Singing Quote from Upcoming Book (The Daily Song)

"There is no good singing, there is only present and absent."

-Jeff Buckley

I love the sentiment behind this quote, because it removes the idea of judgment from the equation. If we think in terms of no good or bad singing existing, then there is no need to make fun of or give a compliment based on the result of the performance. In this sense, it would be like everyone is a good singer or no one is a good singer. The fact of the matter is that it doesn't matter if everyone is good or no one is good. Rather, if we think about singing, and other things in life, as something or someone being fully present in the moment, or fully absent in the moment, it is more accurate and non-judgmental. For instance, if someone is really into what they are doing, the passion, the joy, the power, the melodic vocal prowess will inevitably be heard and have its presence known. It would be obvious to see this person is fully present in what they are doing. Conversely, if someone is going through the motions, singing in less than a 'give-it-your-all' kind of way, the notes will most certainly fall flat, miss the mark, and it will be easy to see and hear that this person is not fully in the moment. In fact, they may be withdrawn, removed, or absent from the performance. Try this exercise out in other areas of your life, and you may find it is a better way to think about things...as being fully present or fully absent in the moment. If it is up to me, I'd want to be fully present in the moment.