Lessons

Another of my less happy musical memories stems from the two years that I spent living with my original ex. He had no job and liked to spend his days strolling about wasting time, otherwise singing. He may have had an above average vocal talent, but it was a talent he did nothing much about. He took lessons, without practicing afterwards at home. He busked, but earned very little and did not change his style to attract more coins. He did not look to obtain any gigs at local venues, so could not get any proper feedback. He did not bother getting some friends together and setting up a band, as most of my current friends do. He just sung and thought himself wonderful.

I went around with him, and attended a number of singing classes where he spent an hour every couple of weeks being tutored by a professional voice teacher. At the time, I thought this might lead to pushing him into taking his interest further. It turned out he still did not progress, but that is probably the fault of his will power and enthusiasm for not taking his voice to appropriate places.

The singing teacher once asked him to find some songs he would like to learn to sing. I made a few suggestions, based on his style of voice rather than preferred material. I was ignored; instead, he chose to sing this Rolling Stones song. I had not previously heard this song before, so had no idea if he was any good in comparison to the band at the time. I did not think much of his rendition, however. I did not like the song much and felt that it did not fit with his voice at all when he attempted to sing it. I thought that if he wished to pursue a career with his signing, or even just get a few gigs, he ought to try to sing songs that his voice suited. My opinion was ignored and he continued to practice Jumpin' Jack Flash. He never did master the song. The teacher took a dislike to his attitude to singing also, and suggested he stop attending. I have had nothing to do with my ex for over fifteen years now, but he certainly has not become a top forty singer!