How Low Can You Go?

[Darrell]

As far as modern-day singing goes (anything on the radio, essentially), I have to say this: I'd be generous if I said 95% of those people would be boo'd off stage if it weren't for computer enhancement. It's horrible for singing, it's horrible for listening - it's turned us into a nation of people who now think regular singing is off somehow.

So, I think if you have "the look," they'll just run you through auto-tune and away you go. It's over-produced and underwhelming, and that's my rant.

My mother was trained in light opera in St. Louis before she came to California to marry and raise three boys who, regrettably never cared for her singing. I can only recall, from when I was growing up, two singers whom she did not complain about being unable to sing or were overrated as singers. One was Dean Martin, and one was a boy from my high school who has several CD's on Amazon.

I never thought Frank Sinatra could sing worth a damn.

[HTRN]

RACIST!

Dude, he's Irish. The pot don't get much blacker than that.

Don't you mean the "still" ?

Don't be ridiculous. Pot Stills aren't black, they're made from copper.

[toad]

I remember G. Gordon Liddy talking about his fail to make it as an Opera singer. He said he could hit the notes but he would be visibly straining to do it. He sated that when you are on stage you have to make it look effortless and he just couldn't do that.
I never did have much range, and now my wind is shot and I've lost spots in my hearing range so that I can't tell if I'm on key or not. For the sake of not being cruel to animals I just hum to myself.
I remember falling in love with Annie Lennox because I could actually understand her.
She had the frequency and to hit the right spot in my hearing range on top of volume and enunciation. The most painful thing I ever heard were the Japanese girl anime singers covering "Sex and Violence."

[Greg]

As far as modern-day singing goes (anything on the radio, essentially), I have to say this: I'd be generous if I said 95% of those people would be boo'd off stage if it weren't for computer enhancement. It's horrible for singing, it's horrible for listening - it's turned us into a nation of people who now think regular singing is off somehow.

So, I think if you have "the look," they'll just run you through auto-tune and away you go. It's over-produced and underwhelming, and that's my rant.

My mother was trained in light opera in St. Louis before she came to California to marry and raise three boys who, regrettably never cared for her singing. I can only recall, from when I was growing up, two singers whom she did not complain about being unable to sing or were overrated as singers. One was Dean Martin, and one was a boy from my high school who has several CD's on Amazon.

I never thought Frank Sinatra could sing worth a damn.

Windy went to HS in Hoboken? I like Sinatra, but I've always heard the rap on him is that he never actually hits any notes, he just kind of waves at them as he goes by.

[Aglifter]

The most painful thing I ever heard were the Japanese girl anime singers covering "Sex and Violence."

Should you wish to experience the pain...

Its not nearly as offensive as I imagined - still unpleasant, but not the ear-numbing pain I thought an screaming Japanese woman could inflict w. that song...

[workinwifdakids]

I do a lot of public speaking and lecturing. I find my musical training is a big help for exactly the same reason. I can project my voice without straining.

Same here.

For our caucus here in Idaho in March, we had 800 people packed in a gym, and the PA system wasn't working. Several of the staff tried to shout over the noise of the people to give instructions, and couldn't make themselves heard; so I went into Cadre mode, and started repeating instructions in the parade ground voice.

I was a lot louder than the PA even when it was working

I can do the same. It has become a habit when someone is ineffectually calling for someone else I just automatically do it for them. Like grabbing something off the top shelf for someone straining to reach. As for singing, I like to joke that I can only hit 3 notes and all of them are off key.

Amen, brother. Projection? I once quieted 800 rowdy elementary school students in about 5 seconds, and I can be heard loud and clear from 1/4 mile away without even trying.

[blackeagle603]

I once quieted 800 rowdy elementary school students in about 5 seconds,

Even more impressive? My wife can do the same.

Hey, ya grow up at a ghetto school then teach Phys Ed at a ghetto school -- develop a command presence and voice or die.