Sunday, February 7, 2021

Motivation: Process vs. Product

To build on the last blog, I found some additional information on motivation on my bookshelf in Basics of Vocal Pedagogy: The Foundations and Process of Singing by Clifton Ware. 

Even though most of the volumes on my shelf made no mention whatsoever of motivation, Ware discusses the topic in just the second chapter of his book. As he says, the information is intended to "focus on information and techniques which allow for constructive thinking that lead to appropriate behavior." (14) Therefore, before he even begins to present the basics of anatomy and physiology or dig into vocal technique, he discusses how to cultivate a mindset that will enable voice building. 

The section of the chapter that is titled "The Goal and the Journey as One," begins with the following sentences: 

"As with any challenging long-term task, the road that leads to success for a singer will be more interesting and rewarding if the focus is on process (means) rather than product (end). Focus on the process means that our energy is concentrated on the journey rather than merely on the destination." (24)

In grad school, I had a professor who often compared elite singers to competitive runners. As she said, both have to engage in extensive training and preparation in order to build their skills so they can put them to use when performing a song or running a race. 

I understand the parallels, but I had to argue that singing a song and running a race have different purposes. After all, the point of running a race is to get to the finish line the fastest. But we don't sing just so we can get to the end of a song. In fact, one way to measure a successful performance may be to what degree both singer and audience wish the song would continue beyond the double bar at the end of the page. 

It's also not a great comparison because singing isn't (or, rather, doesn't need to be) competitive. Sure, when you're auditioning, that element of the "business" may feel like a competition. But when you're just singing (practicing, performing, or jamming along to a recording), you're allowed to enjoy that as much as you'd like. By comparison, the only person who celebrates at the end of a race is usually the one who finishes first. 

As you may have heard in Dem Lab, despite all of the Broadway shows Hugh Panaro has under his belt, he actually believes that rehearsals ("...where the real work happens") are more enjoyable than performances. That perspective really points to a love of process rather a focus that is primarily on the product. It's no wonder he reminded us all to constantly look for the joy in what we are doing, even—and perhaps especially—when we are tired or experiencing a lack of motivation.  

What part of the singing journey do you enjoy most? How can you find some of that joy every time you practice?

Now go practice. 


19 comments:

  1. This blog post has really resonated with me. I think that 100% of the time, I focus on what my voice will be like once I master a skill or what my voice will sound like when I can fully do something. I don't really focus on the process of getting my voice to that spot. I do the exercises and work on it, but even when doing those exercises I focus on the future of my voice rather than where I am in that moment.
    I really agree with what Hugh said about rehearsals being more enjoyable than the performances. I love rehearsals and being able to get feed back and the freedom to play until something clicks. I also think that during rehearsals I learn so much from the directors and take notes and get notes and I love the process.
    I think my favorite part of the singing process is honestly either when I mess up, or when something finally clicks for the first time. I feel as though when I mess up and I can only go up from there, or when something cracks or etc I can readjust and try again and learn from what happened. And then when something clicks for the first time almost like a sigh of relief mixed with excited takes over and it is so fulfilling.

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  2. I love this mindset. The concept of "the joy is in the journey" cultivates much more growth and positivity than a focus on the destination. Plus, the destination is usually very fleeting (a short performance, limited run, etc). We will spend much more time practicing than we ever will performing, especially at this stage in our careers. The practice is usually sometime more private than the performance, so making it a point of private joy will make us want to practice more, and the practices will be more beneficial.

    My favorite part of the singing journey is when I first sing a song off-book, once I'm memorized. I guess this would be a sort of shorter destination, but it's still a part of the practice journey. I find that once I'm free from the page, I can internalize what the words are trying to portray. I can actively live within the character. I should put more emphasis on this creative part of practicing earlier on to help me find that same joy.

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  3. This is a great way to think of singing and motivation. I have heard that being a singer is comparable to an Olympic athlete. The idea of "cultivate(ing) a mindset" is something that may make the more difficult parts of singing easier for me. I love the music, I love the little changes, the complexity, and the beauty of what I am listening to and singing. However, I get frustrated and lose my motivation when I either learn something the incorrect way and have to re-learn it (which is difficult for me) or when I am unable to spot when something is wrong, and therefore can't fix it.

    I am unsure on how to find joy in practicing, especially when I am facing these challenges. Changing my mindset may be useful, but also the ultimate outlook may be useful as well. I need to remove the "crossing the finish line" mentality and focus on what I am working on that day. This will keep me in the moment and allow me to enjoy what I am learning, practicing, and singing again.`
    - Will

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  4. I really enjoyed the insights of this blog. I think as performers we often think too much about being the best or delivering the best performance. And because of that we aren't able to live in the moment and enjoy the process of creating it. Being present and living in the work is what makes this profession so amazing and if we are only consumed with thinking about the final product we miss out on it.

    For me personally my favorite part of the singing process is when I know a song well enough musically that I'm able to start adding character, emotion, and depth to the piece. I love getting to try new ideas and see what works and what doesn't. And as far as practicing, I love the feeling of getting something right that I've been struggling with for awhile. There is nothing more rewarding than when you finally make that breakthrough and it all just clicks. Moving forward I''m definitely going to try and find more joy in my work and to not view practice as chore, but find the fun and growth and in the process.

    - Jacob

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  5. Like Langley said above^, nothing is more exciting than getting notes from your directors during a rehearsal process. Taking apart a song, ensuring that each musical and physical choice is motivated is exciting (and tedious) work. Bouncing ideas off your scene partner is EXCITING. Trying new things and seeing your character in a new ways is so fulfilling, but to me the final step of sharing with an audience feels just as good. I miss it! Nothing scared me more, and nothing made me happier when I could manage to get it right. Right now, we really have to learn to love the process-because their is no "product" or performance in sight. So we have to learn to create for the sake of creating, knowing that if it is "shared" it is on a playlist that roughly 50% of the people actually watch. This has actually strengthened my resolve in some ways-I like to explore my abilities for ME, and I am sure of that now.

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  6. this blog really made me think because it is right. we need to look at songs as what we need to fill i n the time we have in the song with meaning and not focus on it ending. on of my favorite parts of the singing journey is taking the words and shaping them into emotion. we do alot of working on a song to make it sound good, but we need to know what we are singing about. thank you for this. this helps me know that we focus not on the ending but the parts that lead to it.

    Alex Fish

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  7. This Blog made me analyze the way that I view the process of theatre I go through. I have always preferred the actual show over the rehearsal process of that show. But contrary to how I feel, most of the beauty of the art comes out and shines during the rehearsal process. And I actually realized that I love the memories that are made in rehearsal over those made in the show. Both of which have made me the actor I am today, but watching others rehearse and find what is right is a different type of journey. This made me realize that I should put more focus on the journey and not only the end result.
    -Caden

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  8. HOOOOOOOOOO BOY! This was a gut punch. Not a gut punch because it's wrong or anything. A gut punch because it's far too true. This is a personal callout post. I need to be so much better at being happy where I am. I do truly enjoy rehearsing, practicing, and improving. I just get in my own way so much! I'm doing a lot of work right now to improve my ability to be with myself.

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  9. This blog resonates with me a lot, because it truly made me rethink about what is actually important to me when singing. Process over product... you know, before joining the program, I probably would have said I love to perform more than anything. But now, I truly do love the rehearsal process, figuring out what a character's intentions/desires are, taking the time to sing a phrase again and again until it sounds the way I want it to sound, etc. I think this is why, when you are practicing, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Take breaks, focus on what you want to achieve from that practice session. For me, I love how we are able to tell stories through musical theatre and delving into how to tell those stories in the most effective way. That comes through the rehearsal process, and it's just amazing.

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  10. I think I enjoy singing the most when I finally do something proficient that I have been struggling with for a while. It's funny now that I'm year 5 into this program and my singing has gone from terrifying anxiety to something to be proud of, yet I still find I have the most fun doing it for myself in the car or at home. Not that I don't love performing, but I love that singing is something unique to me that I can enjoy for myself. Remembering how far I've come and the journey of enjoyment in singing is really telling of how motivation and progress are sometimes unconscious but I still get to reap the benefits.

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  11. The rehearsal process is often enticing because it’s a safe space, but one that is undefined. The show world isn’t set in stone, illuminated by harsh lighting, or under the observation or scrutiny of a group of minds. In this undefined zone, one is free to fail, discover, try new things, fail again, celebrate, cry, and the whole gauntlet of rehearsal processing. This is much more liberating and joy inducing because what ever happens is what happens, and there’s little expectation. During a performance, the processing (to an extent) is complete, more solidified, and held to a particular standard for the viewing pleasure of the audience. In this case, there’s no time to really think about technique, if this note or that note is going to come out, or accuracy. That’s perhaps why practice often becomes the best place to be. Practice becomes a practice. It is where the most learning and discovery happens most of the time, because you’re just enough in the moment to be present with what you’re doing but also aware enough to be looking for what is new; after all, our brains are programmed to enjoy, or not, new things. Setting an intention could be helpful for practice sessions, for instance to celebrate the victories / what worked, and to understand things “unsatisfactory” will work themselves out in the end. Every practice session is different, and that could be really exciting and refreshing.

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  12. I really love this take! My personal favorite part about the whole singing process is the first time you are practicing a song and you do it without any major mishaps and you know that in the next rehearsal you are going to shine. Like mentioned above, it’s really special to see a breakthrough. I love the rehearsal process for singing a song. That moment when you, for some reason, just think of a completely new way to sing it, is one of the collets things and when you sing it for someone, they react the way you wanted. I can find that joy by each time I practice I will try and think of a new way to sing it!
    -Keenan Leuthauser

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  13. I really love this take! My personal favorite part about the whole singing process is the first time you are practicing a song and you do it without any major mishaps and you know that in the next rehearsal you are going to shine. Like mentioned above, it’s really special to see a breakthrough. I love the rehearsal process for singing a song. That moment when you, for some reason, just think of a completely new way to sing it, is one of the collets things and when you sing it for someone, they react the way you wanted. I can find that joy by each time I practice I will try and think of a new way to sing it!
    -Keenan Leuthauser

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  14. I love that Hugh Panero mentioned that he enjoys rehearsals more than performances because in a way, I agree wholeheartedly. The rehearsal has the stress aspect gone and you’re doing what you love in front of everybody. In a performance, all eyes are on you, you’re thinking about all your technique and you’re worried about cracking the money note. In rehearsal, it’s more laid-back, and you know that you have your team’s support always by your side, but in a performance, sometimes you forget about that support. The ease that comes from a rehearsal an easily be replicated in the car or in the shower in your room. That’s why we always sing better that way, is because we assume no one is listening. I want to incorporate that ease into my technique and be able to feel at ease when performing. My favorite part of the singing journey is the realization of improvement. I love that satisfaction that I’m able to do techniques that I haven’t been able to in the past. I can find that joy whenever I practice within the rep that I love. Whenever I hear a song that is given or that I find, I feel more motivated to work and keep going.

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  15. Thank you for this! I’ve never really thought of singing in this way. I’ve always been someone that focuses more on the product. I always wonder what my voice will sound like when it is finally at a place I like and what I will be able to do then. The process is something I’ve almost dreaded because I just want to get to the good part. I should start having the mindset that the process is necessary in order to get the product I want. All of the things I’m doing now will help lead me to that place I want to be. This blog made me think about a lot.

    I have to agree with Langley and say that my favorite part of the singing process is when something clicks for the first time. It’s just so satisfying finally understanding something I didn’t before. You hear all kinds of advice constantly and not all of it can sink in sometimes so when something finally does it’s just a really great feeling. It helps me learn so much more about myself and also reassured me that I’m on the right path. I may not be the singer I want to be yet but moments like those help me remember I’m capable of getting there.

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  16. I think my favorite part of the journey is just like Hugh's; in the rehearsal process. I always think back to the shows I have done and what was most enjoyable. Often the days of blocking and music rehearsal are the most memorable for me, due to the shenanigans I'd usually conjure up lol. I miss that feeling alot. It feels like covid has lasted a lifetime since my last show, since I felt the fun times of the rehearsal process.

    I try to find that similar joy when I work on Studio or when I record a session for Dem Lab. I also really enjoy singing songs that I had sang years ago or even 6 months ago and can see the progress I have made, it is really inspiring. I attribute that to your guidance and teachings Brian, so to you I say,
    Cheers
    Josh W

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  17. The rehearsal process is a tedious yet exciting part of what makes all of us our own performers. Practicing our art is such a private and precious thing that I often find embarrassing to show. When it comes to performance I don't feel embarrassed, but nervous.

    I relate strongly to Wyatt said, I feel stress free and find most of my joy when I am singing for myself, whether its when I am in the car or just singing a tune for fun. I want to be able to find that peace of mind when performing so as to bring my art to an entirely new level.

    -Tate Foshay

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  18. This blog sent a great message that helped inspire/motivate me. In my lifetime, I've never really considered myself as a singer due to lack of confidence in myself and from outside influence. I do like the mindset of joy is within the journey. This mindset is great for encouragement because most of the time when people, including myself, are enjoying something that we like to do, often times there are people who try to take that away from you by discouraging your interests.
    This blog gave me a realization that I don't necessarily have to be the best, I just need to set goals for myself that helps me improve internally and to not forget that this is supposed to enjoyable, not a chore or wish full thinking. If I want something I actually have to work hard on it and not worry so much of what others have to say about it.
    -Debora Ingabile

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