Re: [Harp-L] learning to sing

[Ansel Barnum <barnum@xxxxxxxxx>]

Well put. If singing isn't an end in and of itself, it's at least a means
to an end--namely, more power (translation, more harp).

Personally, I've always been shy of singing with the voice. Then again, is
this form of emotional expression any more revealing than singing with the
harp? Perhaps not, but emotions are rarely rational.


Ansel


On Tue, 7 Dec 2004, Dan wrote:

> Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 11:27:52 -0800 (PST)
> From: Dan <billybudd1313@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] learning to sing
>
> My posts are always long, but at least I don't re-post the entire digest
>
>  James Harman once told my friend (then, later, me too) that learning to
> sing was the single greatest thing you can do to improve your harmonica
> playing.
>  For me, this made sense because I was fed up with being the "novelty
> sideman" People in general, like decent harp, but so-called "front-men"
> or guitarists like to keep a rein on it.  As a frequent purveyor of
> blues jams, I got fed up with people telling me what key harp to play.
> I got fed up with playing "Red House"  or "something by Stevie (SRV)  I
> also got fed up playing truncated solos just because some less-talented
> wanker happened to be calling the shots that song.
>  With voice comes more control.  When you're singing, you're the center
> of attention (for good or bad)  If you take on the role of "front
> person" you also get to call the shots.  That means, you can intro the
> song, or play as long or little as you want... etc.  You can actually
> get more comfortable up there, not always anticipating who's going to
> cut you off.
>  I read the reply posts to this thread with an open mind.  I think a
> class setting might be great.  I think the advice on pitch matching
> might also work.  I'm just leary, because I encounter a lot of hacks
> offering voice lessons.
>  I learned harmonica pretty much on my own.  I had some guidance, but it
> was mostly practice and whatever natural ability I may have been blessed
> with. I just sort of 'do it' without much structure.  For voice, I
> decided lightning might not strike twice.  I opted for structured weekly
> individual lessons.
>  I contacted the local liberal arts college and asked the music director
> if anyone there gave voice lessons.  I was then introduced to my current
> teacher.  She is an opera pro turned college prof/private tutor.  I pay
> $45 per hour, and I don't regret the cost for a second.  I get my butt
> kicked every week.  It is like torture, and it costs a lot, but you know
> what?  You get out what you put in.
>  Ignore anyone who says "you have to be born singing".  Ignore all the
> folklore like "you'd better not eat this, or 'it's from your gut', or
> 'warm the air first', or 'warm up by xxxxxx.  What does all that really
> mean?  How do you really learn these things?  Most lore has validity to
> some degree, but when push comes to shove, do "sayings" get the job
> done?  Maybe for the gifted. I needed/need lessons.
>  I had to pretty much change my whole way of breathing, and have to just
> about asphyxiate myself weekly.  I am made to do some wacky wacky stuff,
> but it works.  It's like when Daniel-san had to wax the car, but was
> really learning Karate.
>
>   I'm here to advocate technique.  I'm advocating focus and hard work.
> If you're a natural, great, but if not, get the tools.  Anyone in CT or
> MA, let me know I'll give you her info.  You want vocal power.... this
> is it.
>  End post, begin caveat.  The above post makes 1 very large assumption.
> That assumption is that the advisee thinks like me.  I am utterly NUTS
> about wanting to entertain.  The interaction with a live audience is my
> favorite drug.  I pretty much live for it and want to be very good some
> day.  I stumbled across some very high-brow vocal techniques geared from
> opera.  I mean not to put other ways down.  Just trying to share the
> possiblities is all.  The sky's the limit.
>
>
> And this from a guy who "doesn't believe in harmonica lessons"
> sheeesh.
>
> DG
>
>
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