13 replies to this topic

[FuturePriest387]

So, I have always wanted to sing. It started when I was twelve and was listening to Classic Rock, particularly AC/DC and Guns N' Roses (Take note of that because it's really important). I started out lip-syncing and eventually I started singing, even though I knew I couldn't. Something I didn't know is that you don't have to be able to sing at first, and if you practice you can. After three years I started to think "Hm. I think I can sing now!" Today my sister's fiancee moved into my house and he can really sing. He has even had singing classes, if I understand correctly. Anyway, I thought that perhaps if I asked him to listen I could sing in front of him and he would judge whether or not I could. So, I went to the iHome, put on the Joshua Tree by U2 (Yes, Maximilianus, I'm back to U2!), and sang Where The Streets Have No Name. I was super nervous, but he told me I could actually sing! However, he said I was singing an entire octave higher than Bono, which I didn't know. It turns out I do this because of the music I trained off of. Apparently Brian Johnson isn't the greatest singer if you want to sing normally... Anyway, he gave me tips and told me how to sing lower (Since my vocal range is quite limited, though I can hit all of the notes on Where The Streets Have No Name and on Where Eagles Dare by Iron Maiden), and thanks to his advice I'm already starting to see improvement when I sing lower notes.

Yes, I did already make a status update about this, and perhaps I am too psyched about it. But that's the beauty of the lame board, I suppose.

[USAirwaysIHS]

That's the razzle dazzle thing about singing - even if a pianist has been practicing since he was five, a singer has been practicing since the moment he was born.

[AnneLine]

Very glad for you, future priest!!!

[brianthephysicist]

Likes singing, likes classic rock. Sweet! Now I have someone to sing for rockband!

Seriously tho, props man. 1 for the courage to develop it in the first place, 2 for the achievements so far (and those on their way), and 3 for the courage to allow yourself to be judged and ask for help (lot of humility there - that's what I need help with).

[FuturePriest387]

Thanks everyone. As for humility, I'm not sure there was much humility. It was simply me putting it all out there. Trust me, my heart was going 100 beats per second because I was so nervous. I was so sure he was going to tell me I sucked.

But as for news, it turns out I am NOT a falsetto. I am right where Bono is as far as I can tell in terms of pitch, though I can't sing things like the opening verses on With Or Without You since that goes too low for me. I can do the chorus and the "Ho, oh oh oh!" part, but that's about it. I'm starting to get better at the lower pitches, though.

What makes me laugh about all of this is my "musical training" started out with me lip syncing music and pretending I was a vocalist at a concert. This used to be an every night affair. Eventually I started singing with the music and though I sucked I suppose my voice strengthened and it started to get better. I've been singing all day and one of my favorite songs to sing is most certainly U2's Elevation since I can hit every note well.

That's the razzle dazzle thing about singing - even if a pianist has been practicing since he was five, a singer has been practicing since the moment he was born.

That must explain Steven Tyler's screeching noise.

[vee8]

every time I sing a kitten dies

[MIkolbe]

actually, the kitty commits hari kari

[AnneLine]

[brianthephysicist]

Thanks everyone. As for humility, I'm not sure there was much humility. It was simply me putting it all out there. Trust me, my heart was going 100 beats per second because I was so nervous. I was so sure he was going to tell me I sucked.

Courage isn't the absence of fear, it's action in the face of fear.

One of the verses in the litany of humility is "From the fear of being humiliated deliver me, Jesus". It takes a lot of humility to risk putting it out there. I hope you continue to do so.

(In case you wanted to check it out: http://www.ewtn.com/...rs/humility.htm I'm still working on every single item in that litany)

Great job man, keep workin at it. You're gonna be amazing. One day, you'll have to invite me to a concert where you're using your voice for the glory of God! (Or a Mass where you chant the entire Eucharistic prayer )

Edited by brianthephysicist, 30 April 2012 - 03:40 PM.

[USAirwaysIHS]

But as for news, it turns out I am NOT a falsetto. I am right where Bono is as far as I can tell in terms of pitch, though I can't sing things like the opening verses on With Or Without You since that goes too low for me. I can do the chorus and the "Ho, oh oh oh!" part, but that's about it. I'm starting to get better at the lower pitches, though.

No one is a falsetto, falsetto merely refers to the range that everyone - both men and women - has, which is above the normal speaking/singing range and is effected by a different manner of vocal fold vibration.

[FuturePriest387]

Courage isn't the absence of fear, it's action in the face of fear.

One of the verses in the litany of humility is "From the fear of being humiliated deliver me, Jesus". It takes a lot of humility to risk putting it out there. I hope you continue to do so.

(In case you wanted to check it out: http://www.ewtn.com/...rs/humility.htm I'm still working on every single item in that litany)

Great job man, keep workin at it. You're gonna be amazing. One day, you'll have to invite me to a concert where you're using your voice for the glory of God! (Or a Mass where you chant the entire Eucharistic prayer )

I read that every night (Or I try to, anyway). It's a really great prayer. But as for putting it all out there, I haven't quite done that yet. I haven't amassed the guts to sing in front of my parents. My mother is well known to laugh at people and she is terribly critical, and seeing as how I'll be singing U2 and she hates U2, it's just a worse situation, really.

Maybe a concert, but if there's one thing my vocal range won't let me do it's sing chant. I can't sing any liturgical music at all. I never attempt to, but it either goes really really high or really really low, there's almost never an in-between. This is perhaps because of the music I taught myself how to sing. Either way, if I become a Priest, don't expect me to make anyone cry because of my beautiful vocal chords. If anyone cries it's because I destroyed liturgical music for them forever.

Edited by FuturePriest387, 30 April 2012 - 04:51 PM.

[brianthephysicist]

There's a whole world full of little steps between singing for a friend and singing at Carnegie hall, but each and every one of those little steps can feel like climbing a mountain. I'm just excited to see you begin to walk, only He knows where it will lead you

And don't be surprised if your vocal range shifts as you get older. 1 it can shift from puberty and even just age and 2 it can shift from practicing and stretching your vocal cords. So you might not be able to chant that stuff right now, but don't discount it forever, He always has little surprises in store for us

[Pax_et bonum]

Anne, my friend and I decided to learn this song and sing it for our choir teacher So, thanks!

[AnneLine]

That's fantastic - I think it sounds like it would be a lot of fun to learn!

I bet it would be fun for the Phatmassers who are going to the meetup to learn it and post it for us too! Hint hint hint!!!!

Edited by AnneLine, 04 May 2012 - 04:52 PM.