How do you feel about singing?

[James]

The group I'm playing with doesn't do any singing.

I miss it!

I think singing brings the music alive way more.

I know that it's fraught with problems too though... Like unless you speak Bambara or Malinke or something, you likely haven't a clue what you're singing about.

Also many people get into drumming, but are totally not used to singing and may even be paranoid about their voices etc.

Seems to me that being a great singer is less important a lot of the time.

It raises other issues too, like perhaps, unless you're singing you're not brining the true meaning to the rhythm (maybe ?).

I dunno, just thought I'd thow that out there and see what you think!

[bops]

I'm not the greatest singer, but I do it anyway (and I make our group do it too). Drumming is language, and so is singing, obviously. The rhythms themselves evolve from songs, so if you want to truly know and understand a rhythm, you should learn some songs that go with it. The song gives life to the rhythm.

If you feel that you're not good at singing, then practice more. If you don't have confidence in your singing, it won't sound as good... a lot of it is your attitude. That will affect your overall performance as well. Also, you have to listen to a lot of African music! There are so many different styles, and each tradition has a different harmonic structure. You have to become familiar with the harmonies so that you can sing in key. I hear a lot of groups who make African singing sound new-age by transposing the melodies to a more western chromatic scale. I'm not a big fan of that style - I definitely prefer to preserve the African melodies.

[djembeweaver]

I'm not the greatest singer in the world either but I can hold a tune. It's more about confidence than anything. When I'm singing an african song I feel confident so I sing it well and with feeling (I hope). I would never sing a song with guitar but I'm more than happy to lead a song in a drumming peformance. Just goes to show what confidence (or lack of it) can do. I normally get the whole audience singing in 2-part harmony and it lifts the roof off. Talk about energy!

You should encourage your group to try a song or two. When singing in a group a kind of regression to the mean effect happens, so that everyone trends towards the right pitch. You can take a group of people with mediocre voices and they will sound great when they sing as a group (I have taken part in community chiors and heard this effect many times).

By the way, in all my time in guinean villages I never once heard anyone say they couldn't sing. Niether did I hear anyone saying someone had a good voice. It just seemed to be taken for granted that everyone had a voice and everyone sang.

Regarding not knowing what the words mean...I wouldn't worry about that. You can do your best to get a coherent translation but I think that is less important than the singing of the song. Bear in mind that the Djole song (Laye laye e ko koro be....) is in a language that most guineans do not speak, yet they sing it quite happily.

[Garvin]

It's more about confidence than anything.

This is what every aspect of this music has taught me. It's very much about confidence, but not ego. I always tell new players who may have issues with the rhythm to play with confidence, and feeling even if they think they are playing the wrong thing (in the moment). We can always fix the mechanics of the rhythms later, or in the case of singing learn the phrases better or listen to versions which cater more to our own voices. I'm very shaky when it comes to singing with this music, but if I'm gonna do it, I know I gotta belt it out regardless. Be not afraid.

[djembeweaver]

but if I'm gonna do it, I know I gotta belt it out regardless. Be not afraid

Indeed, but bear in mind confidence is not quite the same thing as volume! Over-singing is a bit like over-playing on djembe - it makes you tense up and in the case of singing, usually makes you very flat. The trick is to keep your jaw relaxed and your throat open.

Seriously - everyone can sing but it does take practice. Your voice is an instrument and you need to learn how to use it. Community choirs are great for this as you can hide amogst the other voices.

Like I said, I'm not a great singer but one of my students is a singing teacher so she helps me a bit, mostly with confidence!

[Paul]

Seems to me that being a great singer is less important a lot of the time.

No fear there, i've heard you sing

[EvanP]

I like singing and playing. It's one of the things I really like about Ghanaian music. I wish I was better at doing it myself.

[James]

No fear there, i've heard you sing

[Blithey]

music is one part of our life, it is good for Physical and mental health. If you often sing, make you young.