Recently, I took a beginning class in Musical improv and I loved it. Remember Wayne Brady on Whose Line is it Anyways? I want to be able to make up songs on the spot like him!
The instructor created a safe environment for us to explore.
First we experimented with our voices, singing all together, giving us the space to explore our voices without feeling self-conscious. Then we learned the structure of verses and choruses. Given a word from the audience, four of us would get on the stage and we’d take turns each making up a line of a song.
I loved it! It was fun to see what came out of our mouths. Many times it was the most obvious, simple things that were the funniest, especially if the person really owned what they were doing. If you made a mistake you own it and you do it again so the next time it seemed like you planned it.
The components of class were light, fun, expressive, and safe.
THEN I took the intermediate/advanced level of the class.
And I didn’t feel safe anymore.
My inner critic voice amplified!
There was an additional instructor to this class. Upon walking in to the first class we were asked our favorite karaoke song I haven’t karaoke’d for about 25 years. My mind went blank. I couldn’t even think of my favorite Taylor Swift song that I play on the guitar. I had to look it up on my phone. My nerves and anxiety interrupted my ability to think! I chose Stay Stay Stay.
In the beginning level class there were a few people that didn’t sing well and weren’t experts at improving, that made me feel better. In the advanced class, it was all people who had a lot of experience with improv.
I had immediately labeled myself as “The worst one.” I can feel okay in a class as long as I’m not “The worst one!”
The first guy to perform, was a guy probably in his 50’s. Big stature, and he did “Like a Virgin” and he nailed it. He was so good! He owned what he was doing and totally went for it.
After we lip synched to our songs, the teacher asked volunteers to come to the stage and make up an entire song on the spot (there are keyboards to do background music for you.).
Now that was way too much for me, I did not feel safe to do this.There wasn’t enough time for everyone to have a turn so I didn’t do it.
When I say “safe”, in actuality I mean that my inner critic voice was going crazy and I didn’t feel ‘safe’ from my voice!!!
It’s not like the people in the class would say, “Wow, that really sucked! Better luck next time!”
I did not want to go to the next class. It was so scary for me. The teacher would critique us, as that was her way of teaching. And she wasn’t mean, but I just had such a hard time handling it. I never went back to class.
My experience was similar to how middle schoolers often feel.
The volume of the inner critic voice turns way up in middle schools. They often compare themselves to others to see how they measure up.
Self-judgement and judgement of others is at an all time high. These kids need safety, a safe environment to explore using their voice and bodies in such a way that creates connection not disconnection. Learning self-compassion is key also.
If you’d like your daughter to experience a safe and inviting environment so she can get a handle on her inner critic voice then check out my upcoming class starting next week at OmBase (for middle schoolers)
and/or my summer camps (for middle and high school).
What’s been your experience with the inner critic voice? Can you relate to what your daughter is going through? Please comment below!
Zen Y’all
Kim Davies
Upcoming Girls Rock Empowerment classes and camps
WEEKLY CLASS
OmBase in Hillsdale (SW Portland)
Thursdays April 13th-June 1st, 4:15-5:30pm
girls currently in 6th-8th grade
More info. here
Summer Camps (crafts, games, discussion, mindfulness, and relaxation)
MORE INFO HERE
Girls entering 6th-8th grade
July 17-21st 10:00am-2:00pm, $220
August 7th-11th 10:00am-2:00pm, $220
Girls entering 8th-10th grade
July 24th-28th, 10:00am-2:00pm, $220