How to Survive a Solo
Soloing can be like being shipwrecked. Suddenly, you’re thrust into the water. It’s cold and disorienting. You swallow a mouthful of water. Your mind goes blank. You cast about for something to save you, to help you stay afloat. No, that piece is too small! Ouch! That piece is sharp. Many times when someone is struggling to create a solo, I watch her pick up and discard workable ideas in panic.
“So bye, bye Miss American Pie/ Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry” and them good ol’ boys weren’t singing.
At the October Songtaneous event, we worked on improvising from images. The singing circle held a tone and each person composed a solo from an image she or he drew from a bag. I like using images to facilitate working on soloing.