Pavarotti took voice classes for most of his life.

I should actually just end this blog right there.

But you know how long winded I can be.

I was talking to someone who, at 30-ish years of age, proclaimed that they “knew what they needed to know and weren’t going to waste time and money taking classes”. I didn’t bother to dispute the point, because I’m a great believer in what Mark Twain said about trying to teach pigs to sing.

Not that the person in question was a pig or that this was about singing. If you need to know what M.T. said, look it up or ask me in the comments….

…but I digress…

I am a great believer in what they call “continuing education”. I’m approaching the big 6-5 and I’m still working on me. Maybe that’s because in my case there’s a lot of work to be done, but I think it’s a good idea in general. I know that some of the most significant lessons I’ve ever learned, I’ve learned in the last 10 years or so. My singing voice was basically resurrected by 2 vocal coaches, after I turned 50 years old. Through bad technique and overwork, my voice was basically trashed. The “burning bush” moment was when I auditioned for a production of “Sweeney Todd” out in L.A. They actually called me back for a 2nd audition, but I didn’t go. I was so unhappy with what I did that I decided that I was either going to;

1. Just sing as a hobby, maybe karaoke, etc
2. Find a teacher and start studying again.

I went with option 2. It had been years since I studied, and I tend to liken singing to golf. You can be very solid in your technique, but as time goes on you fall into bad habits, and all of the sudden instead of driving the ball 275 yards down the center of the fairway, you’re hooking it through the clubhouse window. Metaphorically speaking, I was barely making contact with the ball when I started back with lessons. My work with Stephanie, and later with Jo ( no last names. They didn’t ask to be blogged about) resurrected my singing voice, and are responsible for me getting the work I’ve been getting since.

Example #2. While I was performing in a show several years ago, one of my cast mates offered classes in something called Alexander technique. Yes, if you’re a regular, I blogged about my experience at the time. But, basically, and over simplified, it’s a relaxation technique created by a performer who suffered from nerves & fatigue. I took a half dozen classes from Holly, who is just on one side of 30 or the other, I’m not sure which, and I’ve integrated what I learned into my performing routine. In my early 60s. I think it’s helped . A lot.

I think keeping an open mind to new ideas and methods, etc., is essential to growth. And not just in performing arts but in any endeavor. It’s true that some of what people put out there is more a money grab than valuable instruction. David Mamet has a book out called “True & False”, which takes dead aim at a lot of acting classes, which crop up everywhere in New York and L.A., and he has some valid points. But you just have to do your due diligence and use common sense. I went to a Scientology seminar in Hollywood in the 90’s. It was marketed to actors and I was amazed and amused by the ham-handed performing which took place in their pitch. But I think about 80 % of the 100 or so people in that room signed on the dotted line when the time came, right after the Scientology “student” ran in and breathlessly shared how she had “just booked a recurring role on an episodic” and shared happy tears with the host of the event.

I was born at night. But not last night…

…jeez, another digression. Sorry.

But I think you have followed where I drifted. It’s never too late to learn & to grow. And age, or lack thereof, doesn’t necessarily equate to knowledge, or lack thereof. I’ll leave it there.

I seem to be really “talky” today.

Talk later,

Bob