I’ll Always Love You
Hey risk takers!
Last Thursday night at karaoke I sang, “I’ll Always Love You,” by Taylor Dayne. Remember her songs from the 80’s? Needless to say, it’s what my mind considers a hard song – maybe equal to one of those double somersault reverse inward pike Olympic dives with a 3.2 level of difficulty. Six months ago, I listened to that song and said, “no way,” snapping it back into the CD case.
In the interim, I started going to a local karaoke night every Thursday. No matter how I felt or what excuse my little mind tried to come up with to worm its way out of the adventure, I showed up with at least 1 or 2 new songs to perform. Needing to sing a new song each week pushed me into unchartered singing territory.
Well, two weeks ago I tried I’ll Always Love You again and actually hit the alleged high parts! Hmm, I thought, “what happened here?” Well, my mind happened. It expanded what it thought I could sing, thus allowing my voice to do the same. If you want to go where you’ve never gone before, you’ll need some buy in from your mind first. It controls our lives as far as I can tell.
Honestly, I had no real fear doing this song. I knew I had to go BIG with my voice to get enough momentum to go FORWARD into the parts that seemed to go up. As my singing teacher Julie explained to me, when we hit high notes, our voice isn’t really going up, it’s going forward.
I now call it the big “let go.” I let the notes out of my body and they roll forward into the universe.
What wants to “let go” in you?
Muse thanks, Giulietta
RSS
Hi G. I definitely cannot hit those high notes either. In fact, I really suck at singing but it doesn’t stop me from belting it out when there’s nobody around. Amazing how something as simple as singing can give one such a feel-good feeling.
Hi Tracy,
When I went to summer camp, we sang all the time! Cleaning our cabins, swaying on our benches at lunch, riding on the bus, hiking around the lake. If the world’s people would sing more, I truly believe the world would be a more loving place.
Thx for stopping by again! G.
I do remember that song and I would have loved to have been there, Giulietta! I’m a singer, but I’ve never heard about high notes going forward rather than going up. So I think that’s what I want to experiment with. Hmm, I can see that after reading your post, that’s what wants to be let out, and I didn’t even know it. Thanks!
Patty,
I’m happy to hear you are a singer too! I love singing. It’s such a powerful act.
Yes, if you actually take your hands and throw them forward – like you are a superhero in a cape – it will release the notes!
I’m very visual with my songs, finding the rhythm then gesturing with my hands in some way to help internalize the best way to let go of the notes. Sometimes twirling my fingers near my head, etc.
It’s made a huge difference in getting over the “hitting high notes” fear! Thx. G.
I love to sing but I am not sure that others love to hear me sing! I worked in summer camps and loved that no one cared – everyone sang whether they “could” or not… they just sang. I sing everywhere I go as does my daughter. This summer she will attend her first theater camp – to include singing. It will be interesting to see what she learns but the risks she will be willing to take in this new environment.
I love that you took that risk!
Dear The Exception,
Your daughter’s theater camp sounds like a lot of fun. Risk-taking is so underrated! It really makes for an exciting life pumping with aliveness. Thank you for taking the time to comment. It’s a risk, too!
Enjoy your singing. I’m sure you sound wonderful!
Giulietta
Giulietta –
Sounds like you let it all out on that performance – wish I was there to hear it. My singing is scary, however I did once nail a rendition of Like A Virgin in a Karaoke Bar in Vietnam (long story). Like Tracy, I sing for no-ones pleasure but my own and these days I catch myself doing it walking down the sidewalk! Enjoyed this post! Thank you
Phil
Hey Phil,
Seems like a lot of people have a great karaoke story! Would like to hear your long story re: Vietnam some day — sounds intriguing.
I’m glad you sing going down the sidewalk. We need more of that! This vision of you reminds me of Singing in the Rain with Gene Kelly. Such a talent he was!
Thx. G.
The answer to your question– my book. The story that won’t let me go, the one I keep holding inside.
By the way, suddenly “Tell It To My Heart” is running through my head. 🙂
Hi Angie!
We feel better when we let out whatever gets trapped inside. Your book will be fabulous like your blog entries! Go for it.
Tell It To My Heart is on the Taylor Dayne CD I’ve got. Good song too.
Thx, G.