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Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

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Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#21

Post by uhoh-itsmaciek »

I started playing bluegrass mandolin some years ago. I never really thought I could sing, but after starting to get into the local jam scene, I saw what a big part singing played and wanted to give it a shot. I took some classes and some workshops, and eventually started to get comfortable with both lead and harmony singing (I'm not good by any means, but competent enough for the jam scene).

If you listen to some of the classic bluegrass recordings, there's an incredible amount of nuance and control in the vocals, and trying to sing along and learn those subtleties is challenging and rewarding. And because there's a strong tradition of harmony in this music, the sustained vowel sounds Eno talks about are everywhere.

While the group singing Eno talks about is generally frowned upon in bluegrass, nailing a close harmony stack with one to three other people (depending on the parts) is a fantastic feeling. Building relationships around that, where you're looking forward to the next festival or music camp because you'll get to sing with someone again, is even better.

I got into this music for playing my instrument with others, but while I still enjoy that, I appreciate the singing a lot more now.

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#22

Post by gmassman »

huy-nguyen wrote: post #9
laurieg wrote: post #4

To those thinking "I want to sing but I just can't sing." I encourage you to get one on one lessons with a professional. I started out not being able to sing at all. Couldn't match the pitch, I just sounded like I was trying to "talk in tune". My voice would get very tired very quickly too. It took a long time, but the change is huge. I can sing in tune now. I can sing much higher. It sounds pleasant. My voice doesn'…

> Singing is strange, you can't really see what other singers or yourself are doing. With the piano you can take a look at your teachers hands, but with singing you have to go on a kinda of exploration into sensations in your body, with the teacher as an experienced guide. Actually the same is true for playing the piano as well. Piano playing is not as intuitive as people believe because it is not just the apparent v…

Piano is a full body experience. It requires the feet to manage pedals and the back to ensure good posture. Not to mention the head which is driving the bus! It's not just the hands and lower arms that are coordinating. In fact I'd venture to say all instruments are full body experiences. Well, maybe not kazoo...

Singing is a wonderful skill and an amazingly unique instrument. Good singing requires awareness of the lungs, diaphragm, pelvis, butt and often (if you're like me and play guitar while doing it) the upper body.

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#23

Post by misja111 »

t-3 wrote: post #10

Contrary anecdote: My grandparents are over 90, but they're lifelong members of a religious community that considers music and dancing sinful. Personally, I quite enjoy singing and music, but it seems strange that an attention-seeking activity would be correlated with longer life.

There's plenty of contrary anecdote on the other side of the scale as well, for instance the 27 club.

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#24

Post by a_e_k »

_ptf7 wrote: post #20
laurieg wrote: post #4

To those thinking "I want to sing but I just can't sing." I encourage you to get one on one lessons with a professional. I started out not being able to sing at all. Couldn't match the pitch, I just sounded like I was trying to "talk in tune". My voice would get very tired very quickly too. It took a long time, but the change is huge. I can sing in tune now. I can sing much higher. It sounds pleasant. My voice doesn'…

I have been wanting to work with a professional. Any advice on how to find one ?

I have a neighbor who's a professional opera singer and gives voice lessons. From what I hear, most of his opera colleagues do as well. If you live in a city with an opera company, it might be worth checking with them.

(Personally, I've taken up beginner piano with him this year!)

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#25

Post by gmassman »

_ptf7 wrote: post #20
laurieg wrote: post #4

To those thinking "I want to sing but I just can't sing." I encourage you to get one on one lessons with a professional. I started out not being able to sing at all. Couldn't match the pitch, I just sounded like I was trying to "talk in tune". My voice would get very tired very quickly too. It took a long time, but the change is huge. I can sing in tune now. I can sing much higher. It sounds pleasant. My voice doesn'…

I have been wanting to work with a professional. Any advice on how to find one ?

Look online for singing lessons. If you want to learn in person (which I'd recommend) search for teachers in your area. Most have at least a modest amount of local or online advertising. You can also checkout craigslist or ask on a local subreddit.

I found my singing teacher through a Google search, and I found my violin teacher through word of mouth.

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#28

Post by iakov »

worldshit wrote: post #26

Singing might be good for yourself, but is very nasty for those who live around you and don't want to listen... Please make sure to sing/play instruments from within an insulated location!

I am sorry people don’t like it. However it is my home and I will do whatever I please in it - while staying in the boundaries of common sense and local laws regarding quiet times.

Don’t like it? Deal with it.

Re: Singing: The key to a long life (2008)

#30

Post by toolslive »

gmassman wrote: post #22
huy-nguyen wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Singing is strange, you can't really see what other singers or yourself are doing. With the piano you can take a look at your teachers hands, but with singing you have to go on a kinda of exploration into sensations in your body, with the teacher as an experienced guide. Actually the same is true for playing the piano as well. Piano playing is not as intuitive as people believe because it is not just the apparent v…

Piano is a full body experience. It requires the feet to manage pedals and the back to ensure good posture. Not to mention the head which is driving the bus! It's not just the hands and lower arms that are coordinating. In fact I'd venture to say all instruments are full body experiences. Well, maybe not kazoo... Singing is a wonderful skill and an amazingly unique instrument. Good singing requires awareness of the l…

Piano has its advantages compared to others. For example, if you target a C and press the right key, you will get a C. To get this far takes continuous deliberate practice on a violin, cello, ... (However, it gets easier with larger instruments as the target zone becomes larger) Another advantage is that 1 finger can create 1 note so it's easy to do comping for yourself and others. It's no accident that in conservatoria everybody gets to learn the piano (even if it's not their first instrument) A last remark: if you sing what you play on an instrument you improve your hearing and will eventually get up to a point where things are locked in so you can play everything you can sing.
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