So happy that Betty learned before it was too late -- everyone is made for singing. I think it is one of our primary human functions, like speaking and breathing and crying. We can all do it. Happy for Betty and I hope she is seen more in the Diary, she has so much to share.
Moving. Thanks for that.
1
Yeah I've been told I can't sing, but I still sing. Just bought an electric guitar so I can play and sing with my granddaughter. I'm 72. She loves my singing.
2
I love to sing, but my singing is truly cringe-worthy, except to my LIL who loves to hear me sing "Don't You Know" adapted from an "Musetta's Waltz" from Puccini's La Boheme:
Don't you know
I have fallen in love with you
For the rest of my whole life through
Don't you know
I was yours from the very day
That you happened to come my way
Can't you see
I'm under your spell
By the look in my eyes
Can't you tell, can't you tell
Now, don't you know
Every beat of my heart keeps crying out
I love you so
Don't you know
Don't you know
Every beat of my heart keeps crying out
I love you so
Don't you know
Don't you know
I have fallen in love with you
For the rest of my whole life through
Don't you know
I was yours from the very day
That you happened to come my way
Can't you see
I'm under your spell
By the look in my eyes
Can't you tell, can't you tell
Now, don't you know
Every beat of my heart keeps crying out
I love you so
Don't you know
Don't you know
Every beat of my heart keeps crying out
I love you so
Don't you know
3
What a powerful indictment of the misguided music mis-education that keeps children from experiencing one of the most beautiful parts of being human.
And what a lovely tribute to senior choruses, which enrich so many lives. I sing in one of the largest independent senior choruses in the county, the Silvertones of Fort Collins, Colorado. We are 170 members strong this year and we bring joy to ourselves and our audiences.
And what a lovely tribute to senior choruses, which enrich so many lives. I sing in one of the largest independent senior choruses in the county, the Silvertones of Fort Collins, Colorado. We are 170 members strong this year and we bring joy to ourselves and our audiences.
11
And yet he/or she #Persisted!
5
❤️
3
My oldest daughter has an amazing voice. She's been in choir, done solos,
A cappella, musicals, theater. My middle daughter sometimes sings off tune and as siblings do, they criticize one another. When my oldest daughter gave her younger sister a hard time about her singer, I cut her off at the pass. "Stop being mean. Let your sister sing, a singing child is a happy child!"
A cappella, musicals, theater. My middle daughter sometimes sings off tune and as siblings do, they criticize one another. When my oldest daughter gave her younger sister a hard time about her singer, I cut her off at the pass. "Stop being mean. Let your sister sing, a singing child is a happy child!"
4
This reminds me of my college roommate, who was studying education and practice teaching. She had to teach her students to sing "La Marseillaise" (odd choice, thinking about it now, but we were still young enough to be accepting). Only problem, she was tone deaf. Her practicing in the dorm taught it to me (I have a good ear) to a certain point, but as she could not really carry the tune, my learning was imperfect. Hope her students got some remedial music education, too!
1
yes, you can. <3
2
Years ago, I was teaching first grade and the school's Music Teacher was conducting the class. She had the children sing a certain song as she walked around the room. Suddenly, she stopped the music, picked out certain children, and asked them not to sing the next time, after which she praised the remaining children for how well they sang. I stormed out to the principal's office and asked him never to let that teacher in my room again...I would teach my own music class. Fortunately, he listened to me. I hope ALL of my students had the opportunity to enjoy music through life!!
17
*T*H*A*N*K* *Y*O*U*. As a music teacher who works with all ages—especially adults—I always hear stories of elementary teachers who told someone they couldn't sing. I say to these adults, "And is there anything else that you couldn't instantly do as a child that you have later learned to do?" For some reason, being told once between the ages of about 6 and 10 that you can't sing seems to make a permanent impression. Especially worrisome as some people then grow up resenting the arts.
7
This brings back memories.
In 5th grade chorus I was given the choice of silently mouthing the words or staying back in the classroom and cleaning the blackboard.
In 5th grade chorus I was given the choice of silently mouthing the words or staying back in the classroom and cleaning the blackboard.
7
I sing flatter than flat. Ah well.....
I saw Pavarotti sing La Boheme at the Metropolitan Opera. Not a peep did I make. A few days later, it was on PBS and I watched it alone in my living room. I sang with Pavarotti, all the parts, all the boy parts, the girl parts, but only the famous arias. I had a wonderful time.
Yes, I sang with Pavarotti.
I saw Pavarotti sing La Boheme at the Metropolitan Opera. Not a peep did I make. A few days later, it was on PBS and I watched it alone in my living room. I sang with Pavarotti, all the parts, all the boy parts, the girl parts, but only the famous arias. I had a wonderful time.
Yes, I sang with Pavarotti.
23
This story is my absolute favorite!
6
Thank you! You give me hope!
13
Funny, sounds like Gordon and the Glockenspiel.
2
When our now 18-year-old son was a baby (maybe still under a year old) I was changing his diaper and singing to him. He raised his hand and put it over my mouth. I guess I can't sing well either.
19
I have such a visual of your baby covering your mouth and I can't stop laughing! I say, keep singing!
5
My third grade music teacher: "You should sing in the shower so nobody can hear." Third grade!
12
Beautiful.I love it.
7
That last jump in the timeline was over 60 years. Hoping you didn’t really have to wait that long for your joyous spirit to be appreciated. As the song goes, “don’t worry if it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear; just sing, sing your song.”
But just in case:
Tune of “When I’m 64”
When you are older, song in your heart
Eighty years from now
Will they still be telling you hey listen, dear
Your song just is not welcome here
Or will they see the joy that you bring
When you’re in the mix.
They love your spirit
Want to be near it
When you’re eighty-six
(but hoping it didn't take that long!)
But just in case:
Tune of “When I’m 64”
When you are older, song in your heart
Eighty years from now
Will they still be telling you hey listen, dear
Your song just is not welcome here
Or will they see the joy that you bring
When you’re in the mix.
They love your spirit
Want to be near it
When you’re eighty-six
(but hoping it didn't take that long!)
28
For sixty years I sang in the shower, to a very tolerant husband and nonjudgemental grandchildren while my children covered their ears. Thanks for your comments.
5
But everyone sounds good in the shower. I know cuz I've been "tolerated" for lo these many decades...
4
Love your story!
9
Love it!!
10
There is no music sweeter then the song of perseverance.
19
Ha ha, that is great Betty.....sing your heart out kiddo!
11
Thank for the smiles, and the satisfying send-off. 1953, PS 160, Brooklyn, fifth grade, similar story. Ms. Daley listened closely to each one of us as we sang the national anthem. To me she said, most authoritatively, "You, just move your lips."
Fortunately, not long after, with the blossoming of rock n roll I was allowed, and able, to take a minor role in informal street corner harmonies with an occasional 'dip-da-dip' or the like in as deep a voice as I could muster. Otherwise, from family and friends, and even strangers, it was and still is, "You, just move your lips.".
Fortunately, not long after, with the blossoming of rock n roll I was allowed, and able, to take a minor role in informal street corner harmonies with an occasional 'dip-da-dip' or the like in as deep a voice as I could muster. Otherwise, from family and friends, and even strangers, it was and still is, "You, just move your lips.".
13
My life story!
9
Brava!
9
Hurrah for Andy!
7
8 years old and singing my heart out as the class learns the Sound of Music. The teacher works her way each row asking who's making that silly noise. The class falls silent as she narrows it down to me. I stop singing and start miming for many many years. Last week, changing my baby's diaper, I suddenly belt out "Doh a deer, a female deer...". My daughter bubbles over with joy and laughter and yells along with me. Goodbye listener's/mimer's row indeed!
30
During WWII, students in the Bronx, (JHS 118) had to sing the national anthem without coaching. Every time I began to sing a teacher would cry out "I hear a listener singing!" She--most of the male teachers were at war--would glare as though one of us had praised Hitler, ready to pounce on the note flatener. I still don't sing but I did enlist in the Korean War to prove I was patriotic.
19
Dear Mr. Goldfarb,
Sing all you like and your joy will be contagious. My 99 year old mother brings smiles to all who hear her imperfect pitch because it makes her happy. Countless times she's been told "I love it when you sing".
Sing all you like and your joy will be contagious. My 99 year old mother brings smiles to all who hear her imperfect pitch because it makes her happy. Countless times she's been told "I love it when you sing".