This late July and early August I have been having back to school dreams - but not the nightmares of arriving after the test starts, or worse- naked and the test has already started; but, rather, the unexpected anticipation of a new start, of learning something new, of having a simple life when student loans and credit card debt and ... well, dreams that didn't turn out the way you thought they would... occur. And, coincidentally, I am singing in a few opera scenes this fall in a concert sponsored by Professional Women Singers Association (PWSA). And unlike in grad school (another post!), I am singing in languages that are not my mother's tongue. So, when told by my fellow Voices of Women member, Melissa, that she was IPAing her scenes, I thought she was insane. God- who the hell wants to do that? Don't I know all those things now? Isn't that beaten in my brain? Aren't I a...PROFESSIONAL?
But then, I thought- wait- I miss school, I miss the in the moment learning and taking things slow, so- why not?
And it was miraculous what I discovered. First, I definitely forgot a few things (I was IPA'ing Pamina in the finale of the Magic Flute). Like- ich is actually "I" and not "i" (same with dich!). And there are nuances with the umlauted o and au and all that. But, most importantly, I just looked at the vowels. And then I just looked at the consonants. And then I sang the vowels- matching them up in a melodic line, with my voice...well, it was a hell of a lot easier to sing. And then, when I just did consonsants (with "ng" as my neutral vowel), I noticed how much I constrict my voice so that must mean I am not using the tip of my tongue enough and wow, when I adjusted that...it so much easier to sing.
It was a coincidence, too, that on that same day I took a basics yoga class. I have been doing yoga for 15 years and not that I am a pro (I still can't do a hand stand), I am definitely beyond basics. But, there is something amazing and quieting and most importantly, humbling, to do downward dog over and over and over and over!! again. I didn't let my frustrations or boredom come in, but just allowed the amazing discovery of noticing the slight nuances that make the pose so much easier to do.
So, for those students out there (well, I know none of my 16 followers are)- but, just in case you are new to this blog and a student-- don't rush. Enjoy it all. It's painstaking and boring and you just want to go on the stage but, in reality, that's what life can be- reaching for something new and allusive and not here today. So just enjoy today. Enjoy each IPA symbol. Enjoy each vowel. Because, really, that is all we have and it's awesome!
PS- Thank you Nico Castel who made this much easier and enjoyable. I can't take all the credit for looking up each word, etc. And thanks Mom for buying that book for Christmas!
