What would you sing if you could

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: sharyn
Date: 02 May 06 - 01:18 PM

Thank you, Kendall,

It sounds scary and a terrific loss. I immediately wonder if they can transplant vocal chords, clone them, or otherwise repair them. (I just had a reconstructive ankle surgery that no one would have suggested or attempted during my childhood, so I know that medical things are moving along on some fronts).

Perhaps, if there is to be no cure, you could divert your musicality elsewhere -- into accompanying the most beautiful singers you can find, or playing a melody instrument that can express a "vocal" line.

All the best,

Sharyn

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST
Date: 02 May 06 - 09:42 AM

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 May 06 - 09:27 PM

hahahh Kendall, that's a great image! Not accurate, you understand, but great.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: kendall
Date: 01 May 06 - 09:24 PM

sharyn, it's ok to ask. What happened was, I smoked for 47 years, gave it up 10 years ago but not soon enough. A cancer developed on my right vocal cord whish was first treated by radiation. Then, it returned so had it cut out via laser. To be sure he got all of it the doctor removed a piece of my vocal cord, and now they don't come together as they must for singing.
I will always sound like George C. Scott immitating Elmer Fudd.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,DB
Date: 01 May 06 - 05:51 PM

Oh for God's sake - if you want to sing just do it! But just don't expect to be a great singer straightaway - all you have to do is practice ... and practice, and practice, and practice, and ... well, you get the picture. Also record yourself (a cheapish digital voice recorder will do) and get some honest criticism from a workshop group - if you can find one in your area. It's all just a matter of hard (but often enjoyable) work and an ability to to take a certain amount of criticism (hopefully of the constructive variety).

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,womble
Date: 01 May 06 - 10:51 AM

thanks for the offer!!!!I think as long as the sentiment is there it does not matter if its in tune-although my family would not agree-they beg me not to sing.Always say that if l had been blessed with a voice l would have loved to sing in a group-dreaming thats me!!!

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: skarpi
Date: 01 May 06 - 10:39 AM

everything in gealic,

All the best Skarpi Iceland

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,Scooby Doo
Date: 01 May 06 - 10:28 AM

I will sing you Lord of the Dance anytime.It may not be in key but i will have a go.
Scooby

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,womble
Date: 01 May 06 - 10:13 AM

am totally tone deaf-but still convinced l can sing-except noone ever agrees!would love to sing Lord of the Dance which l love -or somthing wild like a queen song!!!!well l can dream!!!

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 01 May 06 - 10:04 AM

You're right, Sharyn, and I do - to myself.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: sharyn
Date: 01 May 06 - 09:40 AM

Pardon me, El Greko, but if you love a song, you should sing it -- life is too short. It's dumb not to attempt it because someone does it beautifully (You don't have to record it or sing it in concert, but let yourself enjoy it. Sing along with the record. Create fantasy arrangements)

Kendell, you may have discussed this to death, but what kind of surgery did you have and how is it currently affecting your voice? I'll stop there, before I say something stupid in my ignorance. Take courage.

Sharyn

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,Scooby Doo
Date: 01 May 06 - 09:27 AM

I am so sorry Kendall.
Yas

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: kendall
Date: 01 May 06 - 08:45 AM

It doesn't look like I will ever sing again with anything approaching what I had before the surgery. It's a tough pill to swallow.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: jacqui.c
Date: 01 May 06 - 08:25 AM

George - sing the songs in your own way. I'm sure that there will be people then who say "I wish that I could sing those songs like George does."

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,Paranoid Android
Date: 01 May 06 - 08:23 AM

I don't sing, I shout. Couple of weeks ago starting a gig my mate sang two songs and the sound system had some problem. While he tried to sort it out I continued singing unplugged. After a while the barman came by and said "Turn it down a little".

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,Scooby Doo
Date: 01 May 06 - 06:39 AM

He does have a great voice for those songs i agree.You have your own talent too,i have often heard people say they would like to sing like you.I wish i could sind period.
If i dont see you this year at Banbury or Bedworth it will have to be Miskin again.
Lots of love.
Yas

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 01 May 06 - 06:32 AM

Bless you, thanks Scooby. But you know how it is, the grass is always greener etc. Dick's old recording of "St George's Hill", "Westling Winds" and "Song for Ireland" opened my eyes to three wonderful songs - but unless I can sing them the way he did then, I don't think I'll try.

I am not knocking his voice now - he is very expressive.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,Scooby Doo
Date: 01 May 06 - 06:09 AM

You have an excellent voice George dont put yourself down.
Scooby

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 01 May 06 - 06:07 AM

Like Dick Gaughan 20 years ago.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: melodeonboy
Date: 01 May 06 - 05:27 AM

There are two that I can think of:

1. "The Laughing Policeman by Charles Penrose (I can't sustain the laughter for long enough!)

2. "The Elements" by Tom Lehrer (I keep tripping over the names)

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,Rolf Milligan
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 05:30 PM

You could try setting a vicegrip pliers to about a 1/4 inch setting and snap them shut on your nuts at the crucial moment. That would probably produce the desired vocal level. You'd have to rest up between performances, though.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Ernest
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 05:16 PM

Hire his Shatness as a background singer?

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,Patrick O'Bannon
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 04:58 PM

I've always wanted to finish a song by uttering an inchoate shriek the way William Shatner does on the last phrase of his great cover of Mister Tambourine Man. Awesome! But when I try it, it hurts my throat and it doesn't come out right. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do?

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,Scooby Doo
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 04:34 PM

Kendall,
I did not realise you have just had surgery,i hope all went well and you get your voice back soon.
Scooby

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 04:28 PM

Kendall, having undergone your surgery (Thank God for that!), is there no hope of re-kindling your voice? Have you met or heard of anyone who had the same surgery but retained or regained the timbre?

Keep in mind that those who care about you, sad as it is that you can no longer sing, consider that a very small price to pay for having you around. I'm sure that doesn't help - but at least keep it in the equation.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 04:16 PM

Anything in key and tune, or at least close enough to it that Crystal stops being mean about it....

If I could, I rather like some of Peter Bellamys singing, especially his Kipling songs.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Forsh
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 03:28 PM

Anything in key.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: MuddleC
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 02:28 PM

I'd sing, sing, sing...'Im a lumber jack and I'm OK.....'

possibly OK for Alaska mike, I've just managed to sing what I've wanted to sing for ages, 'Mna na h-eirann' in the gaelic,
as others say, practice makes perfect, and just having the guts to give it a go and enjoy yourself, try it in a different key, sing all 193 verses , even do a dylan number on the spoons.
Life wasn't meant to be serious after all, so until someone finds out the answer to life, the universe and everything.. do at least 52 verses..

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: sharyn
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 02:16 PM

I would sing bass if I could -- the lowest bass possible (I am a former second soprano, whose voice has lowered to contralto/high tenor range, but I fear it will never get to basso profundo). Sometimes I fake it and sing bass parts, which is fun, and I know all the bass solos in Handel's Messiah.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 01:02 PM

starngely enough, I have the same block about writing poetry - although I can write songs in a fairly facile sort of way. I have thought of going to one of these writers courses - where hopefully they unblock constipated souls.

somehow the guitar and the audience makes it easier.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 12:55 PM

When i do sing i seem to change key several times during the song,i am just stone deaf.
Scooby

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 10:43 AM

Yesterday, I went to our local Celtic store for our monthly song circle. One of our regular participants was there and eagerly anticipating her turn to sing. She had terrible breath control, could hardly reach the high notes, couldn't keep the beat very well, and even forgot some of the lyrics. The audience and the other singers loved her anyway. Her song was applauded enthusiastically and when her turn in the circle came again she proudly rose and sang again with much the same quality. She told me afterwards how much she loved being part of our circle. I believe everyone can sing and should sing no matter how you perceive your abilities, because, when you sing you create joy in both yourself and all those around.

Mike

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: MBSLynne
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 10:09 AM

Bob Dylan hardly has the world's greatest singing voice either.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Bert
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 01:13 AM

Nemmind LH, Ya don't do so bad with what ya got.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Little Hawk
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 10:10 PM

I'd like to sing like Joni Mitchell, Emmy Lou Harris, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Joan Baez. All of them...and they do sound quite different from one another.

I can't, however, because I am a male, with a tenor range. (and no, I am not going to get surgery to certain parts, so don't even suggest that...) ;-)

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Bert
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 10:01 PM

Oh, and don't forget you don't have to have a good voice to be a good singer. Take Louis Armstrong for instance, old gravel voice himself, he sang the best rendition of 'It's a wonderful World' ever.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Bert
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 09:59 PM

Hey Scooby,

If you can sing Shenandoah you can't be all that bad of a singer. Just choose some more songs (easier ones than Shenandoah) and start singing them.

I bet you'll be a hit.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 06:55 PM

Well, not really a prob for ME...LOL...been that way since birth...it's when OTHERS have to listen to me!

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 06:54 PM

Scooby Doo - Remember that the voice is activated by a muscle. And all muscles improve the more you use them. So sing at the top of your lungs in the car and in the shower and in no time you'll gain more control. It's worth the effort. Good luck.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: GUEST,Scooby Doo
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 05:41 PM

Sorry to hear your problems Sorcha,i wish i had an excuse except i am unable to sing,i try at my folk club in Llantrisant but i am sure they prefer my other subjects to my voice.
Yas

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 04:25 PM

Scooby, I'm in your boat...can't sing at all.....my hearing loss causes probs....what I hear in my head is NOT what comes out my mouth!!!!

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: kendall
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 04:20 PM

At this point, almost anything.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: MBSLynne
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 04:13 PM

While I am a singer of sorts, I consider myself to be only a mediocre one. I am very good at funny songs and music hall types, but what I have always wanted to sing was "Fair Annie" which is a long ballad with twenty something verses and I know I'm not good enough to do it. I guess we have to accept some of our limitations and work around them!

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 01:29 PM

I sing lord of the of dance and shenandah but doing anything else blows my brain
scoobys.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 01:15 PM

Something I remember reading a long time ago: In order to demonstrate a point a woman sang a certain popular song. Someone else said admiringly, I didn't know you could sing like that!

The singer said, I can't. I was imitating Lily Pons.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Northerner
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 01:08 PM

Good! I didn't sing for a very long time because I had had serious illness in my life (resolved through surgery) and at first I found it difficult to get back to singing. I talk up telling stories. Good news is I eventually made it back to singing, so now I do both! Stories are fun and very creative, and now I wouldn't want to stop doing them. You will probably find some workshops to help you get started storytelling.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Ernest
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 01:05 PM

Why not try a melody instrument? A harmonica is easy, maybe a dulcimer etc.

And then it is possible that you find a few songs that you are able to sing...

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 12:55 PM

Thank you Northener i will try that in time.
Scooby

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: Northerner
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 12:43 PM

Scooby Doo, you could expand your range to take in stories. They are another spoken word art-form; more creative than monologues I would say. And why not add in some music? Almost anyone can play a percussion instrument of some sort - they go well with the spoken word.

Subject: RE: What would you sing if you could
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 12:29 PM

A lady came up to me after an outdoor singalong our band led; I was the songleader. This was part of a community picnic/festival; the town had arranged for a number of performing bands to cycle in and out for the day. We went first-- not a performing band but a true singalong band. But they had arranged professional-quality, outdoor-scaled sound equipment and the next band after us lent us their mics so their own setup time would be minimized. The sound check-- they set us up with MONITORS!-- blew my mind pretty thoroughly.

Anyway, this lady said to me, "I wish I could sing like that!"

My reply: "I wish I could sing like that, too!"

Can anyone relate? :~)

~Susan