Hello
I have always liked this song from Porgy and Bess. I am thinking of what to do for Stalybridge. I "sing" this to myself anyway, so wondered if, with some help from my tutor, I would be able to achieve singing it in July.

What do you think? Is it too ambitious for a Gde 1 (hopefully!!) singer? All comments/advice welcome.

Thank you.

It's tricky DC, but all depends on your voice. You can always transpose it to fit. Buy it on line and the Scorch editor will do all that bit for you!

Until I hear you I don't know!

If you enjoy it then it's likely you'll sing it well....it is tricky though...and depends what your top notes are like... Trinity have it as a Grade 6. Yes you could transpose it but it might lose its dreamy,soaring character. Have a go.

You have good taste DC!

I'm hoping to sing it for AH Music this year, and that makes it around the Grade 5/6 level - but if you like it, why not go for it? Good luck, we'll have to compare notes on it if you decide to look at it

Sorry to add my bit Daisy, but it isn't an easy song to sing well, and it is high! I hate hearing it sung lower than the original and I think that certain songs should never be transposed. Operatic arias, numbers from musicals and oratorio stuff never should. Why not go for some Schubert or an accompanied folk song? The Last Rose of Summer would suit your voice well. The best guide is your teacher of course. See what he thinks. Jolly well done for singing at Leeds by the way. You were very brave and you pulled it off well.

Thanks everyone...I just thought with time limits, I would go with something I'm familiar with. I don't know if I know the Last Rose of Summer, though I may know it if I heard it!!!

Thanks for your comments re Leeds!! xx

Will have a word with my tutor and see what he thinks.

Good luck to you too, Fiona! xx

As someone who's completely ignorant of the technical demands of singing - what is it that makes Summertime difficult?

It's a beautiful tune, one I love to play and it isn't particularly difficult on sax, the chord progression is a variation on a minor blues, so nothing difficult in there. The backing track version I have is in concert D minor and when I play it on tenor I may choose to play it as written or down an octave (i.e. as written for tenor sax). I'm happy with the sound of either, and it's quite nice having the freedom to switch between octaves. There's obviously something that makes it more demanding vocally, so I'm curious to find out what it is.

I don't know about anything else, but the original is HIGH.

Summertime is difficult because it stays around the top end of the singer's range and calls for some very well controlled singing up there, softly which takes loads of support . It needs to be sung in the right style too with some gentle glissandi and some very subtle back phrasing here and there. Also some of the phrases should be sung without breaks for the singer to take in great gasps of air! I have heard some performances ruined by poor phrasing and lack of breath control.

OK. I doubt the jazz singers versions I listen to are in the original key then.

Hi petal Can I throw in my two penn'th worth .... You did brilliantly at Leeds - I was really proud of you because I know you weren't originally going to sing on your own, but when St George and I dropped out after the first verse of Moon River and you started singing the second verse on your own ... well I don't know what it sounded like to the audience but on stage it sounded really special .... Which is why it would be such a shame to follow that triumph with a song that risks you not being able to do yourself justice. It's like me wanting to perform Moonlight Serenade or something... I keep trying it at home because I've got an arranged version and I can play all the right notes in the right order now but it really wouldn't be a good idea for me to perform it in public, not for a long time yet. Singing a difficult song, and risking not being able to pull it off triumphantly, could knock your confidence and that's the last thing you want.

But don't take any notice of me luvvy, I'm just a lowly student who wants you to do well. But your other best friend is a singing teacher and she knows what she's talking about! Is there anything from the Grade 2 list that you could make a start on? Santa Lucia's lovely, not that I want to sway you or anything

But do whatever your teacher says! Like wot I do

What lovely comments...thank you..**Dabs eyes with tissue** To me it sounded a bit odd with my ear as it is at the moment, but I think I hit most of the notes in tune!!

OK...I will just have to sing Summertime in the bath for a bit longer!!!! Yes, Santa Lucia is lovely, and I will think about this one.

I don't believe for a minute you do what your teacher suggests, Skyers!!!

Thanks again everyone XX

I'm doing it right now - melodic minors

Look forward to hearing whatever you decide upon at Stalybridge

The new contenders (so far!!) are Edelweiss and Santa Lucia...

Only do Edelweiss if the sound of me blubbing won't put you off

I love that song as well!
I wonder if you like all the music I like! (I know I like Beethoven too )

Oooh dear skyers, sweet...

Wossy!! "Keep an eye on this girl...one day she will give the world something to talk about" !!

Nope - the original is far higher than say, Ella Fiztgerald sang it, unless my memory is faulty. (Personally I prefer the lower jazz singer versions, but... ya know, that's just the way it is! )

Well, this is the sort of key I would be singing it in..I know I haven't a hope of singing in the original key...and I really like it...and...oh dear...I still think I want to give it a go...and my tutor has gone sick for tonight..wouldn't you know it..!!!

Oh yes...mmost definitely Daisy!

That's just typical about your tutor! - at least you're not going to catch anything though!

Santa Lucia is lovely... and a lot safer. You'll get to do summertime one day, but do consider singing it transposed for your voice. Its a grade6-8 song in its original key, but sing it like a Jazz Standard rather than an Operatic Aria, and the technical difficulties associted with its tessiatura are avoided. It's then a case of good breath control.

Wish I could be a Stalybridge... still trying to twist hubby's arm. His Panis Angelicus is lovely.

you've got until the end of the month.

Strangely enough I've just started looking at the piano music and am thinking about asking my teacher if she thinks its a good piece for me to try. Opinion from Petrat gratefully received!

Think I'd be able to play it judging by my first attemps. Just looked at my note book - "Smoke gets in your eyes" took me about 7 weeks from my first attempt with my teacher (17th April) to playing it at Leeds (2nd of June). Hadn't really looked at it until then. Could have done with more formal rehearsals on a stage to be honest, but I was playing it fine on my own piano at home (Then you can say that about anything - you should have heard me rattle through the Goldberg variations when I got home from the pub last night!!!)

The version of Summertime that I have is published by international music publications (red cover, re order ref 03687 on the back) and is piano - vocal- chords score. It has no arranger name on it so presumably as written by George himself. Doesn't look too hard - written in A minor highest note for the vocal part is E.

Fantastic piece of music anyway, I really can undertsand why you woudl want to sing it.

This song is on my 'for later' list. I definitely want to be able to sing it, and used to sing it to my sons when they were little, but I know it's too difficult for me at the moment. The good thing is, by the time I'm ready for it, I know I'll be able to sing it in the original key.

Edit: Just checked: the AB syllabus gives the range as F#-F#.

Great minds, Stumac! Well, I can manage that E as I'm singing it in my lessons already...

Yes it is a lovely piece of music! Are you coming to Stalybridge by any chance??!

Thanks for your e-mail Skylark! Will PM if your box is empty!

It doesn't look as if my email made any difference though - you seem to have your heart set on it!

Hey ho, you teachers - you're so... so... so stubborn!



(Still not cleared my PM box I'm afraid, and I have to go again now, duty calls - well in theory anyway (sorry, another dreadful play on words )

I shall be frank - my one attempt at accompanying in public was an absolute *disaster* - many people on the formum were there, I gave a stonking solo of a Chopin Mazurka, which at the time was probably my best ever performance, and then fell to bits trying to accampany.

Kayjay and I have talked about me accompanying here to play "smoke gets in youyr eyes" at Stayly ridge - quite up for that but, for me, it's very definately a case of getting back on the horse after you've been thrown!

In fact it's a wonderful sign A sign of how well these forums work - 'Katyjay's so good I'm sure she'll be able to carry on nn matter what - but it's not often not a rank amateur like me gets the chance to accompany someone like her!! Anyway, definetely pencil it in that at some future date I may be persuaded to try and accomapny you singing "Summertime" !!

Sorry to hear of your experience. Yes, I'm sure you'll be fine with KJ! Ok...perhaps for Leeds next year?? No pressure! Thank you x


OK Folks...I give up!!! Santa Lucia it is for Stalybridge!!

In the score of Porgy and Bess it's in B minor, highest vocal note top B (right at the end). Most jazz singers will certainly sing it MUCH lower than this, and it would also be legit for opera singers to bring it down somewhat for a recital.

What he said.

Well...I think my mind is made up to leave Summertime...maybe..perhaps..

Anyway, today I have been trying to do searches for the English lyrics to Santa Lucia..so far with no success. I'm not brave enough to attempt the Italian lyrics, so if anyone has the English translation, or can point me in the right direction, I would be grateful, please. I think my tutor has them, but I won't be seeing him now for a couple of weeks.

Thank you.

I do have the lyrics to Summertime though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've got a solution to your dilemma luvvy....


Appleblossom sings Summertime
DaisyChain sings Santa Lucia
Charlies Aunt sings Edelweiss
Liddy sings Show Me the Way to Home


Sorted!

Now why didn't "we" think of that!!! What does Jill do though??

xxx

I was wondering that myself! How about...The Terrapin Song?

OOh does this mean that if Hubby and I get to Stalybridge there's the chance of another OLTVA ensemble.

(I'd only "count" as an accompanist, as alothough I continue to learn as an adult, I learnt the bulk of my music between 1977-1991)

As it's not a forum only event then I don't think that the OLTVA would be entirely appropriate.
Sorry.

Liddy and Addy are old pros and would think themselves far above an adult learners' concert you will all be very relieved to know. Petra may be able to come as a listener though if she is allowed in.

Liddy and Addy are "resting" !!!

Jill does piano accompaniment


















...... or clarinet ....

What...all four songs at once????!!



What about the recorder!!!!

....so if anybody has the English lyrics to Santa Lucia I would be grateful..thank you!!!

"Now 'neath the silver moon ocean is glowing,
O'er the calm billow soft winds are blowing.
Here balmy breezes blow;pure joys invite us.
And as we gently row, all things delight us.
Hark, how the sailor's cry joyously echoes nigh:
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!
Home of fair poesy,* realm of pure harmony.
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!"

International Folk Songs for Solo Singers arranged by Jay Althouse.

*a poem or verse

Hope this helps.

Thank you AnnC!!

Petra would be very welcome as a listener.

Any adult students you can interest in taking part?

Have you got them now?...International folk songs

Thank you...I now have the score and lyrics to Santa Lucia!!

Well. . . .I'm doing it for my Grade7 and it can be tricky.
However it depends on your range coz for my it's not really high at all, as for singing it in a lower key, well I regard that as cheating. It's the sustained notes which make it 'hard' to sing!

I love the tune 2 tho

Hi DC! Just thought I'd update you quickly, seeing as you've decided to look at Santa Lucia instead. I was given the music for Summertime today, and we're starting work on it on Monday . I haven't heard Santa Lucia before, but I'm sure we've got it in the music department somewhere so I'll try and hunt it out!

Good luck!! Are you singing it in the original key??!!

Yes Well, the top note is either F sharp or G, so I think it is. I sang Pie Jesu last year though, and if I remember correctly that had a G in it too...

A quick update - the original key of "Summertime" is B minor. And while it doesn't go stratospherically high (although some of the solos in Porgy & Bess do) it does need tons of control to sing properly.

I've got it in the key of A minor (if my memory serves me right) and the first note is E.