Vocal Approach Challenge: Technique week

It's all about technique.
For those of you who read my post: Vocal Approach Challenge: Style Week you would've read about my participation in Christina Aguilera's Singing Masterclass vocal approach challenge. The second challenge required us to work on a vocal technique, texture or tone, or all three areas.

I initially planned to work on my texture and tone, however, while I started to sing my first song Micheal Jackson's Ben, I realized that I was also working on my belting technique. So now I had three techniques to focus on - another change in the technique itinerary!

An unforeseen lengthy process
The technique challenge was unimaginably time consuming. I never thought that I would've taken so long. I initially planned to sing Ben, however, I wasn't happy with my belting quality. Would you believe that I re-sang the song four times! I also re-sang Ben because I forgot the part of the song that says: "If you ever look behind, And don't like what you find"

I had to go back to YouTube to listen to Ben.When I finally got the tune right, I wasn't happy with my belts. Time to head back to Changeville. 👀


Enter song # 2
I retreaded to song # 2, Sarah Vaughan's "Tenderly". I love this song. Sarah sings so sweetly and breezily. Although I love the song, I don't know all the lyrics by heart. I then realized that I'd have to try a different song.

You guessed it. Enter song #3 
For my third option, I chose Andy Williams' "Can't Get Used To Losing You" Again, I don't know the song verbatim so I opted for song #4 - Shirley Bassie's "Diamonds Are Forever"  You guessed it - I don't know this song by heart either!

Heading to song #5
I chose The Platters' "The Great Pretender" - one of my all time favourite songs and a song that I thought I could sing with relative ease. You can listen to my rendition here.

Once again, I re-learned that the path towards mastering your desired craft is never easy and quick. Make sure you set aside enough time to do re-takes and to try different versions.

Vocal Approach Challenge: Style Time

Did someone say challenge?😁
As a student in Christina Aguilera's Singing Masterclass, we had the option to participate in an inaugural vocal challenge - a challenge I happily accepted! The first week's challenge involved working on our vocal approach with a song of our own choosing. The vocal approach also involved re-conceptualizing our chosen song into a new genre.

Adaptability is a must.
Once again, I learned that you have to adapt and adjust your goals. I initially wanted to a pop rendition of Sarah Vaughan's "Tenderly" However, I realized that some of the notes of the song didn't blend nicely with the pop rendition that I envisioned. I then proceeded into trying a jazzy version of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly". However, I quickly realized that I wouldn't have been able to whip up a piano jazz tune in time for the November 21 deadline.

Then I suddenly remembered some song loops a professor created for students to use from a Coursera songwriting course I'm currently enrolled in. Ahh yes! One. step. closer. to. my. goal.😊

Time to get funky.
For the vocal approach I decided to do a funk version of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly" I must say that I felt excited and "anxy" as this was the first time that I've "uploaded my voice" in an online, social media community. I initially recorded a pop version with one of the pop loops but I didn't like the resulting sound. I then tried one of the funk loops and it was a match made in musical heaven! You can take a listen to the funk version here.