But it is slow. A pattern emerges - a small breakthrough followed by a lengthy plateau. At a lesson I think I'm getting somewhere, but then the next week I sing so badly that I feel embarrassed and question why I'm keep going.
However, discovering the song book with backing track CD has encouraged me to search for more. Having a musical backing to practise with at home made a big difference when I was practising for the Christmas concert. I don't play piano or guitar, so cannot self-accompany, and this has been a big disadvantage.
A backing track is actually better than self-accompaniment; it is unforgiving and uncompromising. No cheating allowed. While you are singing, you cannot pause to remember the next line of lyrics. The music keeps going, whether you are ready or not; just like a backing band. You have to keep time. It also helped me memorize the "form" of the song (verse, chorus, repeats). Anything you can automate and embed in your brain builds confidence and frees you up to focus on the way you are singing.
I begin to visit music shops, regularly perusing the "vocal" section of their songbook shelves. I find books of audition songs, pop songs and jazz songs. Before long I possess a small collection and start to learn the songs, using the backing tracks in my singing lessons.
One day a book catches my eye - "Jobim". I recognize "The Girl from Ipanema" and one or two other titles. I buy it and start identifying the songs with reference to some jazz CDs that my husband bought me years earlier. These discs have kept me company, and I start paying more attention to the names of the composers and artists.
Suddenly I have lots of new songs to try.What I discover is that every song has something different to teach me. It may be taking a breath in a certain place, modifying a vowel or preparing for a high note at the beginning of a phrase. Instead of working on one piece for weeks (as I used to have to when I learned clarinet at school), I try a different song every week or two. New challenges build different skills.
I'm slightly bothered by the fact that I'm not practising much at home during the week. Apart from being a busy working mum, I don't want to embed wrong singing habits; I'm worried that I'm still not doing it right.
However, I have been practising my public speaking, giving many free talks around town. And I have been invited to speak at an international law conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I should add that this is at my own expense, as the association does not pay speaker fees or travelling expenses, but it's such a good opportunity that I accept and book flights. South America had never been on my radar but now I'm going there, on my own.
So I'm trying to teach myself Spanish, using programs on CDs and my i-pod. On my morning walks around the local streets I listen and repeat, not caring what the neighbours think. The October trip is exciting. My presentation is well-received, I meet lots of interesting people, and I'm invited to present again the following year in Madrid - a chance to use the Spanish again.
I'm back just in time to start rehearsals for the AIMMS Christmas concert. I sing the Linda Ronstadt song "You're No Good" - one from my Warriors song list. I'm happy to have this song ready, as I'm finding it hard to think of other rock songs that I want to sing. My repertoire is moving in another direction altogether.
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