The Practice
Sunday musings…
I hope you were able to listen in on my conversation with Tony Howell on The Tony Howell Podcast this past week. We talked about many things, and I hope something resonated for you.
It’s always such a joy to talk with Tony, and work with him! He’s one of the my special people in my closest circle and his work as a changemaker is deep and resonant.
Conversations happen because of the space between the people talking to each other.
That’s what happens in the studio too - literal and virtual.
I shared a meme today that came up on my memories that said this:
“The best voice teacher in the world cannot teach you how to sing. They can only teach you how to practice.”
Each of us, teacher & singer, bring to the space between each other what they do; what they are willing to do; what their strengths are; what their focus can be. It is in that space between that the magic occurs and the alchemy gains momentum and structure.
We each bring something crucial to the process. Knowing what that is, is also part of process.
What is that practice?
It is how it’s applied; how it’s understood; how it’s delivered; how it’s actioned into being;
It is the why of the action.
It is the behavior and the habit that learns, grows & renewed.
It is how you practice, The Practice. YOUR practice. The practice that is developed in the space between teacher & singer in order to access MORE of YOU.
How many times have you simply done exercises for the sake of, and not knowing why?
How many times did you just follow along and never ask why?
How many times did you just mimic and not know how you were doing what you were doing?
Without knowing why, without knowing how, without having a grid, a map, an outline, no true practice can happen expect by accident or happenstance.
The space between is stagnant and immobile. It is frustrating and exhausting. It is draining and unbending.
We create the practice together, in the space between. We commit to the movement, to the conversation, to the alchemy that happens in real time, in order for YOUR practice to be revealed: WHAT you need, WHY you need it, HOW you discover it fully.
The reasons DO matter, as they can create the grid in which is build upon.
The lesson is a leaning in; a leaning toward; listening; learning; reshaping; reapplying; reorganizing; leaning forward; actioning; being; discovering; getting messy; finessing….
It is neither all or nothing. It is everything.
Exhilarating. Fulfilling. Challenging. Motivating. Solidifying. Revealing.
For BOTH of us.
And, in all that action, it gives us permission to practice TOGETHER to find the authenticity and integrity that lives in the space between us, and allows YOU, the singer, to discover the voice that wants to reside in the physicality you possess.
The Practice.
Your Practice.
How you practice.
with fierceness & fondness,
Susan
