Sunday Morning Skype. Early.

9am Sunday morning. No evening option and I'm not a morning person. First Skype from my bed. The over arching theme was 'change'. As soon as the Skype session was over, all I could think of was how many psychotherapists it takes to change a lightbulb. The answer should be one, but the lightbulb has to want to change. My inner cynic says if psychotherapists can't even do that, they should call an electrician.

I have been trying to challenge my bias against spirituality, which I always take to be part of a system of faith. Under this umbrella I would also toss anything you have to believe in for it to work; psychotherapy, mindfulness and Feldenkrais are right there with major world religions. It seems effecting change on long established value systems will require robust and cogent arguments. These I have yet to encounter. Possibly a blind alley, so I'll move on.

After Module One I don't know that my practice itself changed, but the value I placed on it certainly did. My experience really was worth something and maybe I did walk a little taller. I've never been one to rest on my laurels and have always espoused the 'onwards and upwards' maxim. But, pausing a moment to take stock is not an act of vanity. I feel the whole world is doing so right now. So many of us in lockdown, isolation and this new phrase, social distancing. What we mean is, of course, physical distancing. Does using the phrase 'social distancing' affect our concept of what we're doing? It doesn't change what we're doing, in reality, but perhaps if we used the phrase 'physical distancing' people would grasp it more readily. Anyway, many of us currently have time to reflect on the big picture. What sort of world will we have after the pandemic? What sort of world do we want?

Bizarrely, though I have had lots of gigs and teaching cancelled, I seem to have too much to do. Nothing's changed there then. I recently moved and so am trying to find a new corner to work in. However, 'stuff' has to be sorted through and let go of first. And I still have a drum kit in my living room.

Does the lightbulb want to change? Get a grip, it's a lightbulb.

Post Module 2 Skype

Yesterday I had a plethora of information about Module 2. In the morning I had a Skype session with Adesola, my supervisor, and in the evening there was an open Skype with a Module 2 focus. I have to say I now have a much better handle on how to go forward.

The MORE form looks very official and very daunting. It's set up as a safeguarding tool both for researchers and those who may be included in a study, to avoid any unnecessary harm. It is slanted towards science subjects, but does cover safeguarding vulnerable participants in the arts sector as well. My form is mostly finished, as I started it last term. I had to defer on account of being on tour for so long. It does take a long time, but isn't nearly as complicated as it seems at first. My advice is get stuck in and get it done. Planning your research project is much more work and will take longer.

So that's me, head down, getting on with it. I am, however, looking forward to the Community Skypes, which I hope will keep me on track. I know that those on Module 3 have a group chat and plan group Skypes. Perhaps this is something we could also consider? Although this is a distance learning degree, I went along to the Hendon campus to catch one of the Module 3 presentations last year. It was good to put faces to names, but, more importantly, speak to some of the students and pick their brains a bit. I know this won't be possible for everyone, but the more contact we have with each other, the better, I think. It's a virtual classroom, but a classroom nonetheless.

See y'all at the next one!

♫ Looking Down On Creation ♬♪

It's The Carpenters, to save you wondering. Yes, Karen Carpenter had a wonderful voice, no I didn't like the songs. It's an oblique reference to a topic that arose in this evening's Skype Sunday. I admit to zoning out here and there, but one thing that reeled me in was the discussion of bias. My own bias is that opinions are a good thing. Inevitably, your bias is influenced by your upbringing, lifestyle, social status and many other things and your opinions derive therefrom. However, whilst always acknowledging my bias, my opinions can change a great deal. For me, this is because opinions depend on information and evolving circumstances. I cannot understand why they would not. Retaining the same opinion, given new, pertinent information, is idiotic. That also is my opinion. I have a declared bias against wilful ignorance.

Adesola and Helen joined us for the second half of the Skype session. This was a new arrangement, to me anyway. There was a lot of talk about research and Adesola questioned the relationship between bias and control. For me it works thus; first acknowledge your bias, then accept it will influence how you react to information, however do not let it stifle the responses of others. Do not consciously let your bias control the outcome of your research. Unconscious bias? Who knows? I'll do my best!

We also touched on the current global pandemic and what we can do to assuage the isolation of many of us trapped at home. Apart from the usual instability of freelancers, this illness has wiped out work for many of us, or is about to. Having recourse to an online study community will at least keep our minds occupied. The suggestion was to have more informal Skype sessions. I will certainly look forward to this, as guilt will force me to do my bit and keep me on my toes.

So, with my MORE form put to bed, I think, next stop essays. There are always drawers to sort out, so I can always find a distraction, but I'm determined not to leave it to the last minute. Again. Pray for me, Karen!

Getting Back In The Saddle

Although it wasn't really that long ago, last term seems so far away. I spent most of it on the road and, consequently, here I am revisiting a module I really had no time to get to. I remember trying to contribute to a Skype session from an airport security queue, which of course went so much faster than it would've done, had I not been on the phone... So, here's to getting back in the saddle and not falling at any fences this time.

When I get a moment, I'll have a good read of the handbook to remind myself of the task ahead. I've done some reading and fleshed out some ideas, so I'm out of the gate. Let's go with the riding analogy until I really am flogging a dead horse. Time management, or at least having time to manage is my goal for the next few weeks. I'll be home in a couple of weeks, so will try in earnest not to leave the country for the next few months. That should see me break this module in and before long I shall be on the home straight. Too much? Nah, or neigh? No, even. Early essay planning. The MORE form takes longer than you think, beware. And taking my own advice, I shall use some of my time with my supervisor earlier rather than later.

So, those are all my good intentions. Let's see how I do! I'll leave you with the backdrop to the last few days here in Oz. See you at the finishing post!

Post Skype - MORE Form

Never having been backward in coming forward, I feel I did a lot of talking during this session. It's great to be in a place where things are beginning to make sense, however, I do feel we could more usefully have had this discussion a couple of weeks earlier. I suppose the idea is to wait until everyone's made an attempt at the MORE form, so we all know to what we're referring.

I have been so busy of late, that I can't really remember what else we talked about, save for the forms being more slanted towards science than art. However, how information is stored and how interviewees are anonymised is something I really had not considered. Suddenly, it's all very serious!

Post Skype - Module Two (DAN4630)

Well! A strange Wednesday evening at home, going back out on tour tomorrow. Last bit of quiet for a while. However, another breakthrough. I started in on 'Intelligence In The Flesh', recommended by Helen, so some ideas had been running around. Up to this session, I had no idea what I would or could make the subject of my inquiry. Whilst I was listening to others speaking, I came up with two possibilities. Two!! Like buses!! I may not end up using either of them, but having the ideas feels like a relief. Firstly, "when considering the quality of a voice, what is soul?" And secondly, continuing a subject broached in one of my AOL essays, "when being a backing singer, how do I 'dial down' my performance?"

Sorted! I'm on my way. Just a question of all the 'other stuff' I haven't quite got a handle on. Something I do need to turn around is my usual attitude, in that I am used to providing evidence to support my arguments. The notion of asking a question to which I don't already know the answer is, for me, counter-intuitive. I am used to advocating on behalf of an idea or an organisation. What I have to do is wonder. This is something I do passively, whilst I'm doing something else. To actively wonder about something, is new. An example is how I came up with inquiry ideas, whilst I was listening to others talking. Focussing my full attention on an unknown is different for me. Perhaps this isn't quite what I have to do. I'm sure somebody will tell me. Anyway, as an experiment, it would be no bad thing.

Not so worried about methodology. I'm confident I can provide sound arguments for however I choose to proceed. Back in my comfort zone. Now I've got to get on with it. During a tour! Wish me luck...

Post Skype - Theories And Frameworks

I 'sat out' most of this call, as nothing seemed to include me. Whilst I was listening, I glanced back at this topic from last term and I had had the same response. I am a singer in a band. I have studied some dance, so I know what others are talking about when they say Graham technique or Cunningham technique, but it has nothing whatsoever to do with my practice. If you want to sing in a band, you join one. That's it. No years of study, not actively anyway. Join a band and be a singer. And, abracadabra, that's what you are.

These days I could do a degree in being a singer in a band. I could achieve a BMus, a Modern Music degree. Part of my impetus for doing this course myself was that I wasn't sure students were getting a fair deal from their BMus and I wanted to do some lecturing. I wasn't considered because I didn't have a degree. I had 50 years' experience of singing in public, but no degree. I had been in the music business for 40 years, but no degree. I have gigged all over the UK, in Europe and in the USA, but no degree. I have seven gold and one silver record, but no degree. Alright then, I'll get a degree.

I can't imagine what 'rules' young vocalists are taught, but I had no teacher. Along the way I took a few singing lessons, just to 'make sure', but can't say I changed anything. I had probably learned more from doing youth theatre, where I learned to project my voice and stand in the light. Doing dance classes from an early age made me aware of where I was on stage, in relation to others, and to smile at the audience. That was all the stagecraft I started with.

Anyway, back to the Skype call. I managed to communicate to Helen that my practice has no predetermined theory or framework, so how could I apply this idea. She said what I do is intuitive and that, in itself, stands as a theory/framework. Hurrah! There are even books! An epiphany! I was, for most of the call, thinking here's an hour I'll never get back. So pleased I persevered and spoke up. Got one of the books. I'm a slow reader and I'm back on tour in three days, where it's always noisy, but I'll do my best.

Result!