Media human spirit pollution and conditioning: How does it affect the music business in general and vocal performer in particular?

We all go to sleep and wake up with the news on the radio, TV or Internet. Usually, none of the news stories are positive. They typically speak about crimes committed on a daily basis, horrible accidents that are happening all the time, and the getting-worse-by-the-minute financial situation in the country and around the world globally.

Also, they are reciting about new technology, which is being upgraded literally all the time and not necessarily for the betterment of humanity. Therefore, evidently, the world is becoming more dangerous, more financially unstable, more electronically oriented and much less personal. Speaking of personal, the media and marketing campaigns are promoting complete selfishness and ‘Me, Myself and I’ attitudes. Just listen to them; “My phone, my personal TV, iPhone, iTunes,”, in other words Me, Me, Me, Me… and Myself.

With this philosophy, how is the human being supposed to care for another human being when it’s all self-oriented? How’s the performer able to reach out to the audience and offer a part of him or herself when they don’t know how? Their performances purely by default, become narcissistic. Ultimately, the vocal performance is a story telling through music, and usually that story should be addressed to the listeners...shouldn't it?

Unfortunately this selfish, unstable and getting poorer by the minute world has nothing positive to offer and that has been reflected in music productions and the music industry as a whole. In fact, the music industry, at least in Canada, is now practically non-existent. The recording studios, with their million dollar consoles and other invaluable gear, are also practically extinct, as any ‘Joe Blow’ without any expertise on the matter is trying to replicate so-called recording out of his basement apartment.

And sometimes, believe it or not, this basement music somehow succeeds at getting widespread radio play...?

The other day I was walking around Niagara Falls, Canada and heard my student’s band on the radio and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of his band's music and his vocal performance. His singing was definitely good quality and up to par. Right after his song finished, another so-called 'singer' came into play and I almost choked on a little healthy snack I had in my mouth. It was beyond horrible…! How anybody who has remote hearing abilities and self respect could put somebody like that on the radio is beyond me. Mind you, I’m currently on a diet and it definitely played a positive role in my dieting as I nearly threw up and lost my appetite for the rest of the day. It could be not a bad thing for those trying to lose weight, lol.

With the help of the media and electronics our lives are becoming lifeless, music-less, and everything else ‘less’ for that matter. We are too selfish, too self-centered and too self absorbed…

So go figure... The world obviously has been prompted to some, in a manner of speaking, 'Pavlovian conditioning'...

Diana Yampolsky is the Master Vocal Coach, Studio Vocal Producer, and Non-Surgical Voice Repair Specialist at The Royans Professional Vocal School in Toronto, Canada. She is also the creator of the Vocal Science (TM) method and Talent Scout & Director for the 4 A.M. Talent Development and Artist Management Group Inc.
 
If you find yourself struggling with vocal performance or are in need of voice repair, you can reach Diana by email or phone, Toll Free in North America, at 1-888-229-TUNE (8863)