Module Three Lesson Five: Back to Why: Embodying Your Song's Story
Go Deeper/Links:
To create a deeper emotional connection to the songs you sing, download the discovery sheet and song storyboard below.
Song Interpretation Character.pdf
Transcription
REPERTOIRE: Lesson 6: Back to Why
In this module, we’ve taken a deep dive into the anatomy of songs. You’ve learned how lyrics and music work together to create an emotional mood, how to find the best keys for the songs you sing, and how to use stylistic tools to sing authentically in a style or make a song your own.
Now it’s time to look at your song holistically; to forget about each individual piece of the puzzle you’ve been working on and go back to why you’re singing the song in the first place.
How do you do it?
I’ve found that the simplest and most powerful way to create and communicate emotion in the songs you sing is by using your imagination.
What makes your imagination so powerful?
Let me tell you a story.
I have a younger sister who is incredibly talented. Shannon acts, models, and produces amazing photoshoots. We both love to sing but approach practicing and performing in completely different ways. We couldn’t be more different in temperament. I’m an introvert. She’s an extrovert. I overprepare. She flies in at the last minute and wings it.
Years ago she was booked for her first jazz gig. I was so nervous for her. I’d been studying jazz for years and was totally intimidated by everything I didn’t know. I couldn’t imagine how she was going to pull off this gig when she’d never studied the idiom a day in her life.
I wanted to support her though, so I went to the show.
The club was completely packed. Standing room only. (My sister knows how to turn out a crowd.) This only made me more nervous for her.
She came out in a long gown and boa, exuding confidence. She starts to sing and I realize that she’s nailing it. She inhabits every song and communicates its story. The audience has no idea that this is her first foray into jazz. The way she holds the mic, every nuanced hand gesture, her facial expressions, plus the way she’s singing, make her believable.
It’s extraordinary. She’s become a jazz singer by imagining herself as one.
So what did I learn from my little sis?
A few things actually.
It’s impossible to be perfect and know everything. You shouldn’t wait until you do. You learn by doing. So, go out and do it!
Her acting chops served her well. She’d been practicing being in character her entire life. Since her character knew how to sing jazz, she did too. But she didn’t come off as fake or phony. She sounded authentic.
So, what’s the moral of this story?
To get inside a song, become the character that’s singing it.
The song is the script. It’s your job to interpret it. The more you know about who is singing the song and why — the easier your job becomes.
Here are a few questions to get you started.
Who are you?
How old are you?
Where are you?
Who are you singing to?
Why are you singing to them?
The deeper you drill down into these questions, the deeper your connection will be to the moment you’re in when you’re singing.
Let’s take an in-depth look at each question:
Who are you?
Where were you born? What was your family like? Were there any moments in your life that impacted you profoundly and influenced who you’ve become?
How old are you?
What season of life are you in? Have you been around the block, or are you just starting out in life?
Where are you?
Is the air on your skin warm or cold? Are you inside or outside? What kinds of sounds, sights, smells is your body experiencing right now?
Who are you singing to?
Are you alone? Are you having a conversation with yourself? Are you having a conversation in your mind with someone who isn’t there?
Or, are you with someone? What kind of relationship do you have with them? What do they look like? What kind of posture are they in as they listen to what you have to say?
Are you singing to a group of people? Who are they? Do you know them? Are they people you trust, or fear?
Why are you singing to them?
What happened right before this moment that led you to sing this song?
Here are two versions of a song you’re probably familiar with. Both are sung by the same singer but from two completely different points of view.
As you experience each performance, ask yourself some of the questions posed here.
VIDEO: Judy Garland: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
VIDEO: Judy Garland: as the Tramp
What kind of life experience does Dorothy have? What kind of life experience does The Tramp have? How does each perspective change the meaning of the lyrics in this song?
In the GO DEEPER section of this lesson, you’ll find some fun ways to flesh out the song, the script, and your character’s place in the story you’re telling.
Have fun playing and experimenting.
In the next Module, we’ll take a look at two of the most important relationships in your musical life — your relationship to practicing and your rehearsals with other musicians. See you there!
