If you’re not vocalizing, something’s missing.

-Kim Kashkashian (violist, read here)

I try to get my students to sing on occasion. They fight that. I can’t imagine not singing, and of course as some around here will tell you, I tend to whistle along with music when I’m in the car. I like silence. I adore silence sometimes, in fact. But it seems I can’t keep silent myself much of the time. Hmmm.

But back to making music on an instrument and singing. When I really know a piece, it’s in my blood. And my (not so very beautiful sounding) vocal chords. Vocalizing is a good thing. And, truthfully, I want my playing to be like singing. Human. Natural. I’m not sure if Ms. Kashkashian is actually suggesting that this is why we should vocalize. But those are my brief thoughts at the moment. After half a cup of coffee. And no breakfast yet. 🙂