BS: I really would like advice

Subject: BS: I really would like advice
From: fat B****rd
Date: 02 Jul 05 - 02:21 PM

Mnay years ago in the little fising village of Grimsby I fronted The Rumble Band, a motley collection "doing" covers of what I thought were the best black sounds of the 60s.
On september the 17th next I have been invited to return to Cleethorpes Winter Gardens to "do" a couple of songs with the very popular revival version of the Rumble Band.
I want to do my best as not only is the place apparently going to be full but my wife, Ann, will be with there as well as assorted family members.
I need advice as to how to get my voice in some sort of shape. Soul singing when you have blue eyes can be hard on Da Frote.
Thanking you. fB aka Charlie Rumble
PS I haven't sung in public for about 20 years

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: Amos
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 12:51 AM

Apple cider vinegar and honey, olive oil, and scale exercises in the shower -- stretch that range.

Then start practicing numbers over and over until the inflections and style comes as seconds nature.

'S all I know.


A

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: freda underhill
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 09:50 AM

Pavarotti uses this trick before he performs - he sings softly, and gently throughout the day of the performance - by evening his voice is relaxed, flexible and in full form.

(it works for me too, tho I don't sing much these days!)

Good luck FB, with all those fans in the room, hopefully you'll be soaring!

best wishes

freda

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 10:08 AM

MIME.

eric

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: fat B****rd
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 10:13 AM

Eric, I did mime years ago when I complained that the vocal mike wasn't loud enough. People still applauded.
Thankyou all.

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: An Englishman Abroad
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 10:16 AM

FB

One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is not for the voice directly but to your confidence, that will affect your voice.

Play in front of a few audiences before the gig propper. You have to get used to being in front of an audience again. Do a few floor spots at your local club to get into the swing of it.

A glass of wine before you go on will help your throat.

Best of luck         John

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 10:32 AM

The thing that might help the most is the thing that is most difficult to do. Relax. Everyone knows the experience of having you voice "squeak" or break when you are tense or nervous. The more nervous you are, the more your vocal chords tense up (that's my guess, anyway.) In recent years, I've found that the single thing that has released my voice and given it full body is to try to be completely relaxed. In your situation, that sounds like a tall order.
If any of the other suggestions help you to relax and feel more confident, then your voice will benefit.

When I'm nervous singing in a new environment, the first thing I check in the room.. even before the sound system is where the Exit is.

Ya never know..

You'll do fine. People are far less judgmental of us than we are of ourselves..

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: freda underhill
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 10:41 AM

magnesium supplements taken earlier in the day help as a muscle relaxant - that will help the muscles in the throat, shoulders and everywhere that holds tension..

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: GUEST,Azizi
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 11:53 AM

Just sing from the heart...

and don't be stiff!

Positive vibrations,

Azizi

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: dianavan
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 02:28 PM

Just relax and think of your throat as a vessel for your soul.

Doesn't matter what colour you eyes might be. Everyone has a soul.

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 02:38 PM

Try singing on a train platform or some such. if you have the nerve to do this in front of a bunch of strangers, a gig should be child's play.

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: Kaleea
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 04:58 PM

Smiling will help get your vocal muscles in the proper position. Then do some humming, & sing what is comfortable to sing--keep the smile on your face all the while. Do this every day and increase the time you spend singing a little each day. Sing what you love to sing & you'll be great.

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: GUEST,Ghettoblaster
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 06:15 PM

If you are only doing a couple of songs, you can afford to murder your throat: you don't need it for later that evening or the morning.

So, even if you do warm up your throat (good plan), go for "belters" - they cover the nerves. If you are a blues singer, make it a Blue Cheer or Edgar Winter version (or even Frijid Pink - or try the Bintangs version of the L+N), rather than the Robert Johnson version of "Me and the Devil". If you are a soul singer, make it "Mustang Sally" or "What is soul", or even "Sex machine". Between the two, Wang Dang Doodle is a roarer.

Numb the nerves a little - with alcohol if that is your drug of choice, but avoid downers - look at Babyshambles for an awful example.

You are 40 years older - skip the stuff with the pure, high, notes!

Suck a strepsil before you go on - numb the throat as well!

Do NOT listen to a recording afterwards!

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 06:28 PM

Coloured contact lenses are the answer. They taste aweful but if they help you feel black then your soul will poor out of you. Of course Michael Jackson went the other way....................

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: Phot
Date: 03 Jul 05 - 06:32 PM

Just warm up slowly, relax, and enjoy. Try singing in the car on the way to the gig,............That said, beer works well! Sing with the crowd before you go on, get amongst them.

Wassail1 Chris

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: fat B****rd
Date: 04 Jul 05 - 03:05 AM

Thankyou all. I shall begin warming up my "chops" now and take heed of all you say.
I assume I'm only doing two songs but you never know there might be a demand for a third !! LOL
Thankyou all again. Charlie fB

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Sep 05 - 02:49 PM

It is now the day after my "Return to soul" gig at Cleethorpes Winter Gardens. About 900 people there, sang (screeched) me little larynx out in best blue eyed soul boy style, visited with me big sister, saw me 96 year old mother, had all me nephews and nieces and their offspring at the show. Had 3 pints of Theakston's Mild before mE James Brown medley and had a BALL !!

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Sep 05 - 03:01 PM

Good! We knew you could and would!

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 18 Sep 05 - 03:03 PM

well theres cherry blossom, but I'd go for kiwi....

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Sep 05 - 06:46 AM

Eat a banana - they contain magnesium.

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: GUEST,Slim Eric
Date: 19 Sep 05 - 09:27 AM

I thought bananas contained Potassium! not magnesium. Live and learn I say, I am always glad of new knowledge.

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 02:12 PM

You got a 3 page spread, in colour, in last night's Grimsby Telegraph, including 2 photo's of your good self FB


DC

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: fat B****rd
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 03:27 PM

Yeah, Doug. I told my sister to send me a copy if she really wanted to.....modesty prevents me from saying too much (LIES). Anyway all the best to the North Lincs. Folk persons and everybody.

Subject: RE: BS: I really would like advice
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Sep 05 - 07:59 PM

What would a Fool know?