carries you through.  I kept exclaiming ‘yes!’ when I read the book and about the positive and challenging experiences she has had.  It is so refreshing and liberating to hear this from a professional singer too, as no one is always perfect.  It is important that readers know about the real singing journey, and Freya’s words sincerely encapsulate this.  She does not sugarcoat anything, and I like that. 

Many people think that singing is a piece of cake, or singers have a great life being esteemed and applauded, or that we just turn up on the spot and open our mouths.  However, many don’t see the hours of hidden work that is done behind the scenes – the practices, tweaking, fixing, frustrations, inconsistencies, tiny advancements, and perseverance which is crucial to keep going with this for many years.  Singing is a very long marathon, but if you are passionate, it is well worth the journey.

I love how Freya writes about how singing affects all of life, and focusses on mindset, purpose, connection, spiritual issues, emotion, making a difference, and vulnerability – all before diving deeper into singing technique.  These are the intangible aspects of singing which are critical and often overlooked.  These things are what truly makes a singer grow and keep improving.  She also provides sound advice about taking care of your instrument – body, health, mind, and soul.  She writes with zeal and confidence, and the reader cannot help but absorb that.

At times throughout the book Freya weaves in and out of her personal life story, and then links this to key takeaway lessons for singers.  In this way, you know that her words are from the heart because she is revealing her experiences to help other singers develop and teach themselves.  She writes the way she speaks in her YouTube channel videos – with candor and a passion for music, singing, and how to discover your own unique voice.

The book also takes a somewhat scientific approach to the voice and what the vocal cords are capable of.  It delves into some useful tips and discussion about vocal versatility, experimentation, and not being afraid to give things a try to discover the capabilities of the vocal cords (all using healthy techniques, of course).  So it is much more than ‘just another book’ about singing or performing.  It got me excited about trying new sounds, how to listen more actively to the way others sing to learn from them, and how to become more musical and well-rounded as a singer.  The bonus is that singing benefits many other areas of life.

Every singer should know that mastering their voice is a lifelong exercise – there will always be good days and not so good days.  But as long as you keep working on the basics and be authentic, as Freya often says, and don’t give up if you truly love it, then you can create something beautiful with singing (or speaking) in your life. 

Reading this book was a pleasure, and I know that I will return to it often.  It is the kind of book which is simple in appearance, but which you can make notes in or underline key phrases here and there.  The insights and encouragement I have gained from it makes me feel blessed to be a singer, and that the hard work is all worth it, as I am not alone.

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