The story of how Michelangelo created the magnificent sculpture, David, has always been inspirational to me, and not a few of you have heard me tell my version of the story.

After having been rejected by three previous artists due to a significant flaw in the stone (a large crack running down one side) Michelangelo insisted that this flawed, 40-ton block of marble be hauled from the quarry to his studio. It took one week, and the combined efforts of approximately 100 men and horses to do the job.

When questioned about why he wanted this particular block of marble he is said to have replied simply: Non siamo tutti imperfetti? (Are not we all flawed?).

He then began the daily toil (Regimen?) in his Studio. He labored first to remove the larger pieces of stone that were more obvious. Then, he began working to a finer and finer level of detail.

As artists often do, the Maestro worked with size and perspective. It was one of the largest free-standing sculptures ever created, standing some 18 feet tall – about 3 times the height of the tallest man at the time; some say, this was his acknowledgement to the Trinity.

The head, hands and feet were all larger in proportion to signify the dominant philosophy at the time, Humanism. The larger head, hands and feet corresponded to human Intellect, Industry, Exploration, respectively.

 Once the larger work was done, his support staff reported that, near the completion, the Maestro would sometimes sit for hours at a time, staring at the emerging statue. Then, he would suddenly stand, walk across the room, take up his hammer and chisel and – ‘chink’ – a tiny sliver of stone would fall to the floor.

This process went on for months at a time, until finally, after three years (3 years!?!) the work was complete.

When finally unveiled, public response was overwhelming – the Italian public, quite accomustomed to Fine Art – had nevertheless never seen anything quite like the scope and scale of this magnificent work.

The Maestro was asked “How, sir, how did you do this?”

He is said to have answered: “It was easy. I simply chipped away everything that was not a masterpiece.”

“Easy?” we think. Perhaps for someone of his ability…yes.

But for all of us? Right: Not hardly.

Yet he does have a point, and it’s this:

Each time you set up your Vocal Training equipment and go through a practice training session on your own, or to prepare for our weekly sessions, or when we work one-on-one in a Zoom or in-person Vocal Training Session, we are esentially doing that same work.

Slowly, Patiently, Gradually – we learn to identify, relase and replace all the tiny vocal and cognitive ‘chinks’ that don’t need to be there: those small, almost unnoticiable physical habits that hold us back, or the swirls and eddys of our inner thoughts that would draw us away from mindful best practice.

Vocal Training – Mental Conditioning. Every little ‘chink’ and detail matters – inside and out.

And the masterpiece that is finally revealed? Well, my friends, that’s you.

Your God-given talent and intellect, as well as your passion for learning to sing and sharing that gift with others – that’s what makes you the Masterpiece.

My job, like Michaelangelo’s, is simpy to help you remove the chinks so the incredible work of art that’s you and your voice can emerge.

#chinkinthinkin
#dothereps
#majovta