Once upon a time a super long time ago, a younger version of Heather had a decent voice.
This voice was used in choir at the church of my childhood. I sang my little heart out until I was forced to sing by myself. This created a panic in me that never fully went away.
The day I realized what was being said about my voice might actually be true, I busted out in "Amazing Grace" on my walk to the playground. I didn't care if someone heard, I sang as loudly as I could. I probably would have stopped if someone had commented on it.
When I was a early teenager, I was in a Cinderella pageant. My talent was singing, I knew it was the only thing I was remotely good at. I picked my song "Rise Again" by Dallas Holm. I practiced and practiced, until I knew I was ready. The day came and I went up on stage, the music started and I proceeded to sing. At least I thought I was singing!
I was in such a panic, I was shaking, knees knocking, broke out in a cold sweat and was literally squeaking out my song! It was all I could do to not fall over dead right there on the spot! The microphone probably has a permanent scar from me digging my fingers into it!
I continued in the choir racket all through Junior high school. I even got to go to the school choir contest at the fair in Arlington. I don't remember the contest part, just all the rides and fun I had with my friend. It was a good trip, I do remember trophies but I think those were just for participating.
My second year of 7th grade choir..After the first quarter the teacher said...I have no use for you in my choir if you can't read music. Now that I think about it she was right, it wasn't enough to have the voice if you can't use it properly.
Thus my choir career ended.
I still sang..in the shower, walking down the street, cleaning the house and of course along with the radio.
When I got married at 17, I challenged myself again. I was determined to sing a song to my new husband and in front of all my family and friends. Song choice "You Light Up My Life" by Debbie Boone.
Once again I failed. It was scary enough that I was getting married, I was already shaking from that. I walked up to the piano and once the music started I thought it was going great, maybe a little quivery, but good.
I was to later find out that not a soul heard me! LOL! Stage fright won again!
From that moment on my singing was kept private, unless I was drunk. I could really belt it out without fear when drunk. A friend once told me I need to go to the mall and make a recording and summit it. Huh! Not in this life time! I don't think they would let drunks in the mall! LOL!
About 12 years ago I (still drunk) got brave enough to do some karaoke. Patsy Cline, Reba, The Everly Brothers where my victims. I didn't matter if folks didn't want to hear my screeches anymore. It was all in good fun and I was too old and drunk to care! LOL!
Sadly, I haven't sang since I quit drinking. My voice got really harsh from drinking and smoking all them years.
Oh, wait that was me hurting the neighbors ears this morning in the shower!
For much better spins, visit Sprite's Keeper
15 comments:
Hey, we all need our shower concerts! I do my best singing alone in the car on road trips when no one can hear me. Too bad that choir instructor made you stop because of reading music. You should have been allowed to continue for love of the thing!
I applaud you for getting sober. You had mentioned before something about crawling out of a bottle. Sorry it made your voice gravelly but belt them out for your own pleasure.
I have good pitch (instruments and in my head and stuff), but my voice was never really good. That's great that you can sing!
A friend of mine from a place I used to work, Amy, had an actual Patsy Cline tribute band for a while with her husband in Dallas. She once did a karaoke in front of company executives at a party and thought she was getting the country version of 'Sweet Dreams'. They cued up the 'Eurythmics' version and she still knocked it out of the park (without knowing it well). It just added to her awesomeness.
You little song bird, you! I can't sing a note...if I tried the neighbors would probably call 911!
Public singing is scary! Lu had voice lessons when she was little because she was doing some musical theatre. She's still very scared to sing in front of people, although she has a lovely voice. But I learned a lot from those voice lessons and really don't care who hears me sing. But I'm definitely not good enough to do it on a stage. Lol.
♥Spot
About the plants crossing the line, I lectured them sternly. If they heard me they didn't say so!!!lol
I remember faking my way through the sheet music at competition since I came into our school's chorus halfway through the year after the note identification had already been taught. I just matched my voice to the people around me. :-)
That sucks that something you loved so much was taken away from you because of that.
Although I get ya on the performing part. I once sang in drama district competition and totally tanked due to nerves.
You're linked!
I find it crazily coincidental that I also did my Spin (in part) about how I used to sing.
I'm sorry that you had such a crappy 7th grade choir director. I never managed to learn to read music. I've tried 3 times and it just doesn't stick. However, I still got into a high school for the preforming arts, so that director wasn't right just lazy (IMO).
I have to say I've never had stage fright. But the fact that you did and just kept trying is a credit to you. As is becoming sober.
And there is nothing wrong with singing for your own enjoyment, hope your next shower concert is awesome. :)
Just a note to tell you that I formally accepted the 'Honest Scrap' award way over on my silly blog.
Thanks Princess.
I think singing is a great stress-reliever...especially when you can really belt it out!
In the car...in the shower....wherever. That huge stadium of people just waiting to hear you belt out the next tune....
You go, girl!!
Muareen...I sometimes wish I had got to stay in choir, it might have been able to cure me of stage fright.
Lucy...Thanks and believe me I do!
Eric...which is what make you great at playing instruments!
That is awesome about your friend. I actually prefer the 'Eurythmics' version best.
Suzicate...LOL!! I make the dogs howl!
Spot...Poor Lulu, it is so sad that a many of good voices are lost due to the nerves.
Lucy...LMAO!!!
Sprite's Keeper...Yeah, I was in choir since I was 6 yrs old. When I got to 6th and 7th grade I felt like I was just getting by from faking it. The best teachers can tell!
Elle...Thanks for dropping by! Oh she wasn't crappy, that was the problem she was very good and knew I wasn't up to snuff.
Thanks and I'm sure the next shower concert will have the dogs joining me! LOL!
Jerry...That's great! I'll be by in a bit.
Kathryn...Thanks!Mostly cleaning house these days, but I still keep rocking!
I am a great shower and car singer. I was never taught to read music either and was not so good at solo singing--I got off key easily. Keep up the shower concerts and have fun.
I'm tone deaf but sing anyway. Sounds like you have a ton of fun. Keep it up.
You should totally keep singing. My motto is if you can't sing well, sing loud, which is exactly what I do. If you love to sing, just do it!
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