Singers at Sing-arounds

Subject: RE: Folklore: Singers at Sing-arounds
From: Herma
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 05:58 AM

I'm learning so much from this thread....
Have not been singing (at all) for that long, and unaccompanied only for the last year! It really helps to read all these tips (and tricks) from you, think it will really help me to stand up during a session and be more confident about how to start and finish a song!
Thanks very much!
Herma

Subject: RE: Folklore: Singers at Sing-arounds
From: Menolly
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 01:51 PM

I have been singing unaccompanied for 30 years. I used to wish I could play or find someone to accompany me but I have come to realise that with many songs I vary the speed and rythme to emphasies different parts and most people who try and join in with an instrument want to fix the speed and rythme and constrain the singer. It takes a lot of practice for the instrumentalist to be only an accompianist!
I too do not know what key I sing in, anything from second soprano down to upper bass but usually in the tenor range. If the song has a chorus then I try to pitch where others can join in, but it doesn't always work! The speed of the chorus dictated either by the preceeding verse or always the same. That will depend on the sence of the song.
Don't be afraid to sing unaccompanied, but if you enjoy the challenge of people joining in - go for it!
Menolly

Subject: RE: Folklore: Singers at Sing-arounds
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 02:22 PM

Don't worry too much about using a key to match other people's voices and voical range.

Singing with tunes that are pitched awkwardly is where people pick up the skills of finding a harmony they could use instead of a note they can't reach. It's where "folk harmony" comnes from, and it can sound tremendous.

That's why people in singarounds and so forth are so much better at doing than people who only sing stuff pitched in an eaasy key, so everyone can sings in unison, like in church. Can be deadly.

(I'd have thought that Americans with their Star Soangled Banner waopuld have poiucked up that skill along with walking - but from the many times it's come up in the Mudcat it seems it doesn't work like that over there, and they'd sooner leave it to a soloist. I'd love to hear a bunch of folkies who know how to to do it have a go at that song some time.)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Singers at Sing-arounds
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Oct 03 - 10:34 PM

Yes Mcgrath,
you want to hear Aussies sing the national anthem (which I don't think is ALL that great a song) at a pubic event.

But if you get to be present when we launch into a mass version of Waltzing Matilda, you will understand why it is called the alternative or defacto National Anthem. But we usually have someone leading.

A recent fiasco was when a well known singer had the P/A die on her, so everybody thought she was miming.

And in light of the passing of Slim Dusty, when he led WM at the Olympics, every heart stirred.

You should watch Aussie athletes, especially swimmers at medal presentation. They are usually singing themselves hoarse, with tears streaming down their faces, in some cases.

Robin