A Different Language

When a friend of mine tells me that they are taking music lessons, I say to them, "How exciting! Do you realize that you are learning a language that not many people speak anymore?" Than they just laugh and tell me that it's not a language. How little they know...

The more I study music in instrumentation, theory, coloring, interpretation, etc., I have come to realize that it is a language that many don't truly understand. With that being said, I know that this is one of the hardest languages to learn because it is the only language and that incorporates all forms of learning--there is no way to completely learn music without all seven:

1. Logical/Mathematical

2. Linguistic

3. Spatial

4. Musical

5. Kinesthetic

6. Interpersonal (recognizing others)

7. Intrapersonal (recognizing self)

It is a beautiful language and there is nothing like it. It's unending and is added upon by creative musicians everyday. I love these students of mine who take the brave step to learn and create more of this language. It's universal from every living organism all over the world. Even studies have shown how music effects nature and animals (humans included, obviously).

For those of you who have always wanted to speak this language, please take that step to learn! We need more musicians in this world and it can quite simple to learn. As Johann Sebastian Bach said, “It's easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.”

Thank You For Reading

It's Supposed To Be Hard

There is an inspiring movie I love titled A League of Their Own. My most favorite scene is when Tom Hank's character, Jimmy Dugan, lectures Geena Davis' character, Dottie, on the greatness of baseball. Dottie is leaving the team to go home and Jimmy is frustrated with how easily she let it go. In her defense, Dottie says, "It just got too hard" then Jimmy replies, "It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."

Isn't that the case with everything wonderful? I believe so. Especially with music. Sometimes it feels like you've been working so hard for so long and nothing has happened--you've seen no progress, no income and it can often be a thankless job where no one understands your potential. And I am sure that there are times when you want to do what Dottie did and pack up and go home, telling yourself that 'it just got too hard.' But don't do it! All the hard work, the creativity, the blood, sweat and tears will pay off one day.

I believe that music is something that is beyond ourselves and is much harder to master than anything else in this world. Don't worry--I'm not going to go into this big shpill about how music is divine and universal in all forms (look up the great musicians in history and they will tell you that). But I will say it is one of the hardest things. Yes, it is more difficult than baseball (Dugan, I'm sorry if you read that) but it is definitely worth it and only the best make it through.

The Timeless Versus The Trend

I teach Gospel, Pop, Broadway and Opera styles of singing and I used to teach different techniques, depending on what the student wanted. Nowadays, I only teach Bel Canto. After all my study and experience, I like to stick with what is so good that it remains unchanged because it has proved something of itself...

There is a difference between the timeless and the trendy. Although, the trendy can be bigger than the timeless for the moment, it wont last and fades into a new trend. But the timeless beauty remains and is the default to the failed or fading. The fact that Bel Canto has been the same since the days of Bach, Mozart and Tchaikovsky, and is a healthy and strong technique, I teach this.

It is like ballet. Hip-Hop, Modern and Jazz will change over time but the basics of ballet are the techniques that get you through every art of dance and movement. As a dancer, I know this from experience, as well.

If you listen to the greatest artists who were able to keep their art strong their entire, long lives (Deanna Durbin, Pavarotti, Marion Anderson, etc.), you will see someone who is truly experienced and educated in a perfect, timeless and true art. They can change from one genre to the other (Heather Headley is a great example) without hurting themselves or commercializing their voice.

I know the big names nowadays are Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Lady Gaga, etc.--they're music is great and fun to listen to--I listen to them on the radio all the time. So I teach those different genres but I refuse to lower the expectations of a student by not teaching healthy, correct singing. True, it is harder work but it lasts for the rest of life when done correctly.

That is my definition of a timeless art--something that is so good, so perfect that, no matter what the trends bring, it will never be changed.

I guess this could be used in any field--what proves constant through history, changes, trials, discoveries and trends? Whatever that is, that is best.

Stage Fright: A Detriment or an Advantage?

I have been performing since I was a little girl. Whether it was dancing or gymnastics in front of other five-year old children, playing the clarinet in a Southern California soloist competition, playing the piano or organ for a church congregation or singing in aria in a crowded Abravanel Hall, I have had to work through the same issue: stage fright. For many of us, we can master it or get used to it so that it is no longer there. For the rest of us, stage fright never leaves. It can cause us to shake, cry, sweat, blank out and even forget how to breathe. How can this be beneficial when performing?

A good friend of mine, Michael Ballam, once told me that all of us have 'butterflies in our stomachs' and, for most of us, those butterflies never go away. So it's up to us to learn how to get those 'butterflies' to fly in unison and for our good. What a concept--embrace that stage fright instead of fighting it!

So don't look at stage fright as a detriment but as an advantage. Lucky for us, we can take every emotion and throw it into our music--just like dance, art or any other instrument. That's what makes a normal piece of art a masterpiece. So act on the adrenaline and push it towards finishing your piece instead of tripping over it! Only you can bridle the butterflies so take what you have and fly!

Letter From a Mother

This letter is from a mother who I worked with when living and teaching in Los Angeles. When I asked how she felt about music and her children being taught in that field, she wrote:

"Music lightens my heart and stirs my soul. Music can bring tears to my eyes and bring concepts to my understanding that a lecture could not do. Music can make me want to dance. Music can make work fun. Music can unite families and even peoples. Music can also make me feel sad and depressed and many other bad feelings, but I choose not to listen to music that elicits those feelings. Music can brighten my day, give me hope and make my heart sing.

"Music can unite families. Music can make working as a family fun. Music can help parents teach children what "The Spirit" feels like. Children are very impressionable, especially to the feelings music can illicit. You can use music to teach things, ABC's, names of presidents, etc. You can teach children about feelings using different kinds of music. I guess I could go on and on, but I will just say, music can teach many things. It can change the feeling in your home. Music is very powerful, for good or for bad."

I thank these mothers for their support and enthusiasm in rearing their children in an uplifting environment. They are truly the teachers and are the ones who make the difference in the world, even in the world of music. Thank you!

If you read my most recent Discussion on my Facebook page, you may notice what has been on mind recently. I really have no idea where I would be, what I would be doing or what kind of person I would be without music. When times are trying, I find myself letting go of my worries, sorrows, stress and confusions through the piano, singing, playing the clarinet or dancing. It is so therapeutic and the best part of this is it’s universal—everyone has been there.

It’s true that music speaks to each one of us in different ways but it does speak to us. It’s another language that we all speak fluently, whether we realize it or not, because it is a part of us. I’ve never met someone who couldn’t express themselves musically, nor have I met someone who has never learned something from it. Singing the alphabet in kindergarten, singing religious principles in church, listening to the radio, watching television or just sitting in silence, you can hear it, see it or feel it. ‘Music expresses that which can not be said and on which it is impossible to be silent’ (Victory Hugo). If we breathe, we are musicians because we have emotions, thoughts and senses.

I guess what I am saying is that music has the power to change lives—whether to worsen or better the life of the participant. Luciano Pavarotti once said ‘a life in music is a life beautifully spent.’ I would like to add that a life in music is fun, educational and excited—there is nothing like it. Music has bettered my life and thank you for being a part of it.