(no subject)

[realexplodingcat]

On a whim I decided to try taking voice lessons, specifically the Bel Canto technique. I've never thought much about the mechanics of singing, but obviously some people have. So, I'm now intrigued by its history and the reasons behind different techniques. Bel Canto is very dependant on the Italian language and is intended to enable a singer to be heard above an entire orchestra in a room with proper acoustics. I listened to the student after me, a deadly serious opera student training to be a professional. She is one of the loudest unamplified instruments I've ever heard. I actually physically felt the sound waves bouncing off me.

Clearly, volume is important. But I'm a quiet guy. I thought the first lesson went well. I intuitively matched the pitches I heard on the piano without any trouble, which surprised me. But the teacher could not accurately assess my voice because I'm not yet singing loud enough. I am amused by this. It's a new goal for me. In order to be successful at this, I am required to be louder than I have ever been in my entire life. Anybody who has spent any time with me in person will know how odd this is. If I continue with the lessons, one thing I do hope to take away from it is the ability to be comfortable with being loud. I've already mastered silence.

Comments

[klwalton.livejournal.com]

I credit my lessons in Bel Canto with giving me the volume to call my kids home from as far away as three or four blocks :). And my father said I'd never have a practical use for it! :):)

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

Charlottesville is a small city. In time, I think I'll be able to stop making local phone calls and just shout across town to talk to friends.

[queenmombi.livejournal.com]

ah but how many of your friends have taken lessons in Bel Canto and will be able to respond? Keep the phone.
But also keep Bel Canto

i love opera and fully intend on taking lessons myself when my schedule permits it.

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess you and I will just have to start holding conversations after we've both had training.

[twilight-spirit.livejournal.com]

I still remember the day that I figured out how to sing full voice when I was just learning guitar about ten years ago now. It was so amazing ... it was just like the day I finally learned how to swim, and I didn't want to stop now that I had finally figured it out. I think I'm still kinda quiet normally, but I can always feel the difference in my voice after I've had a good practice session; my voice just sounds deeper and much more full.

Good luck with the lessons!

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

I already sang louder than usual in that first lesson. I was getting dizzy from it. And she tells me I not singing at full volume yet! This shall be interesting.

[twilight-spirit.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that night I got dizzy, too, and my cheeks started feeling tingly, which is what finally made me stop. Have to be careful *not* to hyperventillate... :)

[lcohen]

it sounds exciting! (well we all know i think singing is exciting--what do i ever post about in my journal?) keep telling us how it's going, okay?

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

I'll post if anything interesting happens. I'm pretty sure this is going to a slow process. It's probably going to take a year or more before I actually sing a genuine Italian word. Until then, it's exercise after exercise, just training myself to intuitively hit each note perfectly, loudly, and with the right amount of color.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

And when I go off the Keppra, I can make faces when you hit the wrong smell or texture.

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

I will sing the Aria in Pine-scented Flat Major.

[jkatj.livejournal.com]

I love that as you write about Serious Singing Lessons, you listen to Snoop Dogg. Just one reason to contemplate stealing you away from yggy.

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

Yo, Snoop Dogg got the flow.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

He's really pretty and has long hair and man-boobs.

If you come here, I will just ply you with apples and keep you BOTH for myself. Yes.

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

You NEVER notice how I change!!! My entire body weighs less than one of your boobs. I stopped stuffing my bra YEARS ago! AND I did it for you. Gaze upon me!!! It's untrue! Except the pretty part...that's fairly accurate.

[jkatj.livejournal.com]

What? No man-boobs? Humpf. Nevermind then.

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

Oh, very well...I'll stuff my bra for you.

Projecting

[terrapingardens.livejournal.com]

Learning to project was the hardest thing about singing. When I first started singing with some friends in a band, it was either impossible to hear me, or I was way off. Learning to project from the diaphragm made such a huge difference not only in my signing, but in my confidence as a singer.

Problem was that as I learned to project the band just got louder. Then I needed headphones to hear myself ;)

Re: Projecting

[explodingcat.livejournal.com]

That is quite a problem performing with a loud band. I have a few parts to sing with my band. It's weird not being able to hear myself. I use earplugs while performing just as much to hear my own voice as to protect my hearing.