11. Learning to Sing on Key, Part 1

Who doesn’t love to sing?

For me, though, singing holds both pleasure and pain. When I’m alone or with my kids, I sing my heart out, despite their rolled eyes and cries of “Mom, please!” Around other people I rein in my cringe-worthy voice.

A music teacher at school once asked me to mouth the words. I was that kid.

The one who received sideways glances and raised eyebrows whenever I dared to sing in front of my peers.

Who, one beer-fueled night at college, went along with my friends when they put me up to a contest against another kid to see who sang more off-key (he “won” so I guess there’s that …).

I know I’ll never sing well, but I strive for simple competence; singing Jingle Bells or You Are My Sunshine without swerving off the melodic cliff would make me very happy.

Once, years ago, I saw a 60 Minutes segment that featured a class full of adults who sang as poorly as I did. After just a few weeks, they could all hold a tune. Some of them, if I recall correctly, even went Christmas caroling for the first time. Maybe there’s hope, I thought. Someday I’ll learn …

Someday, it turns out, is now. I have “learning to sing on key” on my list of adventures, so I found myself in the Brighton apartment of Akela Franklin, making silly noises and attempting to match the beautiful notes coming out of her mouth as we sang Amazing Grace.

With Nichola and voice teacher Akela Franklin.

I convinced my friend from the dog park, Nichola, to join me for an introductory lesson with Akela. Like me, Nichola loves to sing but takes pity on those listening. While we were surely a departure for Akela, a professional soprano with an extensive background in classical vocal pedagogy and choral training who usually teaches kids, she welcomed us warmly and used her experience to make the lesson both challenging and engaging.

I was up first, while Nichola videotaped and had a few good laughs. Who knew that singing required so much physical work? We started out with some loosening up and breathing exercises, then moved into silliness when Akela made some noises and I tried to match them. Then onto attempts to match pitch when she played notes on the keyboard, and finally singing a few bars of Amazing Grace.

Okay, deep breath here … the videos show “highlights.” I never, ever thought I’d put myself singing on the Internet for all to see, but here goes. I hope you get a good laugh out of it!

When my lesson was done, I got to watch Nichola. She did a much better job than I did, but sorry, you don’t get to see that.

Akela reassured me that I’m not tone deaf - most people aren’t - and that there’s hope for me. So stay tuned …

Akela Franklin Voice Studio: $25 for a half-hour lesson