Woes of the singing student

[luna_norvegese]

First of all, a big hello to all of you reading this! Don't be afraid to comment and say hello (or whatever you feel like saying), because isn't meeting new people why we're all here for? :)


But now, over to the srs bsns.

It's not funny having to do something you really can't. Right now I'm two seconds from banging a hole in the wall out of pure frustration.

The thing is that we're currently working on our Defined Assignments at school, which basically means that they give us a song that is far outside our comfort zone and then we have to learn it. I thought it was a good idea until I found out that they obviously hate me and have given me a song that has no basic structure, is a capella the whole way through, is packed with ornamentations (which I am terrible at) and on top of that they didn't even manage to give me the lyrics. And so I had to sit down and transcribe the whole bloody thing.

Here is a link to the song, if you want to check it out. It's called La Sagesse (Women, I'm Calling You) and is sung by Sheila Chandra, who is brilliant (as you can see in this), but just so far from what I usually do.

I suppose I should be happy that they challenge me and make me grow as a singer, but right now I'm just so exhausted that I'd rather sing a thousand Mozart arias (and me and Mozart aren't really good friends when it comes to his arias).


On a happier note I can now grunt. So if nothing else works I could always become the vocalist for a metal band (and become the new Angela Gossow). Good to know.

Comments

[lian]

Oooh, now that reminded me to go and look up the female metal band I heard on the radio a while back. Is there any way to secribe the technique of grunting? I alwaays wondered how one does go about it without ruining ones vocal cords.

[luna_norvegese]

First off it demands a ridiculous amount of support (or energy), and then you basically let out air while making a "note" in a so dark sound colour it almost sounds evil (according to my teacher). :)

It's kind of hard to explain, but that's the main things, I guess. And it's a kind of sound that you never thought you'd like, but when you can actually do it yourself it's the coolest thing in the world. :)

[lian]

I can imagien -- it must feel great to produce such a powerful sound! *shifty eyes* maybe I ought to try it when no-none's around tomorrow, hehe... (I don't really listen to metal, but I do have an affinity to it due to lots of exposure to it in my early youth!)

ETA because I'm a dolt:

Best of luck with conquering and shaping your song! <3

[luna_norvegese]

Thank you! :)