Post Skype - Reflection And Ethical Considerations

Skype discussion this evening, which I only just made, as my iPad keeps logging me out of Skype - gee thanks! Reflection didn't seem to get a whole lot of time, but perhaps that was my selective attention. I also had to take a call, so may have missed a few minutes. I'm sure I must reflect on my performances, but instinctively know what I should've done better and hold that. Not especially interested in other people's views. I get instant audience reaction, so 'notes' hold no real power for me. Reviews I try not to read anyway. The music business is not like the theatre, where you get helpful 'notes' from the director. I'm the director. If something goes wrong, it's my job to cover. People I respect may tell me if they really liked something, but in my world of fragile egos, nobody would ever tell you what you did wrong...a second time, anyway. I am, of course, my biggest critic, so try not to hold on to the bad stuff, as it could totally undermine the next performance. My mind is constantly churning all the poor decisions I've ever made in my life. It's not useful to add fuel to the fire.

And so on to ethics. My career is practically built on the moral high ground. There are plenty of people who can write and sing love songs, as it's a universal feeling. Unless you're a sociopath or a psychopath, of course, but they tend to have other careers. In my lyrics and my actions I have campaigned against racism, rape, apartheid, greedy landlords and gentrification. And Tories. But that's a given. If I suddenly were to go against or ignore my previous 'truths', I would lose my place in the business and also the world. Ethics are at the very core of what I do as a songwriter, performer and activist. Without my ideals, my ethics, I am just another woman singing about love in the same old way. I have no problem with love songs and I do write them, but I also seek to address the entire human condition from my standpoint. After this, as I said in the Skype meeting (what do you call it?), there are other ethical considerations. Where to play gigs, which countries to visit, which companies to work for, which publications to speak to. Do you embrace the beast and spit in his eye? Sometimes. It's a moral tightrope.

For example, I was DJing on the west coast of the US last year the day after (yet another) mass shooting. I spoke to the audience, expressing my disbelief at their gun laws and then played an acoustic lyrical-rewrite of a well known civil rights song. Afterwards, the audience applauded. It was the right thing to do, whether it baited the NRA supporters or not. Not the best version ever, but the right version at the right time.

Listen here, if you wish:  https://youtu.be/p1daKanRE54

There was also a brief discussion of ethics in teaching. I'm clear on what is important for me. I can't imagine anyone would employ me thinking their ethical code would supersede my own. I like to think I am employed because of, rather than in spite of who I am. As with dance, to be good at music you must practice. It's said it takes 10,000 hours to become a competent musician. So, it's not easy and you can always improve. A current over-used phrase is 'being the best version of yourself'. As a goal for an artist, that is it. My mantra to my students is, "music is work - the harder you work, the more fun you'll have". I don't expect my students, many of whom are unwell, to be brilliant. I do, however, expect 100% effort. I believe firmly that people rise to expectation. My tears when they give me all 100% confirm my faith in them.

In short: reflection - nein danke, ethics - a big yes from me.

Sunday Skype - Frameworks And Theories

For me this Skype session was alright. Not really of great interest. Not every discussion is. I don't mind that. However, when you attend a class that doesn't really engage you, you just go home. Here, of course, I'm obliged to offer my reflection. Inevitably, dance not being my art form, I didn't identify with the notion of the theory. I did offer a couple of interjections, but not from my own practice. The subject, frameworks and theories, with regard to what I do, is still a mystery really. I'm not sure at all how it relates to me. Understanding may come. There is no over-arching technique. There are style choices, but that's all. Perhaps it's not even relevant to what I do.

One strand of discussion was about the participation of adolescents in dance. Whether the fall off during early teenage years was due to peer pressure, reigning in societal norms. Well, since music is an absolute sausage fest anyway, societal norms are still almost never broken. Women participate in music largely as singers, or playing the gender appropriate instruments such as keyboard, saxophone, violin and guitar. No eyebrows are ever raised at female keyboard players. With the other instruments, it's more unusual. Once a female musician steps outside the 'appropriate' instruments, the numbers drop off rapidly. Female vocalists aren't especially unusual, but are often ruthlessly critiqued. When I teach, women are almost never anything but vocalists. And, just last week when doing an experimental spoken word improvisation, a woman tried drumming, but was moved off immediately for the next piece. The man who replaced her wasn't even better than me, but it was the first time he'd participated, so was left in situ. I have so often been the only woman on the bill, or one of two or three on the tourbus, I don't even notice anymore. Bizarre, since I started in an all female band.

I normally write my post Skype blog when the impressions are new and strong. This time, I had to wait for the impressions to die off a bit, so I could find something positive and relevant to say.

Onwards and upwards