In this dark image, I am playing my song at a recital. My new vocal coach, Hannah Anders, invited me to play after only two weeks of vocal coaching.
Below is a one-minute clip where I introduce my song at the recital:
SOMEONE TO LOVE YOU Recital Blog Excerpt A
Transcription:
I wrote a song just about three days ago. So I thought – it’s the only thing I can hear and I’m going to play it. When I heard the music to it – it was a love song, for sure. And I haven’t had a romantic relationship in so long. How could I write a love song? So I did! I wrote a love song to my children because I love them so much. I have three children; one is going to be 19, and I have a 22-year-old daughter and a 25-year-old son. And they’re all at the cusp of going forward in the world and I just want them to find someone to love them the way that I do. That’s where my song is!
My latest song mixes are below. I recorded guitar and vocal tracks separately this time. (The vocal track is not finished):
SOMEONE TO LOVE YOU-11/28/15 Copyright 2015 by Judy Unger
SOMEONE TO LOVE YOU Guitar-Copyright 2015 by Judy Unger
Link to Part 1 of this story:
This is me! I was such a happy child.
There just weren’t enough words to describe how uplifting and exciting my newest song was for me. It came at a perfect time.
I was beginning to become overwhelmed with doubts about where I was going with my music.
I had songs with vocals ready to be released; they represented thousands of hours of dedicated work. But I wasn’t attached to them anymore and unsure about when I’d be ready to tackle the project of “letting them go.”
I recorded one more story for my audio book; the eight stories were with an audio editor and she was taking a very long time to send them back to me. It was also another project where I needed to create and finalize a new cover design.
My assistant, Kiki, attended a large music conference. When she returned, she presented me with a bag full of items she had gathered. There were stacks of business cards, magazines and many brochures. Kiki had played my music for many important people in the music business. She created several pages of handwritten notes for me. One of the top executives told her that I could be very successful and sell my music if I did these things:
- Update my chords
- Work with young musicians
- Listen to more current artists
It was early in morning and I could feel my mind spinning with thoughts about my journey. What did I want to do next? I wondered why I felt so teary and doubtful.
Certainly, I never planned to market myself as a commercial performer. I have always loved to imagine myself speaking and inspiring others; sharing my music in an intimate and touching way, without worrying whether I was “contemporary.”
The artists I admired were ones that many people my age did – I loved the music from the 70’s; perhaps it was because at that time the lyrics and chords were more linear, like mine. I had no desire to “update my chords” to fit some repetitious modern formula. Young musicians were more than welcome to sing my songs.
My brow was furrowed and I felt frustrated.
I think it’s time for me to go outdoors and take another vacation again.
This picture was from a trip I took to Oregon in March of this year.
And that was when I heard a voice speaking to me!
It felt parental, but I wasn’t feeling it was my mother or father. It was simply – a voice that was clear and direct. I listened and the words began:
“My child, I have a wish for all of your life – find someone to love you, the way that I do. You are filled with dreams, endless possibilities. Don’t hurry, take it slow. You’ll learn and you’ll grow.”
My eyes opened wide. I looked at the ceiling and tears began to stream down my cheeks onto my pillow. Those were my song lyrics!
Then a realization began to dawn on me. I was tingling and it spread like a warm blanket from the top of my head down to my toes.
Whoever was speaking to me – wanted me to experience love. And of course, the lines about traveling and enjoying each day were profound.
I slowly got up that morning. I stretched and had such a big smile. Once again, one of my songs had helped to heal me.
How blessed I was!
This is the room where the recital was held.
“Passion is all you need – you will succeed”
One of the new doors I have recently opened in my life, was into the safe haven of a new and encouraging vocal coach named Hannah Anders. I told her I’d like to improve my endurance and pitch.
Her philosophy and methods mesh well with my current state of mind. She is not looking for me to change my “style” of singing and actually has demonstrated things for me to do that are completely opposite to what I’ve learned in the past.
I have appreciated all that I’ve learned from my former voice teachers, Peaches and Kimberly. I love the idea that I can learn things from many talented people throughout my life. I get to choose what I want to incorporate, and that freedom of choice is what I embrace. It is a life lesson, and not just about singing.
I had only met with Hannah twice, when she invited me to participate in one of her recitals. On a warm Sunday afternoon, I carried my guitar over to her home and joined eight other vocalists in her living room.
Everyone played one song and the quality of talent there was mesmerizing. After each performance, we went around and each person had a chance to offer feedback and encouragement.
I decided at the last minute to play my new song. I still wasn’t 100% sure about my lyrics, or even my title choice. But my connection was so deep – it didn’t matter how many times I played my song. I was dancing with the words and melody, while crying over it’s dual meaning.
No one could imagine what I have gone through with all of my children.
My three living children are miracles.
One day, maybe they will be open to allowing me to share more about it. But for now, I can admit that there were many times when I felt hopeless. The place where I am today was completely unimaginable when I was struggling to raise them. I celebrate my beautiful children with my new song!
I was able to tape record the recital. Below is a recording and transcription that shares some of the feedback from a few of the lovely vocalists I met that afternoon. Near the end, one woman was crying and had difficulty speaking.
SOMEONE TO LOVE YOU Recital Blog Excerpt B
Clapping (Judy finished playing her song)
Vocalist #1: Oh yes, it was a beautiful song. I could hear the passion in your voice. The chord structure in the arrangement alone was so beautiful – insane! Amazing song; it was really beautiful. I want to thank you for that.
Judy: Well, thank you! I consider my guitar to be my voice. I write the guitar chords before I ever find the melody or lyrics. It speaks to me. I have a line in one of my songs of, “Everything that I have gone through led me to this place.” So everything that I’ve learned in my life, I’ve translated into a song. Everything. It’s so beautiful because now I get to feel like my life is a musical. Thank you!
Vocalist #2: I agree, the song was beautiful. And you meant every word you said; I really felt it. It was very emotional. I agree, you don’t have to be a perfect performer vocally as long as you mean every single word you say. That’s a true artist to me, as well. It was very sweet.
Judy: Thank you. I played it for my daughter last night and she said she liked it – so that’s good! I embarrass my kids.
Vocalist #3: You have something that I want. For me, I felt connected to you. You were connected and that was so damn refreshing to hear. It doesn’t matter about hitting notes and all that. It’s about taking people on a journey.
Judy: That’s what I call it – a journey! That’s amazing you said that!
Vocalist #3: People will take cracked notes, people will take you throwing your shoes off – stepping on your guitar. They’ll take that because they’re on that journey with you. They believe you!
Judy: I want to go there. I just don’t know how anyone will find me. That’s my dilemma.
Vocalist #3: Well, you will – once you find yourself.
Judy: Well, here is the truth about this song; I have to say this.
I was lying awake in the morning feeling a little discouraged and I heard a voice in my head. And the voice said, “My child, I have a wish – for all of your life, find someone to love you the way that I do.”
It was like God was speaking to me – this song I wrote for my children is for me! “As you travel to places you’ve never been. . .” There are so many things I haven’t done; I feel like a kid again. So, anyway, that’s why my music helps me.
Hannah Anders: The gift that you already have, and to remember, is that when you begin to tell a story – when you begin to sing to us, whatever didn’t make it in your voice from training in those three minutes, no one cares. And that’s a really rare gift! The training is the gift to yourself because none of us like to think we don’t have control over our instrument . . .
Judy: Yes, I want to know it won’t crack next time!
Hannah Anders: Exactly, so that’s the gift you give yourself. But the gift that you give when you perform for everybody is that we don’t care – that you may not be perfect, because you’re being incredibly vulnerable to this room.
And that is a lesson to every artist – all of us can get very “in our head, in our ego.” We can’t help ourselves a little bit sometimes. And so this is a reminder that if we’ll just be authentic – much is forgiven!
Judy: I love that – it is a gift!
Vocalist #4: That was beautiful, Judy. I’m going to cry while I talk about it. I have two little kids – and it made me think about them. (She pauses to wipe her tears). I’m so emotional!
Judy: Yes, you love them so much! Thank you – you don’t know how much that means to me.
Vocalist #4: I just couldn’t stop thinking of my kids while you were playing it!
Judy: It’s what we want for our kids.
Vocalist #4: You made such a connection, and that’s what it’s all about – having a connection with the music. I wasn’t even thinking about how you really sounded! You know what I mean? It sounded beautiful, but I wasn’t really thinking about that. I was very emotional.
Judy: Thank you. It means so much to me.
Vocalist #5: Well, even just hearing you talk – when you were introducing yourself, and when you were just talking now – there’s a sense of serenity about you and a sense of comfort with yourself. I feel like that really comes through with your music. That’s huge. As a professional or performer – you just want to have that, in general. You just kind of have it. Everything seems super real; it was awesome.
Judy: Thank you so much. Maybe is because I’m older and I didn’t do it for thirty years. You see, that’s why it’s so great. I love it! It’s my life now. I get to follow my dream.
Thank you all – it meant so much to me!
I was the oldest one there. But I felt so appreciated by all of these wonderful singers. In the picture below, they are all listening to me sing.
–
SOMEONE TO LOVE YOU
Copyright 2015 by Judy Unger
–
My child, I have a wish
for all of your life
someone to love you
the way that I do
–
You are filled with dreams
endless possibilities
don’t hurry, take it slow
you’ll learn and you’ll grow
–
As you travel to places you’ve never been
keep on exploring, enjoy every day
I’ll pray that you’re safe while you fly away
When you’re older, the child inside you is there
you will discover wherever you roam
love will be in your heart
and carry you home
–
I look at your sweet smile
and innocent face
passion is all you need
you will succeed
–
As you travel to places you’ve never been
keep on exploring, enjoy every day
I’ll pray that you’re safe while you fly away
When you’re older, the child inside you is there
you will discover wherever you roam
love will be in your heart
and carry you home
–
I want someone to love you
the way that I do
–
© 2015 by Judy Unger and http://www.myjourneysinsight.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Judy Unger with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
