Heather S. Ingemar's Blog, page 31
March 31, 2012
Being Realistic
What happens when you practice your arse off, put in the time, DO everything you can to be good at your craft…
…And everything remains the same?
My friends, this is a tough call, and a deeply personal one at that. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our goals for ourselves simply do not pan out. Sometimes the progress falters, sometimes the recognition is not forthcoming, and we are faced with a crossroads: Continue with the 'status quo,' or not?
It is a very tough call and we have to be realistic. Not everyone will become a celebrity — it's simply not possible. Not everyone will win awards, and there is no such thing as perfection. We are human, flawed, and our best is sometimes not the best. It's a cold, hard truth, and when facing that flat plateau, we have to be realistic and honest with ourselves. I can't give answers, but I can tell you which questions I'd be asking:
Do you need the acclaim, the fame, the riches? If so, you must be honest about that, and you must understand just how many people actually achieve it. Also, why do you need it? You must have an honest answer for this because all those washed up celebs who can't keep themselves out of rehab? They didn't.
Are you doing this for yourself or others? And do you enjoy it?
How hard are you willing to work at it? I.e., are you willing to put up with months more fruitless work to cross that wide plain and get back to the mountain of learning? Rome wasn't built in a day…
Do you truly believe in yourself or are you just going through the motions?
And, perhaps the hardest question of all: Are you willing to walk this path alone? It's an unfortunate fact that many artistic pursuits are lonely. Family rarely supports your individual goals and may even try to sabotage you; are you strong enough to listen to your heart over theirs? Work and school schedules may — and often do — conflict; are you willing to put in the extra time before or after prior commitments? Even when you will be missing game nights, movies, leisure time, or coffee with friends? The greats never joked when they said art sometimes called for sacrifices….
I'm aware this all sounds really harsh, but how you answer these questions is up to you. There's no one right answer. And you're more than welcome to change your answers over time; we all do. The thing to keep in mind is how your goals fit you, so you have the best chance to keep moving forward.
March 27, 2012
In Which the Soloist sings like a Background Singer… Part II
(Catch up with Part I)
It's also possible that my introvert personality is holding me back a bit (you didn't know that, eh? See, I'm sneaky with my little "extrovert" mask and all). I may be singing like a back-up singer because, subconsciously, I don't want to "offend" anyone, I don't want to step on anyone's toes, I don't want to put myself out there because then you might actually see ME in all my silliness and then what would I do? Aaahh, the stench of potential rejection!
It could also be habit: the result of playing one too many gigs where I am background music.
It might also be outright fear. See, I don't have any real formal voice training — I just know how to breathe and I have perfect pitch — and therefore, maybe I'm subconsciously afraid of being seen as a poser. One of my piano students (who happens to be a fabulous, trained singer) mentioned casually she'd like to hear me perform sometime. On the one hand, I was elated, but on the other I was mortified at the thought of her hearing me caterwaul into a microphone. See? Insidious, creeping Fear.
Talk about mind games, eh?
But then, why — when I'm playing an instrument I'm not particularly comfortable playing — do I suddenly become a confident crooner? Has playing an instrument with built-in devil horns tapped into my inner rockstar hooligan, my inner revolutionary? Vive Musica! Or has the electrical current just addled my brain cells?
It's amazing what one little electric guitar can bring out in a person… Probably why they are the instrument of choice for so many musical genres today.
Either way, I think The Balrog is definitely going to be my Weapon of Mass Musication in the near future (where I am booked for my original music, mind you — I think Sparrow the Acoustic still rules on the Celtic and background music fronts). If simply picking up this Instrument of Rock forces me out of my shell enough to belt it, then it is obviously what I need to go from background to foreground. And I think we can all agree that to be any good at this little thing called 'Performance Arts,' one cannot spend their career standing in the wings.
March 25, 2012
In Which the Soloist sings like a Background Singer… Part I
What a quandary to find oneself in!
I recently finished a song, "Digging These Holes" (YouTube video to follow), and upon performing it, it has come to my attention that it is distinctly different from my other music. Rather, it elicits an entirely different side of my performance personality, and furthermore, makes my other music look…
…well…weak.
I know, I was shocked, too.
See, I don't feel like there's anything tangibly different about "Holes" or it's performance in comparison to my other songs. Though I have drug out The Balrog from its cave to help in the playing of it, that's really the only difference. My playing technique is what the song demands and nothing more. I don't feel like I'm putting on Airs of Angst. The words are honest and the sentiment true (like all my other songs).
And yet, it apparently drives home the point (and does so with ample proof) that I tend to sing like a back-up singer as opposed to a soloist.
Huh.
Last night I played my entire repertoire of original songs on The Balrog for the Husband, then pressed him for details: "It's the passion. I think you sing this one with more passion than the others."
Certainly this ranching year has not had a very auspicious beginning and we have lost more new calves than we care to count — and subsequently dug more graves than we care to count. Certainly I am frustrated and plain, old tired of digging holes in the ground. And certainly, this has some bearing on the performance. But, I have lived many of the events in my other songs as well (though they may not be strictly biographical); shouldn't they, then, also be "passionate" in their delivery?
March 23, 2012
Music & Flight
Reblogged from Luna Guitars' Blog:
Meet Paul Villinski, a New York City artist with a lifelong concern for environmental issues whose work "frequently repurposes discarded materials, effecting surprising and poetic transformations."
What first grabbed my heartstrings were his sculptures fabricated from two musical instruments. Their intrinsically beautiful shapes were taken to new heights by butterflies snipped from crushed beer cans from the streets of New York.
I'm particularly fond of this gentleman's art utilizing the instruments. So moving and touching... A lovely illustration of how music moves and touches us.
Review: The Ukulele Entertainer
The Ukulele Entertainer by Ralph Shaw
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
"Ukulele Entertainer" is fabulous book, regardless if you play the uke or not. A collection of performer wisdom from Ralph's best newsletters, "Entertainer" is a book worthy to be on any musicians shelf. The inclusion of humor, personal anecdotes, and interesting bits of history right next to gems of advice make this a nice, well-rounded read. Ralph talks about everything from the importance of tuning your instrument to forming your own uke club, from how to minimize distractions at a performance to how to use the stage fright to your advantage. There's something in this book for everyone of all skill levels from the the beginner to the seasoned pro.
A thoroughly enjoyable book from the 'King of the Ukulele' himself!
March 20, 2012
The Meaning of 'Professional'
At a dinner performance last week, a gentleman complimented me on my music and asked if I was a professional. I answered affirmatively, and proceeded to tell him about my upcoming CD and such related things.
As I walked away, my husband questioned me: "I know you like calling yourself a professional, but are you really? You're most definitely good and all, but you don't tour…"
Touché.
Let me explain how I see the idea of being a "professional:"
The Merriam-Webster definition is very simple: "one of a profession, one who is paid to play in games, etc." This is the definition I use to help me define it. I get paid to perform — i.e. I am a professional.
But there's a little more to it. I was raised to put stock in work ethic. Therefore, I consider myself a professional because I put in the time like I do at my day job. I am as punctual as I can be when arriving for shows; I am as polite and courteous as I would be if I were working customer service; I practice my skills; I stay sober while 'on the clock.' Even though performing is extremely fulfilling to me, I still treat it like a business — because, at the heart of it, I want to be worth my fees. I do not want venues to fork over money and then get something half-assed. I wouldn't be hired back! It is in my best interests to be professional.
My husband was correct, however: I do not tour. The most I've done is do a single performance in another city; while I did travel, it was not a tour. I did not have other shows lined up along the way. The venue owner simply contacted me, asked me to come, and I made arrangements. When I was done, I went back to my regularly broadcasted life. No big. This is where I think the distinction lies between being strictly a "professional," and being a "star." Stars tour. Stars have publicity shoots. Stars get interviewed in big magazines, fill gigantic stadiums with fans, and are generally well-known. Stars can be professional — certainly many names in the country music field come to mind — but just like being professional does not necessarily make you a star, being a star does not necessarily make you a professional.
I am a professional. I get paid for my art and I try to run my business honestly, fairly, and responsibly. I'm happy with that.
March 15, 2012
Bouncing Baby Boy
Everybody, meet the newest addition to our family, Ochs the (currently miniature) Ox. 
March 13, 2012
Determination and Creativity
I've said it before and I'll say it again: being creative is not easy.
There's a growing number of people who seem to think that having a career in the arts is easy. They think it should come naturally, be a piece of cake, and then are seriously dismayed when their own attempts fall short of their expectations.
Let me state again: being creative is not easy.
No matter what your 'art' is — whether it be traditional like music or painting, unconventional like trash sculpture, or painstaking craftsmanship (a la carpentry or metal working) — the fact remains that it takes work.
"Ah," you say, "but you have talent. That makes it easy for you."
Maybe. Maybe not. Certainly I enjoy my creative pursuits, but regardless if I have talent or not, I've put in the time. I have been playing music for over 20 years. Twenty years! That's hours spent practicing, listening, reading, experimenting with music and sound. And I was most definitely not a perfect player from the start. There were aspects of my craft I struggled with, times when I was having so much difficulty I almost quit. But I was stubborn. I wanted to play well, and so I did what was necessary to do so — which was keeping at it! It was sheer dedication and determination that kept me practicing through the rough parts.
Being creative is not easy. Please do not be dismayed when your initial attempts are unwieldy and awkward. We all start somewhere. Even prodigies and talented people. In some ways, they may even have it rougher as talent can work against you — for example, while you may be capable of playing Beethoven on day one, you still have to build up the muscles and stamina with rudimentary exercises to DO it without hurting yourself (like running a marathon).
My point is, just because art is an art doesn't mean it's simple or easy. Don't be disappointed when you don't progress as fast as you would like. Don't throw in the towel after one, two, or even ten lessons when it doesn't 'click' right away. Be determined. Be dedicated, and one day, you will meet your goals.
'Let Me Go' up for Pre-order!
WooHoo! My upcoming album, "Let Me Go" is now available for Pre-order on my Bandcamp site! I'm so excited.
http://heatherstearns.bandcamp.com/album/let-me-go/
