Re: [Harp-L] learning to sing

["Bob Maglinte" <bbqbob917@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan" <billybudd1313@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 2:27 PM
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

Hi Dan,
EXCELLENT POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I definitely concur with this, and I 
constantly tell harp players to go to a vocal coach just for the breathing 
exercises alone. Most people don't even realize that they have poor 
breathing technique in their everyday living, let alone singing or playing 
harmonica, and again, the breathing exercises alone are worth the cost, and 
having done that myself, I can attest that it was well worth it, and I'm 
UNDERSTATING that fact!!!! It's great to have natural ability, but I have 
also seen players succeed with far less ability and worked their butts off, 
while another player with more real natural ability didn't do much because 
they were to lazy to hone their craft.

Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
MP3's: http://music.mp3lizard.com/barbequebob/