As doors close, we are often left on the other side...
And we can't help but wonder if we were as memorable as we thought ourselves to be.
Je chante alto et d'amour avec tout mon coeur.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
How to Sing the Italian Art Song "Sebben Crudele"
I went to college as a vocal performance major. Many years later, with the total neglect of my body, throat, and practice; my voice has dramatically dissipated. I can't help but think back to the days that I could belt out an Italian aria like any other diva who has graced the stages of hallowed halls around our world. On occassion, I catch myself humming an old tune I worked so hard to learn and perform. Most of the time, this occurs in the shower or in my car on a long drive alone. I often just belt it out. Unfortunately, it sounds nothing like the young and proud vocalist I once was.
I remember the planning, the practice, the work. People have asked me how to sing correctly before. I would love to give singing lessons; and if I could play the piano with both hands at the same time, I would give lessons. So, here are some pointers.
How to Sing the Italian Art Song Sebben Crudele
Practice your Italian. If Italian is not your first language, you would probably have trouble pronouncing the words. The text and very approximate sounds of the words are shown below:
Sebben crudele
Sehb ben cru deh eh le
Mi failan guir
Mee figh lahn wee-er
Sempre fedele
Sehm preh feh deh leh
Ti voglio amar
Tee vo lee-oh ah mar
Con la lunghezza
Cohn lah loon geh-tzah
Del mio ser vir
Dell mee-yo sehr-veer
La tua fierezza
Lah too-ah fee reh-tzah
La tua fie rez za
Lah too-ah fee reh-tzah
Sapro stancar
Sah pro stan car
Remember the dynamics. A general rule is that as the pitch increases, the dynamics increases slightly too. However, always use this rule with discretion.
This song contains many two note phrases, where the first note should be emphasized upon, while the following note should be lightly touched upon. Hold the first note before singing the second.
Persevere.
Know the translation and put the emotion into the song. It is a very sad song and your tone should reflect it. An approximate translation is:
Sebben crudele (although cruel one)
Mi fai languir (you me-make languish)
Sempre fedele (always faithful)
Ti voglio amor (you I want to love)
Con la lughezza (with the depth)
Del mio servir (of my servitude)
La tua fierezza ([the] your pride)
Sapro stancar (I will wear down)
The song is sung by a shepherd to a shepherdess who has scorned him. He is promising to be faithful to her, and to win her love.
Most books, like 24 Italian Songs, (kind of a classic for any vocalist or voice instructor) will have an English version. THIS IS LIKELY NOT THE LITERAL TRANSLATION. Use an online translator or an Italian-English dictionary to find the literal meaning. It helps you to put yourself into the song if you know what words you are saying.
Monday, April 11, 2011
A Poem: In Praise of Large Women
I am a large woman. I am a beautiful woman inside and out. It just enrages me that so many people in society think that only thin women are the only women who will ever be loved, adored, and admired. They could not be any more wrong. I have been a large woman my entire life, and I have had plenty admiration and adoration from a lot of very handsome men. And luckily I found a man who loves every inch of me. So, big girls! Enjoy this poem!
In Praise of Large Women
I love a large woman
with generous hips and size D cups
a female not afraid of dresses that cling
or shorts
tank tops that show
the upper arm jiggle
and pyramid thighs
connected to deep-dimple knees.
Not the timid trying to shrink
into a tent of anonymity
my affair is with a Juno who stands
in front of the mirror and enjoys her image
in patterns and colors big and bold.
She may corset and cosset
for special occasions—but in the bedroom
I imagine husband or lover
drowning in her pool of amplitude
nuzzling nipples and
covered by waves of loving flesh.
In Praise of Large Women
I love a large woman
with generous hips and size D cups
a female not afraid of dresses that cling
or shorts
tank tops that show
the upper arm jiggle
and pyramid thighs
connected to deep-dimple knees.
Not the timid trying to shrink
into a tent of anonymity
my affair is with a Juno who stands
in front of the mirror and enjoys her image
in patterns and colors big and bold.
She may corset and cosset
for special occasions—but in the bedroom
I imagine husband or lover
drowning in her pool of amplitude
nuzzling nipples and
covered by waves of loving flesh.
The United States of the Offended and Lazy
(Written July 23, 2009)I do not expect someone to hand out to me what I have not worked for. So why do so many people think that they somehow deserve it for naught? Just thinking about how I pay the taxes yet my children cannot have any of the benefits of social programs that I pay for? This is really bugging me today! Maybe I should have remained uneducated, had several children just to get a check, and never stepped forward to support myself nor my family. Then maybe, just MAYBE, my kids would have the opportunity to go to school without me having to scratch for tuition money that I don't have. Maybe they could go to the doctor for free. Maybe they could get so much more! It goes so far that I could have maybe even able to have never had to pay any electric bills, phone bills, or for food! WOW! What was I thinking?
I work hard to take care of my family while so many other people sit on their behinds and do nothing and reap the benefits that they should have to at least work a little for.
I support the welfare system as far as what it was originally intended for, hard working people in times of need. But it's tougher for someone who has worked their entire life to get any help than someone who has chosen not to ever work. It just infuriates me.
So let's all just quit our jobs, pop out about 18 babies each, say we're depressed and can't work, and let our 18 babies learn how not to act right at school so they can get checks, and then let them drop out of high school, and let them do the same thing we did! That's how this country is ran, right?
How can a government that expects us to give all that we work hard for to those who choose not to do anything ever make it? No wonder we're going down the drain.
And another thing... I think I'm gonna start using my weight as a reason why I can't get what I want. I think I may start yelling "discrimination" everytime I don't get my way. No! I'm not targeting any one social group, but I am targeting everyone and anyone who has ever done this! Women do it, men do it. White, black, green, purple, blue.... everybody finds something to be offended over
I work hard to take care of my family while so many other people sit on their behinds and do nothing and reap the benefits that they should have to at least work a little for.
I support the welfare system as far as what it was originally intended for, hard working people in times of need. But it's tougher for someone who has worked their entire life to get any help than someone who has chosen not to ever work. It just infuriates me.
So let's all just quit our jobs, pop out about 18 babies each, say we're depressed and can't work, and let our 18 babies learn how not to act right at school so they can get checks, and then let them drop out of high school, and let them do the same thing we did! That's how this country is ran, right?
How can a government that expects us to give all that we work hard for to those who choose not to do anything ever make it? No wonder we're going down the drain.
And another thing... I think I'm gonna start using my weight as a reason why I can't get what I want. I think I may start yelling "discrimination" everytime I don't get my way. No! I'm not targeting any one social group, but I am targeting everyone and anyone who has ever done this! Women do it, men do it. White, black, green, purple, blue.... everybody finds something to be offended over
Wow! I had forgotten about this!
This is the second blog page I have ever had. I had completely forgotten about them. Seems that I have completely forgotten a lot about writing; but no more! I am ready!
Musings of a Distant Soul.: Harlan, My Tintern Abbey
Musings of a Distant Soul.: Harlan, My Tintern Abbey: "Harlan, My Tintern Abbey The Proud Doughboy marchingIn stasis, as everything around himAges as vividly as he has.Time may have forgotten the..."
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