What Are Your 🎶Music Endeavors Right Now?

[aiwendil_m]

What a lovely, lovely group of musicians!!

I must agree the thread, keeping up practising is difficult! I play mainly trombone, piano, cello, the saxophones, bass guitar, and a few other instruments, but mainly play the trombone for now. Currently, I’m writing a song that I haven’t decided the words for yet (usually they come in poem or prose first from my hand to a piece of paper) but I have parts for piano and cello.

I see that people are arranging and writing, I would love to collaborate on pieces if others are interested! I would definitely like to write some bilingual music in Common tongue and Sindarin, and that may be the direction for this current project.

For piano, if I may, I have a little advice! I learned to red the music young but now when I try that is slow-going. Instead I enjoy playing around with chord structures and theory to write melodies or learn new songs, and have found that helpful; to me it feels less restrictive to new, creative ideas than reading sheet music.

 

[Andromadus the Invictus]

What a lovely, lovely group of musicians!!

I must agree the thread, keeping up practising is difficult! I play mainly trombone, piano, cello, the saxophones, bass guitar, and a few other instruments, but mainly play the trombone for now. Currently, I’m writing a song that I haven’t decided the words for yet (usually they come in poem or prose first from my hand to a piece of paper) but I have parts for piano and cello.

I see that people are arranging and writing, I would love to collaborate on pieces if others are interested! I would definitely like to write some bilingual music in Common tongue and Sindarin, and that may be the direction for this current project.

For piano, if I may, I have a little advice! I learned to red the music young but now when I try that is slow-going. Instead I enjoy playing around with chord structures and theory to write melodies or learn new songs, and have found that helpful; to me it feels less restrictive to new, creative ideas than reading sheet music.

I would certainly be interested in working with you on composing a piece of that nature, if you'd like.

 

[aiwendil_m]

That would be wonderful!
If I may, what is some of your music background?

 

[Andromadus the Invictus]

That would be wonderful!
If I may, what is some of your music background?

I am a singer, above all, but in the past year or two I've been really into songwriting, composing, and arranging.

 

[Fingon_Findekáno]

Last night at my voice lesson, my teacher and I were working on a couple new Italian songs. Both of them were short, so it was easy to start learning them. One was called O cessate di piagarmi by Allesandro Scarlatti, and the other was called Lasciatemi Morire! by Claudio Monteverdi. Both are similar songs with the same theme of “Please let me die.” 🙂 (Dramatic Italian music. 😂)

@Maedhros_Nelyafinwë, this could be a song Maedhros sings as he’s hanging on Thangorodrim and begging Fingon to kill him. The English translation lyrics basically say,

No longer let me languish!
No longer let me languish!
What dost though fancy can stay one moment
So despairful a torment,
So unrelenting anguish?
No longer let me languish!
No longer let me languish!

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I've actually done Lasciatemi Morire! It's an extremely difficult one for me, being in the trenches of my middle range and a decently deep mezzo song. But it helped me learn how to do some embellishments and runs.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

Wow, it's been a while since anyone has used this thread! Kind of a shame!

Last time I posted here, I believe I was working on "Voi Che Sapete" from Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. It was a really tough one for me, but I got through it. I also just recently got through Popular from Wicked, which was again really tough. It was full of funky rhythms and pitches, and it's a pretty low song for my voice type. (Ironic because Galinda is supposed to be a soprano part!) But I had some major "aha" moments, with the biggest one being that I learned how to do this really strong type of mixed voice that sounds like it's belting, but it's not!

Anyway, what brings me here today is, I believe all the difficult and often unpleasant technical work of the past 9ish months are starting to pay off. My voice teacher asked me last week if I want to start doing music from Phantom of the Opera! Phantom is literally the thing that got me into singing, so, letmethinkaboutitYES! I've been waiting like 4 years to start working on Phantom music. I wanted my voice teacher to be the one to ask me about doing Phantom, not the other way around, because I wanted to be certain I'm ready.

So we've started on Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, admittedly one of the easier songs from Phantom (if you can call any of it "easy.") Today we tried it for the first time. Normally when I learn a new song, I have to spend 3ish weeks hammering out the pitches and rhythms and words, but today I was able to just jump right in and sing the song, since I know it so well already, which was a really nice change. So it's going to be really fun to finesse everything about that song, since I won't have to do a bunch of tedious technical work.

And she said if this song goes well, I can do Think of Me next! 👀 (That's a much harder song by far.)

Also, a lady came with her son's for their piano lesson towards the end of my voice lesson, so she listened to me sing it for a few minutes, and she gave me some really nice compliments.

It's been a dream of mine since 2018 to be able to sing Phantom of the Opera. And not just sing it, but sing it properly. Very exciting to finally start to see my dream come true!

 

[d4rk3lf]

Kudos to everybody in this thread.
Keep rocking people! 🤘

I always like to play my synth, and compose some melodies using various instruments.
Since my main influences are dark (gothic, black, doom) metal, most of my compositions are with strings, violins, pianos, harpsicords, and stuff like that.

Here's one oldy
And my sincere apologies, because of this awful MIDI sound... I just didn't know to work better in Q-Base, when I was transferring my melody via midi on the comp.
But I guess, you get the picture how it should really sound, if it were better produced.

I plan to purchase new keyboard (I think it will be Casio X5000) for some time now, and proceed compositing, and upgrading my existing compositions.
And hopefully, learn to transfer better sound to my comp.

 

[Frandîr]

So glad I found this! I am a music nerd. Learned to play drums like 25 years ago, then guitar and bass. I fell in love with rock music during my teenage years and vowed to learn how to make it myself. Was in a metal band for about 10 years before leaving my island and settling in the USA. Here I am gearing up to create my own music.

I am currently working on various personal projects (not rushing it and letting leisure dictate my schedules) to convert into Latin folk some well known rock and metal classic tunes as well as some deep cuts from famous bands and artists.

Another endeavor I am very passionate about is a Black Metal project based on Taíno mythology and history. I am a fan of seemingly incongruous things, and coupling a genre born in Scandinavia with mythology from the first people's of the Caribbean is quite the dichotomy

The dark history of black metal and how it has been used to promote certain views that I do not partake in is the reason why I want to do this... use the medium to attack the idea.

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

So my voice teacher and I are satisfied with "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," and now it's time for probably my ultimate bucket list song in vocal music! Think of Me!

I'm nervous about how the cadenza will go, because that is not easy. I can pretty much always hit the high C, but the quality can be iffy, and I'm not really able to sing those 16th notes super fast like that. I did work on it a little with my teacher this evening, and it went okay, but I definitely think it can be better. So I'm gonna work super hard on this and hope my voice teacher will help me make it better. This is a dream come true for me to work on this song!

 

[Vorondil]

I just started learning to play the piano today.

 

[Deimos]

I just started learning to play the piano today.

First, congratulations. That is a very worthwhile and rewarding pursuit.
Second, let us know when you have to play Für Elise ** . . . then we will know that you have persevered and are a fully established student of the piano. 😄😉

** Not a criticism or making fun of you.
It seems the majority of beginning piano students are, at some point, required to learn the first part of Für Elise.
It's kind of a "rite-of-passage" in the piano world.

 

[Vorondil]

First, congratulations. That is a very worthwhile and rewarding pursuit.
Second, let us know when you have to play Für Elise ** . . . then we will know that you have persevered and are a fully established student of the piano. 😄😉

Well it'll be a while before I can play Für Elise, but I'll let you know when I get there. I'm currently learning Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold.

 

[Heather Duke]

Well it'll be a while before I can play Für Elise, but I'll let you know when I get there. I'm currently learning Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold.

I used to play piano — tried my hand at Misty Mountains once, but let’s just say the dwarves wouldn’t have been impressed. I was better at enthusiasm than accuracy, so I eventually traded the keys for singing instead.

 

[Alexander Scamilton]

I used to play piano — tried my hand at Misty Mountains once, but let’s just say the dwarves wouldn’t have been impressed. I was better at enthusiasm than accuracy, so I eventually traded the keys for singing instead.

I experienced something similar except i never rlly cared about piano. I mean i did do it, but not for very long. I've been trying to sing but it feels like im losing my voice and its so saddddd.

 

[Heather Duke]

I experienced something similar except i never rlly cared about piano. I mean i did do it, but not for very long. I've been trying to sing but it feels like im losing my voice and its so saddddd.

Don’t give up just yet! Even the best minstrels of Middle-earth needed time to find their voice. Rest it, hydrate, and remember — even Frodo had to take breaks. 😉
But, don't worry, I understand. Losing your voice when you want to sing is the worst. Maybe take a short break and do some gentle vocal warmups when you’re feeling better? Sometimes rest actually makes a big difference. What kind of songs do you like to sing?

 

[Fingon_Findekáno]

Last time I posted here, I believe I was working on "Voi Che Sapete" from Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. It was a really tough one for me, but I got through it. I also just recently got through Popular from Wicked, which was again really tough. It was full of funky rhythms and pitches, and it's a pretty low song for my voice type. (Ironic because Galinda is supposed to be a soprano part!) But I had some major "aha" moments, with the biggest one being that I learned how to do this really strong type of mixed voice that sounds like it's belting, but it's not!

Anyway, what brings me here today is, I believe all the difficult and often unpleasant technical work of the past 9ish months are starting to pay off. My voice teacher asked me last week if I want to start doing music from Phantom of the Opera! Phantom is literally the thing that got me into singing, so, letmethinkaboutitYES! I've been waiting like 4 years to start working on Phantom music. I wanted my voice teacher to be the one to ask me about doing Phantom, not the other way around, because I wanted to be certain I'm ready.

So we've started on Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, admittedly one of the easier songs from Phantom (if you can call any of it "easy.") Today we tried it for the first time. Normally when I learn a new song, I have to spend 3ish weeks hammering out the pitches and rhythms and words, but today I was able to just jump right in and sing the song, since I know it so well already, which was a really nice change. So it's going to be really fun to finesse everything about that song, since I won't have to do a bunch of tedious technical work.

And she said if this song goes well, I can do Think of Me next! 👀 (That's a much harder song by far.)

Also, a lady came with her son's for their piano lesson towards the end of my voice lesson, so she listened to me sing it for a few minutes, and she gave me some really nice compliments.

It's been a dream of mine since 2018 to be able to sing Phantom of the Opera. And not just sing it, but sing it properly. Very exciting to finally start to see my dream come true!

So my voice teacher and I are satisfied with "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," and now it's time for probably my ultimate bucket list song in vocal music! Think of Me!

I'm nervous about how the cadenza will go, because that is not easy. I can pretty much always hit the high C, but the quality can be iffy, and I'm not really able to sing those 16th notes super fast like that. I did work on it a little with my teacher this evening, and it went okay, but I definitely think it can be better. So I'm gonna work super hard on this and hope my voice teacher will help me make it better. This is a dream come true for me to work on this song!

I could say I’m jealous you’ve been working on music from Phantom in your voice lessons, since I’ve wanted to sing them just as badly for so many years, but ultimately I think your voice is better suited to Christine than mine is, being a true soprano. You can more comfortably hit those soaring high notes and still sound gorgeous! I am very happy you are getting to officially learn these songs and achieve some of your musical dreams, with your teacher deeming you ready to handle such iconic challenges. For the version you’re learning, is this the one with the original lyrics or the new lyrics?

I understand your nervousness over the cadenza, as it certainly is tricky to hit all those notes exactly and then outright jump to the C6 (the original B6 alone would be a stretch for me!). The song I’m working on right now has a similar cadenza and high note at the end, so we can encourage each other to master it!

I will simply be the Phantom to your Christine, lurking in some dark corner and singing with you. 😉

 

[Maedhros_Nelyafinwë]

I could say I’m jealous you’ve been working on music from Phantom in your voice lessons, since I’ve wanted to sing them just as badly for so many years, but ultimately I think your voice is better suited to Christine than mine is, being a true soprano.

Hey now, your voice is very much suited for Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again! I hope you'll get to officially work on that song at some point!

You can more comfortably hit those soaring high notes and still sound gorgeous! I am very happy you are getting to officially learn these songs and achieve some of your musical dreams, with your teacher deeming you ready to handle such iconic challenges. For the version you’re learning, is this the one with the original lyrics or the new lyrics?

Thank you! You know, we ran through Think of Me for the first time this evening, and my teacher says I'll be fine on the C6, and it's the rest of the cadenza she's more worried about. 😂 There's a lot of notes in there and it's easy to get off-pitch. I also told her how yesterday, my C6 sounded much better when I was holding a scarf and threw it away on the big note, and she told me to imagine I'm doing that in the future, lol!

I understand your nervousness over the cadenza, as it certainly is tricky to hit all those notes exactly and then outright jump to the C6 (the original B6 alone would be a stretch for me!). The song I’m working on right now has a similar cadenza and high note at the end, so we can encourage each other to master it!

I definitely wanna hear you on that almost-Poor Fool He Makes Me Laugh song! It sounds very challenging, but I'm sure you'll do great on it!

Also, tonight when we were running through Think of Me, I got through most of the song effortlessly, and my teacher said she thinks my voice is very well suited for that song. My light, flute-like tone quality is the reason why she said that. So that was really nice to hear. 🥺

 

[Beleg_Cúthalion]

I actually play both Piano and Violin, and am currently learning "On Yonder Rock Reclining" on the piano, and on the Violin I am learning several songs, and not all of them come to mind at the moment. I do own a harmonica, but I don't use it because it irritates everyone in my household, I am also not very good at the harmonica, so all who hear me likely have a wish to crush the harmonica with a hammer. It even irritates my Cats.

 

[Fingon_Findekáno]

Hey now, your voice is very much suited for Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again! I hope you'll get to officially work on that song at some point!

I hope so too! I agree that one is more in my range, and “simpler”. 😅

I’ve seen at my voice teacher’s house she has music for “All I Ask of You”, and how I would love to work on that with her! Unfortunately, there are no guys I know who would, or could, sing Raoul’s part with me (or who I would want to sing such a loving song with either, for that matter).

Thank you! You know, we ran through Think of Me for the first time this evening, and my teacher says I'll be fine on the C6, and it's the rest of the cadenza she's more worried about. 😂 There's a lot of notes in there and it's easy to get off-pitch. I also told her how yesterday, my C6 sounded much better when I was holding a scarf and threw it away on the big note, and she told me to imagine I'm doing that in the future, lol!

Oh I know, it’s hard to stay on pitch for such quick, complicated runs like that. Hehe, maybe you should bring a scarf with you to your lessons! Perhaps it helps because you feel more in-character, since Christine sings with the scarf.

(Hehe, whenever I try to hit the high note there, I usually squeak or squawk it out because it’s a bit too high for me. I can hit it fine in warm-ups, but actually singing it is not gonna happen. 😂)

I definitely wanna hear you on that almost-Poor Fool He Makes Me Laugh song! It sounds very challenging, but I'm sure you'll do great on it!

Ha ha ha! Thanks! The German is a bit of a tongue-twister, and there are higher notes throughout it, but it’s a fun song to work on!

For anyone who’s curious, I recently started working on a German aria called “Mein Herr Marquis” (also known as “Adele’s Laughing Song”), from the operetta Die Fledermaus (in English, The Bat) by Johann Strauss II.

Also, tonight when we were running through Think of Me, I got through most of the song effortlessly, and my teacher said she thinks my voice is very well suited for that song. My light, flute-like tone quality is the reason why she said that. So that was really nice to hear. 🥺

Aww! You’ve waited so long and worked so hard to bring your voice to a place where you could finally work on this song, and now you’ve been told your voice is very well-suited for it. Your dream song. A very special and encouraging thing to hear indeed! And I can agree with it! ☺️