Vocal approach challenge finale

Alas, the last week is here
This is the final week of Christina Aguilera's Singing Masterclass Vocal Approach Challenge. For this week's challenge, we had to record the final version of the song that we were working on for the last three weeks.You can take a listen to the song that I decided to work with for the last week of the challenge here.

(Although we were required to choose one song to work with, I inadvertently worked with a different song). Here a recap of my song selections and renditions:

Week 1 - Funk version of Roberta Flak's Killing Me Softly
Week 2 - The Platters' The Great Pretender
Week 3 - Rock version of The Beatles' Eleanor Rigby

My excitement spilleth over
I'm filled with an unending sense of excitement as I've never participated in a vocal challenge quite like this. I'm grateful for the opportunity as I learned a lot more about the thought process and time involved in creating, modifying and re-conceptualizing a song.

The value of practice, rediscovery and time
As a result of participating in this challenge, I relearned about the significance of the popular saying that constantly reminds us about the importance of continuous practice. I was also reminded about the significance of furthering the development of our skills, passions and interests - especially if we desire to take ourselves to the next level.

I also relearned about the importance of setting aside enough time to try different versions, or a different option of whichever task or challenge we undertake.

I wish you all good luck with whichever task or goal you aspire to achieve. Thank you for taking the time to read about my vocal experience, as well as for listening to my singing voice.

"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals" ~ Zig Ziglar

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.