Finger in Ear - what's all that about?

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: Charmion
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 01:40 PM

I sing with my eyes closed when I'm listening very, very hard to the people I'm singing with, the idea being to blend tone as seamlessly as possible. I do it to avoid distractions, such as the conductor.

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 03:40 PM

THe Bee Gees?

Laughed off stage?

Never! Not even when they were called "Les toseurs"

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 03:48 PM

hi Richard

No no no !!

They lived ooooop here in't north.

They were called The F.....g Posers.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: Joe_F
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 05:49 PM

I have two mysterious muscles, one in each ear, that I can contract at will. When I tense them, I hear a click. If I take a sharp sniff while they are tensed, my ears go into a state much like having my fingers in them (or being under water): My voice sounds as if it were inside my skull, and is much easier to check for intonation when singing in a group.

I have only met one or two other people who have this peculiar equipment, and its existence seems to be little known. One of them is an expert on the physics of hearing, and he told me that he had raised the question in an audiology class & been laughed at. Perhaps the ability is a genetic trait, like being able to wiggle one's ears (an independent one; for I cannot do that). But perhaps it can be learned, thru some sort of yogic discipline. Being invisible, it would also be untauntable.

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: Stower
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 08:20 PM

Paul ...

"I remember a few years ago reading a review of a live concert in the New Musical Express, which stuck in my mind as a folkie. I can't remember the name of the band, but the reviewer said "... the singer was so bad that he had to put his finger in his ear to stay in tune ..."."

In that case we have a music reviewer who's not a musician, or not much of one, if s/he can display such ignorance.

"I still maintain that if your voice is good enough to hold a tune, you can do it with or without the "finger in ear", so perhaps it's more about a feeling of insecurity."

It's about what works best for you. Some musicians stand up to play, some sit down. One is not 'better' or 'more professional', it's whatever you feel comfortable with. In onstage monitors, some musicians like a mix with their sound to the fore, some to the back, some want the mix the audience hears. One is not objectively 'better' or 'worse', it's purely the preference of the individual, what they're most comfortable with, what they find most helpful. A cupped ear is very similar: it changes 'the mix' so that one's own sound is more to the fore - or not if your hand isn't on your ear.

"I think it looks better and more professional though if you can avoid it in a live performance." That's your view. I think ear covered or not looks fine and that it's not a matter of 'being professional' in the sense you mean. Being professional is putting on a good performance. If someone cupping or covering their ear helps them do that, then covering the ear is the most professional thing to do.

Do you really think my Bee Gees link above looks 'unprofessional'? I don't think the audience thought so (I didn't ask them), and neither do I.

It's about the *music*, surely?

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 04:35 PM

I first encountered the expression "a finger in the ear" at Mudcat, and it really puzzled me. (I was taking it too literally—but then, I had no other way to take it.) I posed the question back in January, 2002, here: Help: Why a finger in the ear?

British folkies are also fond of working the expression into parodies:

"The traditional singer's wife,
Was sighin', "Dear, oh dear!
He never performed a' his life,
Wi'out his finger in his ear."
--from THE FOLKSINGERS' BALL (parody of CHARLADIES' BALL), in the DT.

"I have sung them a capella with my finger in my ear
Finger in my ear
Just the way a real folk singer should…"
--from MUST I THEN (a parody of MUSS I DENN) posted by Alan of Oz, 1997

"I've been a folk singer, for many's the year,
I sang unaccompanied, with my finger in my ear,
But now I get bookings, and I want to get more,
So I never shall wear wooly jumpers no more."
--from WOOLY JUMPERS NO MORE (parody of WILD ROVER) posted by GUEST,JMCC, 2000.

"At a folk club in a toon, I heard a a young man singin',
Like a constipated donkey in distress.
An' wi' a finger in one ear, the noise he made was weird,
And he went from bad to worse wi' every verse."
--from THE MURDERED SONG (parody of FIELDS OF ATHENRY) by Andy McKean

"And when I sing traditional, I stick my finger in my ear
Because half the songs I sing, I just can't stand to hear—but I'm an artist!"
--from THE FOLKSINGER (parody of Paul Simon's THE BOXER) by Fred Wedlock

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: buddhuu
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 05:15 PM

Barney McKenna sometimes cups his ear when he sings. Anyone who wants to call Barney a prat has to go through me first - one of my few heroes and even fewer surviving heroes.

At 50, my long-dodgy hearing is deteriorating even more. If I were to sing at our session I would have to cup my ear unless it was dead quiet. It DOES work. I cannot filter background noise. Even in conversation in a pub my side of the exchange is equal parts lip-reading, guesswork, nodding and pretending I heard, and going "eh?" or "pardon?"

I am pretty shy of the metaphorical spotlight. I'm a joiner-in, not so much a star turn. I'd love to sing a song or two, even with my crap voice, but I am too self-conscious of doing the cupped ear thing... And without it I simply cannot hear myself. So, I don't sing.

"I still maintain that if your voice is good enough to hold a tune, you can do it with or without the "finger in ear", so perhaps it's more about a feeling of insecurity."

Perhaps in some cases that is true. According to your theory, my voice is clearly not "good enough". But you know what? I'd like to have a go anyway, if that's ok with you. Even with a "not good enough" voice I'd like to sing a couple of songs, and to do that I'd have to do the ear cupping thing.

I'm going to build up my nerve until I have the bottle to have a go.

Seems to me that the prat aspect in folk music is displayed by those who rip the piss out of a technique used by people trying to do the best job of singing with whatever voice and hearing they have.

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 05:25 PM

I've often wondered if the phrase came from people who had the phrase "stick your finger in your ear and go ting a ling a loo" stuck in their minds - especially as popularised by Benny Hill.

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: Stower
Date: 07 Apr 10 - 05:26 PM

Thank you, buddhuu, for your personal story. I wouldn't have put it quite as forcefully as you, but I'm glad *you* did! If you were in the pub with me, I'd be cheering you on.

Stower

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: buddhuu
Date: 08 Apr 10 - 06:12 AM

"...I wouldn't have put it quite as forcefully as you..."

Ooh, yeah... That did come across a bit more, er, robustly than I realised. Still, I stand by it.

Cheers, Stower.

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: GUEST,Geoff (Youtube "bossalero")
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 06:32 AM

great thread - some very game attempts to explain FIE - I can see, of course, if you have a guitar amp or an orchstra going in your ear, you might want to block that out, but that's not a 'tuning' issue, that's a noise issue. Perhaps for group singing, too; but, really, if you can't hold your line when somebody's singing next to you, a finger in the ear won't help - the fact is you have no business doing choral singing. And for the solo, unaccompanied folksinger (how many of those do you see anymore? who would listen to it?) it's ridiculous to suggest they do it to 'stay in tune' -- stay in tune with what?!? they are UNACCOMPANIED, for god's sake! they can sing in whatever key they like!

honestly, you old folkies. Time to let this one go.

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 06:43 AM

and since I'm here, let me have a word to all the 'have a go' singers. Please reconsider. No one would deny you your right to sing - the good lord gave us all a voice. But why do you want to subject us to yours, if you know it's rubbish (and to the 'friends of crap singers' - if you're a real friend, find a way to gently discourage them - please don't encourage them to embarrrass themselves; it might be amusing for you, but it's kind of mean). We go to festivals and pubs to, hopefully, hear GOOD music. If you've got a crap voice, and you know it, why in heaven's name do you want to subject us to it? Isn't that the most transparent sort of self-indulgence? since your efforts are evidently only about pleasing yourself, perhaps you could confine yourself to singing to your mirror at home - this would also help you get ensure you get the appropriate 'eyes shut, head cocked, finger in ear' posture just right. Take some videos if you must, and post them on YouTube, but please don't take the mic at my local - I paid for my pint, and I'd love to enjoy it slowly, rather than slurp it down and make a dash for the door.

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 06:48 AM

'singers' or 'musicians' -- there's another topic. There IS a difference between being a singer and a musician. Anyone can claim to be a singer; but to be a musician, you have to play an instrument and that takes some dedication. To equate the two diminishes the efforts of those who have learned to play an instrument.

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 07:13 AM

the voice is an instrument, and has to be worked on, as does breath control for good singing.

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: buddhuu
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 07:40 AM

I'm assuming that all of the last three "Guests" were Geoff. Apologies to him if I'm mistaken.

Well, as the term "have a go" is verbatim the wording I used above, I'll assume that your response was, at least in part, to my post.

You, sir, may kiss my bottom. You assume that you know the contexts in which we all participate/perform. We are not all denizens of anal, elitist folk clubs. Some of us provide informal, relaxed, INCLUSIVE pub sessions aimed at building and reinforcing community values through music and fun. Some of us welcome people at all levels of ability and encourage them to participate and to develop.

But just because it's primarily for the craic and the camaraderie doesn't mean that we don't do our best. If my best is assisted by sticking a finger in my ear then I will do just that - while raising a finger on the other hand in your direction.

What's more, how dare you insult good singers by implying that their performance is of less worth than that of an instrumentalist? I'm an instrumental musician more than a singer, but even I find that offensive. I have been moved to tears by singers (in a good way) on many occasions. Instrumentalists rarely, if ever, have managed the same. In what way is a singer in any way a lesser being than some jumped up Yngwie Malmsteen analogue with more chops than heart?

Nah, up yours, pal.

To innocent bystanders, I apologise for lapsing back into robust mode.

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: Brian May
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 07:43 AM

I THINK YOU'VE ALL MISSED THE POINT


When I lerned miself folk singin, 'twas in in deepest Wiltshyre and orl the zingas woz on the beer lyke.

Now the ztory 'bout stickin yor finga in yer ear was zimply zo ya didn't touch yur pint 'o zider/beer (we were flexible) under yor left armpit wilst yer wer zingin.

An' it didn't matter a toz if yer wuz owt o'tune coz evrybody elze wuz slurpin' in time with the muzic.

Tha winna woz the las' man standin' with or withowt iz finga in iz ear.

NOW doo yoo undastand?

Subject: RE: Finger in Ear - what's all that about?
From: Joe_F
Date: 24 Jun 10 - 06:32 PM

Staying in tune with *oneself* is not a "ridiculous" idea; it a common & reasonable aspiration of individuals & choruses that sing unaccompanied. The director of my glee club in days gone by called it "intonation", and he policed it by repeating at the end of the song the piano chord he had played to start us off -- embarrassment enough. It is achievable even by those without perfect pitch.

If I may make a constructive suggestion to those who want bone conduction and do not have an internal finger like me (see my preceding post): one may always use an earplug. A few people may notice when you put it in & take it out, but it is far less conspicuous than keeping a finger there.

Subject: Cupping the ear(s) while singing
From: Crowhugger
Date: 25 Jun 10 - 01:01 AM

This is a really interesting thread. I like the variety of views in it. I've been teaching tuning & intonation to an a cappella chorus of some 60 women, doing one on one, small groups and whole chorus sessions. It's a barbershop chorus where the goal is always to sing so accurately that the 4 parts create strong overtones, so strong that the audience will hear at least 5, maybe even 6-part harmony. (Side question: Do traditional, unaccompanied singing ensembles have that goal too?)

This chorus is where I've observed singers tuning differently depending if they mostly hear their inside-the-head voice or their outside-the-head voice. Basically, tuning to the inside (bone-conducted) sound caused them to sing a little flat. By which I mean anything between a hair and 2/3 of a semitone below the desired pitch. Usually the discrepancy has been larger in the lowest range and smaller in the highest range.

Cupping the ear is a wonderful tool that has helped a number of these singers learn to match their "outside" voice to the pitch pipe or the voices around them. I'm sure their inside voices are beautiful but since no one else can hear them, to focus on tuning them seems futile, even counterproductive.

In our case the ear-cupping is used only in rehearsal and personal practise, never in performance. The best way for us to use this method of tuning is to cup the ear constantly at first, then uncup for a few measures at a time, re-cupping to check if tuning is still accurate. The learner tries to go longer and longer uncupped without losing accuracy. Not surprisingly, the chorus was stuck in the competetive rankings until we got a critical mass of singers sufficiently aware of how to tune more accurately.

Because I've had this experience, I'm fascinated by the comment somewhere above (or was it in the linked thread...?) from one who found that unaccompanied singers usually go sharp. Even with the tension caused by performance nerves, I've almost never seen people go sharp except when over-compensating from fear of going flat.

A fascinating topic.

Oh yes, one other thing--in a chorus this size singers usually cannot hear their own voices (those in the back row or side margins excepted). Cupping is very useful to check what one's voice is doing, pitch-wise as well as vowel shaping & timbre, important because everyone matching these things is critical to get a chorus' chords to ring well with overtones.

~CH.