Synth Lovin'
“I wish my life had background music so I could understand what the hell was going on.” - Anonymous
Hi Lionheart,
This weekend I had a blast recording a vintage Minimoog synths at the Synth Sanctuary with @tonetweakers. I’m feeling inspired to write some dance tracks with my own Moog Voyager, play them at the upcoming Warper Party and make some videos. If this is something you’d want to see, let me know so that I’ll do more.
On a different note, two years ago on an August evening, I strolled through the streets of Havana, Cuba and stumbled upon an art gallery. I walked in and spoke with two gallerists about the paintings on display. Eventually we realized we were all musicians. We chose to jam together with this song, "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones. I didn't quite know all the words, but the point was to make music and go with the flow, so we all went for it. Click on the image below to watch the video on YouTube.
Do you feel a little bit hesitant and stiff with your singing? Do you want to relax into it and express yourself fully? In the jam session in Havana video above, I felt so free to hear pitches and rhythms in my head and know where to place them before I sang them. Owning your voice feels like liberation. Freedom.
I’ve been on both sides where I’ve performed and recorded vocals feeling fear. With the fear, I was so self-conscious about how my voice would sound, how people would judge me, and if I could even survive the song.
On the other side, like in this casual jam in Havana above, it’s the complete opposite. It’s as if I have lot of tools that I know how to use. I carry my sound and toss it where I want (pitches), when I want (rhythm). I know what feels and sounds good to me and I know what types of repertoire to have in my back pocket in case an impromptu jam session arises.
Even now, I’ve been talking with some musician friends whom I trust about my voice in the context of new electronic pieces. In thinking of what I want to sound like, I know I have a wide sonic palate to draw upon and how to achieve whatever sound I want in an instant.
If you’d like to start getting to know how to sing and play music with better timing and feel the notes, check out this video I made for you on YouTube. If you like it, hit that like button. Click subscribe to get more performance and teaching videos from me.
Watch the video on YouTube:
Do you want to write an album and take it to the studio? What about sharing it online? I've been helping my students with JUST that. We break songwriting down step by step - we study.
We apply. We create. We finish songs. We record!
Follow my Instagram stories and Facebook lives to catch livestreams of performances, studio tips, and life behind-the-scenes.
It's always for you + me, Lionheart. So much love.
Mad love. Wishing you inspiration and expansion.
XO ALARKE AKA MARY ALOUETTE