Double-speed! Half-speed! Up an octave! Down an octave!
October 23rd, 2008
Singing:
I used to take voice lessons from Warren Senders.
For each lesson, I’d bring in one song I was trying to improve.
First, I’d sing it for him as-is.
Then he’d say, “OK – now do it up an octave.”
“Uh… up an octave?”
“Yes! Go! 1.. 2.. 3.. 4..”
I’d sing the whole song again, in screeching squeaking falsetto, sounding like an undead cartoon mouse. But by the second half of the song, it was almost charming.
Then he’d say, “OK – now do it down an octave.”
“Down an octave? But I don’t think I can!”
“Let’s try! Go! 1.. 2.. 3.. 4..”
Have you ever tried to sing lower than your voice really goes? Mine sounded like a garbage disposal or lawn mower, but he kept saying, “Pitch!” – and the point was the control of the vocal chords down in that chaotic range and the intense focus it takes to hear the pitch in a creak.
Then he’d say, “OK. Back to normal pitch, but double-time! 1!2!3!4!”
I’d sing the whole song twice as fast, which brought out different rhythmic phrasing and articulation challenges.
Then he’d say, “OK. Relax. Now do it half-speed. 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4 . . .”
Singing a song half-speed really brings a microscope to its details!
Now sing it like Bob Dylan. Go! Now Björk. Go! Tom Waits! Go!
Now sing it like I just woke you up at 4am. Now like it’s a chant at a football game!
We’d end with me singing the song at its original speed in my normal voice, like I did the very first time. But of course it sounded different – like seeing your home town after being away for years.
If you care about a song, it’s worth an hour of experimentation. Realizing the initial choices you made are just one of many brings all kinds of weathered wisdom and perspective to your song.
Business:
I’m taking an entrepreneurship class now. I’ve never studied business before.
We analyzed a business plan for a mail-order pantyhose company.
After reading the whole thing, I felt like my old voice teacher:
- “OK – make a plan that only requires $1000. Go!”
- “Now make a plan for 10-times as many customers. Go!”
- “Now do it without a website. Go!”
- “Now make all your initial assumptions wrong, and have it work anyway. Go!”
- “Now show how you would franchise it. Go!”
You can’t pretend there’s only one way to do it! No business goes as planned, so make 10 radically different plans.
Realizing the initial choices you made are just one of many brings all kinds of weathered wisdom and insight into your business.
Life:
- Now you’re living in New York City, obsessed with success. Go!
- Now you’re a free spirit, backpacking around Thailand. Go!
- Now you’re a confident extrovert and everyone loves you. Go!
- Now you’re married and your kids are your life. Go!
- Now you spend a few years in relative seclusion, reading and walking. Go!
… bringing all kinds of weathered wisdom and perspective into your life.
I love how I feel like you’re writing all your blog posts directly to me.
now do it in all 43 keys at once.
You said you didn’t have answers for my questions, but there you go again, making me sing for my supper. I thought I had worn every hat until this week… now I’ve got bookstore clerks arguing which of their picks are better than yours. There are no longer enough hours in the day or hats that I can’t sing out from underneath! Getting the picture means seeing that I have no real idea what the School for Wonder will wick me to next! Thanks, Derek.
Derek, you are an amazing, insightful and brilliant human being! Thank you for sharing yourself. I continue to make use of your words in my life! ~Kate
Yeah!
This applies also to guitar, bass,drums,keyboards. Easy things become very difficult played faster tempos… BUT…
If a Master drummer chooses
to play certain song with a simple, easy groove, he does it WITH a conviction of a Master.
Not that he couldn´t play something
more demanding. His code is serving the SONG…
Like our human code is to be a Good human beings, and after that comes everything else..
I LOVE this game!!!
My first comment on your blog! but this post was just perfect! Couldn’t have said it better
Excellent idea, Derek, to challenge yourself and your assumptions, but I also like the point that the key to it all is to find the confidence of where you’re at in all of this. At any point you have to choose the best option and go with that …
I once saw a Renee Gayer show where she closed one tune by getting to the end and stopping just short. Then she said: “I love this song, I’ve been singing it for 30 years. When I was starting out, I used to end it like this …” and she finished the last chorus with the power, passion and enthusiasm of youth. Then she said stopped and said “but life teaches you things and changes how you relate to the songs, so by my 30s I finished it like this … ” and sang a more anguished, personal version. Then she said “After a while you learn not to worry so much about things, so by 40 I used to finish it like this …” and sang it again with a carefree, more technical take. Then she said “But as you age, you come to reflect on things and understand all of these perspectives, so tonight I’m going to finish the song like this…” and sang a warm, engaging, intimate version.
All of the endings were, of course, simply stunning. It’s amazing how this kind of reflection can produce whole new meanings from music. I just wish I could remember what the song was …
Yes yes anything to break up the mononotony of doing it the same ol’ way!
You are still dah man!
THE HAPPY MAN!
Awesome post! I agree with all 3 takes – music, business and life. I often sing songs in very different ways just for fun, but never really thought to expand the concept like you laid it out here. Thanks!
Hi Derek. Thanks for a very insightful article! My piano teacher used to do that with me, making me play songs at different speeds, playing the whole thing staccato, etc. Good times!
That’s very interesting about applying that to business planning. Since I’m also taking an entrepreneurship class, and I have to write a business plan, I’ll give that a go!
Karen
Simply incredible. You sure know how to inspire. Your gift, and a good one it is for sure.
Very insightful. A wonderful analogy. I’m reading this at midnight and I’m really running on fumes but this is really making me think. I’m gonna come back and re-read in the morning with a clear head.
Thanks Derek. Really appreciate you sharing the journey of your life.
Wow I loved Double-speed! Half-speed! Up an octave! Down an octave! great stuff. You did not mention singing it in 3 part harmony. I never thought to do this but I usually work up a song in 4 different keys. I use drum tracks in much the same way. I throw up five or six drum tracks and work the song against them to find the best feel.
Derek – thanks for this. It resonates with my soul.
I can’t add much Derek. You are a very entertaining and inspiring writer. Most of all, I enjoy your unique perspectives. I’m stoked about this project of yours and glad to be part of it.
You continue to amaze and inspire me, pal.
Keep spreading the good karma. And enjoy the return–that is at least for a little while, until you take off on another challenge!
“It doesn’t matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop.” -Confucius.
There is no wasted effort in the Universe.
Derek,
Your insights are amazing (no surprise)!
Thanks and best!
Great piece to find in the inbox on performance day!
Brilliance is always so compassionate
RE: Business.
Amen, Derek! I’m in the middle of a graduate-level Arts Entrepreneurship class at a local university. I’ve re-worked my business plan for the next phase of my musical journey on a weekly basis since starting. It is a real love/hate relationship.
I love it because I am pushing my personal envelope in terms of contacting experts to get the info I need by the class deadline. I hate it because I am SICK of reworking my plan. But I’ve been forced to network with folks that might actually help me some day and, as an added bonus, they’ve all been nice!
With each plan rewrite my ideas are getting more realistic and achievable. I am zeroing in on three different models; I think I’ll be working elements of all three as part of a phased plan.
Thanks, as always, for your great insights.
I used to play this game when I was a youth choir director – lots of fun – and it did the trick.
Once you got back to the way you were supposed to do it you might realize that there maybe another – better – way of performing it.
That game hadn’t made the jump with me into my new career – thanks for reminding that I can use it anywhere for anything!
Ah, sorry about that. I was trying to keep it poetically short, but probably needed more explanation.
I just meant I often hear people say “I’m just not that kind of person” or “Maybe in a different life I would”.
So I was just realizing that this same kind of role-playing with singing could apply to the decisions you make in life.
Just because you’re stuck in a job you hate, living in Chicago, and only speak English doesn’t mean you can’t decide to move to northern Italy, work at a bakery, and learn French.
Just because you’ve been reclusive in Sweden doesn’t mean you can’t just choose to be a socialite in New York City.
We often think that where we are or who we are is some kind of fate or destiny, but changing it can be as simple as making a decision and getting on a plane.
There’s a great Kurt Vonnegut quote: “You are whatever you pretend to be.”
A great read, and definitely food for thought.
Flexibility is such an important attribute. The ability to quickly change gears like you’re a rally driver, and continually enjoy the thrill of the unknown road ahead can bring both success and satisfaction (which for many of us is what success actually IS).
Always a pleasure to read your insights, Derek
This is so cool I’m going to print it out and post it on my Vision Board!
I’m going to try the voice teacher’s directives.
My voice teacher (when I was 16) had me sing Italian classical, which I had never even heard the language before. She said it forced me to enunciate, and pronounce properly as I wouldn’t anticipate the word and use dialectic accents. I still don’t know if I EVER pronounced any of the words right or not but it does cause me to stop and think about pronouncing the words. The only thing is, most modern music embraces accents today.
Interesting concepts…and as always, cool advice written from the heart of a generous man.
Thanks for sharing yourself. I admire your fearless fire.
I love you!
http://www.simonhewittjones.com/
Thank you for this great email… sharing this singing excercise. Just great, with appreciation and cheers, Ermina Tsounis in Toronto CA
I sort of try to do that…because with my style it’s so easy to get in a “rythmic rut”..it’s work for sure.. thanx dave
EVERY aspect of your email was brilliant. I’m actually studying to give vocal lessons and open a music lesson studio, so all of your left-field ideas hit home.
Best, Christopher Maloney http://www.christophermaloney.com http://www.cosmosquad.com
Thats a good one thanks
You’re my hero.
Cheers dude
Jay Spears
Yes, I have found that trying songs out at different tempos, different styles and even different time signatures can bring surprising results. Not always successful on their own but giving new insight into why you do it a particular way.
Years ago I wrote and recorded a song in a very Dylan-esque style (not direct imitation, but with that same kind of rhythm and feel). I was not wholly satisfied with the result and thought to myself, “Well, The Byrds did wonderful things with Dylan songs, let me try this song as if The Byrds were doing it.” That lead me directly to the style in which I have continued to do the song.
It’s fun, even if just in the car, to sing one of your songs as a reggae, or a jazz number, or as punk, or how George Harrison might have done it. You stumble upon new insights to they lyrics occasionally that way.
I live just outside New York City and love going to Thailand! Sawasdee krup!
http://cdbaby.com/all/sigafoos http://www.youtube.com/watershowsprod
Hey Derek, First off I really dig your emails. I’ve been reading your blogs and stuff since I signed up for CDbaby waaaay back. I really think they’ve been more helpful since you left and have been doing sivers.org so, go you, and thanks.
I wanted to say though, I really don’t get the last part of this last email. Is this point to simplify? Be willing to wear a lot of hats, err, heads of hair? Maybe I missed something.
Cheers, Tim Emmerick http://www.timemmerick.com
That’s a great story. When I picked up my guitar to practise there was nothing in between once I started playing it, I never looked aback, I never thought of eating till sometimes I have to be convinced by my parents to go and eat, and then I can come and play again, meanwhile my heart doesn’t want me to stop playing. Sometime it would take 2 or 3 times to be called to go and eat my lunch or dinner. “oh forgive me God that was what I wanted to do, and that was what was meant to be.” Check my website: http://www.myspace.com/adamsolomonblues1
It took me two years I was a great guitar player, after 4 years I was master of my instrument, and kept learning everyday of my life that everyday you play the instrument the more you know it.
Thank you Derek.
Deborah Allen http://www.deborahallen.com
A great perspective. Reminds me of writing a song and doing it with a rough trac; then listening to it over and over until you hear all the ‘bugs’ and problems and then going back and doing it over and over. Just trying to make it the best you can with the talent and resources you have.
Randy Duck
This may be one of your most thought provoking posts yet – or at least in a long time. I’m sharing it with everyone I know.
Thanks! Ryan Michael Galloway The Alpha Gigster
Brilliant, all of it! –Martin Jack Rosenblum
yes, of course, but all you did to the woman was change her hairstyle, and that’s one of the ways that i coach singers as well, esp when they are preparing for an audition…it helps to prove to them that they can handle their audition tension about having an unruly accompanist. and by the way, i’m so pleased that you have the time, energy and $$$ to take a course, and if that means that you will be starting up another great company that serves artists [i'm an actor/singer/storyteller/cdbaby person], sign me up… but the one you sold, isn’t doing so well by its artists…i’m waiting for payments 2-3 times as long as when you owned it, and they’re unresponsive. best wishes in whatever you do, just, please, continue to include folks like me…i’ve been touring a one-woman show for almost 28 years. bett kopit
Great idea on the singing lesson I’ll try it out today
Flemming Behrend
Pretty clever Derek. I like that a lot.
Thanks, Pierre
I liked the different hair do’s Idea, I guess the point is; don’t be afraid to try different things musically till you get it right:)
Blessings, Jerry
Sounds great Derek. If it works for you great. However, next year my vocal tutorial be out and it’s based on years of experience and research. It is for professionals and amateurs. So it’s good to know there are good people out there for artists. Thanks for keeping in touch.
June Harris
How funny! Why? Because it sounds like the way I’ve always done anything vaguely creative…and in my opinion the business end of our art takes an extraordinary amount of creativity. I really laughed at the “life” section, Derek, because it sounds like you’ve been peeking in at my whole life! I’ve been all of those 1..2..3..4 ..go! scenarios! Good job making me smile this morning.
J
OK–You’re reading a crazy and stuffed email in-box next to a task list the length of your arm and you’ve got bills up to the ceiling and you’re late for a meeting and you get an email from Derek Sivers that seems far more interesting than anything else at the moment, so you decide to read it AND comment. GO!!!
Great comments – this is one of many I’ve forwarded on to my artist friends (and management clients). Reversing the model, changing perspective (re-framing).. these are all excellent ways to in the words of Mike Skinner “Push things forward”. As with all these ideas, the artists that consider them and adopt them into their daily MO are the same ones who take their long-term success seriously.
Thanks Derek, Melanie Phippard xo
Hi Derek
Thank you so much! I’m in the the middle of my lasted recording project and reading this reminded me to be a little more brazen when I’m experimenting. I also appreciated that you included the part about experimenting with life. I took a sabbatical from my teaching job (unpaid) to give myself over to recording and promoting my CD- and a few smaller projects as well. Your thoughts buoyed my spirits! Thanks again!
Allyssa
PS- Enjoy your business course!
This a good post. You can sing what is in your mind idea always.
Take some white crosses and become with it.
IF YOU NEED LESSONS YOU CANT SING
Wow, that was fun. I’ll have to go back now and read your other emails to see what I’ve missed!
Thanks,
Dan
Hello and thank you for your emails. Keep up the good work and inspiration.
Sincerely, SarahMoon
Derek,
I love how your blog sends me e-mails to keep me up to date. I loved the latest one on having many plans and looking at things from different directions. I found it very inspirational.
Thank you.
IRENE NACHREINER
Thanks Derek your boards are always very important. Best regards. Alessandro Buonpensiero
way cool email Derek. Thanks for the tips and keep them coming! Paul Ramana Das silbey
Thank you , I have done some of that with out knowing what the results would be Tempos would happen when a drummer got excited… One of the better songs ever recorded was done at a nervous tempo, changed the entire landscape of the tune, and brought to life. It was after that, that I started playing with tempos and pitch a lot more.
Thank you! Very funny yet insightful story. Chris…
http://www.doghairproductions.com
Thanks Derek,
This is great information. I need to market more but I’m too wrapped up in the election!
Al
So great! I would like to know where you are taking the Entrepenur class;)
So true! And I love how you’ve applied the same principle to other areas of life.
For music, I used to sing in a women’s vocal ensemble whose repertoire was almost entirely made of traditional folk music from eastern europe. We had one vocal warm up where we switched styles every 2 or 3 times to get ourselves centered in the various shapes/timbres required. It got to be such a fun game that we started calling out things like, “now, the Cowardly Lion” and “now, Ethel Merman” or–my favorite–”now, Eric Cartman!” It’s a great way to keep your mind working just as much as your voice.
Excellent!
Awesome dude. I love this stuff. And I know Warren because I lived in India in the 90s when I was studying Karnatic music.
-Peter Bufano Circus Music Guy
Thanks Derek
I love you too.
Emile
Very cool email Derek… thanks!
Thank you for the time in sending this information! God Bless
Great. Soon. Mitchell
Hi Derek, you should be guru, when I first opened this email it was just a set of photos of one girl with different haircuts, so I replied to tell you I thought maybe you had lost it, but after reading the email which came up in the reply box, I was happily surprised to see how timely it was.
Great advice keep it up,
Kaijin
I LIKED THIS EMAIL, VERY HELPFUL. I WILL USE THE SUGGESTED VOCAL TECHNIQUES, TKS, GYPSY EDEN
thanks.
great advice that i try to follow
rare and amazing idea.
wow, great, now try being on welfare in Canada and a single father with custody of your son and a 60 song music contract with your neighbor..go!
Derek:
As always, your e mails are well thought out and truly offer valuable information that I can pick up and use
Right away.
Thanks.
Rabbi shaul praver
Rabbi rock TV
Derek, Thank you. You are always an Inspiration!! Blessings and Peace, Meg http://www.megdevlinirish.com
I like that, thanks
~ Mitchelle Tanner
DEREK, I TOOK MY COMPLETE SINGING COURSE WITH THE BEATLES…. THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK BROTHER. MIKE MALANDRIX http://www.musicadelamontanhamexico.com
Awesome post Derek! Inspiring wisdom is a difficult task but that pulls it off seamlessly and beautifully!!! Jose’
Just to tell you how much I enjoyed this! I did!!!!
Raven Cohan
Derek, I have also taken vocal lessons from a variety of coaches and have never heard of these techniques, I have done scales, breath expansion- take a deep breath hold it now take a swallow more into your mouth then force it into your lungs, then again, careful not too hurt yourself. Whisper singing as a prolonged warm-up exercise, works wonderfully and can help you gain control at low volumes; it is also good for a strained voice, sing barely audible, scales or songs. I get the intent of your email-to apply various models to my music carrier as I would to practicing music, but I thought I’d throw out a couple of vocal practice secrets as well. When I am on my game I like the 25/25 rule, my personal rule for vocal advancement. 25 minutes of scales, followed by 25 songs every day. Whisper sing if you are straining but train every day. I have found that building the voice is like building a muscle; in fact it is a muscle. Train your voice as if you were training to run track and field, the high jump, long jump, shot put, power lifting ect. and remember that every days practice builds on yesterdays practice. If you stop you regress just like running. kevindwood@msn.com kevin wood stray dog cd
PLEASE DON’T EVER STOP INSPIRING ME. THANK YOU Famos! a.k.a amos guider
Great Ideas!
Devin
Love the one you're with (in more ways than one)!
Thanks!
Ha! I reread this in my end-of-year email purge. very nice. But couldn’t help recalling what a theatre orchestra conductor would yell at us horns when we were assing around in the pit:
“take it down an octave and leave it out!”
peace,
Mike