Went to my lesson with Doug today full of discouragement & despair. I had just made a recording of myself attempting to harmonize. I judged it as pathetic -- voice quality abominable, pitch a disaster, timing terrible. Horrible to think other people have to hear me, especially in this group. So Doug gave me the lecture about how everybody is worrying more about their performance than mine etc. Also that the whole point is to LIVE, have fun. Progress will come. Doug invited me to share these considerations here.

Something came up in the lesson which was a revelation to me, want to share that as well. I had been shocked to hear how bad my pitch is when I recorded myself. Doug pointed out that because I have had a lot of musical experience I am relating to pitch intellectually instead of really LISTENING! He gave me an experience of subtle changes in pitch that opened my ear, it was very helpful. Came home and listened to the recording I had been trying to harmonize with, I heard a whole lot more of what was going on.

Hope all this is helpful, I am totally thrilled to be in this group, and trust that I can drop my expectations & judgments about myself and just do the work, enjoy the process with all of you.

Cheers, Becky