Practicing singing for a concert something that bothers me
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40192)
Canada
March 13, 2008 5:30pm CST
I plan to sing a solo for a Spring concert and there is something that bothers me. My accompanist insists on singing along with me for practice. Now I am a bit insecure and my husband said what I sung sounded like noise, I do not have a battery for my voice recorder, so I could not record what I did, but I wonder if the reason my accompanist sang along with me, is because I sound so horrible that she is drowning me out.
Now I am a high soprano, but she is a regular and has a louder voice. So is this normal for practice? Or is something horribly wrong with me?
4 people like this
9 responses
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
15 Mar 08
I will admit that YES I can sing. And pretty good even. But only under certain conditions.
I have to really know a song, the words and the melodies and be able to hear in my head what I am going to sing, before I sing it.
When I was in choirs, first learning a song I would sound awful until I [b] really knew how[/b} it was supposed to sound.
What your accompanist is doing is not all that uncommon. She is trying to help you learn the correct melodies and find the correct notes.
It could also be that she is just used to singing and playing. Some people do that to stay in rythum beleive it or not.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
17 Mar 08
Thanks. I was wondering why she did that, but what she does makes sense. It is just that I want to know where I am, and I am too busy listening to her to pay that much attention. I also want to know if I got it right.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
14 Apr 08
That sounds logical, but I want to hear what i sound like and I do not want to sing too low that no one can hear me.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
30 Jun 08
I did get better. It was just that I wanted to see what I sounded like alone and whether I was singing loud enough so that others would be able to hear me. I heard you cannot tell by your own voice. It is rather difficult.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
10 Jun 08
After a while, she did let me go on my own. By that time, I got an idea when I was to come in, but it was very confusing to me. Oh and it was a concert not a contest. Yes and they all heard me, even the ones in the back and I am not a loud singer. So it seems having her play for me worked. Only I wish I could have sung by myself more so that I could have known how much volume I needed.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
14 Mar 08
I would ask her to stop singing along with me for you are doing a solo and if you arent hearing what you are singing wont do ya a bit of good.
Specialy if she drowneds ya out . My mom was the one on the piano she never sang along with me that would have thrown me off for sure now if ya do a duet then that person and you need to practice.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
10 Jun 08
She did finally stop but it was about two days before the concert, so I did not have that much time to practice and my friend who is a good singer was like me not a good piano player (after all, when you are singing the solo, there is not much time to practice a different accompaignnment and sing at the same time.) so I did not have that much practice time. I did manage to get heard at the concert,but I wish they had recorded the piece so I could have it.
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
14 Mar 08
well if i can hear you sing maybe its the time i could very well make a comment on it...but basing on your discussion ..maybe you are indeed had a good voice..nobody have guts enough to sing in a concert if theres no talent in singing..
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
10 Jun 08
I have to look through my digital recorder and see if there is a good one of my singing. I have not done that much practice recently since my husband and I share the computer room and he does not love classical music and that is what I love sacred and classical songs. I do have a good voice, but I have to watch it, I am not that loud and I tend to go nasal.
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
14 Mar 08
That is very good to know that you will be singing in a concert. I guess you won't be asked to sing if you sound horrible. Maybe you may have a problem with getting hitting the right key that is why your accompanist wants to sing with you but is more to guide to get the correct key.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
10 Jun 08
I had no idea why. I always thought it was to get me to sing louder. I happen to be a little on the competitive side so if someone sings loud, I try to sing and try to increase the volume, but that also conflicts with me trying to be polite and not bothering coming in or letting her do most of the singing, like when I am in choir and sometimes the note is too low, so I do not sing that part so the mezzos can sing it instead.
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
19 Mar 08
She could be trying to get you to harmonise. Sometimes, we might think we are hitting a note properly, but can be a little sharp or flat. By harmonising you are able to hear that more clearly than if it was just the piano. Other than that, she probably just like to sing too.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
14 Apr 08
She is trying to get me to get the right note and be in tune. My friend who is a vocalist told me. She did that with me, and then at the end, had me sing alone.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
13 Mar 08
I have no idea but I think you should ask your accompanist for her honest opinion and if she has any suggestions to help you.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
10 Jun 08
I asked her. She said it was for me to get any idea of how the piece should sound like. I figured that was a very good reason. And after a while, she let me do it on my own and said I did not have enough volume. so I had to practice my breathing exercises.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
14 Mar 08
Did you ask the accompanist why they sang along with you? And is there anyone you know who will tell you the truth about your singing? If you are to sing this piece by yourself, in my option, you should practice by yourself..
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
10 Jun 08
I did not ask her, but after a while, she let me sing alone and played the parts where I came in so I could get an idea of where I was to come in. I do need an accompanist because they play the piece even though I am supposed to drown them out. (practically impossible since I am not Kevin. 
@quiltedblessings (1066)
• United States
13 Mar 08
Well it is hard to say as we can't hear you. She could just be used to singing along. Or she could be trying to get you into the right key. No one can tell you how good or bad it is unless they hear it for themselves. WHy not just ask the accompaniest if you sound good or bad? She may have a suggestion to help you.
1 person likes this
