I have been thinking a lot about limitations recently and how they relate to our preferred experiences; about how we tie our own hands with our self-talk (the dialogue that runs, mostly uninterrupted, in the back of our minds throughout each and every day). I recently read a book by Richard Bach entitled "Hypnotizing Maria." In Mr. Bach's book, among many gems, I found this:
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In music, when we first begin learning, there is a tendency to imitate. It's not a bad thing; it's part of the natural learning process. However, in the long run, imitation is the kiss of death. You can never really sound like someone else because you aren't in their head, neither do you have their ...
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When I initially saw this Will Smith video, I flashed on past students who were talented and rested on their laurels (i.e., skated by and didn't practice) and those who were fond of the phrase "It's hard" or "I can't." As author Richard Bach once put it, "Argue for your limitations and, sure enough, they're yours."
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I have often said that I would like to keep a sterile bucket by the front door so that my students can deposit their brains in it until their weekly lesson is over. Over-thinking can cause a whole host of problems for your music and your self-confidence. Instead, rely upon your ear and TRUST the process. Those two things, combined with diligent practice, will get you far along on your path!
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Passion is essential in music. A performing artist who lacks passion might as well pack it up and go home, i.e., don't give up your day job. What we do is all about passion! If you really pay attention to the best musicians, you will find that they reveal a little bit of their soul when they are performing. That's what it's all about. To have the courage to reveal yourself and a passion so deep that it doesn't matter that you've laid yourself out there for all the world to see because you love the music so much that expressing it in the best way possible is the only thing that really matters.
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"Invest yourself in everything you do. There’s fun in being serious."
~Wynton Marsalis
An expression I use in regard to talent, "Anyone can sing, some just do it better than others." The right training will improve the majority of voices ... providing that the student practices. Frequent practice is essential, as is an open mind and an adventurous spirit.
I tell all of my students, "You are the captain of this ship," meaning that we will proceed at your pace. "Only you can know for certain whether you are comfortable enough with the current technique and ready to move forward." However, students need to do themselves a favor and refrain from over-estimating themselves. Some students are so eager to move forward that they temporarily short-change themselves and request to move to the next level without having a permanent lock on the current technique. If that happens, sometime down the line they find themselves temporarily floundering because they are forgetting to apply the previous, essential techniques.
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Breathing well/correctly is critically important to singers. The following excerpt (which is from the book, "Wellness on a Shoestring: Seven Habits for a Healthy Life") emphasizes the importance of breathing deeply in regard to your overall health. Expand your lungs and read on ...
Hugs, Carolena
"Think about the last time you were looking forward to something really exciting. Did your breathing speed up? Could you feel your heart in your chest? Did you gasp in surprise or delight? Did the moment quite literally take your breath away?
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We had an absolutely gorgeous weekend in Western Washington. Shining sun is very seductive here in the rainy Pacific Northwest. It has a tendency to sing its siren song in the hopes of luring you away from whatever else you might have planned that is important. Sunshine is such an evil temptress! :O)
For all of my students I urge you: On gorgeous days like this, DON'T lay off of practicing. Instead, throw open the doors and the windows and keep on keepin' on! That's what I do and my neighbors always tell me that they love to hear me rehearse; so don't be shy. Or go outside and practice in the sun or near a waterfall, next to a lake or under a canopy of evergreens or stars. The landscape in Western Washington is exquisite. Nature can inspire your creativity, so keep up your chops and let Mother Nature be your muse.
Hugs, Carolena
I occasionally hear one of two statements being exclaimed in regard to JaZz: (a) "I don't like/hate it!" and (b) "I just don't understand it!"
In the case of the first statement, about a year or so ago I began experimenting. When someone tells me that they dislike or hate JaZz, I query, "Really? Well, do you like 'so-and-so'?", naming a random JaZz artist, be it instrumentalist or vocalist. Or "Do you like 'such-and-such'?", naming a specific genre like swing, for example. The response I most often hear reflected back to me is, "Oh, I LOVE 'so-and-so' or 'such-and-such'!" Or even, "My favorite 'this-and-that' radio station plays that/them all the time. It's/they're my favorite!" My answer to those statements is then to surprise the listener by pointing out that they have been enjoying JaZz all along but just didn't realize it. Since JaZz IS an umbrella term which encompasses multiple styles of music, you too may have been enjoying one or more aspects of it without even realizing it.
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Louis Armstrong described swing this way, "Ah, swing. Well, we used to call it ragtime, then blues – then JaZz. Now, it's swing. White folks, y'all sho is a mess. Swing!"
I recall a few years ago doing a gig with an accompanist who was not a JaZz cat. I pulled out some charts and introduced him to a few tunes. Upon reviewing the chart for a swing tune, the pianist exclaimed, "Oh, a bouncy tune!" That was certainly an interesting manner in which to describe swing, but not necessarily inaccurate.
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"You have to practice improvisation, let no one kid you about it!"
~Art Tatum
In case I didn't say it loud enough, the main hallmark of JaZz is its improvisational nature. Improvisation is instant composition. It is musical creation that is spontaneous and in the moment. It is an interactive conversation between the musicians and vocalist (if a vocalist is present) that expresses their unique individuality. This improvisation may be centered in the melody or harmony being played or sung. However, it may also be expressed through the rhythm, time signature, syncopation and/or lyrics.
Joachim Berendt contended that JaZz differs from European music in that JaZz has a "special relationship to time, defined as 'swing'." So what is 'swing?'
More later . . .
Hugs, Carolena
That's an excellent question! What IS JaZz?
JaZz is an umbrella term which encompasses an evolving musical art form that is comprised of multiple styles. Dixieland, swing, bebop, cool, hard bop, modal, funk, Latin, post bop, free JaZz, JaZz fusion, smooth JaZz, etc., are all examples of the different evolutions of the musical phenomenon that is known as "JaZz."
More later . . .
Hugs, Carolena
I've been threatening to launch my new website since last Summer and here it is ... finally! Woo-HOO! And can you believe it, I'm actually blogging! "I'm writing a blog," are words that I never imagined passing these lips (or fingertips, to be more accurate). :O)
Welcome to all lovers of vocal JaZz! And welcome to all voice students: old, new and prospective, too! Perhaps you are a client who desires to book some high quality entertainment for your business or private event? On the other hand, you may have music aspirations of your own, would like to take voice lessons and learn to sing? In either event, you've come to the right place! :O)
I still have a few tweaks to make here and there in regard to the site. Additionally, I will be adding pages and content as I go along. However, in the meanwhile, grab a cup of joe (unless you're singing; you know caffeine is a no-no), make yourselves comfortable and take a look around. Thank you for your interest. Come back to visit soon!
Hugs, Carolena