BROWNFOLK SONG [Singing Blogrimage Day 17/30]
Brownfolk song--a band I played mandolin and sang for in Minneapolis. We practice it for the first time in this video. This song was written for an acoustic set. It's fun to see it take a new dynamic with a full band. I don't have a mandolin mike, so I'm awkwardly playing the song while trying to sing. It's not the best vocal performance, but it helped get the band on the same page.
CHALLENGE UPDATE:
- Nailed down some more songs for the recital
THOUGHTS:
These last two days have been pretty big. We had an all Denim night in our young adults ministry last night. Tonight, we had a car give away night and I think about 50 people became Christians in our church services. Preparing for nights like this is such a privilege, but doesn't leave a lot of room for singing.
I did, however, sneak in some singing time this afternoon. I practice the Black Keys song called, "My next girl." I really love the groove and the vocal style. It's going to be fun learning and playing this with the band!
BAND PRACTICE II [Singing Blogrimage Day 16/30]
Footage of the band practicing
CHALLENGE UPDATE:
- Second Band Practice
- Getting comfortable with breath support
- Feel like vowels help me sing more powerful
- Not tipping head upward to hit high notes
THOUGHTS:
The second practice went really well. One of the band members said, "I can really hear an improvement in your voice already." That's really encouraging. We worked on a song I wrote, and we weren't sure if it would mesh with the band. At first, it seemed like a totally different style, but by the end of the practice we thought it really worked.
I am trying to be more confident when I sing while remembering to do all I am learning.
So, during the songs I concentrated heavily on my voice (instead of entertaining), and experimented with different ways to sing. It was a lot of fun. Glad to be doing the BLOGRIMAGE.
HALF DOXOLOGY [Singing Blogrimage Day 15/30]
Voice lesson. Working on the Doxology song. Want to sing this song Acapella with Amreitha for the recital. We worked on finding the right key for me to sing.
CHALLENGE UPDATE:
- Added Doxology to set list
- Getting more comfortable with lifting the soft palette
- Learning what it means to have a "full" voice
THOUGHTS:
Still caught up in this full voice battle. Realizing that different voices carry different levels of "full." I watched the voice tonight, and different artists sang well, but ranged in the richness of the voice. I think a big part of having a good voice is singing a lot and getting comfortable with what you got--that is, learning how to use it.
For today's lesson, I worked with my coach to evaluate different singers. We identified different factors that I liked and compared it with the voice I have now. She says I have a big range, and have about three different voices that I can work with.
Also, for me to sing with my soft palette up, I need to pretend to be an opera singer. Then, I bring back my voice to something less boisterous.
DON'T CUSS AT MY LADY [Singing Blogrimage Day 14/30]
This is a recording on a song I wrote for a band in Minneapolis called, "Brownfolk." For my recital, I am singing this song with a full band. This video serves to help the band practice and discover parts for it and also help document the Blogrimage.
CHALLENGE UPDATE:
- Picking the brains of singers
- Singing with my diaphragm
- Working on pronunciation
- Trying to discover a "full" voice
THOUGHTS:
The full voice is hard to understand. Some people have really full and rich voices. It's like they have great acoustics in their voice. Last night, I asked a high school girl to sing for me and her voice was so full. I have no idea how to get that, and people who have it don't know how to teach it or what I'm talking about.
I want a full voice--at least the option of it. I feel like my voice is too thin. I asked Jen Forsthoff, a worship leader at Cornerstone Church, how her voice is so full. She's been singing so long, she doesn't even think about it and didn't know how to replicate it in me. That's a little discouraging, but I'll keep on searching! The hidden full voice will belong to me!
CONSONANTS [Singing Blogrimage Day 13/30]
Sang a new song on the Mandolin. Not sure I applied my skills (it's late), but I'm not sure if I didn't either (it's late).
CHALLENGE UPDATE:
- Talked to a good singer about techniques
- Consonant Revelation
THOUGHTS:
I'm trying to plan out what my concert will be like on Thursday the 12th. It's coming soon. As a part of the recital, I want to do an acapella song--most likely the doxology. Still trying to get a venue for the show as well.
As I practice and think more about singing, I'm seeing the reasons for some of the things I'm learning. For example, singers should not pronounce "ee" sounds like in cheese. This closes the throat and restricts open singing. Not only do I understand this now, I can feel it in my throat.
Other things, like pronouncing Ts, I'm not sure how it impacts singing. One girl showed me her voice today and I loved how full her voice is. She keeps her soft palette up and doesn't really know how to sing otherwise. I want my voice to be full too! Still moving forward!
MANDOLIN AND PITCH [Singing Blogrimage Day 12/30]
9am Vocal lesson. Working on the Michael W. Smith song. Improving my breath support, consonants, and dynamics.
CHALLENGE UPDATE:
- Lesson
- Muscle memory is kicking in and things are feeling more natural