Post by kristhegirl on Jan 15, 2015 21:39:19 GMT -5
OK, apparently several of us are musically inclined, either by hobby, training, or trade. I love that! I also love connecting with other musicians, because I miss school.
So! What do you all do/play? How'd you get where you are now? How is pregnancy affecting you, or how might it affect you in the future?
Post by kristhegirl on Jan 15, 2015 21:42:28 GMT -5
Me, I'm a classically-trained singer who decided to not pursue performance halfway through my masters program. I sing in a choir now, which I love, and at the church my husband and I attend, which I tolerate.
So far pregnancy is NBD, but I'm assuming as this belly grows there will be a lot less lung capacity and no more "Rejoice Greatly" since my ab muscles will be busy holding in a fetus.
ETA I'm a soprano. I love harmony, though, so I play an alto on TV (or whenever I can.)
I know how to play the flute & I hate it... lol does that count? In the shower, I think I'm a classically- trained singer... I wish I was able to sing kristhegirl I'm a little jealous of you and all those blessed with that trait
So! What do you all do/play? How'd you get where you are now? How is pregnancy affecting you, or how might it affect you in the future?
I am a musician. Went to university for Music Education and Music Therapy. I am a mezzo-soprano/soloist. My principle instrument was the clarinet though. I play all the band instruments of course, plus piano, guitar, banjo and ukulele.
I am also a county choir director for an adult non-profit singing group. We have about six concerts a year. Plus I play and sing in other local groups as well.
The biggest way this pregnancy will affect me... the group I direct has concerts either the weekend of June 27th and 26th OR July 4th and 5th. at either of those dates...I will be as big as a barn. I have an assistant director who can step in at the last minute if I am not able to direct. Never imagined myself directing on stage at a full eight months to early nine months pregnant. O.O <---scary thought. lol But, if I am able, I will do it.
*edit: added a bit more* I have rehearsals every weeknight except Fridays. Tonight, I played bass clarinet in a community band. It is a group of mostly band directors and other serious band nerds. It will be interesting to see how pregnancy affects singing and playing instruments for sure.
I use to play the clarinet when I was younger, I'm actually tempted to find it and try playing again, I played for many years so I'm sure I'll remember. But yeah idk how great my lung capacity will be either!
Post by cgiles120812 on Jan 15, 2015 22:03:57 GMT -5
I sing, I started when I was little then was in choir at my church and school. Still sing at my church, i can also play drums and tiny bit of piano. I want to learn the violin
Dh on the other hand is insanely talented, he taught himself piano and guitar, he can play violin and drums too. He composes his own music and sings. He teaches me things
Post by kristhegirl on Jan 15, 2015 22:22:08 GMT -5
cgiles120812 @cinnamontoastcrunch I'm so impressed by people who teach them themselves! I kind of taught myself piano until college, but I already read music (thank you middle school band, clarinet represent!) so that doesn't count. Guitar is beyond me, as is singing and playing anything at the same time.
Post by kristhegirl on Jan 15, 2015 22:25:10 GMT -5
Elizabeth my university had one of the first music therapy programs and I know a lot of music therapists now - really interesting work! I almost switched majors when I was dabbling in psychology but never made the jump.
I grew up playing the recorder, flute, french horn, and the trumpet. I was state recognized for all 4 years of high school...when I went to college, I stopped playing altogether. My parents pushed it a lot and I think I just experienced burn out. I can still play but I don't do anything serious. I sing a lot in my daily life and my 8 year old daughter plays the piano and enjoys singing a lot as well. I miss being active in the music community...
I sing. I used to compete in regional competitions when I was in school. I'm a fan of harmony as well, and alternate between soprano and alto, although I'm probably more comfortable as a soprano. I love bands like The Civil Wars with very distinct harmony and have been known to listen to a specific song on repeat until I know all harmonizing parts. DH taught himself to play guitar and I've been begging him to teach me.
I play the oboe recreationally! I had planned to pursue it professionally, but broke my hand in several places my senior year of high school when I would be auditioning for college programs, dealt with some depression over that, and just never really got back into it after. In college I started playing with community groups, and now I currently play in a community orchestra and a community band! I really love just playing for fun now, rather than playing competitively like I did in high school. (Way too much pressure!) I used to really regret not pursuing music after my hand surgery, but years later I've come to realize that my life would have turned out so differently and I'm really happy where I am.
I also taught myself the flute and saxophone for fun (the fingerings are very similar to oboe), and I marched on the cymbal line in high school since double reeds don't march. I'd really love to learn guitar or piano, I feel like crock of a "musician" for not knowing either of those!
I have no idea how the baby will affect playing, but I second the probable decrease in lung capacity. I hope to keep up my groups even after baby though, because they make me very happy!
Post by trebletrouble13 on Jan 15, 2015 22:33:01 GMT -5
I am also a classically trained soprano! I can't get enough of notes above G at the top of the staff. And pleeease don't make me sing below middle C! I don't liiike it. :-) My parents and brother also sing (mom is alto, dad & bro are both low bass), but none of them sing professionally.
In college I studied Music Ed & Vocal Performance, but dropped the performance part at the beginning of my senior year after being fed up with department politics. Now I sing in a local semi-pro choir and my church choir and various weddings & funerals. DH sings with great enthusiasm but little skill. Hoping our kids get my musical tendencies.
Pregnancy has made my voice a little richer and fuller, but has yet to affect my range or much else otherwise. In the future it is certainly going to be challenging my breath control!
kristhegirl Rejoice Greatly has never been one of my favorites, but I know how important the abs are for it...
cgiles120812 @cinnamontoastcrunch I'm so impressed by people who teach them themselves! I kind of taught myself piano until college, but I already read music (thank you middle school band, clarinet represent!) so that doesn't count. Guitar is beyond me, as is singing and playing anything at the same time.
(Why can't I tag you?? Edited to try again...)
I don't know how he does it. Guitar is harder for me and I have hard time singing and playing sometimes. You sound really talented though
I sing. I used to compete in regional competitions when I was in school. I'm a fan of harmony as well, and alternate between soprano and alto, although I'm probably more comfortable as a soprano. I love bands like The Civil Wars with very distinct harmony and have been known to listen to a specific song on repeat until I know all harmonizing parts. DH taught himself to play guitar and I've been begging him to teach me.
Another singer! I'm a soprano, I sang most jazz in high school and moved to the acapella group in college. I'm now the vocal coach for our school's talent show...lol
Post by pixiepink24 on Jan 15, 2015 22:41:42 GMT -5
Ok, I'm not really the musician but SO is. He is a drummer but also plays and writes guitar. Mostly rock/pop punk. He has been working on writing a song for the baby. A friend bought us those "Belly Buds" because he travels so much and for long periods of time and he can share his music with the baby and can talk to it too!! As for things that have changed, he did sell his 74 les Paul standard because he said he was putting the baby first. As for me, I just like to sing for fun. Not trained at all minus years of chorus and late nights of drunk karaoke. Oh I miss those days!
Post by errsbear11 on Jan 15, 2015 22:45:46 GMT -5
I have played guitar since I was 9...but I'm more of a strum around a campfire kind of musician. DH plays guitar and banjo, so we can't wait to play and attempt to sing for the baby . I also play viola, but haven't done much of that lately. Maybe when my belly gets too big to hold a guitar!!!
Funny story, I actually met DH when we were working at a summer camp and he was the "lead guitar guy"... I thought he was super cute and was so excited when he asked me to be his helper for something because he said I was the other best guitarist on staff. Well, I got a fake "private lesson" with him for our performance, which was actually a practical joke on everyone...but he didn't let me in on the joke, so I was front and center trying to show off for the cute counselor - and got humiliated. I'm secretly still self conscious to play around him because of that!
Post by kristhegirl on Jan 15, 2015 22:59:43 GMT -5
trebletrouble13 I'd rather sing Puccini than Handel, but I'm no coloratura so it was my quickest example of "something I really don't think I'll be able to pull off by the end of this pregnancy"! I love your description of your favorite range. I love singing low! It just blows my voice if I do it too much. I originally trained as a mezzo.
What's everyone playing or singing right now? My choir is doing Faure's Requiem and a piece I've never heard of by an English composer named Tippett, called "A Child of Our Time" - both with full orchestra, which I love!
This community used to have a thriving music theater / opera scene, but sadly that faded before I moved here. I would love to see it revived, though, because I miss stage work.
I learned the flute, clarinet, french horn, bassoon, and saxophone through school, taught myself everything but flute. Went to college for music education, contracted mono and some serious complications from it and had to drop out. I haven't played my flute in years. My son hates it. But he loves the sax and clarinet. I like to think I can sing...probably not. Eta: forgot the violin. It was destroyed in a flood so I sometimes forget I enjoyed it lol.
trebletrouble13 I'd rather sing Puccini than Handel, but I'm no coloratura so it was my quickest example of "something I really don't think I'll be able to pull off by the end of this pregnancy"! I love your description of your favorite range. I love singing low! It just blows my voice if I do it too much. I originally trained as a mezzo.
What's everyone playing or singing right now? My choir is doing Faure's Requiem and a piece I've never heard of by an English composer named Tippett, called "A Child of Our Time" - both with full orchestra, which I love!
This community used to have a thriving music theater / opera scene, but sadly that faded before I moved here. I would love to see it revived, though, because I miss stage work.
kristhegirl Long quote, I know. Being a coloratura makes me happy. My choir mates might find me occasionally obnoxious, I giggle gleefully when we have an A or above. Good mezzos can be hard to find, though. Where is your power range? I still get pretty quiet below an F at the bottom of the staff.
Singing Brahms Requiem in German for my local choir, hired soloists and orchestra, etc. I love Faure's Requiem. Last spring I sang the Pie Jesu on almost no voice for my church choir performance. Quite the adventure. I haven't heard of the Tippett piece, but it sounds cool.
Most of the local musical theatre scene here is controlled by a small group of people who love to cast each other. Drives me nuts when the wrong voice is cast in a role just because they are part of the in crowd. I hope your opera/musical theatre scene gets revived! There is a bit of a movement in that direction going on in a lot of places.
Post by indiejavamama on Jan 16, 2015 0:07:28 GMT -5
I was classically trained as well and jumped from Soprano to Alto, depending on the song.. Did lots of competitions & musicals in high school, show choir, etc ... I had wanted to pursue it in college but never did sadly Now I just sing at church or with my SO... he's an awesome self taught guitar player which is pretty hot IMO lol
Elizabeth my university had one of the first music therapy programs and I know a lot of music therapists now - really interesting work! I almost switched majors when I was dabbling in psychology but never made the jump.
There is a lot of psychology in music therapy for sure. I was a double major with music ed. and music therapy. BUT, that was too much for me at the time (with other life events happening then as well), so I just focused on finishing music ed. Part of me wishes I had completed Music Therapy. Maybe one day. Our school was one of the first too.
Thanks for making this thread. Lots of talent among the July15 mamas!
I was the quintessential band geek all through school, played clarinet & the bass clarinet & the tenor sax for Jazz band & migrated to mallet percussion. But when I went to college for creative arts in worship, I decided it was way easier to haul around my voice, rather than instrument :-). I trained as a mezzo soprano, though I spend more time as an alto. I love that I get to sing with my mom, a soprano & DH, a tenor, in our church worship band. So far, the only change has been with the exhaustion in the 1st tri, I haven't been up to much performing. I also perform for our church productions, both theatre & musical theatre - such fun!
I was also a band geek in school, as in all-state on my main instrument (mallets) but as a percussionist we had to know ALL the drums and accessories. I taught myself flute in high school (no longer play it) along with piano (I play several times weekly). It's not convenient to have a marimba in the house, but a piano works, and is more versatile. I dabbled on the guitar, but gave up rather quickly, after mastering a few basic chords. My fingers can not seem to be contorted enough to play 4 finger chords. I'm another who started out majoring in Music (music ed), but I switched to biology.
Currently, my project is playing piano and singing at the same time. I have no breath support but a decent voice, so it's a matter of coordinating the playing and singing. It's a good challenge for me. I haven't had much energy recently, but it's starting to pick up and the rush of the holidays are over, so I hope to put more effort in to playing in the near future.
Current songs I'm working on are:
Say something On the radio (Regina Spektor) The way I am (Ingrid Michaelson) Let it go (sorry, the kids love it!!) Dark Horse some Lana del Ray songs, though her voice is kind of low for me. Price tag (Jessie J.)
After years of classical / Celtic music it's fun to be able to play more current stuff!
I sang in a band that had occasional bar gigs until I was pregnant with dd last year and lost breath control. (Also lost: any desire to stand for a couple hours on a hot stage.) I also play guitar and piano. And I played bass clarinet in middle school.
Proud band geek here as well! I can't wait to see if my children choose the band as an activity here. It seems to not be as dorky here as it was where I grew up (in football country).
Post by lindylogana on Jan 16, 2015 7:59:13 GMT -5
I kick myself for not sticking with them but I've played the violin, flute and piccolo until after high school. DH is a drummer who has actually stuck with it and plays in a small band.
Yay musicians! I am a classically trained singer as well. I did classes outside of school for this training but I was a part of all of the choirs and bands in school of course. I had my daughter my senior year of high school so I never pursued a music education due to scheduling with work, but my plan had always been to pursue music education. Still my biggest regret.
I play flute, oboe, bass guitar and a little bit of piano and viola. I was always inclined to playing instruments. I hope this doesn't come off as bragging lol but I would just pick an instrument up and play it. But my oboe is my passion. I love it. I think it has the most beautiful tones and I just feel like I can express myself so well with it.
I am currently on hiatus because of pregnancy but there is an adult master chorus in town that I will be getting in to once the pregnancy is over. Meets once a week, does performances, competitions and performs with musicians and groups that need backup singers. It's very cool and only $25 per month. Its a nice gig. :-)
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