Does anybody else here sing?

Post Reply New Topic

I'm starting voice lessons pretty soon. I have a good idea of my voice type (soprano), just not whether I'm a lyric or coloratura soprano (or both).

So if you sing, let's chat here!

Eh, nothing professional, but I do for fun.

Yes, I do. I've never got lessons because frankly, I don't want to sing opera and I hate the stuff they get the students to sing round here. I've inherited a good ear and sense of rhythm from both my parents, and I've over the past year and bit build up my power and competence and control using exercises and practice, basically, and I'm extremely proud of the level I've got my voice to.

yes, I sing, and have an excellent voice. I was in my school choir and my church choir for years. I was exposed to piano and violin lessons but they never penetrated as to how to read music, etc. Having perfect pitch I sorta slided along giving good performances because I would learn the songs by rote. I did learn a few chords on the guitar to accompany myself while I sang.

I got my real 'education' when I sang on the street for money when my husband was in jail. I supported myself, him in jail and a couple other people, then. I had learned many early Bob Dylan and Joan Baez and Donovan songs and I sat up in places like Pike Place Market in Seattle, or just off the Quad in Cambridge at Harvard University. I bounced my voice off the buildings across the street so they could hear me long before they had to take the money out of their pockets, so that worked out well for me.

After a while I found I could cook and eat when I cooked as well as get paid, and the kitchen was much warmer AND indoors, so I became a cook instead of singing on the street. But I still sing for myself and enjoy it.

Merle

I love to sing, and have been told I have a nice voice.

used to, when I was in a band...

I love singing.
Last year I planned a Christmas Caroling event and only invited good singers (the kind of people that can settle into a part immediately and just harmonize).
It sounded great. We did all the classics and some Grinch songs too. I'm planning it again this year.

Sinsboldly, weren't you scared singing on the streets? I'm impressed that you supported yourself and your husband and several other people in this way.

I love singing and recently I've discovered acappella. I'm a bass. In the UK there's a network of what's called natural voice teachers.
http://www.naturalvoice.net/
I find singing in a group lifts my mood and I even think it might even help be get more in touch with my feelings. I sometimes go to camps where you have singing workshops. I'm visiting my parents in Oregon next summer and I was wondering whether there are such camps in the US. This is the kind of camp I mean: http://www.unicorncamps.com/

I had a year's professional training on my performing arts course. I find it difficult to find good songs to sing as I am a deep baritone.

I was very frightened. I had my guitar case kicked over several times with other people scrabbling after the change and the bills blew away. It was not an easy life. I had men make obscene propositions to me and some of them followed me back to where we were staying, so I had to keep on the move. Someplaces you had to have a permit and they were $50, so I did dodge the cops quite a few times. I had no choice at the time, we were broke and needed money and had no other prospects. AS or not, you can do stuff if you have to.

Merle

I wish I could. My voice is nasally.

Sinsboldly, you are indeed very brave.
Street musicians make a place so much more cosmopolitan and vibrant, but yes it is dangerous. We know a woman who nearly got attacked while performing on a busy street also.

Thank you all, however somehow, when my actions are called 'brave' it doesn't seem the correct term, because I really didn't have any choice, we really did need cash and fast and I could sing and play.
What I am saying is I knew how dangerous it was but I just went out and put my case on the street and played my guitar and sang anyway. I did it and put up with the consequences that stemmed from making that choice. If I could have called up someone and be financially baled out and was able to stay in a hotel till I got it together is what I would have RATHER done, but this is what opportunity presented itself. Is that what bravery is? Doing what you HAVE to do?

If so, people that go to work every danged working day of their lives are the BRAVEST OF ALL.

Merle

Well said Sinsboldly.
I learned that I can "Rise to the occasion and do what has to be done." when there are no other options. It brings about humility I'v found.

Doesn't stop Amy Winehouse, Bob Dylan, Roger Waters, I could go on...

That's not a bad thing. Colin Meloy, the lead singer of the Decemberists, has a pretty nasal voice and the Decemberists are a great band.