Has listening to Hayley affected your singing?

[petertong]

Hi,

I was just wondering if the other HW fans that love singing (on their own - in a layperson sort of way - in the shower - if you get my point i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif) have noticed that after singing to their Hayley CDs that their vocal range has increased?

I've always enjoyed singing, but never had an excuse to go home and sing to an artists CD until I started listening to HW... but I do love singing along to "Pure" myself and noticed that I can hit higher notes than I could before (and without straining). I first noticed this when singing in church (I thought to myself "hey I used to have problems with that note!"). Its also strange because after listening to Hayley sing I can see the sound in my head (hard to explain). Anyways its made singing more enjoyable for me... very cool. Maybe its just normal that if you sing more than normal that your voice expands a bit...

Anyone else have any similar experiences?

Peter T

[Andrew]

Hi Peter,

Many thanks for raising a very interesting question... Over the last 10 years I have been singing with a Gospel choir (which regularly tours to South Africa). Choral singing has interested me for a number of years, but it wasn't until early 2005 that I actually approached a professional singing tutor and later auditioned for a large choral in Edinburgh-The 'Edinburgh Royal Choral Union'. (David our other 'HWI' member from Scotland also happens to be a member of the 'ERCU' too- we both sing as second tenors!) My singing tutor who formerly performed as an opera singer, taught me about supporting the voice in addition to some useful breathing exercises too. I'll have to improve my sight singing quite a bit though- I have been told that this will improve with regular practice though! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif I have lots to learn yet but singing lessons and regular practice definitely help to build the confidence (providing that one has very tolerant neighbours!) i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif Although very few people have a natural singing gift like Hayley has, I'm sure she motivates many people to want to develop or improve their singing! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Andrew

[Oksana]

Yes, it has.. nowadays, I can't sing without moving my hands the way she does. I can also sing higher, and I've been teaching myself to do vibrato properly (Hayley's vibrato is flawless!). I don't usually sing outside of the shower or living room, but lately, I've been having fun busking, particularly at bus stops. But the only difference between me and Hayley is that I always stop when somebody walks by!!

And, although this has nothing to do with singing, I've definitely been acquring a taste for v-neck, empire-waist tops, too.

Oksy

[Mark]

Hi everyone

This is a very interesting question Peter. I am certainly no singer and wouldn't dare go busking but I can sing in tune and do regularly sing in the shower, whilst washing the car, cooking and when driving i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif. Obviously, I am singing Hayley's songs and when I think about it, I have suddenly realised that I am reaching some notes that I am sure I couldn't previously of hit . I notice this particularly when I am singing along with a Hayley song. I thought it was just me ! All I need now is to learn the full lyrics, as I tend to hum the bits I am not sure of

Mark.

[mariannek]

Hi there,
This post could be off-topic (for the first time?!).
I have never been able to sing to my satisfaction, and consequently refrain from it !!
As far back as I can remember though, I have had an ear and a taste for
all things classical...even though no one introduced me to that genre during my childhood !
My first bought classical record was the Ninth Symphony of Beethoven !!
During a number of years not being able to listen to music at all, I can now listen to Hayley anytime all the time !! She brought me out of my *musical isolation* !!!
I do not sing with her, but I am in awe of her voice !!!
Love, Marianne

[petertong]

Wow... a bunch of shower singers we are... Awesome

She certainly does motivate me in my singing. I love singing to Hine Hine... there is no way I can keep up with Quanta Qualia though esp since I am a bass . I don't like singing low though unfortunately, but higher up.

I've really never understood what supporting the voice means... I can tell when I'm straining, so I do different things to help relax up there, and then I can go higher I'd like to know exactly what is happening with the voice box and then perhaps I can use what is there as best as possible.

Peter

PS: I whistle all the time and really also love whistling to Hayley's music. She is the only singer I know that when I whistle in accompaniment - that her voice and the whistling will do the "resonance thing". It kind of makes it fun. The "resonance thing" is hard to explain A kind of wowowowow phenomenon going on

[Richard]

Hello Peter and everybody!

I'm not a singer by any means, and I certainly couldn't compete with Hayley! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

There is some interesting information about singing at Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singing

Best Wishes,

Richard

[Russ]

Listening to Hayley hasn't affected my singing much, but it is affecting others around me much more. Imagine four dogs and one girlfriend running for cover when I start belting out a tune !!

I've noticed that when singing Dave Matthews songs, that I can reach his high notes (in "Satellite" for instance), a lot easier and can hold the note a lot longer than when I first started singing his songs. I guess practice does make perfect!


Russ

[kimmie]

Hey guys,

I'm not the best singer, but I'm not the worst either. I guess I'm somewhere in between but listening to Hayley's stuff has definitely helped me improve. If she hits high notes, I always try to push my voice to get there even if I can't. Over time I've noticed that I do sound better because of it. Practice makes perfect.

I, too, am in absolute awe of Hayley's voice. It's like being transported into another world. When she sings her spiritual stuff, listening to it is like having having a major spiritual experience daily, like you just know God is listening to her and you can totally feel his presence. Especially when she sings. Mary, Did You Know? Ever time I hear her version of that song, after it ends, I just sit there and think, WOW...well if Mary didn't know, I sure do! Her version of that song is INCREDIBLE!

[comet]

Hi Kimmie.
Welcome.,

There are two versions of Mary did you know available,

the one on Pure is BRILLIANT......................

The one on "My gift to you" is even better

comet

[hayleymc]

hi all!....well my singing is about the same as it's always been.In my band(all girls band) i'm in I've noticed my singing is improveing a little but not that much.I would luv to be able to sing like Hayleyw tho.To perhaps sing at church choir or something like that.

[petertong]

kimmie said:

Hey guys,

I'm not the best singer, but I'm not the worst either. I guess I'm somewhere in between but listening to Hayley's stuff has definitely helped me improve. If she hits high notes, I always try to push my voice to get there even if I can't. Over time I've noticed that I do sound better because of it. Practice makes perfect.

I, too, am in absolute awe of Hayley's voice. It's like being transported into another world. When she sings her spiritual stuff, listening to it is like having having a major spiritual experience daily, like you just know God is listening to her and you can totally feel his presence. Especially when she sings. Mary, Did You Know? Ever time I hear her version of that song, after it ends, I just sit there and think, WOW...well if Mary didn't know, I sure do! Her version of that song is INCREDIBLE!

Hi Kimmie,

I am a lover of beauty (esp those beautiful things that are unseen and above), and I have to say that what you expressed is at its essence why I love listening to Hayleys voice. Its just a God given gift that is just so plainly out there. We all have been given gifts to bless others with, but Hayley has been given one that can bless so many. I'm sure the joy is welling up and bubbling up when Hayley sings for folks like us that appreciate/can receive the gift. Very cool. A gift can become something other than a blessing if its unbalanced though (and Hayley seems wise and seems to know this from what I can perceive)....

I'm amazed at how many of you have mentioned church, gospel choir, etc... i wonder if quite alot of Hayley's fan base are Christians as well. I'm so tempted to call in and request one of her songs on the local Christian radio station... i think starting off with Amazing Grace or Benedictus would do nicely - whadyall think?

PS: I just wanted to say also that I've never been on a bulletin board with so many *nice* people... its really refreshing Some folks on here are quite the characters too

[Richard]

Hello Peter!

I think requesting Hayley on your Christian radio station is a great idea. 'Abide With Me' would be the best choice, as it's on her latest album 'Celtic Treasure' in the USA.

Best Wishes from London,

Richard

[roger]

Yes, listening to Hayley has affected my singing. It has caused me to stop because I know when I'm beaten!

In response to Peter's comment about church, gospel choirs, etc, although I have not previous mentioned it on this forum, I did spend four years singing and playing guitar in a gospel group many years ago.

Certainly you should request that a Christian radio station plays something by Hayley and I agree with Richard that 'Abide With Me' would be the ideal choice at the moment.

Roger

[petertong]

roger said:

Yes, listening to Hayley has affected my singing. It has caused me to stop because I know when I'm beaten!

In response to Peter's comment about church, gospel choirs, etc, although I have not previous mentioned it on this forum, I did spend four years singing and playing guitar in a gospel group many years ago.

Certainly you should request that a Christian radio station plays something by Hayley and I agree with Richard that 'Abide With Me' would be the ideal choice at the moment.

Roger

Hi Roger,

Ha. I know when I'm beaten too (even by a 19 year old phenom). Given how encouraging folks are here I think we could take your singing i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I didn't know what song you folks were speaking of until today when I received Treasure in the mail from the UK today . I really love that Abide in Me song. I was smiling so it must mean that I like it. I'll definitely see if I can get them to play it.

Abide in me is so sweet in that there is so little accompaniment - just Hayleys voice in parts. Lovely!

I'm going to enjoy singing to this new album too.

best,
Peter


PS: Way way OT... On thing I'm not fond of - this new album has shown me that I am *way way way * too nitpicky - it says that the Westenra family came to NZ in 1850, but it was actually early Oct 1851 when they arrived.... I think it also mentions the plaque at ChristChurch Cathedral. I know its hard to believe but I think the military unit that Capt. Westenra served in was *not* the unit on the plaque Another tidbit that Hayley's forebears/relatives probably did not know at the time... the Governor General of NZ for about 3 years during the period 1890 or so after her forebears had been there for a few decades was also a direct descendant of the original Westenra that came over from Holland... I thought that was cool!

Aside from my own nitpickiness for details, I really like how Hayley emphasized history, and the long term outlook - and how she looks beyond her own life to generations to come that she may affect with her music. That is really astounding coming from a 19 year old I think. Maybe I need to stop thinking of Hayley as a 19 year older, and think of her as someone much more mature.