Clicking the blue link plays audio:-
THE DOOR #1-4/13/14 Copyright 2014 by Judy Unger
My song garden has become a lovely arboretum; I now have over fifty songs with arrangements. That translates into a lot of singing, composing and guitar playing over the last few years. I especially love my recent song arrangements and have learned so many things from working with my arranger, George.
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Although I have occasional angst over key and tempo decisions, overall I am satisfied with my singing voice. This is huge for me since I seldom take a voice lesson anymore.
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I’ve discovered how from one session to another my singing ability varies. Occasionally, I’ll hold my voice back and none of the vocal lines have conviction. Other times, I’ll over-sing and many words come out too harsh. Because I am so adept at vocal editing, I know how to make my recordings work. I’ll go back to sing parts if my song needs it. I always fill in my song “puzzle” so that all the pieces fit well together.
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There are also those times, especially with a new song – where I feel a magical connection with my music and lyrics. It is such a joy to edit those recordings!
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All of my recent singing is definitely better than anything I did a year ago. I am far more relaxed and have integrated concepts from my past lessons with Kimberly Haynes. I also remember so many things from the time when I worked with Peaches Chrenko.
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A large percentage of my fifty songs have vocals that are “good enough.” I am getting closer and closer to releasing my music but having my songs and audio book professionally mastered has taken far more time and energy than I ever anticipated. I could write an entire story related to what I’ve learned about mixing and mastering music!
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Every week, I work on a song that I’m certain will benefit from my improved voice. I never want to abandon any of my songs – many of them have alternate arrangements that are also beautiful. I can’t choose which version I like better, so I enjoy both of them.
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It was late in the afternoon when I arrived to record vocals. Darrin’s studio was only a mile from my house and I appreciated how convenient it was. I began recording with Darrin over a year ago; sometimes I wondered how long I would continue recording with him. For certain, there was never a shortage of songs that I wanted to improve!
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When I came into the recording area, Darrin asked me what song I’d be singing. I smiled and said, “I think I’ll do my first version of The Door. I really love my newer version, but the very first one I composed in 2012 is also special.”
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Then I added, “And since I found out this morning that my divorce is final – it’s a perfect song for me to sing today!”
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Before I went over to the microphone, I took off my shoes so they wouldn’t squeak while I was recording. Sometimes I swing my arms while singing and hit the microphone stand (it sure adds a loud clunk). I always try not to do that but it is easy for me to get carried away while singing!
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When I composed “The Door” in 2012, my song felt like it was a huge secret. The fact that I was miserable in my marriage was not a secret to people whom I was close with. But finding the courage to divorce was overwhelming and my song helped to guide me. My husband never expected I would leave and my secret ate away at my insides.
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My first arrangement of “The Door” was very orchestral and filled with tension. I couldn’t sing it well because my voice was weak and breathy in 2012.
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But now it was 2014 and my marriage was officially over. I positioned the headphones and my song began to play. I couldn’t believe that I had actually gone through the door.
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As I heard the piano notes, I easily disappeared into my song. I pictured my old house and recalled the terror over ending my marriage and changing the course of my life.
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I saw myself looking out the front door and imagining what it was going to take for me to leave. It wasn’t until after I separated that I added the line of “I knew I was worth more.”
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I sang “The Door” six times. I left Darrin’s studio and was certain that on this day the magical connection was there.
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Links to part one and two of this story:
© Judy Unger and http://www.myjourneysinsight.com 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Judy Unger with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
