La Voce

For an artist, the goal is often to communicate one's beliefs and ideas in forms that engage the viewer, and relates to them in that viewer's specific context; the way they see the world, so to speak.  By far the most expressive tool of communication for the singer is the voice, both literally and figuratively.  We cultivate the former through the practice of the voice and its musculature: timbre, pitch, dynamic, breathe.  We seek to make the voice pleasant to the ear, to perhaps emulate those that we admire, and to develop proper technique to ensure longevity of the muscle.

However, how often do we cultivate the latter?  The sense of one's own unique perspective, as reflected in sound?  I find, myself included, that we often forget ourselves in the search of the perfect sound.  We can learn to have the best technique in the world, but if we have no idea where we came from, and what we are trying to communicate, who's compelled to listen to anything we have to say?

I recently listened to a recording of myself.  It was perfectly serviceable, pretty at times, but what struck me was how little of my own personality came through.  I was shocked.  I'd always encouraged my friends to seek out there voice, their passion, and yet here I had so little of my own personality within my singing.  It brought me to the realization that, perhaps, I'd lost my voice in trying so hard to conform to what I thought was the sound I was supposed to produce.

I have lived much of my adult life forming my unique perspective, after having regained my voice after so long.  Not terribly ruffled, quirky, a little odd, loud, gregarious, maybe slightly unsettling, definitely dirty-minded, in love with love....those things I get.  Those things are ME.  Now I have to find out how to include all that back into my voice.  I have a feeling it might be harder than I expect.  Actually, I know it will be harder than I expect.  It always is, and I'd be foolish to think otherwise.  But, I could surprise myself...so perhaps it won't be so hard?  Hmm.  How circuitous.  I'm just excited to finally bring both together into one.  My literal voice: The final frontier.