Your Lowest Common denominator

We are not robots. We are not the same each day on any level of consciousness. As performers, we need to find and continue to build up our lowest common denominator. What do I mean?

This means finding what you have no matter what and knowing you can achieve it successfully even half dead on a bet! This means, if you only have 30% you can still bring all 100% of that 30!

How do you know? What do you do?

The more you understand your physical instrument and how it functions the more you know. The stronger the technique, the higher that common denominator grows. YOU determine the bench mark. You are only in competition with your previous self.

Personal growth, dynamic growth, technical growth all have ebbs and flows. Sometimes there is a a huge growth spurt, sometimes a gestation time, sometimes an indifferent time, sometimes simple maintenance. All of these factors and growth and seasons of development inform that lowest common denominator.

Recognizing what season of development you are in and why, is most important. This will allow you to claim that bar that you have achieved already and then developing the possibility of raising it further.

“Getting through” just isn’t enough. “Good enough” for what? for who?

YOU are enough, so don’t misunderstand me. But, do you know what that YOU is? Are you willing and able and curious enough to explore that more fully?

We have all had to perform when aren’t feeling optimal - be it physically, vocally, emotionally, mentally. If we waited for the stars to align, we would never do it. So what can you be in control of to find that lowest common denominator in yourself on those fronts?

Singers need to practice, and need to cross-train, and need their head in the game. Singers are like every other athlete. They need coaching and teaching. They need their health care professionals. They need a 2nd set of ears and eyes on them to reflect back in order to finesse and refine, or continue to discover what needs work.

We can’t do this alone. Not even maintenance. Maintenance definitely needs an outside observer to make slight adjustments in the lowest common denominator. If we try to do this alone, our lowest common denominator doesn’t rise or even stay the same; it starts to lose value.

Sit with this today: At my optimal what am I able to DO right now? Technically, musically, physically, mentally.

If I am not at my optimal and can only find the lowest common denominator, what am I able to DO? Technically, musically, physically, mentally.

What is the space between? Is there room for improvement? Where? How? Why?

Are you willing and able to do it? Why or why not? When?

Are you satisfied with your lowest common denominator? You might be, and that is great! Is there room to grow? Do you want that? What’s standing in your way? What are you claiming and working with?

These are the things you truly have control over!

If I know I only have 40% of my optimal, and I absolutely HAVE to do it, I am bringing all 40! What about you?

with fondness & fierceness,