ONE MORE BAND PRACTICE [Singing Blogrimage Day 23/30]
Instrumental of a song I'm singing. It's an instrumental so I can practice singing to it.
CHALLENGE UPDATE:
- The band has pretty much learned all 5 songs!
THOUGHTS:
The challenge is coming to end. I only have one more practice with the band until the final performance. There's not going to be a ton of people at the final concert, but it's still going to be a lot of fun. It's definitely going to be packed enough for a small coffee shop.
The show is at a coffee shop in Downtown Brighton, Michigan.
It's called TWO BROTHERS. We're playing their Thursday, April 12th at 8pm.
Come on by. I really need to practice hard core. I need to memorize all the lyrics and the pesky melody lines I keep messing up.
FINDING THE SWEET SPOT [Singing Blogrimage Day 22/30]
Singing a sweet sweet melody. I like the way my voice sounds.
CHALLENGE UPDATE:
- Voice lesson
- Made progress finding my voice
THOUGHTS:
I definitely fell like a better and more confident singer today than when I started. Today, I booked my concert venue, and completed my third to last voice lesson.
As I sang one of my pieces for the recital, I started singing a little high and breathier for a breakdown in the song. My coach smiled and urged me to stop singing. She said, "What is that? You have another singing voice." She loved this smoother, breathier voice and said it was warmer than any of my other "singing voices."
Other people have complimented me when I sing in this warmer style. I think it's my sweet spot. This is my strength zone, and I want to develop it. Her words boosted my confidence and confirmed the encouragement I've heard from others while in the sweet zone.
Hopefully I'll remember how to sing like that!
BLACK KEYS [Singing Blogrimage Day 21/30]
40 Minute Set of the Black Keys Performing.
CHALLENGE UPDATE:
- practicing vowels and breathing
THOUGHTS:
The Black Keys are an amazing band. They're pretty popular right now, but they've been going strong for more than a decade. I wonder what this guy sounded like when he first sang.
His style in the first song his relaxed, and almost suave. He's got that "cool guy leather jacket" thing going on.
My goal isn't to be famous like these guys. In fact, I don't think I ever want to be a touring musician, but I love music culture. I love going to venues. I love performing for live audiences and getting a positive response. Well, that's happening next week.
LET'S BE HONEST [Singing Blogrimage Day 20/30]
Freestyle singing about my diet cheat day.
CHALLENGE UPDATE:
- light singing--no real progress
THOUGHTS:
I didn't really sing all that much today. What I did do was eat. I am on the "slow carb" diet, and have a cheat day once a week. So, Amreitha and I ate really well, and satisfied all our carb cravings!
This doesn't really apply to singing.
At one point today, though, while making smores in a restaurant called, "Cosi," Ben Block and I sang a worship song called, "LORD, prepare me."
MY NEXT GIRL [Singing Blogrimage Day 19/30]
This is how I'm learning the Black Keys song. I'm trying to get the timing, melody and tone down. This video is a little pitchy and not quite the tone I want.
CHALLENGE UPDATE:
- learning songs for the concert
THOUGHTS:
The concert is coming up, and I don't feel all that ready. I need to memorize all my songs, and become a decent singer in a relatively short time. Lately, I've been very busy between preaching, editing for my photography business and having a life. This has caused my vocal practice time to dwindle a bit.
I am, however, getting more and more comfortable with singing. Singing songs often feels right in my throat. It feels like I'm hitting the right note and able to project well. Watching on video sometimes confirms this or shows me great need for improvement. It's interesting how we have blind spots and sound differently to ourselves than the world hears.