This is gonna sound like bragging. Because it is.
Oh hai. Just me, talking about myself some more.
Carrie from my a cappella group has been in a band for the last several months or so. They haven't performed yet - they're still building up their setlist and haven't yet picked a name. A few weeks ago, she asked if I'd want to come to a practice, give a listen, and be a test audience for them. She also invited me to sing some harmonies and pick a song to learn for a solo! This got me really excited.
So, you know how when you sing in front of other people, it's never quite as good as when you're alone in the shower or the car? If you're any sort of singer, you probably know what I mean. I guess it's just that our inhibitions get the best of us when others are listening.
Well, I can proudly say that I finally did it. I knocked down that wall. I completely let loose and let 'er rip at my very first rehearsal with these guys!
The moment occurred when Mark, one of the guitarists, got out the lyrics to an original song he wrote. He did not let me hear the melody first - he simply challenged me to listen to the music and just sing whatever came to me. I did so, and it resulted in some pretty incredible chemistry.
We all had a collective boner when we were done. They said I had "breathed life into" a song Mark's been struggling with for 10 years! My honest response to that was that I just felt it. The style, the vibe, most of the lyrics - it just fit me. It was truly like he had written the song just for me.
I think the secret to my getting over the hump was that I didn't know most of these guys. I guess I figured "what the hell" and just pushed it. It felt amazing to prove to myself (and them!) that I could really go balls to the wall and improvise.
Between this and all the music I've been working on for Christmas, I've really been loving the creative process. I'm really excited to embrace the fruits of my efforts! Don't worry, I'll let you all know when the band is performing. ;)
Carrie from my a cappella group has been in a band for the last several months or so. They haven't performed yet - they're still building up their setlist and haven't yet picked a name. A few weeks ago, she asked if I'd want to come to a practice, give a listen, and be a test audience for them. She also invited me to sing some harmonies and pick a song to learn for a solo! This got me really excited.
So, you know how when you sing in front of other people, it's never quite as good as when you're alone in the shower or the car? If you're any sort of singer, you probably know what I mean. I guess it's just that our inhibitions get the best of us when others are listening.
Well, I can proudly say that I finally did it. I knocked down that wall. I completely let loose and let 'er rip at my very first rehearsal with these guys!
The moment occurred when Mark, one of the guitarists, got out the lyrics to an original song he wrote. He did not let me hear the melody first - he simply challenged me to listen to the music and just sing whatever came to me. I did so, and it resulted in some pretty incredible chemistry.
We all had a collective boner when we were done. They said I had "breathed life into" a song Mark's been struggling with for 10 years! My honest response to that was that I just felt it. The style, the vibe, most of the lyrics - it just fit me. It was truly like he had written the song just for me.
I think the secret to my getting over the hump was that I didn't know most of these guys. I guess I figured "what the hell" and just pushed it. It felt amazing to prove to myself (and them!) that I could really go balls to the wall and improvise.
Between this and all the music I've been working on for Christmas, I've really been loving the creative process. I'm really excited to embrace the fruits of my efforts! Don't worry, I'll let you all know when the band is performing. ;)