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VIKKI FLAWITH, SINGER/SONGWRITER & VOICE TEACHER, VICTORIA, BC

Hi!  Happy spring!  I love daylight savings!

Hot news this month:  Len Amsterdam featured my ballad, "Wilted Heart", on two of his Country music stations - WH reached #3 on Soundclick's Country-Pop charts; and got as high as #6 in the Country charts!  A rough cut of my newest, "Still I Dream of You" is posted... so far it's reached #13 on the contemporary classical charts, and a ballad recorded just in time for Mother's Day, 'She was Always There' - co-written with Michael Kavanagh - just posted last week, has risen to #11 on the pop/AAA charts..  I have a couple more in development as we speak!  ~ Vikki

Practice Makes... Progress

Often, in the first few minutes of a singing lesson, I say, “so, how’s the practicing going?” Reaction to this gentle inquiry is often mixed: “Good, I practiced my exercises three times and worked on the song, too.”... “Well, I only got in one session... we had company.”... “Didn’t do much, wasn’t feeling well.”... “Hey, I practiced with my tape every day!!”... “You don’t want to know.” :-(

As a human being and as an artist, I know that life often gets in the way. We start out the day planning to make time for our art. But then... And you know, that’s okay. Sometimes the reality is there and we have to deal with it. But when that reality gets in our way every day, maybe there’s something more going on. Maybe we’re experiencing a level of frustration with our artistic practice that we just don’t want to revisit. Maybe, like a little kid at bedtime, we resist what’s good for us. Even if we know we’re spending money and energy on studying an art form that requires us to practice... still we don’t feel like it; don’t feel up to it; don’t have time for it; don’t plan to be a professional artist; don’t see the point of it, who am I kidding?... mmm.... let’s be scientific and come up with an equation for this syndrome.... “don’t” x 5^p = doubt².

Doubt is a pervasive entity. It’s the artist’s boogie man, the orc that growls in the deep dark cavern of our psyche. He eats Practise for breakfast. He eats Hope for lunch. And his favourite meal is Self-Belief.

The Orc of Doubt is extremely happy when you find reasons not to practise. Cause he knows the Big Secret. He knows the way out. He has The Answer in the palm of his hand. He knows that if you practice, the simple act of you being and doing is an act of change. Your simple action makes you stronger in mind and body. Your simple action totally threatens his existence.... “doing” x 3^p = progress⁷.

In her book, The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron talks about ‘filling in the form’ -- taking small steps towards your larger goal every day. It means establishing a daily routine in which you set aside – and then use – small increments of time to practice your art.

l GETTING REAL:

If you haven’t already, find a space in your home for your singing. Put your tape deck, your tape, your music, your mirror and your notes in that place. Maybe put a vase of flowers there, or a piece of art, or a stuffed kitten... anything that is meaningful to you. Make it special. Clear a place for singing in your house and you will clear a space for singing in your psyche. I like to have a ‘practice diary’ – a pocketsized notebook, so I can write down the date and what I practiced every time I do my ‘small act of doing’. Or post a calendar in the practice area – and write a big “P!!” on every day you practice. Make it your goal to see lots of “P”s on your calender! Get all this set up, then allow yourself to take a baby step – and do a baby sigh. Breathe. Sing.

“Take a look at your habits. Many of them may interfere with your self-nurturing and cause shame. Some of the oddest things are self-destructive. Do you have a habit of watching TV you don’t like? Do you have a habit of hanging out with a really boring friend and just killing time? Some rotten habits are obvious (drinking too much, smoking, eating), some are more subtle (no time to exercise, always helping others, hanging out with people who belittle your dreams.) List three rotten habits. What’s the payoff in continuing them? What use do these forms of sabotage have? Be specific.” [The Artist’s Way]

LISTEN TO MY WORKS-IN-PROGRESS:

http://www.soundclick.com/vikkiflawith

READ MY SONGWRITING JOURNAL:

http://theshysinger-songwriter.blogspot.com/

A FINAL THOUGHT:

"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm."

Colette

NOTES & LINKS:

l Alexander Technique: “teaches a person to recognize and change habits that interfere with well integrated functioning. The student is guided by the teacher's tactile and verbal cues, which are designed to elicit a specific reorganization of the body, primarily focused on the head to spine relationship. The student participates in a new kinesthetic experience, allowing the natural ease of movement to emerge.”  Gwen Dobie is a well-respected practitioner of AT and is located in James Bay.  Give her a ring at 389-0611 for an appointment.

l Demo Recording:  DJ Promotions Recording Studio, located in Brentwood Bay, offers a variety of services.  Producer Dan Spedding is a terrific guitarist, a creative and versatile musician, and an all-around nice guy.  Check out his website, or contact him at 818-4568.

l Do It All Entertainment:  Drew Arrington is my favourite karaoke host, he's a singing D.J. too.  Check out his site for dates & places.  Fun!

l Namaste B&B: Located on the harbour in beautiful Ucluelet, BC.  Only a short drive to Long Beach & Tofino, this wonderful home-away-from-home B&B is owned and operated by sculptor Linda Lemay.  I highly recommend it!  Give her a call at 250-726-2580 anytime you plan a trip to the Island's gorgeous west coast.

l Songwriters Association of Canada – www.songwriters.ca

l Taxi – www.taxi.com – good articles on songwriting & the music biz

Vikki Flawith, Singer/Songwriter & Voice Teacher

"What I really want my students to 'get' from my studio is the knowledge that the life of an artist is a process. We must find time for our art in our daily lives, for it is when we are in the act of creating, or studying (practicing) that we affect what is unseen in us. The act of 'doing' over and over again trains the subconscious to do things in a new, more holistic and natural way. Thus each 'doing' is a tiny but transformative event on the path to self-discovery and creativity. Each step, each practice, each song, each lesson, each performance, is part of a whole -- a joyfully artistic life."

Email: vflawith@islandnet.com  ~  Web: www.theshysinger.com