Monday, August 3, 2009

Can You Harmonize?

I was listening to A Prairie Home Companion yesterday on my way home from meeting Brian to make the Brendan exchange. I joined in the singing, and while I sang along, it occurred to me that I don't know how to harmonize. I do well to sing the tune along with them and don't have the ears to figure out how to sing harmony. No clue! I wish I could, but can't hear whatever it is that people do who can do this. I guess they don't know how it is since they have they have those ears. It must be nice. I'm envious.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Then you are far ahead of me. I can't stay in tune, let alone discuss harmony. LOL

#Debi said...

I sing alto, and naturally gravitate to the harmony part whenever I sing along with the radio. I told my music team leader at church that it is more of a struggle for me to sing melody than it is to pick up the harmony part. Can barely read music, though...

David Dust said...

Ha! I've often wondered if it was easy for others to harmonize "off the cuff". I'm glad that at least there's one other person who can't like me.

Maybe we could form our own non-harmonizing singing group - "Flame & Dusty". I wonder if every one would just assume that I was the "Flame"?... :)

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Ms. Moon said...

Me either. I learned to harmonize certain parts when I used to sing in high school but I had to learn them like another melody. I am so envious of people who can blend voices beautifully.

Dan said...

me thinking I can harmonize versus what the people around me hear. Two completely different things!

the dogs' mother said...

A bit. But I think it came from years with a stellar choir teacher.

Joy said...

Impressive, Debi and Pseudonymph! I wish I could really sing.

That would be hilarious, Dusty! We could also be used as torture for people with perfect pitch like Sally and Melissa.

My son was in concert choir in high school. She is an excellent choir director/teacher. They had to audition to be in the classes, so I wouldn't have made the cut. The only way I could have harmonized would have been to learn my part and sing it that way.

I'm with you on that, Dan!

#Debi said...

I have a friend who can't carry a tune in a bucket. Strapped to her hands. She knows this and embraces it. I always tell her that for every one of us who can sing a little, we need one who can listen...

Joy said...

This is true, Debi. I tell friends who perform that audiences are important, too, and have our place.

Unknown said...

It was always easy for me. In my early church days I remember this gal who sang alto for all the hymns. We heard her above all others in church. If you know hymns, you know e-flat and you know how funny this is.
My Debbie's brother is in Barbershop- we to all the concerts in the area.
I've always loved any opportunity to harmonize. I ain't bad at it by ear.

Joy said...

I don't even know how that would feel, Charlie, but wish I did. I also don't know e-flat from b-sharp.