I feel like time is in overdrive…

 

Just when I feel that I have nothing to share I realize how much has happened in the last week.

 

My main focus has been the food therapy and it’s helping my husband, which is fantastic.  So much of my time is spent prepping for each juice and meal, but somehow I am managing to keep it all together.

 

I had a great guitar lesson, I am amazed each week that I’m not sacked for lack of practice, but I do improve, and now I can see the beginning of a song.

 

I can’t wait for holidays in a few weeks just to get lost in the free time of music and guitar. My fingers no longer hurt and I can start to see how the flavor is added with different strumming types.

 

I also had our first choir meeting and it was great.

 

Beat boxing is a real challenge, but one that I am totally in for and I loved the diversity of the group and unassuming nature of it all.

 

The sounds are really challenging and all of a sudden I can see just how polished ones sense of rhythm can become.

 

We attended a wedding this week, where I was asked to take the photos it was really good fun!

 

There is something so magical capturing that split second on film….. At the reception Pete gave a speech and it’s Maori tradition that a song be sung afterwards as an offering.  I sang “Just Like a Star” unaccompanied.

 

I was not entirely sure if a song about arguments was appropriate, but it’s a true reflection of marriage, the extremes of good and difficult and everything in between.

 

What was amazing was that no longer did I get the heart runs, panics, and all of a sudden I realized that I was actually quite comfortable singing.  I wasn’t stressed about the lyrics, and I was enjoying myself.

 

Afterwards a friend of the groom took my hand and told me that my singing was beautiful which meant so much to me.

 

I’ve been working on a gospel song “Joyful Joyful” and that might have been a good one for a wedding, oh well maybe next time…

 

I remember being completely overwhelmed with the thought of ever being able to sing  it through, but now I feel that I am progressing through each part and am looking forward to working on it again soon.

 

I also realized how much I love recording, I actually miss it.

 

Singing lesson was great this week.  I enjoy a double lesson, there’s an immediacy as I know that this will be it for the week so I really make the most of it.

 

While I messed up the times this week so missed the first half hour it was just so great, we worked on recording “Joyful Joyful” and it’s really starting to come together.

 

I am so thankful for being thrown in the deep end with recording as I can really hear my actual voice.  It sure does change each week, but the opportunity to connect with that part of myself is such a blessing. Particularly this song, as it really is a gift to God. I dig devotional singing and can see how amazing that experience of channeling prayer can be.

 

I notice myself starting to move around with the music and it helps me.  I also notice that I am less fussed about having Lisa or anyone else watch me for that matter.

 

I’m sure all these amazing juices are helping me to be more present in my body, somehow I am more earthed, more centered.

 

At present I am really having to be quite focused with everything that I do as I have a very full plate at the table.

 

It’s a challenge, but I am rising to it and feel myself moving through a rapid time of expansion again.

 

Speaking of which, I must dash to catch enough zzzzz for tomorrow.

 

Sweet and lingering dreams!

 

Lisa’s Reply

 

Hi Joanna

 

Hope you slept well…

 

It’s interesting that despite lack of practice you still keep improving on guitar.  This is for two reasons.

 

Firstly, when you are learning something for the first time, there is a lot of new skills and information.  You are coming from nothing to something, so anything you do will be pretty amazing.

 

But also, the fact that you are going to your lessons every week, choir, singing and guitar means that you are putting at least four and a half hours into your music development every week which is pretty huge for a beginner and therefore it’s not a fluke that you are improving. Whatever you put into music, you will get back.

 

Rhythm is the most important aspect any musician and singer needs to develop.  It’s great that you are starting to realise the complexity of time.  As you get better at rhythm, you begin to feel how much space there is between beats and how accurate (or not accurate) you can become.  Then you begin to become aware of “feel”, how a rhythm can be straight or swung.

 

Beat boxing is a fantastic skill to be learning both for your singing and your guitar as it will definitely aid your rhythmic ability and it’s almost like learning another instrument!

 

Having to do the rapping part of your song “Joyful Joyful” was a great learning curve as well because you became aware of the rhythmic value of words and syllables and the importance of really moving your mouth.  Speaking of which, here is your recording:

 

Joyful Joyful (recorded 30 July 2011)

 

It’s a great big step that you are comfortable with performing now.  I think that getting you to dive straight into recording at the beginning of your lessons with me has been a big benefit for all the reasons you mention but also because the pressure of recording is much like the pressure of performing, so you’ve had a lot of practice here.

 

I too, am hearing the development of your voice and it’s come a long way since we began these entries.  It’s always important to look back and see how far you have come.  I think you are entitled to feel a great sense of achievement.

 

The reason I do music now, apart from enjoying the performing and teaching, is to bring me back to my body.  It has great therapeutic value for me as you are realising it has for you.  This is the best way to approach your practice, knowing how good it will make you feel.