tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6919674981128634746.post4901073755733600140..comments2023-11-05T07:41:34.380-05:00Comments on Kashu-do (歌手道): The Way of the Singer: Strength, grace and the hollow fake that passes for bothKashu-Dohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17375903978220316261noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6919674981128634746.post-6851055918927593502009-06-29T04:46:40.642-04:002009-06-29T04:46:40.642-04:00The paradoxes of singing (and art as a whole) are ...The paradoxes of singing (and art as a whole) are many. One is that the artist who lives a musical phrase both in terms of intelligence and emotional involvement is the one we pray to find. However, s/he can be right under our noses but we do not recognize him/her because the voice is not yet coordinated/strengthened.<br /><br />Vocal coordination/Strengthening can occur at any time. Artistry must be instilled extremely early. My experience with children does make me feel we are indeed a "tabula rasa" in the fetal stage. At what point do we begin to learn habits, develop indelible brain pathways? That is a mystery beyond my knowledge. Musical sensitivity and musical aptitude are believe are developed in those early stages. For that reason, they might as well be genetic since so much of this development is accidentally stimulated. That is why, a musical environment plays such a role in the development of musicians. <br /><br />That is why we need to look at musical sensitivity and intelligence and discipline and work ethic as primary concerns in seeking the next great singer. The voice can be developed. By the time a singer is taking voice lessons their musical/artistic development is more or less already formed.<br /><br />Thank you all for your thoughts. Your gifts are indeed worth pursuing. They are indeed what you have to make your way through this life. Do not abandon them but discover what role they play in your life and nurture them.<br /><br />JRL/TSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6919674981128634746.post-42513102623317140932009-06-27T21:34:27.192-04:002009-06-27T21:34:27.192-04:00I think that all too often this musical culture of...I think that all too often this musical culture of instant gratification leads one to believe that his or her voice is, and will, never be good enough. Especially for htose of us who are working on the muscular balance, it's very easy to look at someone and wish for their voice, ahrdly appreciating, if not loathing, the gift God gave us.<br /><br />Thank you JRL for reminding me that my gift is worth pursuing.<br />IrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6919674981128634746.post-34332662121409258702009-06-23T12:03:05.585-04:002009-06-23T12:03:05.585-04:00Thank you so much for writing this! I had just beg...Thank you so much for writing this! I had just begun to suspect that almost none of the package is as valuable as this "basic muscular coordination," leaving those of us with plenty of musicianship & artistry who haven't found a workable technique (for a variety of reasons) to believe that we just haven't "got it", and may never "get it." Being on the receiving end of such attitudes, it's a very shaming feeling. <br /><br />I knew something was missing from my singing, but I often felt, from the attitudes of my teachers and other "judges", that it was a matter of personal failure--some intrinsic flaw in my character--that I hadn't yet found or grasped the best technique for my voice. Even though everyone agreed that I certainly understood the emotions and had obviously done good work musically, I was still less than those singers who managed to produce an agreeable sound, no matter how devoid of emotion. <br /><br />Perhaps this is a vitally important thing to remember as I actually achieve this "muscular coordination" that will allow everything I've worked on to come out through my voice? It's definitely something to think about.<br /><br />Thanks again!<br />MarlenaMarlenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14700391442030505130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6919674981128634746.post-3931663597606097622009-06-19T03:27:22.429-04:002009-06-19T03:27:22.429-04:00Dear Pagan, thank you for your wonderful note. The...Dear Pagan, thank you for your wonderful note. There is no requirement to read the blog. It is here for you whenever you want. Enjoy.<br /><br />Lady XOC, I understand what you mean and I empathize greatly. Artists themselves have always been obsessed with bringing out something new rather than something good. We helped create the environment of art as novelty. <br />WE HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE IT. Sometimes just by the act of talking about it. Yet I humbly recommend a thought pattern of "what do we do now?" (Proposition of Action) as opposed to "Is there anything that can be done?" Passive Reflection. <br /><br />In every aspect of life we can observe a certain pattern of decadence, which will ultimately change direction. We see it in the economy, the environment, and yes the arts too. We are getting back to a pattern of constructivism. I recommend hope and positive thinking and yes even excitement at what is to come.<br /><br />There are singers who move us the way Flagstad did. They are coming up. They are soulful and accomplished. They are not always found on the most important stages of the world. But they are also there. They are often the second lead, or the last minute replacement. They will take their place in the firmament soon. I did review Rene Pape's recital. He is such a singer, and I think if he continues in the way his recital suggests, he will be a bright shining light among many.<br /><br />Dear Adam,<br /><br />I would recommend an "AND" approach. There is nothing wrong with wanting your complete range. It is a part of developing the total package of your talent. Wanting great high notes is not a sin. Pursue it with peace. Those notes are inside of you!<br /><br />All the best to all. I'm working on the next post.<br /><br />JRL/TSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6919674981128634746.post-52525252797486470762009-06-17T19:52:37.091-04:002009-06-17T19:52:37.091-04:00I have to admit something I'm not proud of. I ...I have to admit something I'm not proud of. I think that like many people today, I too have confused the vocal show-monkey with the artist. I go to the practice room and sing until I start getting hoarse, and feel terrible that after all this practice I STILL don't have a comfortable F. I think to myself, "I suppose that I will never be gifted with a wide range and vocal pyrotechnical prowess. I guess all I can do is try and infuse my 1.5 octaves of presentable sound with lots of emotion and hope that nobody notices that I can't sing the high notes."<br /><br />How could I think that? How could I think that the high notes are more important than the artistry? Why do I, like so many other singing students, get so caught up in the quest for vocal power and seemingly inhuman range? Do I forget that I listen preferentially to singers like Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera who, in my still uninformed opinion are real artists, rather than to Georgia Brown, who can sing from G2 to G10? Because she doesn't actually sing. She vocalizes on pitch with words. There's a difference, and it's that real singers make you feel something real when they sing! <br /><br />That said, I'm only human, so the F still sours me. But, who ever developed frustration tolerance without experiencing a lot of frustration?<br /><br />-Adam GUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08071012594331983558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6919674981128634746.post-54970040986572182932009-06-15T09:55:59.773-04:002009-06-15T09:55:59.773-04:00Bravo! An excellent post!Bravo! An excellent post!Beach Bumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02321849281292778811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6919674981128634746.post-35105938546334890352009-06-15T07:16:09.519-04:002009-06-15T07:16:09.519-04:00Jean-Ronald, Thank you for this! The exact same th...Jean-Ronald, Thank you for this! The exact same thing is happening in the world of (fine) art. If you follow the coverage of the <a href="http://c-monster.net/blog1/2009/06/12/the-toxic/" rel="nofollow">Venice Biennale</a> which is happening right now, it is hard not to be discouraged. I am a painter and often wonder what planet I am on if this is what passes for art.<br /><br />As a child, I worshipped several opera singers; there was quite a bit of popular media coverage then. I have been listening to the Met broadcasts every Saturday from the days of Milton Cross, but find that now, more often than not, I have to turn them off. The voices do not carry the day; they cannot possibly inspire the passions of ordinary people, and they seem unequal to the task.<br /><br />My father used to tell of being dragged, as a child, to Wagner performances in the old house on 38th St. when Flagstad sang; even in the way top seats, he said her voice came from everywhere. And, (I realize it's not everyone's taste) despite woefully underpar recordings, hers is still the only voice which moves me to tears simply by virtue of its aural qualities—style & context aside. Something in it makes my blood flow differently and I am overcome by the vibrations emanating from another human being. Are there no singers like this today?LXVhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18396149640519096992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6919674981128634746.post-53637957985841052772009-06-12T22:56:22.986-04:002009-06-12T22:56:22.986-04:00Fascinating, Jean-Ronald! I would learn quite a lo...Fascinating, Jean-Ronald! I would learn quite a lot if I read your blog more frequently. Thanks!Pagan Topologisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01611788563582362688noreply@blogger.com