I'm trying to get in a singing groove again. I've started practicing a few weeks ago, mostly because I was preparing a piece that I sang in church last Sunday. Now that performance is over, I'm trying to keep up the new habit and rededicate myself to singing.
One of the reasons that I want to sing is because I want to reconnect with music again. Music was such a big part of my life in high school and college. But since I got married, I don't listen to it very much (at least in comparison with how much I listened/sang before). In a way, I think that J has replaced any kind of void that music used to fill. But I want to get to know music again. And I want to stop sounding like a frog every time I open my mouth to sing.
I can tell that my voice is really rusty; it fatigues after about fifteen minutes of practice. And I have new tension in my vocal cords and other air flow problems that weren't an issue, oh, six years ago. I really have let my voice get incredibly out of shape.
Over the years, I have come up with a lot of excuses for why I can't practice singing. On my mission, I didn't want to sing because I worried that it would bother my companions and the neighbors that lived on the other side of our paper-thin walls. Admittedly, after my mission I did sing a lot, but only during the months that J was in London. But when he came back, I preferred his company over that of the HFAC practice rooms. And then I got swept into my Master's degree program, working 60+ hours a week between a museum and TA job, etc. I didn't have time to practice (or so I said). The excuses kept piling up. Probably the only valid excuse I ever had was when I was in the second and third trimester of my pregnancy with Sam. After all, one can't sing when their lungs are squished to the size of a grape.
But now, I've realized that I can't make excuses anymore. At first, I said that I couldn't practice because my only free time is when Sam is asleep. That's true, but I'll just have to practice while Sam is awake or when J is home. If I don't start now, I'm afraid that my cords are going to petrify.
These are the two songs that I've picked out to practice: "Deh vieni, non tardar" (Mozart, The Marriage of Figaro) and "Oh! had I Jubal's lyre" (Handel, Joshua).
Has anyone else gone through a phase in which they didn't feel like listening to music? How did you reconnect with music again?
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8 comments:
I have been thinking the same thing about myself lately and wanting to get back "into shape". Unfortunately I still have a pretty excuse to procrastinate that idea because I am waiting for this baby to be born and I have a cold that makes me sound like a chain smoker. I had started singing again right before I got sick, but have been plagued with this stupid cold for about two weeks. Doc says the cold will go away as soon as I deliver...let's hope! Once those two things resolve themselves I will dedicate myself more to singing again.
I don't think I've ever not felt like listening to music, though there have been times when I haven't been as obsessed as usual. Maybe you should find some free tickets to a great opera or something. That always inspires me.
I am so glad you are singing again, Monica. Your voice is beautiful. I have received many compliments about your performance on Sunday. Perhaps you could take lessons again? Would you like that?
I miss singing! I did it SO much in college, especially being in Women's chorus, and now I never sing except in church or singing along in the car. Those really don't count much and I miss it! I wish I could find a really good choir to join.
Good for you, Monica. You need to keep your lovely voice in prime condition. During my pregnancy with Rachel, I had some acid reflux problems that almost destroyed my voice. (I think it just aggravated years of already not keeping my voice in shape.) I cried and cried when it happened--it made me realize how important music was to me. So, I found an awesome voice teacher and began taking my first ever voice lessons. She moved to Oregon about 6 months ago, but I felt good about at least making an effort, and my voice did improve. I was working on "Oh, had I Jubal's Lyre" as well. It's a fun one.
If you like the lesson idea, the lady across the street is a teacher. I loved your performance on Sunday too. I was sleeping before, but once I heard there was a musical number I was awake from then on. I leave music alone with I am depressed. I sing, but not with any greatness, just for the joy of it. When I got engaged (didn't go through with it) my mom asked me first thing "does he let you sing", The answer was yes, but I never sang when he was around as I was never happy with him. Good thing I didn't marry him huh. Your so lucky to be so talented in so many ways. I'm jealous!
I can definitely relate, Monica. Since Bryson and I started dating, singing and composing have taken a back seat. It takes effort to make it a priority, especially when I just want to hang out with him and Sophie! I'm also trying to make time for it. Good luck!
I totally relate to this, Monica. I'm still sad I never got to hear you sing! I'm trying to get back into singing, too. We can't let our voices go!! Good job working on your music again, it's got to feel good! BTW -- Your sister can realllly sing, too!! I loved listening to her "Poor Wand'ring One!"
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