New Year’s Resolutions –
Do you make them? Do you break them within thirty days and return to your cocoon? Or, do you become a busy spider, eager to weave a web to catch new tidbits and things?
As you may know, music stirs my soul and keeps me vibrant and rapt for everyday life, which has potential to dissolve into tedium. Many rock concerts attended and danced through until my knees complained too insistently to allow kicking up my heels. Because I am geezer adjacent, I’ve had to adapt. I can still groove, though I remain seated in my chair.
It’s a new year and time to resolve to change one’s life, even if the alteration is minuscule. I’ve resolved to sing aloud more often, though joining a choral group isn’t my thing. Going to the frequent group practice sessions consigns me to a schedule and I’m reveling in the freedom that retirement brings.
I’ve decided to Karaoke! (mike drop)
It’s a public commitment. ‘Tis. It opens one up to the embarrassment of singing off-key, though not knowing the words is handled – they’re printed on a screen so all one must do is follow the bouncing ball. (wink-wink)
There’s a dual purpose to my resolution. Research into how to prevent mental decline suggests that learning a NEW skill is one of the best remedies for brain atrophy. While singing is a lifelong pursuit, karaoke is a new and freak-out-worthy endeavor for me.
So I delved into research – because that’s what writers do – and stacked the deck for my success. I’ve learned how to select a suitable song for my first karaoke attempt:
- select the appropriate time period, which pre-selects the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, U2 faves, which are 60s-80s
- select the mood = lively, dancing tunes! Whoopee!
- select a song in your vocal range. In my case, contralto, I’d be better off with Pink and Lady Gaga (I know, I know, it’s none of my pre-selects) and Whitney Houston. Maybe I should mime Pat Benetar –
- don’t sing to show off… it’s a set-up to fall on your face! Publically!
- sing what you like (see item one) and have fun, which for me is the bottom line for any endeavor.
P.S. I’m a long-term member of the Insecure Writers Support Group. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com
Every month member participants receive a contemplative prompt or question…
January 4 question – Do you have a word of the year? My response: lifelong learning!
Yes, learning new things is supposed to help us as we age. Karaoke sounds like something fun to try. I’ve always wanted to learn to sing on key. Good luck with learning new things this year.
Thanks for the encouragement, Natalie. I’ll check your blog in a minute to learn your word for the year – and wish you good luck, too
Well why not? That will be a new skill. We used to have a Playstation Karaoke game and played it all the time. You’ll have fun.
Thanks, because ‘having a blast’ is a life goal – and I am, Alex. I am.
Sooo….what’s your song?? My first karaoke song was with a group for my 22nd birthday — Goodbye Earl, by the (formerly Dixie) Chicks. We sang it again this year right before #43. I hadn’t sung it in ages, but I still had it. The first song I did solo was “These Boots are Made for Walking.”
The most fun I’ve ever had with a karaoke song, though was “Ice Ice Baby.”
The song I’d like to do next is “Stay” by Lisa Loeb.
Thanks for the read and your ideas, J. I haven’t had an opportunity to try out karaoke, though I like your selections… “Ice, Ice Baby” would be fun!