May the Force Be With You

What can Star Wars possibly have to do with singing? Actually, quite a lot. Am I out of my mind? Possibly. Well. . . probably, but bear with me, and hopefully this will all make sense.

One of my favorite things to say to students is: "There is no try, young Jedi, there is only do." Which is a misquote, I know, but it gets the idea across.
What do I mean by this? It's both very simple and very difficult. It means exactly what Yoda was trying to explain to Luke. There are times when trying just won't hack it. You can try all you want, but eventually, you just have to throw yourself into it and DO it. I tell young actors this a lot. If you are worried about looking like an idiot, then you probably will. If you put everything you've got into your role, and go over-the-top, then, yes, people might laugh (in fact, hopefully they will, if you're trying to be funny) but you won't look like an idiot. Sometimes, we need to set our fears aside, and give ourselves completely to whatever it is we're doing. And that includes singing. 

Yoda may not have been speaking directly to singers, but I think the message is clear. You've been trying that new concept in technique, and it's almost there, but somehow you just can't quite break through. Your voice still sounds like it's behind the curtain. Or that high note is still a little strained. Well, it is just possible that you are too busy trying to actually do anything! (See, very simple and amazingly difficult at the same time! Yoda would be proud!)


(Listen to the above sound bite. There will be a test later.) I know that anger is one of the paths to the Dark Side, but as a singer, I think we can use our anger. Sometimes, I find that channeling the anger, and frustration that we often feel into my singing, does give me more power and more raw emotion. This is not always a good thing. Singing a lullaby and channeling anger into it would be wrong. But pouring anger into the final phrases of "Vissi d'arte" as Tosca is asking God why he is allowing these things to happen to her, seems quite appropriate. 

Obi-Wan gave Luke a quick introduction into the ways of the Force, in what I still refer to as "the first movie". I know, I know, it's "The New Hope", but, I'm getting old and set in my ways. (And I don't like to admit that Episode One, whatever it's name is, even exists.)  This was followed up in "The Empire Strikes Back" by a more in-depth explanation by Yoda. What possible bearing can the Force have on singing? Well, way, way back in my second blog: Element 1: Good Posture, I gave an exercise. Reprinted here for the first time! Stand in the proper position and close your eyes. Imagine that there are roots growing out the soles of your feet. (We are leaving science far, far behind. Try not to let that bother you.) These roots reach through the floor and into the warm soil. (No, I don't care that there's snow on the ground! We are leaving reality behind, too.) These roots go all the way to the center of the earth, where, for our purpose, there is a huge pocket of warm air. The air comes back up to you through the roots. Your body is now supported by this column of warm air. It fills you. Standing is now effortless, and there is more than enough air to support the longest phrases. Does any of this sound even vaguely like Yoda's explanation of the Force? Singing should involve your entire body. It should encompass your chi, your core, your soul, however you want to put it. 

Perhaps Chewie said it best: