It is a good thing that I wasn’t one of those kids that was embarrassed
by my parents singing in random public places, at home, on stages, and pretty
much everywhere between. I would have lived in a constant state of mortification
otherwise! I learned at a very early age to add my voice instead. Hey – it beats
stage fright! My part is alto and I join in with my mom and dad. When we have
the opportunity we’ll add more voices to the mix; family joining the chorus,
making the sound so much richer and stronger.
Singing together, lots, for lots of years, you learn to “read”
each other. A look can tell someone to
switch parts because you feel a sneeze coming on, warn me off from heading
flat, or share a moment of sweet relief when something touch and go comes
together. For me, being an alto, reaching the high notes can create squeaks
that I would really rather not put out for public consumption. So, some switching goes on and almost always
the audience is completely unaware of what is going on. The same way with
slowing down the tempo or deciding to sing the chorus one more time, it doesn’t
take a word, you just know.
It’s all done with a look, a nod, a flick of the hand, a
sway – most of the time it doesn’t require a verbalized thought. What is seen
as a comfortable knowledge of the other person, the part they will take, how
they hear the music, their strengths and where they will struggle, it all boils
down to trust. It is something that takes time to develop, but when it is
there, the music can be so sweet and freeing.
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