RE: [Harp-L] singing and harp

["Bobby \" BlackHat\" Walters" <bobby@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I just purchased a software program called Singing Coach Unlimited.
(http://www.carryatune.com/) One of the features helps you determine your
vocal range.  Pretty slick and it has been very helpful.

Bobby 

-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Joel Fritz
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2005 12:59 AM
Cc: harp-l harp-l
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] singing and harp

You need to find out your range.  Then you need to find out the highest and
lowest notes you can sing comfortably.  They're not the same as the extremes
of your vocal range.  I generally try to choose a key such that the highest
note in the song is the highest note I can sing comfortably.  Sometimes I'll
go for a lower key if I want a specific effect.  There is no one key that is
best for a person's voice.  Key 
choice depends entirely on the range of the song.    If you know the 
degrees of the scale, you only have to play it in one key.  If the highest
note is the flat seven then pick a key where the flat seven is the note you
want to be the highest.  For me that would be F above middle C so the key
would be G. .

Bonus tip:  Find out what timbre you can control the best.  That is, go with
the sound that allows you the best pitch control, control of dynamics, and
is "natural" for you.  The worst thing you can do is try to sound like your
favorite singer.  If you always choose a key that's comfortable for you and
don't try to make your voice do what it won't do you can concentrate on the
intrepretation. 

One more thing:  The singer ALWAYS controls the key.  Make them play in C#
if it works best for your voice on a given song.  If the key is wrong for
your voice it will make the other players look bad and it will be their
fault if they forced you to sing in that key.  They have to buy into this.

Good luck.

Jp Pagan wrote:

>hey everyone,
>
>  i'm going to have to sing int eh near future, which is not something 
>i've done before. i think i have an ok ear though, even if my singing 
>voice isn't good.
>any suggestions for finding which key is best for my voice, in terms or 
>range at least? i thought maybe trying to sing along using different 
>key harps to play the melody line first, then sing in that key, but i'm 
>not sure that's working. tips?
>
>   thanks,
>           --Jp
>
>
>		
>__________________________________
>
>  
>

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