When I was listening to music in my early years, it seemed very natural for me to sing along with the songs I like or new tunes I heard. I did not realize until years later that what I was doing was harmonizing with the melody, rather than duplicating it. This was probably my first gateway into music creation. I seemed to have a knack for developing harmonies. Rhythms and timing also came to me without me understanding what I was doing. Some people play sports, some are good at math, and some are builders. I just seemed to feel comfortable with music. My mother was in theater, radio and music and I have already blamed her for a lot of exposure to performing arts while I was growing up, so I will continue to do so!
The human voice is an amazing instrument. There is nothing like it. I know that I am not a powerful vocalist – I simply do not have the pipes it must take, but fortunately that did not stop my love for singing. As I sang along more and more, I got better at finding the notes that would enhance or decorate the melody line. I never tried to over power them, but to add to them. Sometimes a song only needs a phrase or two highlighted by harmonies or echoing the melody. Other tunes seemed to inspire harmonies throughout the song. Eventually I would hear the melody in my head and sing along creating harmonies. I could not begin to tell you how to create each note while singing… there are no manuals for this. There are lessons to be learned and great teachers or vocal instructors, but the basics are not easily put into words.
When it comes to instruments, there is a certain amount of knowledge and practice involved in understanding where the right notes are and hitting them at the right time. Just knowing the right ones to play are not enough as you have to know when and when not to play them. I bring this up because a lot of musicians talk about jam sessions or getting together and without a lot of details, start playing new themes and using ideas from other musicians to create and have fun. My point here is that I was never that comfortable simply bringing my instrument and jamming with others. I do feel comfortable with harmonies and if asked to add percussion or drums, I could fit in. But for me playing guitar, keys, bass, flute, sax, etc. without practicing and knowing what I was doing ahead of time is difficult. Many of the musicians I worked with were absolutely great at this. They were great at bouncing musical ideas off other players and coming up with gorgeous textures, themes and tonal landscapes. I have a few early examples of jams and creative sessions I would like to offer here from time to time.
Really interesting!
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Thanks!
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I sing along with my favorite music too… Unlike you… I have absolutely NO singing voice and Fortunately, I’m always alone when I do and no one is horrified, terrified or traumatized!
My first husband was a musician, singing, playing drums, the sax and mastering the guitar.
Your article gives me new insight into his love and passion. Thanks! 😀
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Perfect topic. We all hide away at first. some only sing in the shower or in the car when we are SURE no one is around! (Otherwise it is a little like listening to someone learn to ply violin or other fret-less instruments !) Thank you for letting my article point out the love and passion your first husband demonstrated. sometimes knowing why can make all the difference even if we do not totally understand ‘what’.
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Interesting article! When your human voice sing along you connect more with music..it takes time and practice to start synchronizing with the music you’re hearing. Keep it up, and enjoy singing
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Awww, thanks! I agree about connecting to music. some people have a natural knack,, but for me and a lot of people it is as you stated a lot of time and practice to get really good. Worth every minute of it! Great comments.
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Even I like music very much and always try to impress others whenever get a chance to do that.
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Good to hear! Even if I did not write and record music, I would still be happy listening and sharing with others! Thanks for the post.
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Being able to harmonize like that is a wonderful gift. When ever I sang along with a choir (in a rather unlovely baritone) I would gravitate to the sopranos because I could never keep/sing any thing that wasn’t the tune. I guess I hear harmony as a mass group, but as for distinguishing separate parts, it is an impossibility. I’m (almost) jealous.
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Bruce, I found that I can sing harmonies if I am playing a chordal instrument like guitar or piano. but if I am playing the bass guitar, I have a hard time singing anything other than the melody! I keep drifting away from the harmony and start walking all over the melody! rule #2 – play to your strengths!
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Good point!
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No good voices here….. I envy this gift!
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so you and I might not get to The Voice or American Idol, but you can sure write poetry and at least I can hummm in tune LOL.
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Yes…. At least i have my poetry LOL LOL 🙂 🙂
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I have always been fascinated by other people’s talents in playing instruments and singing! I look forward to reading more of your blog and hearing your music! If I could chose one talent to have it would be singing. I sing all the time as it is but don’t sound very good! 😉 Michelle
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Hey, Michelle! We all have talents and we all have great things to learn. Singing is one of those fundamental human behaviors. It is a great form of communication and an efficient way of preserving stories (history). Please, keep singing! Great comment! Thanks!
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Thanks for the encouragement, I will keep singing!! I agree, song is a wonderful way of preserving stories, it is amazing how much easier it is to remember a story that is set to music! Much light and peace to you! 🙂
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You are very welcome and please keep singing. Even if no one ever heard me, I would still be singing! Thanks again.
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Me too 🙂
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Cool!
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Mike,
The voice IS and amazing instrument.
And I know what you mean when you say there is a big difference between jamming and, say, writing or organizing musical pieces. It can be tough to dig the jam sometimes, and that can make you feel left out. But when you hit that sweet spot with everyone else, and the music is coming from some enchanting place that no one is really sure about, man, that’s magical.
At least you understand how to use your voice to participate in the jam. Some people don’t even have that.
I’m only a few years into my musical practice, 5 or so. It’s humbling, and I have a lot to learn.
Keep digging sound, man. Best wishes
-Tyler
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Great observations. I have had those moments when seemingly random elements literally form in the air that forms into a thing of beauty. You are so right, That event – that session – is magic. It has a ‘spell’ of its own, and not just on the performers. Keep going as you are already in a good starting point (you head is in the right place!) and progress does happen in spurts. Like Yoga, martial arts, sports, there is so much more to learn than seems possible at first. We all have a lot to learn LOL! Thank you Tyler and good luck.
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Great post. It’s funny how I never considered the magic of our voices but when you really reflect on it… just Wow.
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Thank you for the comments. I could not agree more. Wow. There is nothing else out there that connects to me so easily and can pull at my core being like the human voice has done.
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lively discussion! voice is the most intimate musical instrument. singing generates feeling, regardless of circumstance.
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And almost everyone can do it! It is the entry into the musical world for a lot of people I know. Intimate is the perfect description!
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I always felt exactly the way you do about just sitting in and jamming. I was never comfortable with that. I wanted to know where a song was going. I envied those who could just jam but I think it takes more ability to be free with yourself and a certain amount of confidence I didn’t have then. Now my music is all improvisational, but I’m playing only with myself so it doesn’t have to fit with anyone else.
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While I was not good at on the spot jamming, I was lucky in that I seem to have an uncanny knack for remembering song structure. While other players would get lost on which verse or chorus we were playing I did not need cheat sheets to keep on track. We all have our own unique talents! Most of my song writing comes from improvisational sessions. If you let the music lead the way you will hear great ideas and themes. I record everything – that way I can take the great sections and expand if needed into a new song or complete musical piece. Do you record any of your new works? I would also love to hear the earlier songs you mentioned …….
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If I didn’t record what I played, I’d be sunk. I always record. With the way I play now, once recorded, that’s it. i just let my hands play. I pick a key and just play. and listen back a day or two later and think, I played that? I couldn’t play it twice. Now, if I planned it and played something over and over to remember it and wrote down the chords – like I used to it would be different. For me, music is an emotion and I reach in and pull it out. It’s a different experience for me than it used to be. When I write lyrics or poetry it pours out the same way. Usually in one shot in about ten minutes. I’ll type some of my lyrics into posts. I’ve been wanting to do that anyway. I’ll let you know when I do. It’s easy to miss posts.
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I think far too few people record and listen to their works. I find it educational and inspiring as I find gems in the recordings from time to time. I also get the added benefit of getting better at the recording when I do this. Piano is your voice. It is good that you allow emotions to pour out through your playing. This will eventually help heal the void.
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Once I finally listen to them I’ll play it over and over and over. I’m my greatest fan. If I don’t want to listen to it why would anyone else? You are right about finding those gems It makes it all worth while 🙂
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I am my greatest critic! Ha. I have to look deeper for those gems than others LOL.
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🙂 😉
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Besides, I might be your biggest fan!
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Well, I think everyone needs at least one. I am humbly honored!
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Well then, you met your quota, so you can relax now! You are driven.
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Lol. I guess you are right. Is my addictive personality.
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…. passion. Fine line, ha!
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Yes, having mental quirkiness helps the creative mind. He’s a new one. http://mynameisjamie.net/2015/06/29/taking-back-what-they-took-away/
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Thanks!
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