A great blogger once noted that singing is a sort of Zen art. In the last week, I've been buried neck deep in one of those great Zen riddles of technique biofeedback - the breath. I must sing as if I am inhaling. The pedagogical way to talk about this is to quote Richard Miller and discuss singing in the "position of inhalation". But the Cam's Sensations way to think about it, is inhale while you sing.
No, it's not inward singing, but it IS singing as if I'm inhaling the whole time. The Zen part is, not only is singing a decidedly exhalatory action... but the sensation that keeps my throat relaxed is a relaxed and comfortable exhalation. So now I'm singing as if I'm inhaling, and singing as if I'm exhaling.
This at the same time as my voice is both nowhere (no placement) and everywhere (filling the hall); that my sound is "down" and "back", but simultaneously "up" and "forward". The nature of my voice must be both light and dark, and my body must be both relaxed and engaged in an intense cardiovascular sport.
Today I managed to sing a new aria in a new way - gently. Who knew? It's a lullaby, and dammit - I sang it beautifully! I would never have imagined! And all I have to do is maintain a bunch of insane contradictions in my mind and throat! Well, if it was as simple as barely clinging onto my sanity by my fingernails, why didn't anyone just say so?
Seriously, this aria went so well that I'm going to try and work it into my voice in time for my Artist Diploma audition on the 17th. Crazy? Perhaps. But crazier things have happened. And dammit, I want a new aria on my package. More than that, I want to sing beautifully, and this piece gets me one step closer!
