Complicated

Such a twisty and complicated little instrument we have. All of us. Anybody who sings in the car or the shower or just the occasional lullaby uses his/her voice. And folks who use it to sing opera just expand that a little bit.

But despite its relative ubiquity, its accessibility in terms of almost anybody being able to "play it" without training (think of how 2 year olds make up songs), this instrument also seems insanely complicated to me. It is hidden. I can't tell which of the thousands of little muscles I'm manipulating when I sing, and I'm not really supposed to. The only time I really notice them is when something is wrong. Then, they protest and hurt. Which is what has been happening over the past few weeks after I practice.

So I'm off to see the otolaryngologist tomorrow. I feel lucky that this community has people who really specialize not only in the ENT side but especially in dealing with singers. The gentleman I'm seeing is supposed to be fantastic, so I'm sure he'll get me right as rain in no time. But in the meantime, I confess to having a smidge of worry. I do love to sing, and it is a little disconcerting when that part of me and my life feels "off".

~Hope