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.

Looking at an image can provide a clear (admittedly, more or less clear depending on the image) place to start “storying.” If you’re stuck for melodic or literary ideas you can always describe what you see in the picture. Or how you feel about the picture … or the story behind the picture.

I recommend using images without words on them. (It’s easy to take language incorporated in an image too literally and feel handcuffed rather than supported.) Try it, do an online search for images and see what stories you’re moved to sing.

Here’s the spontaneous poem I created while viewing the image above.

…

(crashing noises)

If I were
If I were made of
stone
Nothing
nothing could
sway me

Nothing
could set me
off balance
I would be
firm in my resolve I would be
steadfast
I would be rock … steady
I would be rock
I would be made of rock

I … could stand in one position
for days at a time
and allow
the universe
and all it’s knowing
to swirl
through
my
existence

It would take time
(more than days)
for the wind and breath
of the universe to penetrate my
rocky exterior
But … in time
in time
If I stay still and
stone
and solid …

(Oct 4, 2008)
P.S. This is a picture of an Inukshuk. In the Artic, the Inukshuks (stones arranged in the image of humans) are signposts marking the easiest and safest way for those who follow. (I didn’t know any of this when I improvised about the photo.)