So, when I have learned music in the past, there are a few stages to my process. First, I am glued to the sheet music, learning the melody, rhythm, lyrics… Then, the song somehow gets stuck in my head and I can step away from the notation. At this point, when there is no physical guide, I can really listen and begin to interpret the music as it connects with me.
The thing is, with my own music, I have really enjoyed NOT memorizing.
I’m constantly making changes. All of a sudden, a completely different way to play something strikes me and I am in exploration mode as I uncover nuances and different ways to express MY story. In a way, I don’t want this journey to end. I don’t want the discoveries to stop. Yet, I also don’t want to be bound to the sheet music in performance.
And then, there is the undeniable desire to just cling to the music… Without this roadmap, the fear of forgetting comes up.
And, I have forgotten lyrics before….
One night I was performing in a really important, well-attended show and I forgot the words. It wasn’t pleasant for me. In fact, it was quite humiliating and surprising, because you never know when your mind might suddenly go blank… And then, when it does, it is about the recovery. How quickly can you salvage the storyline and have everything make sense again? Usually I can get back on track in a flash. The thing is, you feel this cloud of shame hanging over your head and just wish you were anywhere except where you are- in front of an huge crowd of people who have just witnessed your lyric-flubbery.
Sometimes, I have come out victorious from these blunders. All of a sudden, new lyrics are pouring out of my mouth and the words even rhyme! How convenient! How relieving! Sometimes, this has worked out…and, other times, not so much…
Once, the night before an audition, the perfect song for that show popped into my head at around 10pm. I decided to write my own arrangement. So, I entered the notes and lyrics into my computer and printed it out. Though I had never sung it before, it was a well-known 50s song and I figured I would be fine… The next morning, I sat in the waiting room, listening to the recording repeatedly. Then, an announcement was made that instead of a full song, they now only wanted to hear 16 bars, which was less than a quarter of the song. I went back to my freshly printed sheet music and literally began to cut it with my Swiss Army knife scissors and reconstruct it with a glue stick. I want this to be the beginning now… this part of this verse is good…the last part of the chorus maybe…and this will be the ending… When I finished the surgery, I incessantly reviewed the quick-paced lyrics…. And then I was called in. From the moment the announcement was made to the time I walked in the room, perhaps 3 minutes had passed. Everything started off just fine. The audition panel was smiling, possibly enjoying the song or planning their spring break… Then, all of a sudden it happened. Something weird came out of my mouth when I was coming up on the last line and the song no longer made sense… and it was the well-known punchline of the song and I quickly started spitting out lyrics- my own- to make the joke work, somehow. And, then it was done. Because 16 bars is REALLY short. And they laughed. They said my lyrics were quite ‘clever.’ That was a good word for it. And, I got through it, but- lesson learned: Don’t re-write something immediately before you audition for a professional production. Got it.
Anyway, with my own music…
I’ve taken such care to choose every word, every note, every inflection. And, if I could just stare at the paper, maybe it would be perfect. But, what I know about performing is that sometimes there is magic in mistakes. Sometimes the unknown leads to an uncharted musical moment or an emotional experience that moves the audience because it is so raw and powerful. And, I want that too. So, how can I perfectly present what I envision and leave room for unexpected beauty? I don’t think I can. I am trying to let go of this need to be perfect, and to accept that whatever my best is, will be enough. But, please, (here’s the prayer-) just let me remember my own songs…
Bravo! Once again you write of your experience as a creative artist but for those of us just living life your words speak wisdom and encouragement to us on this journey of life.
Thank you for including me on your journey. :)I
hope when your playing the Target Center here in Minneapolis I get front row seats and a backstage pass! And a signed autograph of your hit album. LOL
Your an amazing creative special person!
Thanks for your support, as always, Laura. YOU are so amazing!
I was having trouble remembering certain songs, to the extent that I dreaded doing them…seemed I faltered in the same place each time. It’s getting easier now to remember them automatically, and that tells me it’s time to add new songs to the repertoire.
I’m usually busy during the instrumental break reminding myself what’s coming up.
The old story goes that scat was born when Ella Fitzgerald forgot her lyrics. Probably not true, but a great reminder that sometimes nonsense works. I scatted during our performance yesterday, mainly because the instrumental break was so long I felt the audience and myself getting bored. But scatting is great for forgotten lyrics. The trick is to act like you meant to do it, so they don’t see you sweat.
I love the story about Ella scatting! Thank you for that! That sounds like a good trick to keep in my back pocket!!
Always fun to hear about your journey, and please…believe YOU ARE good enough the way you are, I/WE love you. Jennifer
Thank you so much for the encouragement and support. Since they are MY lyrics, music, etc, I am learning that there is no way to sing/play other than being exactly who I am
Great post becca and thanks for sharing! Ive also experience this where i have the performance of a song down to a t and then it comes out different. Guess it goes to artistic license and how even though we want to maintain the integrity of the song as written weather it be a cover or original. I guess as artists and musicians we must make it our own at that moment. I remember the first time i did the open mic at the new york guitar school i sang a song called “timing is everything” here i am singing about timing and my timing was off cuz went into the bridge right from the first verse and skipped the second! LOL. of course that was an oops!!! But most of the time when i perform either cover or original there will be some differences but i guess thats ok so long as you know where your going with it! lol. Thanks again for sharing your music. James g.