What it takes

[tytaniaherself]

Every time I try to respond to the "What it takes to become an opera singer", I end up with this massive long diatribe that goes on forever. Even when I am going out of my way to be kind and talk sense, there's still a crapload to say because everything is wrong. EVERYTHING.

Comments

[madamevoilanska]

This is wonderful. I especially like #9, because I know I'm awesome and I know so many people who won't own their awesomeness, and I think it holds them back.

I also totally agree with the idea of putting yourself out there even if you're not PERFECT--nobody is perfect, and if you don't start auditioning you'll never get anywhere anyway. Also, I think you can count rehearsals, performances, and auditions among the 10,000 hours it takes to master this craft. I've learned more from being onstage, even just from being in the chorus and watching the principals do their thing, than I have in the classroom, and maybe even in the studio.

[tytaniaherself]

Rehearsals fall under learning and practicing stagecraft. No one is born knowing how to cheat out, or counter-cross and so on. It takes a lot of practice before you can look natural while cheating out.

Performances and auditions are where we learn how to stay focused and what to focus on and how nerves will affect us and what to do to counteract that. Although singing at parties and cafes does start to burn you out after a while, it's a great way to find out how to get and hold people's attention and what kind of stuff really clicks with an audience what doesn't. I've seen singers wow a non-opera audience with obscure rep while others can't seem to hold anyone's interest with O mio babbino caro. You have to learn what reads and what doesn't.

Oh fuck. This.

[konstanze1]

May I like...put this on my Facebook or something? I'd totally credit Tytania the Awesome.

Re: Oh fuck. This.

[tytaniaherself]

Go for it. Linking or re-posting with credit to Tytania Strange are both fine :)