Song suggestions for singarounds

Subject: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 09:18 AM

Hi I introduced myself yesterday and am now feeling brave enough to ask for a little help. I would like to take part in singarounds (not always joining in the chorus) My voice is small and very much alto - maybe even tenor.. I would like to be able to sing something within my range, with a good chorus(so I wouldn't be singing on my own all the time) Can anyone suggest a few songs for me? kindest regards Patrish

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: AndyG
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 10:48 AM

At the risk of introducing thread-creep (why we sing) and cliche early in the discussion, it depends on what you want to achieve with your song(s). (Amuse? entertain? provoke?)

one:
Start by singing songs you really like, changing the words and tune to suit your current performance skills and experience, don't bother about emulating others, do your best with what you've got. In any halfway decent singaround you'll be respected for having got up and performed irrespective of skill.

two:
Keep going to the singaround, performance improves with practice (less nervous etc.) plus the better your rapport with the other singers the more support you'll get during your songs (which can really help help build confidence).

three:
Don't be afraid to do songs the group doesn't know but generally keep away from songs someone else in the group already performs.

All very general, all very obvious, but without knowing what your ideal performance criteria are, it's really very difficult to suggest songs you might consider.

AndyG

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: Patrish(inactive)
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 11:09 AM

Thanks Andy, Ideally I would like to amuse and entertain. I would like people to stay in the singaround and not go out for beer when they know it is me singing. I want to add value to the singaround. I'm sorry if this sounds trite. I will practice. I quite like the song Carrickfergus. Is this the right sort of song? I quite like parodies as well.

Thanks again Andy for your comments

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: Bert
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 11:15 AM

I was hoping some of our higher pitched catters would give you some suggestions but I guess they haven't had their 1st cup of coffee yet.

One song I like that is too high for me to sing is "Sleep Baby Sleep" by Jimmie Rodgers. Anything of his goes down well at a sing.

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From:
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 11:23 AM

As was stated earlier, sing something you seem to FEEL, as that helps. Some of the older songs, Happy Wanderer, and such are popular many people would know them. Other popular songs if you feel comfortable with them would be Danny Boy, Roll the Old Chariot Along, Will the Circle Be Unbroken, and others in that vein.

Of course you can go into some sea shanties as those usually have a chorus which can be picked up readily. Shenandoah is one of those.

Other songs, not necessarily all that old, like the Green Hills of Tyrol or Flower of Scotland, people might remember from the radio.

It really depends on what songs you feel comfortable doing.

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: Davey
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 11:26 AM

AndyG, thanks for your comments, and Patrish, I'd like to add my encouragement. Having attended a song circle for many years, I'd like to add another observation. The songs which come across with sincerity are those which the singer obviously enjoys enough to have spent some time learning. There is then an opportunity for more interaction with the other people there, as opposed to situations where several people sit with their heads buried in a book reading the words. I'm not opposed to using the written words as a memory aid, and sometimes do it myself.

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: Bert
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 11:32 AM

Here's what Mudcatters are singing.

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 12:25 PM

One with a chorus and a bit of humour that works well for me is Johnny Jump Up.

Jon

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 02:02 PM

Patrish--

Find a song you like, that you know pretty well, so you won't be nervous. Wait until you've got some more confidence and experience; then try out some some songs you've recently added to your repertoire..

Now pitch the song you've chosen in a key that suits your voice. If you want to experiment beforehand, try singing it in different pitches until you find one that's neither too high nor too low for your voice (don't worry about thte people who join in on the chorus--they'll figure out a register or harmony that works for their own voices).

If you wish, you can check your pitch against a piano or pitchpipe or some other instrument. Figure out the note the songs starts on: Now you know what note to ask for before you start. Or if you sing a cappella--just start, and if it's a bad key for you, just stop and start over again--it's perfectly acceptable in a cappella song circles.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: sophocleese
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 02:08 PM

One that is fun, amusing and with lines for people to sing along with is Tom Lehrer's Irish Ballad.

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: Magpie
Date: 22 Sep 99 - 03:01 PM

Hi Patrish, how'r ya doin'?

A song that's funny and doesn't take too much voice flamboyancy is "Sick note" by Pat Cooksey (or as it's also been called "Why Paddy's not at work today") You'll find it at The Dubliners' album "Celebration".

It's a howler!

And as the others have stated, find a song that YOU really like, and sing it in your own key. Not just a key that you can manage, but a key that lets your voice sound it's best. Meself, I've a voice that doesn't fit any standard keys, and I drive my band's fiddler and box-player up the walls by wanting keys like Eb and G#m.

Keep it up and good luck!

Magpie

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: Liam Devlin
Date: 23 Sep 99 - 11:58 AM

sometimes the best way to break in is to sing something that already resonates in your heart. Close your eyes and listen ... what song comes to your mind? what songs did you hear and love in home growing up? or what song just makes your spirit soar? tap into that magic ...

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: Magpie
Date: 23 Sep 99 - 12:14 PM

Liam You're so right! Besides there's nothing like singing a song you really love!

Magpie

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: AndyG
Date: 23 Sep 99 - 12:39 PM

Patrish,

If you're wanting parodies, look no further than Les Barker, he's written many and quite a number are of women's songs from the English tradtion, so there's plenty of scope.
eg The Trains of Waterloo
or, My husband's got no porrige in him (You should hear Norma Waterson sing this one.)

As has been repeated above, look for songs you like, sincerity comes across when you sing. For example I really find it hard to sing The World Turned Upside Down by Leon Rosselson, a song which brings me tears of bitter anger simply on hearing it, but I always feel good when I've sung it.

AndyG

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: AndyG
Date: 23 Sep 99 - 12:41 PM

Gaak!

The Trains of Waterloo

AndyG

Subject: RE: Song suggestions for singarounds
From: radriano
Date: 24 Sep 99 - 12:27 PM

Dear Patrish:

I have no specific songs to suggest to you but would just encourage you to keep at it. The first time I tried to sing in public I crashed and burned big time (oh, alright, not just the first time). As with anything else, you get better at it the more you do it!

And bless those people who encourage someone who's faltering to keep going. In San Francisco, on the first saturday of every month, there is a Shanty Sing aboard one of the historic ships at Hyde Street Pier. One evening a young girl in the audience started to sing and then faltered, forgetting her words. Someone else in the crowd, who knew the song well, started to take over. He was immediately stopped by several of the regular singers who then encouraged the young lady to continue her song. All she needed was a reminder of the next verse.

Just keep working at it, Patrish, soon you'll find yourself singing with the best of them.

Regards,
radriano