Vocal Lessons, Part 1.

So many of you know that I've been taking lessons with the Vocal Guru Ankh Ra (you may remember him from Diddy's Making the Band: 4 with Day 26). I have to say that seeing him has been a growth experience. Because I'm experiencing such growth, he challenged me to start a "diary" about his sessions. Since I dont do DIARIES, I figured i'd utilize my blog to share some of the learnings--which is really convenient considering the new direction I'm headed with this blog.

Anywho, I have some catching up to do considering that I've seen him now 3 times. So this blog is dedicated to the recap:

Session 1: The Intro
So I was taken aback at first that I met up with THE Ankh Ra from TV. I had met him at the 75th anniversary of the Apollo (thanks again Chelz for being great!). I expressed my desire to sing and my willingness to take the next step with my voice. I met with him, and I realized something. I had a lot of work to do. I'll just sum it up in the things I learned. 1) I'm really negative with this singing thing. The phrase "I Can't" was a commonplace in that first session. 2) I have decide what I want out of singing (am I serious about it, am I doing Gospel, R&B, make up your mind). and 3) He gave me a lot of techniques that showed my vocal weakness. I had a lot to think about....

Session 2: I Can't Be Stopped
In true Marcus nature, I came back with a vengence and conquered every single challenge mentioned before. I had a new attitude (no more I Can't...only I Will!!). I decided that my singing wasnt just for me, but for those I'm looking to reach. I killed that one. And I definitely mastered all of the vocal techniques that he had shown me. I was sitting on top of the world. So he left me with a challenge. Let see you live through whatever song you decide to sing....I GOT THIS!

Session 3: The Humbling
So I came in on my high horse again...ready to show Ankh that I am the man. He showed me some new vocal Training exercises. I stubbled a bit, but I still felt I could not be stopped. We did our breathing and our warm-up. Smooth...I did that okay as well. Then it was time to work on my singing. I chose to sing "I'll Trust You Lord" by Donnie McClurkin--a song I felt I could relate to very well (see post about officer 184...that jerk..lol). Well, I tried to sing the high part of the second verse "but will you trust that I can help you.....will you trust me child no matter come whaaat maaaaay." I'll just say...I STUNK UP THE JOINT. Ankh beat me up soo bad, until the point he just told me that I should sing it in a key more suitable for a Baritone.

Oh man, how that depressed me. I always loved being the guy who could sing higher than everybody else. And now Ankh Ra breaks me by suggesting that I dont have the range I thought I had. SMH. Darn you Puberty...Darn you Flem that just sits in my throat year-round.

I have a session this Saturday (8/22) with him. Will our hero come out on top...or will he be broken again? Tune in next time (after Saturday). Same Chunk URL, Same Chunk Blog.....