No lightning bolts

[puddingcat]

Or spontaneous combustion, or large hand coming down from the heavens & squishing me like a bug.

Of all the things to do this lunchtime, I (rampant screaming atheist that I am) went to a carol service at the Town Hall. Not just any service; this one was organised by the Lawyers Christian Fellowship.

They didn't do The First Noel, which is my favouritest carol (of those written in English) ever, but it was still jolly good fun, and I behaved myself very well & didn't sing "washed their socks". Some students from the RNCM did a non-religious interlude (which gave me time to relax & stop thinking people were going to see my ankh and damn me to hell) - The Swan and a flute / piano piece that I didn't recognise.

I'm more confused than ever about my singing voice. I was comfortably matching the *men* we were sitting next to. Do women sing tenor?

I wish I could believe in god(s/ess/es). Everyone seemed so happy & full of christmas cheer, all because of faith.

Comments

[tooth-fairy.livejournal.com]

I've not heard of many women tenors but I presume it possible. Most women are soprano or alto

[phil-girl.livejournal.com]

There's 'Contralto' which is inbetween Tenor and Alto, which isn't used much.

I think..... I could be wrong on this one!

[norfolkian.livejournal.com]

Yeah, women can manage tenor. You're probably an alto. I can match most male voices in pop songs. 0_0

I'm full of Christmas cheer because I get four weeks off from studying, there is good TV on and nice food. Does that make me bad?!

[puddingcat.livejournal.com]

I know some Eagles stuff, John Lennon, and most Carpenters is comfortable for me. Cher tends to go too high, and when I sing to Tori Amos I have to drop down an octave.

Mum sings alto, except when she has a cold - then she has a proper counter-tenor range :)

[riksowden.livejournal.com]

Could be you're an Alto...as i recall thats a low womans part which is often the same as a Tenor, though i think you do get lass Tenors...its been a long while since i was in the choir!

[norfolkian.livejournal.com]

We had a male alto in our choir!

[nannyo.livejournal.com]

you probably have a nice broad range alto. Match the high parts for the men, and the low parts for the women.
N.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure they'd consider you damnable for wearing an ankh and they seemed to be the educated sort.

I'm more disturbed by the concept of a Christian Lawyer Fellowship, though. :oP

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

I'm low alto, which means I can't reeeally get to the top of an alto range (no practice ever) and I can get a bit lower than most female altos. I tried singing some male countertenor stuff and I couldn't nearly reach the top of it. I conclude I am between alto and tenor.

[lark-ascending.livejournal.com]

I'm very definitely a soprano, but I can sing some tenor parts an octave or so higher. Were you matching the men note-for-note, or singing the same thing higher?

Also don't take the festive pleasure wossname to be entirely faith-based. I'm the biggest skeptic out there yet I went right through school cheerfully belting out Christmas carols simply because they're fun. I'm far less comfortable with the Xtian sentiments these days, butthe music is still great - don't underestimate how many people may have less trouble being hypocritical about carol services than you do ;-)

[puddingcat.livejournal.com]

I was definitely matching them, and getting odd looks for it.

I love the tunes of carols, but feel awkward singing about something I consider about as true as Ring a Ring o' Roses - i.e. based loosely on fact, but twisted into the realms of make believe. If *everyone* i'm with feels the same, it's not so bad - just a group having fun - but being surrounded by Believers^TM males me twitchy. I'm not sure why.

[strangefrontier.livejournal.com]

I sing tenor! With a bit of effort, I can put on my opera voice and manage La Donna E Mobile or Nessun Dorma. Sort of. :) Maybe I should do that in a phone post one day!

[puddingcat.livejournal.com]

Oooh, yes! A phone post, to pain all my Most Hated Friends just in time for christmas!

[rms.livejournal.com]

I find the concept of Christian Lawyers slightly odd. Do they only defend good innocent people/causes/corporations?

No you dont

[dragonmamma.livejournal.com]

have to be a believer. I have often been found lurking at Carol Concetrts, since the music is wonderful, and there's usually lots of candles and pretty lights and the feel good factor is high. Even if you dont believe in the fairy story it's still a very nice "aah " sort of time.
I've always assumed that women can be tenors as I can match Lee wotsit on "Wandering Star" (well I'min the same range but not necessarily on the same note at the same time!!) but cant get much above middle C to E. When I was at school our Drama Queen Music teacher called us 1st,2nd and 3rd sopranos depending on how low our normal range was. (3rd was lowest) Mind you she usually asked me to shut up as I had the infallible knack of sending the whole class "off" if I got enthusiastic about a song!!!