Karaoke has no politics. Karaoke doesn't involve e-mails that you bite your nails over wondering if you are crossing the line between bossy and assertive (about playlist choices). With karaoke, I can pick my songs. I can sing what I want. I don't have to worry about what four other people think.
Make that four strangers.
The weirdest thing about jumping in as lead singer for a band that has been rocking together for three years is I am the upstart and they know each other and I haven't the foggiest clue who they are.
Well, I'm getting bits and pieces here and there:
L is getting married in June. He's played guitar since 1977. R is single. B is divorced, has a son and loves to snowboard. D is a grandpa and played for a band back when.
It's like a girl trying to break into a boy's club. They have their secret language, they work together (literally), they know what makes the others tick.
Karaoke is easier. The music is constant and unchanging. No surprises.
But singing with a live band...man, it's just amazing. This past Friday, I practiced for a couple of hours, and I could have gone on and on. The energy, the feeling of people making music together, is just fabulous. When I put myself in my song, and really internalize it, and then at the end, realizing I had been a part of creating art, wow! And I feel like I am growing in confidence with my singing voice; even at church I can hear myself sing.
It's like "You sing with a band, Jewel, you have permission to sing it out."
Sometimes, however, I am racked with self-doubt. I tried the piano piece for "Lean on Me" and I flubbed the notes. And there are moments when I think of myself as "lead singer" a voice says: Who do you think you are??
Still.
My voice is a revelation to me, does that sound full of myself? What I mean is...I am reveling in my God-given voice, the range my voice was designed for. Not reaching for soprano. But low, Joan Jett bite, with a bit of folk edge to it that I'd never been aware of before.
And after some songs, the guys say, "Great vocals," or "Good practice!"
That's how live band trumps karaoke.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Karaoke Vs. Live Band
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4 comments:
It would be fun to hear you! Maybe post a little recording on here?
I don't have a great singing voice, so I can only imagine. It was fun to read this post. I admire your bravery.
Thanks Deb! I don't know about a video recording, but I might upload a track if I can figure out how I can do it!
I bet you really do have a good singing voice...you just need to find the one that you can SING OUT with :-)
Yes, do the audio if you can. Fun!
Good point about singing out. It does make a difference. Every school morning I get to listen to myself while six mostly quiet teenagers "sing" with me in seminary. And we sing all the verses. Torture! Ha ha.
I'm swooning here, I'm so excited for you!
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