Singing Before People

@cyrus123 (6363)
United States
April 25, 2009 1:03am CST
I have always wanted to be a professional singer. that is why I majored in music when I was in college. I majored in voice. It never did materialize, though. It's very hard to get a break in the music business. Most of the big name entertainers get their start in nightclubs, bars, etc. Being a christian, I just couldn't sing in a place like that. I still like to sing before people, though. I sing at one nursing home and one assisted living facility every month. I accompany myself on the guitar. I have also sung on stage at places like Old York in Oakman, Alabama. I have also sung on Nashville Starseek where I won an award and appeared on international television. I have also sung on local television a few times. I even made a record one time. For those of you who sing before people, the question I would like to ask is: If you were going to sing somewhere on stage and your favorite singer were going to be in the audience, would you prefer to know about it before going on stage? Or would you just rather discover it when you go on stage? I have often thought about this. The more I think about it, I think I would rather discover it when I go on stage. I feel like if somebody told me they were there. I would be more nervous and I might think "uh oh". I might wonder if he/she would criticize my singing. On the other hand, he/she might like my singing and he/she might even offer some helpful suggestions.
2 people like this
8 responses
@anniefannie (1737)
• United States
25 Apr 09
I guess you like singing country music because you like Billy Ray.Do you or do you sing all kindss.I can't carry ayune in a bucket so no, I would not sing in front of people. Maybe someday you will get to sing professional.Good luck
2 people like this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
26 Apr 09
I sing all kinds of music but I'm mainly into country music and old rock'n'roll from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. When I sing at the nursing home and assisted living facility, I sing religous songs because that's what they mostly like. I will sing an occasional country song, though. One song they like to hear here lately is "I Want To Be A cowboy's Sweetheart". It has a lot of yodeling in it, which I really can't do but I try, LOL. Kathy.
1 person likes this
@nzalheart (2338)
• India
25 Apr 09
Hello cyrus123!!! Nice to meet someone really good in singing because I am very much fond of singing too and have a dream to be a good singer of my country. Yeah, you are very right, it is very very difficult to get a break in the singing field. I have seen many singers languishing here and there in order to get a chance in the media. Its easy if you have money, if but if you have no money, you always have to seek for the chance and this is very very difficult. And due to this reason, many talents are getting frustrated, on the other hand, some crazy guys who doesn't have good knowledge of music but has lot of money is spoiling the music industry. This is the thing I don't like about the music in my country. And now as for singing before people. Well I am not a professional singer like you. Singing has ever been my hobby, but I have always struggled with my voice. I can't sing high notes easily. Though I have sang on the stage for about 7-8 times in the school, college, society. I had to choose the low range songs that just fits me. But I have never been able to sing many songs I wanted to sing. It never happened that I was singing in front of the mass along with the my favorite singer. Well if there was my favorite singer, Like you said I too would be very nervous. Yes I remember once, as I was practicing for the next day's performance. A nice singer, also a vocal couch came in the practice room, well he was the president of our club and asked to show before him what we had for next day. I was too nervous that I did all wrong in front of him. I had really the spirit on my last performance. For every moment, I thought to myself I have to do this performance well. It was the welcome party of my college, I wasn't so nervous that time, but very interested to perform. But I don't know, when singing on the stage if feels like I am singing nice, but when I hear the recording it doesn't become good as I had thought it to be. It is very difficult to sing with accurate pitch on the stage mostly because it happens that I can't hear myself well. Do you have the same problem? You seem to be very much experienced than me. Do you have any tips regarding this matter? I am always fond of performing in various occasion. But I don't sing before other people in other occasions. Just in case, if we are jamming, I would join... Keep mylotting...And wish you get the break in the media.....Nice to meet you....
1 person likes this
@nzalheart (2338)
• India
26 Apr 09
Hello again cyrus123!!! Well a year ago I too had a voice coaching. And like you I was never nervous singing in front of my own teacher. But the one I mentioned above was just wanting to listen how I sang. This drove me nervous. And about pitch problem, Well I don't really have that problem when singing at home or at practice, unless I can hear myself very well. I record a lot in my computer, that's why I know. But on stage its difficult to hear myself. Sometimes, it feels like I have not sounding at all. And if I can hear too, I can't feel if am a bit off pitch, not very much. But still that is not the thing I wanted.... And yes, I am from Nepal not India. Nepal and India are the neighboring countries. In my profile, it is because of some payment problem. Thanks for your advice and happy mylotting... See you again...
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
26 Apr 09
I'm sorry I got the country wrong. I was going by what it said in your profile. It might be because you're a little bit nervous, the reason why you sound a little bit off pitch? Like I said, I get nervous sometimes even though I've been singing in front of people for years. That's the only reason I can think of. just keep working at it and maybe everything will work out in your favor. Kathy.
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
26 Apr 09
I have sung for quite a few voice teachers (I've had voice lessons) and singing coaches and I never was nervous in front of them. I guess because I knew they were there to help me. As long as they were patient with me, I would be okay. I can think of one voice teacher I had in college that was pretty rough on me. She was a perfectionist. I don't remember ever being nervous in front of her, though. Just dreading her. I majored in music (voice) when I was in college. I just kept working hard at it all the time, though. Singing has always been one of my hobbies, too. From the way you describe it, it sounds like it's a lot harder to make it in the music business in India than it is in the united states. It's very hard here. No, I never have had the problem of being able to stay on pitch on stage. I can usually hear myself. I guess because I practice all the time. If possible, maybe you should try recording yourself (if you have a cassette recorder) whenever you are rehearsing and see how you sound. If you don't like it, try practicing before you record it again and rerecord it. Just keep doing it until you get it right. That's all I can suggest. I would have to hear you before I can tell you what you can do better. I enjoy singing for audiences, too, but believe or not, I get nervous sometimes, too. Happy mylotting! Kathy.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
26 Apr 09
After I was on stage singing.....I wouldn't want to know..it would make me too nervous....
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
26 Apr 09
I love to sing but not on a stage....I just love music so much!
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
26 Apr 09
I believe I would rather know after going on stage, too. Likeyou, I would also be too nervous. Do you do any singing? Kathy.
@cobra1368 (702)
• United States
26 Apr 09
I think I would want to know afterwards. It would make me kind of nervous if I knew she was in the audience prior to performing. She is so freaking good, and I just sing in a cover band. My ideal would be that she would hit me up to join her band. But I need to learn how to play several instruments first, LOL.
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
26 Apr 09
I believe I would, too. I already play three instruments: the guitar, piano, and harmonica. Who is your favorite singer, btw? Kathy.
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
26 Apr 09
I don't think I've ever heard of her. She sounds like she must be very good, though. I have several favorites myself: Billy Ray Cyrus, Alan Jackson, David Lee Murphy, Teri clark, Suzy boggus, Michael Martin Murphy. I sing a lot of their songs. I'm a country music fan but I grew up listening to rock 'n' roll. I also like Elvis, The Beatles, The Doors, etc. Do you do a lot of singing? Kathy.
• United States
26 Apr 09
Her name is Christina Marrs, and she is a founding member of Austin-based band the Asylum Street Spankers. They are an acoustic band that brings to life many songs from the 40s, and also writes a lot of their own stuff. She's got an incredible voice. How about you?
1 person likes this
@jheLaichie (4438)
• Philippines
27 May 09
i love singing too. but im not a good singer. but i am a choral singer. i sang as soprano in our choral society when i was in my high school, and college days. and now when i was already having a work, we have our choral society too here in the office. anyways, its really up to you if you want to discover that some important persons are there to see you. but as long as you still can give yur best to what you are doing then go for it. alwyas think possitively okey?! and i know you can do it though. thanks friend.
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
28 May 09
Hi jheLaichie! Like I told MYKLJ999, I would rather discover them while I was on the stage than know about it beforehand. The more I dwell on it, the more nervous I would be. Like one of my mylot friends said, though, it doesn't matter who's out there as long as God is cheering you on. As long as you're doing your best, that's what's important. I always try to think positively, believe it or not. Kathy.
@cmy1004f (381)
• China
5 May 09
Singing is one of my interesting but I don't want to let it turn to my job. First, I have not ability on this area; and then, there is a presage that I would hate to sing when it become to my job. My appitite of performance not very strong, I only like to singing face to my family, friends and colleague. I will feel very uncomfortable for sing to stranger, but except to sing with my idol.
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
6 May 09
I love to sing in front of people, myself, no matter who it's in front of. I still get nervous sometimes, even though I've been singing in front of people for 44 years, lol . I have always wanted to be a professional singer. I majored in music (voice) when I was in college. The singing career never did materialize, though. It's hard to get a break in the music business no matter how good you are at it. Who is your idol, btw? Kathy.
@cmy1004f (381)
• China
6 May 09
My idol who I want to sing with is a Hong Kong singer, mayber you don't know about him. He is not the most famous in this field of Hong Kong, but I like him very much.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157485)
• United States
25 Apr 09
I definitely would not want to know about it in advance. I would never make it to the stage. I only sing in church choir, and that is enough. I need to look at the words and music and focus on the message,and then I am not as conscious of who is in the audience, or who is not.
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
26 Apr 09
I've decided that I would rather not know about it in advance, either. There have been times when I would be backstage and I would take a peek out the curtain to see how many people are out there, lol. Kathy.
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
25 Apr 09
Hi cyrus! I think if you always sing the same like you probably always do it wouldn't really matter! You probably sing like it is coming from your heart and it wouldn't matter who was in the audience because I'm sure whenever you sing you give it your all because that is what you love! You can always tell when someone really and truly loves to sing! It shows and people just know! So I don't think that you would ever have to worry! I wish I could be there to hear you and cheer you on! Just always remember that God is listening and cheering you on no matter where you are on who else is listening and then you will always be fine!
1 person likes this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
26 Apr 09
Yes, I do sing like its coming from my heart. Like you said, it helps to remember that God is listening and cheering me on no matter who else is listening. I don't know if you listen to country music any but Billy Ray Cyrus had a song one time called "Some Gave All". I was reminded of this song when another girl and I sang in downtown Jasper one time at the city auditorium. There was another group who sang after us and the leader of this group had heard us sing and he had us to stand up. He told the audience that we really gave it our all. That was for the benefit of those who didn't hear us. He had bragged on us individually after he heard us. I sang "Achy Breaky Heart" at this performance, btw, lol. Kathy.