Choosing to sing or play

Subject: Choosing to sing or play(or not)
From: Johnny J
Date: 17 Jun 26 - 06:40 AM

There is a lot of the usual nonsense on the media just now as to whether the English team's football manager should be required to sing The National Anthem at the World Cup Games. Believe it or not, I hadn't realised the present manager was German until just recently. Just shows you how interested I am in football!

Anyway, in the words of Leslie Nielsen, that's not important right now!

I'm interested on how we view the act of singing and playing music in general. Of course, most of us here will happily do so as that is likely one of our main interests. However, should everybody be expected or encouraged to sing or join in anthems, church hymns, pub sing-alongs or whatever when they either disapprove of the circumstances, subject matter or, maybe, singing just isn't their thing?
I'm sure we've all been in that situation and often just gone through the motions so as not to offend or appear stupid but is it fair to expect people to do that?

As it is, I often choose not to sing certain songs in my Ukulele group . Some are just naff, others offensive or should be "cancelled" . However, the tunes are often catchy. So, I'll usually make a compromise and just play the chords/melodies.

More difficult for those who join community and folky choirs etc though, I'd imagine.

As regards tunes and melodies in a session situation, I will usually play most of these unless there are some very obvious associations but most of them can stand on their own or be "borrowed"/adapted anyway.
Some, of course, are not that interesting or "played out" which is a different matter. I may or may not "join in" depending on how I feel. Always an excuse to go to the bar or sip my beer.
;-))

Subject: RE: Choosing to sing or play
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 17 Jun 26 - 07:04 PM

I can’t think of many songs that I wouldn’t want to sing or join in with if invited, and I have sung in community groups too. One or two that mention domestic abuse ( fortunately not been a victim of that) I find a bit distasteful and wouldn’t choose to sing, and a friend gets very angry if anyone starts up with “Nobody’s Moggy Now”, having lost a much-loved cat to roadkill.
I have more issue with people taking nice songs far too fast, or putting a guitar-thrashing rhythm behind them and hence chopping up the words. As for tunes, there are some I’d rather not play, or groan if they come up again, but they may be a cue for the loo or the bar.

Subject: RE: Choosing to sing or play
From: Johnny J
Date: 18 Jun 26 - 05:27 AM

Thanks TB,

In the great scheme of things, there's not many tunes or songs I'd actively avoid and most community groups do have responsible leaders who are aware of possible sensitivities. Of course, perceptions will vary from individual to individual.

There are many songs and tunes which just don't "grab" me , of course, but I wouldn't deliberately avoid singing or playing them as a rule. As you suggest, I'd probably make my "visits" at that time but only if they were necessary. I wouldn't make a particular fuss.

Finally, my first point which inspired this thread is that many people don't actually enjoy the actual process of singing or only in limited circumstances and, arguably, shouldn't feel obliged to take part just because it's expected in certain circumstances.
As I said, I'm sure very few of the members here have any aversion to participation in such matters and I have always loved singing even although I don't consider myself a singer even although it's mostly choruses in folky situations. However, the best place to catch me is in the supermarket aisles.
;-)