30 Day Challenge Day 11 - The 7 Days to Singing Better Challenge

Every singer has a forte'...mine just happens to be singing "standards" made popular during the "Swing Era" (which is late 1940s to the very very early 60s).  Now before you get any ideas, these song predate me (in other words were before my time), but in my 30s I sang professionally for a brief time with a jazz trio and would often sing standards at various functions--always small ones, trust me. 

When I first started, all I had was good pitch and a loud voice that carried in a room with little amplification.  But as time progressed and I met other singers along the way who would help and coach me, I got better, and now...well, let's just say, as my pal, Frank @starturtle, once told me, I'm way too "comfortable" in singing standards. 

Once I stopped singing with a trio and stopped singing on stage, I sorta "stopped" singing altogether.  In fact, until I "chanced" upon Smule "Sing!" in June 2014, I had not sung a song for a long, long, long, long, long--are you getting the gist of how long this is--time. Yeah, I sat at the piano occasionally and pounded out a song and sang along, but even that was few and far between. I'm a classical pianist, so a lot of what I play is classical music requiring no vocals at all.

Now as I stare at my Smule profile and see that I have an insane 2,976 (and rising) recordings, it's amazing to me that at least 40 percent of that number or about 900 recordings are of me singing a duet on someone else's site.  Perfectionist that I am, I know that of these 900 recorded songs, there's at least another 900 I've sung and NOT hit the "continue" button on because I didn't like something about the song or my performance.  Frankly, this is the most I've ever sung since my 30s, and it feels so good to "trot" out the vocals.  Couple my love of music and re-found joy of singing with the absolutely INCREDIBLE people I've found and love here on Smule, well, the experience has been nothing short of fantastic.

So, as they say, it's time to give back! 

On Sunday, April 26, we'll start our "7 Days to Better Singing" challenge, which will feature me and other singers from around the world providing all of you with our best and most favorite tips and tricks in singing.  The goal is to help everyone add some cool vocal tips and tricks to your performances.  I get to kick off our 7 days with an explanation of range and a quick test to determine your range.  Right after the 5 minute open call, we'd like you to join us in the song specifically selected for the "tip" of the day!! 

Monday, April 27, is Fernando Riley's contribution to the "7 Day" challenge with a short quick tip on breath control and breathing.  Then we'll travel around the globe to South Africa for our special guest instructor on Tuesday!!

So saddle up, it's time to start the 7 Day Challenge!!! 

About the Singers Mentioned Here:

Frank is known by his Smule tag @starturtle and he hosts some of the most interesting Open Calls on the site.  You can join him for Disney and Glee songs this week.

Fernando Riley is one of my best pals here on Smule.  He attended the "Fame" High School for performing arts and is a classically trained vocalist.  His impersonations of Barry White, Nat King Cole and Cartman are legendary. 

Me? I'm Grace aka @pokeypal here at Smule!  Join me for great OCs and follow me for the latest news on activities we have planned for the near future.  Thanks!