Why Gamble?
WHY GAMBLE?
Imagine walking into a Las Vegas Casino and seeing three slot machines next to each other. One says “LOSE,” one says “BREAK EVEN,” and one says “WIN.” You think “Maybe this is a trick...” so you test each one. Sure enough... the LOSE and BREAK EVEN machines do exactly what they claim. The WIN machine always pays you, although the amount is different every time. WHERE WILL YOU GAMBLE? Of course you’ll stand there and pump money into the WIN machine as fast as you can, max bet every time. It’s not only the smart play, it’s the only play, and has now ceased to be gambling.
I have choirs RIDDLED with gamblers. The younger the choir, the more gamblers inside. What do I mean by gamblers? I mean singers who haphazardly approach their own rehearsal, their own training. How do they gamble?
-They don’t look at their music. LOSE. How can you possibly sing what’s on the page unless you look at it?
-They look at their music, but don’t read the notes - just the words. LOSE or BREAK EVEN. They might get by after a long time, but it won’t be easy.
-They don’t sing with purpose. They just breathe and sing like they talk. LOSE or BREAK EVEN. Maybe if their part is mezzo-forte and mid-range, a decent sound can come out, but that’s a best case scenario.
-They don’t count. They just try to FEEL the entrances and usually don’t cut off at all (they just fade away). LOSE or BREAK EVEN - depending on how good their memories are and how many times they’ve rehearsed a part.
-They don’t mark their music. LOSE.
Choir Bites Interactive Slides can enhance online/hybrid lesson plans or be used as supplemental assignments. Your singers’ awareness will rise as they engage with these simple, “sticky” concepts! Click here to learn more!
These singers aren’t TRYING TO LOSE, they just aren’t really paying attention. They mistake action for achievement and hope for the best. They want to sing well but act like it is not within their power to control the outcome. What makes this all so sad is that there are GUARANTEED WAYS TO WIN.
-Count
-Look at the music
-Track the notes on the page
-Breathe before your entrance
-Make a distinct cutoff
-Have great posture
-Engage the face
-Mark the music
-And many more!
Imagine that the more you play the WIN machine, the more often and bigger the payoffs get. That’s what happens for singers who train with plan and purpose. WHY GAMBLE? WIN!
