Sing Your Song Karaoke
How to enjoy singing and develop your confidence
In the last few years, we’ve been bombarded with reality TV contests and with those, based on music, the underlying requirement has been for the performers to sing. As I mentioned earlier, singing allows for freedom of expression, and those of a good standard (among many average ones), combine the ability to perform and sing, by putting their emotions into the song, this being reflected in their entire body language.
One thing I have found, at least with the pupils I taught, is that they all had a favourite song, which they were unafraid to sing in front of me. I asked them to sing because I was interested to see their range of emotions and expressions in the process. I always found, they would come to life, even if they didn’t know the entire words to the song, nor were able to sing in perfect time or melody. This told me something which might seem obvious to some, but was interesting nevertheless: If you can sing your favourite tune freely whether in the company of others or alone, then YOU CAN SING. Of course, things might be more difficult if you’re unaware of tone (known as tone-deafness), but even then, being able to sing a song that resembles what you’ve heard is a sign of a basic ability to replicate something of what you have heard. The key then is: how do I get good/at least more confident in singing if I never felt I was great at it?
Simple suggestions might help. I have tried some of the following with my pupils:
- Start by listening to your favourite tune and see if you can feel the beat or nod your head to it.
If you can, then you’ve already got an (aural-based) understanding of rhythm and rhythm is the framework, the ‘skeleton’ which holds up a piece of music, especially a song
- Buy aural listening tapes/cds. These come in basic levels .
The best way to get the most out of them is to set aside some time to have someone (who should preferably be musical in some capacity) play back the sections that require you to sing back what you’ve heard. Each time you play the section being sung, get the other person to critique (in the most encouraging way) what could be improved and then try again.
- Put yourself in situations that are uncomfortable for you.
This is the big one. If you have a lack of confidence about singing, find a way to gently ease you into a situation that pushes your comfort zone. Without doing this, you’re not facing your challenges head-on and it’s only by confronting those doubts/fears that you learn more about yourself and what you are capable of. You can make it as simple as deciding to sing in front of the family one evening/weekend. Record yourself, singing your favourite songs. This will psychologically ‘put you on the spot’ even if you’re alone. This is because you want to do your best and be pleased with what you hear if you choose to play back you recording.
- Find others in the same position as you.
If you really want to enjoy singing, search out others who are in a similar situation to you and take the initiative to either go with them to anywhere that’s an outlet for singing. It could be the choir, a band, even just going karaoke one night. Doing this also puts you into an unfamiliar situation where again, you’re leaning into your comfort zone and learning at the same time. The best (but boldest) idea is to start a local singing group where you and others, together with a musician you know, learn to sing and then perform your favourite songs. Again, search out local musicians, speak to friends, neighbours, even the local school music teacher and get their input into who might be interested in your idea. Put notices up wherever you can and make sure the people who do respond, have the same desire as you to improve and enjoy their singing.There’s a camaraderie and encouragement when everyone’s ‘in this together’, sharing a common goal.
What ever you choose to do, just remember that the real victory is in taking action against what you feared and the person you become in the process, rather than the achievement of singing beautifully or the improvement in your singing. Enjoy
About the Author
Ugo Onwutalu is a musician and piano teacher, also playing the guitar and organ. He is the founder of Grade Music Tutors, a UK music tuition production and entertainment organisation based in London. He has performed with Opera Singers and musicians signed to record labels at Conway Hall in London and is a performer in the Samehouse Quartet who host an annual September concert with the Ravensdale Choir.
Sing Me Your Song Again, Daddy – Samantha
|
|
KARAOKE PARTY SOFTWARE FOR PC – SING TO YOUR FAVORITE SONGS CDG CD DISK CD+G MP3 $5.95 |
|
|
KARAOKE “SONGS YOUR MOTHER WOULDN’T LET YOU SING!” SOUND CHOICE #8117 $4.99 |
|
|
PLUG’N SING KARAOKE MICROPHONE/MIC SYSTEM +ECHO+30 POP SONGS FOR YOUR DVD PLAYER $29.95 |
|
|
KARAOKE PARTY SOFTWARE FOR PC ★ SING TO YOUR FAVORITE SONGS CDG CD DISK CD+G MP3 $9.95 |
|
|
NEW Magic Sing ET19KV ET19K KARAOKE Mic 2300 song + One Tagalog chip your choice $378.99 |
|
|
100 Hottest Karaoke Songs of 2008 Kurrents to Sing 4 Your Kareoke CDG Player NEW $19.95 |
|
|
… |
|
|
Sing You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown: The Broadway Musical $19.90 You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown: Songs from the Broadway Musical 2 Karaoke CDGs. An accompaniment/karaoke 2-CD release of selections from the musical. Recorded in the original show key and tempo, two versions of each song are included+one with and one without guide vocals. The tracks are fully-orchestrated. This is a great rehearsal t… |
|
|
Singable Songs Collection $16.76 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: RAFFITitle: SINGABLE SONGS COLLECTIONStreet Release Date: 08/10/1998… |
|
|
Disney Sing It: Pop Hits Bundle $18.99 Disney Sing It: Pop Hits, the third game in the video-based karaoke video game franchise from Disney Interactive Studios, will feature songs and music videos from Radio Disney favorites such as Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and Hannah Montana. Fans can also sing to chart-topping tunes from Colbie Caillat, Coldplay and One Republic. Players can sing solo, duet or com… |
|
|
Disney Sing It: Family Hits $20.40 Disney Sing It: Family Hits features beloved songs and videos for the whole family from popular all-time classic Disney films including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book as well as contemporary favorites from films like The Princess and the Frog, The Lion King, Aladdin and more. Disney fans can sing solo or with their families in collaborative and competitive modes wher… |
|
|
Karaoke Revolution Glee: Volume 2 Bundle $14.60 Hot off the heels of the original smash hit, the McKinley High GLEE club is back by popular demand with Karaoke Revolution Glee: Volume 2, featuring an all-new set of GLEE’s greatest hit songs and show moments from Season 1. Keep the party going as you perfect your vocal skills with a variety of challenging ballads, pop songs, and unforgettable show tunes, while performing alongside your favorite … |
|
|
MicroKY Duostar Portable Wireless Karaoke 1700 Spanish & 3000 English Songs – MicroKY KHM500SPANISH $299.00 MicroKY Duostar Portable Wireless Karaoke 1700 Spanish & 3000 English Songs – MicroKY KHM500SPANISH…. |
|
|
Leadsinger LS-3C04 80’s Pop-Rock Cartridge for LS-3000 Series Karaoke System (150 Songs) $11.49 150-Song 80S Pop Rock Musikartridge For Ldsls2100 Ldsls3000 & Ldsls3700… |
