1. Finish songs
2. Define Set List/Research artist set lists
3. Keys
4. Charts
5. Practice CD
6. Research Clubs
7. Research musicians
8. Set date
9. Start promoting show
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
meditation and inspiration
Last night I attended my mentor Vickie Natale's show at Feinstein's. It confirmed why God put her in my path...
Vickie is an incredible artist, not to mention an incredible person. Watching her performance taught me some things about myself. I've been trying to figure out the origin of my innermost fears while I perform or even when I try to improvise with other artists/musicians... What is it that holds me back and prevents me from letting go?
Well, I saw Vickie be herself, funny, charming, and natural. No gimmicks. And really really enjoying herself. Letting herself go and being absorbed by her music. She was running around, being silly, and not being self-conscious or afraid to make fun of herself.
Yes, that's it! I'm AFRAID of making fun of myself, of screwing up, of not being perfect, of falling on stage, yes, when I wear heels I am so scared to fall, I let all these things get in my head because I don't want to look stupid.
I'm kinda shy and having the spontaneous, charming stage presence is really hard work for me. So how do I achieve just being. Just BEING. Letting go of my inhibitions and telling my brain to shut up. Really find myself and let the music take me? Stop worrying about what the musicians are doing, what I look like, if I look too fat, too silly, too sweaty...UGH.
I guess that is the challenge. I have recognized the fear. Now how do I work on getting rid of it?
Vickie is an incredible artist, not to mention an incredible person. Watching her performance taught me some things about myself. I've been trying to figure out the origin of my innermost fears while I perform or even when I try to improvise with other artists/musicians... What is it that holds me back and prevents me from letting go?
Well, I saw Vickie be herself, funny, charming, and natural. No gimmicks. And really really enjoying herself. Letting herself go and being absorbed by her music. She was running around, being silly, and not being self-conscious or afraid to make fun of herself.
Yes, that's it! I'm AFRAID of making fun of myself, of screwing up, of not being perfect, of falling on stage, yes, when I wear heels I am so scared to fall, I let all these things get in my head because I don't want to look stupid.
I'm kinda shy and having the spontaneous, charming stage presence is really hard work for me. So how do I achieve just being. Just BEING. Letting go of my inhibitions and telling my brain to shut up. Really find myself and let the music take me? Stop worrying about what the musicians are doing, what I look like, if I look too fat, too silly, too sweaty...UGH.
I guess that is the challenge. I have recognized the fear. Now how do I work on getting rid of it?
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
8/10/11
Back from a long week vacation in Texas and Louisiana. Many wonderful memories were created with family and some of my closest friends. Now I'm back in NYC to focus on my short-term goals (both personal and professional).
I wanted to start doing live shows this summer, but it looks like everything that's come my way has delayed the process. In the meantime I have to get my voice in shape again and really immerse myself in the music.
Back to writing and getting the songs together for a live show. I'm anxious to sing live again and I know my followers are too.
Getting physically fit for the photo shoot. Looking for a professional make-up artist/hair stylist, ideas for my artistic "look", wardrobe, jewelry...phew! A bit overwhelmed.
Opportunities to sing again keep coming up, I feel like I'm so rusty and old, but I just need to focus and keep a positive attitude to get back on track. The more I do it, the better I will be.
I wanted to start doing live shows this summer, but it looks like everything that's come my way has delayed the process. In the meantime I have to get my voice in shape again and really immerse myself in the music.
Back to writing and getting the songs together for a live show. I'm anxious to sing live again and I know my followers are too.
Getting physically fit for the photo shoot. Looking for a professional make-up artist/hair stylist, ideas for my artistic "look", wardrobe, jewelry...phew! A bit overwhelmed.
Opportunities to sing again keep coming up, I feel like I'm so rusty and old, but I just need to focus and keep a positive attitude to get back on track. The more I do it, the better I will be.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Stepping it up!
So those who know me have seen my struggle with weight loss since I was a child. In the last 5 years I have lost 75 pounds and I still have about 20-30 to lose. I am doing great with my Weight Watchers lifestyle and I love it! My fitness routine is good, but now that my schedule will allow me for more days of activity, I need to challenge myself even more.
I have a specific goal to reach my ideal weight this summer, and I can do it in the next 3 months.
I also need to get ready for a photo shoot, so this adds more pressure since I have to do it in this specific time frame.
Today, I start an additional strength training workout. I will do this 3 times a week in addition to my regular cardio classes and jogging.
May the force be with me! A little prayer, energy drink, and determination...
I need peer support more than ever. I KNOW I CAN DO IT!
I have a specific goal to reach my ideal weight this summer, and I can do it in the next 3 months.
I also need to get ready for a photo shoot, so this adds more pressure since I have to do it in this specific time frame.
Today, I start an additional strength training workout. I will do this 3 times a week in addition to my regular cardio classes and jogging.
May the force be with me! A little prayer, energy drink, and determination...
I need peer support more than ever. I KNOW I CAN DO IT!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Blah
It's been one of those weeks. I have been physically and mentally exhausted. Haven't gone to the gym and haven't slept right. Today I must go to my spinning class so I can get back on track. I guess I'm allowed to have one of those weeks once in a while. My mind is trying to defeat me, my mood is not getting better, and my hormones are raging.
I need a goal this week.
I need a goal this week.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Homework
I've made significant progress since I started my voice lessons with Vickie. Letting go of fears, insecurities, and anything that blocks my creativity...
Building calluses on my fingertips has been a bit painful, but I'm managing because I'm determined to master playing and singing at the same time.
This week's homework assignments:
•incorporate vocal exercises 8-12 and practice losening up my jaw!
•work on riffs for ending "si tu no estas" (original)and write out chart with chords
•research "open mic" venues
•continue to prepare songs to perform with guitar accompaniment
•complete another song from my 21 potential original songs
Oh yeah, go to work, raise a child, be a loving wife, and work out/ eat right, pray and meditate...geez!
Building calluses on my fingertips has been a bit painful, but I'm managing because I'm determined to master playing and singing at the same time.
This week's homework assignments:
•incorporate vocal exercises 8-12 and practice losening up my jaw!
•work on riffs for ending "si tu no estas" (original)and write out chart with chords
•research "open mic" venues
•continue to prepare songs to perform with guitar accompaniment
•complete another song from my 21 potential original songs
Oh yeah, go to work, raise a child, be a loving wife, and work out/ eat right, pray and meditate...geez!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
making friends with my guitar
The first time I picked up the guitar was about 20 years ago when my choir director at Church taught me some chords and encouraged me to play along in the choir. On one of my trips to Mexico, my mom bought me a hand-made guitar in Paracho, Michoacan, a small town in Mexico famous for guitar-making. I played my guitar for a few years in the choir and at some point we grew apart.
As part of one of my College requirements I had to take piano and guitar. My voice always was the easiest instrument for me, and although I had the potential to master these 2 instruments, I was very lazy and did not put much effort into it.
Since then, the guitar was forgotten and as my career in music as a vocalist began, the two of us grew distant...
One of the most important things I mentioned in the beginning of this blog, was the realization that I could no longer rely on others to help me fulfill my dreams and aspirations. This includes the writing/composing of my songs, my self-image, and also being able to accompany myself while singing at shows.
So, it called me. I decided to listen to the voice inside my head and I took the guitar out of its case. It was like reuniting with a long lost friend. I had to stop all of the negative thoughts that told me I couldn't do it, and I just started playing it again. It felt good. Well, it hurt a lot...my fingers I mean. You have to build calluses on your fingers so that the pressing of the chords stops hurting after a while.
I had constant pain on my wrist, but I took breaks and didn't let it get in the way.
I was focused and determined to lose the fear and the insecurity of not being a guitarrist. The much dreaded bar chords keep haunting me, but I decided that no matter what I did or no matter how long it took, I would master the damn "F" chord. Ok, now I am friends with the "F" chord. It took a while, but the more I play it, the better I get.
This is the first step. I am working on singing and playing some covers as well as some of my original songs. These are new songs that no one has heard before and I am very excited about putting a show together soon.
I am getting more confident playing and singing. I have a long way to go, but I promise that you will like the results if you stick around.
Now I'm obsessed with my friend, my guitar. Maybe I should name her/him...hmmm
As part of one of my College requirements I had to take piano and guitar. My voice always was the easiest instrument for me, and although I had the potential to master these 2 instruments, I was very lazy and did not put much effort into it.
Since then, the guitar was forgotten and as my career in music as a vocalist began, the two of us grew distant...
One of the most important things I mentioned in the beginning of this blog, was the realization that I could no longer rely on others to help me fulfill my dreams and aspirations. This includes the writing/composing of my songs, my self-image, and also being able to accompany myself while singing at shows.
So, it called me. I decided to listen to the voice inside my head and I took the guitar out of its case. It was like reuniting with a long lost friend. I had to stop all of the negative thoughts that told me I couldn't do it, and I just started playing it again. It felt good. Well, it hurt a lot...my fingers I mean. You have to build calluses on your fingers so that the pressing of the chords stops hurting after a while.
I had constant pain on my wrist, but I took breaks and didn't let it get in the way.
I was focused and determined to lose the fear and the insecurity of not being a guitarrist. The much dreaded bar chords keep haunting me, but I decided that no matter what I did or no matter how long it took, I would master the damn "F" chord. Ok, now I am friends with the "F" chord. It took a while, but the more I play it, the better I get.
This is the first step. I am working on singing and playing some covers as well as some of my original songs. These are new songs that no one has heard before and I am very excited about putting a show together soon.
I am getting more confident playing and singing. I have a long way to go, but I promise that you will like the results if you stick around.
Now I'm obsessed with my friend, my guitar. Maybe I should name her/him...hmmm
Saturday, May 21, 2011
My transformation
2 weeks ago I began a new journey in my life.
I got tired of waiting for others to make things happen for me. How silly of me to think that "someone" would come to my rescue and just fall in love with my voice and talent, and open all the doors to help me succeed in a career in music. As naive as that sounds, it seems that most of my life I lived with a preconceived notion of how things "ought to be". Problem is that I realized that only "I" can start making changes in my life, and only "I" can work on "me".
Due to some major life events full of emotional stress, I had already started working with an interior transformation: Changing my outlook of life, focusing on positive thoughts and actions to get along better with others and myself and to have a better and stronger relationship with God (my strength and my guide). Along with this transformation, I began an exterior transformation and have been focusing on physical fitness and serious weightloss results.
So as part of this new journey in my personal life, I needed to make some serious changes in my relationship with music.
The first step I took was to search for a vocal coach to help me work on my craft and also with artist development. Through my search I ran into the wonderful and talented Vickie Natale. (www.vickienatale.com)
This is the beginning of my journey and I want to share it with you. Perhaps I can help you in your journey.
I got tired of waiting for others to make things happen for me. How silly of me to think that "someone" would come to my rescue and just fall in love with my voice and talent, and open all the doors to help me succeed in a career in music. As naive as that sounds, it seems that most of my life I lived with a preconceived notion of how things "ought to be". Problem is that I realized that only "I" can start making changes in my life, and only "I" can work on "me".
Due to some major life events full of emotional stress, I had already started working with an interior transformation: Changing my outlook of life, focusing on positive thoughts and actions to get along better with others and myself and to have a better and stronger relationship with God (my strength and my guide). Along with this transformation, I began an exterior transformation and have been focusing on physical fitness and serious weightloss results.
So as part of this new journey in my personal life, I needed to make some serious changes in my relationship with music.
The first step I took was to search for a vocal coach to help me work on my craft and also with artist development. Through my search I ran into the wonderful and talented Vickie Natale. (www.vickienatale.com)
This is the beginning of my journey and I want to share it with you. Perhaps I can help you in your journey.
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