Smiling lights up a performer's countenance. Hands down. It's okay to not have a smiley countenance all the time, but onstage it makes a world of difference if you do!
How to practice smiling:
1. Look in the mirror and start smiling!
2. Make faces until you find a smile that you like -I had to practice this one a LOT because my default "HAPPY TYLER" smile features my mouth wide open and eyes almost closed. After many weeks (yes weeks) of messing with different smiles in the bathroom mirror, I finally landed on a good closed-mouth smile.
3. Once you find your smile -practice going from your "resting face" to your newfound smile!
4. Take mental notes on how it feels and which face muscles are being engaged.
5. Hold that smile for a full minute! GO!!!
6. If after a minute of holding that smile your face feels like it has been lifting weights, you have two options: Choose a different smile that uses fewer face muscles OR Use that smile every chance you get for the next week!!! Those muscles will be trained in no time!
7. Use your smile intentionally when you practice your sets -particularly during instrumental breaks and at the very beginning and very end of every song.
That should do it! Let's see your smiles!!!
Have a great rest of the weekend!
Until next time,
-T.