Perfectionist (or not)?

Had a great recording session with Peter on Saturday (June 20, 2009) morning. It took me a while to get there but I enjoy spending time with Peter. Very creative and talented. For those of you that don’t know, I am talking about Peter Litvin (http://www.peterlitvin.com). I love myself but I am not a narcissist (at least I don’t think so )

I remember thinking during my first recording session with Peter (which happened to be free by the way) that he is such a perfectionist. We did so many takes over and over and over again. It becomes tiresome, and somewhat tedious, when you have to sing something countless times “perfectly”.

“…that one wasn’t good, slightly flat…. neither was that; pitch was perfect but no emotion…”

When you focus on one thing, another falters. Be it in intonation, phrasing, emotion, style of singing, articulation etc and the same can be said for everyday life.

The gap between the first session and the second was more than a month. This was on my part because after we finished the first song, I went on and worked on the music for the second. I realised that I give myself ample time to make sure it’s perfect to me. Something I wouldn’t mind listening to over and over again. Delivering quality works takes time; sloppy work is as good as having nothing done. I am never pleased with my work, however, I do get to a point where I can say: “I can live with that”. Bring out the best in you.

Yours in Singing

Ngqibs