Re: [Harp-L] singing and harp

[Joel Fritz <jfritz666@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

You need to find out your range.  Then you need to find out the highest 
and lowest notes you can sing comfortably.  They're not the same as the 
extremes of your vocal range.  I generally try to choose a key such that 
the highest note in the song is the highest note I can sing 
comfortably.  Sometimes I'll go for a lower key if I want a specific 
effect.  There is no one key that is best for a person's voice.  Key 
choice depends entirely on the range of the song.    If you know the 
degrees of the scale, you only have to play it in one key.  If the 
highest note is the flat seven then pick a key where the flat seven is 
the note you want to be the highest.  For me that would be F above 
middle C so the key would be G. .

Bonus tip:  Find out what timbre you can control the best.  That is, go 
with the sound that allows you the best pitch control, control of 
dynamics, and is "natural" for you.  The worst thing you can do is try 
to sound like your favorite singer.  If you always choose a key that's 
comfortable for you and don't try to make your voice do what it won't do 
you can concentrate on the intrepretation. 

One more thing:  The singer ALWAYS controls the key.  Make them play in 
C# if it works best for your voice on a given song.  If the key is wrong 
for your voice it will make the other players look bad and it will be 
their fault if they forced you to sing in that key.  They have to buy 
into this.

Good luck.

Jp Pagan wrote:

> hey everyone, 
>
>  i'm going to have to sing int eh near future, which
> is not something i've done before. i think i have an
> ok ear though, even if my singing voice isn't good.
> any suggestions for finding which key is best for my
> voice, in terms or range at least? i thought maybe
> trying to sing along using different key harps to play
> the melody line first, then sing in that key, but i'm
> not sure that's working. tips?
>
>   thanks,
>           --Jp 
>
>
> 		
> __________________________________ 
>
>  

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