When you don't know the song?

Subject: RE: When you don't know the song?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 10:38 PM

If it's a chorus song in a pub, you can try to get close to someone who is belting it out, then watch his or her mouth to see if you can discern what the chorus words are. Since it's a chorus, it'll come around more than once. After it's over you can try quickly asking the person you've been watching for the words you didn't get, before the next one starts, then write the whole thing down immediately.

Subject: RE: When you don't know the song?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 02:48 PM

Clinton, What you said.

Also, if I'm at the back and won't be too obvious, I get out me little notebook and try to get the words down.

Don T.

Subject: RE: When you don't know the song?
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 02:24 PM

I want people to join my choruses, so I always give it a go.
You should have at least one line of the chorus after one go through.

Keith

Subject: RE: When you don't know the song?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 01:56 PM

Scat-sing in harmony and/or counterpoint, making up a "background" part.

Or, in settings where that would not be appropriate, listen and learn.

Subject: RE: When you don't know the song?
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 01:48 PM

No-one will report you to the Chorus Cops if you don't sing every single chorus

nor normally - though I have had instances where performances were stopped and I was chastised in public for not singing along. (this is when I was part of the audience)

Subject: RE: When you don't know the song?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 01:45 PM

I either listen and try to pick it up (I've got a good ear for picking up tunes), the words take some time and make for some great 'mondegreens'..... or else I drink my beer... gives my mouth something to do that makes it obvious that I'm not singing because I don't want to, not because I don't know the words!

There is no law that says you must sing along. No-one will report you to the Chorus Cops if you don't sing every single chorus.

LTS

Subject: RE: When you don't know the song?
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 01:41 PM

it depends on the song. There are some chorus songs I couldn't care if I *ever* learn the words or the tune for. Others I appreciate when I hear sung - but have no desire to sing. then there are the onesx I want to learn - those I usually listen to and pick up as I am able - usually going for the tune primarily but working on the words as I am able.

The only time I "fake it" is when I am performing as a street character - and then only if it is a mass sing and not obvious I'm not actually singing.

Subject: RE: When you don't know the song?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 01:26 PM

I shut the hell up and listen so next time I DO know it!

:-)

Subject: RE: When you don't know the song?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 01:26 PM

just hum along and pick up the chorus as you can. mg

Subject: When you don't know the song?
From: The Shambles
Date: 07 Mar 05 - 01:24 PM

What do you do when everyone else is singing along lustily and all appear to know the words and the tune of a song that is totally new to you?

Do you fake it - mouth the words and pretend that you know as well as everyone else?

Honestly try to join in and pick it up the best that you can?

Hang your head – shuffle your feet and wait until it is over?

Go to the toilet?

Noisily pretend to have a heart-attack or a fit of coughing - in order to sabotage the singing?

Or do you do something else?