Shelagh Sings
Belated #introduction
#Singer without a musical partner. Mom to two #furkids, Bastian and Sage.
Off & on I learn to play my #banjolele. Used to play #bodhran, love singing #irishfolksongs - there's a playlist on my #soundcloud.
Also sing #acapella - can't accompany myself worth a darn.
Challenged myself in 2021 to record a #songaday for the holidays - 10 songs total.
Hoping to learn how to add accompaniment tracks via #audacity going forward.
Let me know what you think of my rambly intro.
Feb 28, 2023 at 5:07amWeb
Show threadShelagh SingsFeb 28, 2023
FYI - my #soundcloud link - I ran out of characters in my intro.
https://soundcloud.com/shelaghc
shelaghc

Shelagh Collins is a free-lance soprano performing at weddings and memorial services. She previously was a soloist and part of the Sanctuary Choir at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh. Shelagh wa

SoundCloud
Show threadEther DiverFeb 28, 2023
@shelaghsings I haven't mess with the newest version, but audacity is a pretty easy platform for adding simple accompaniment, at least at a demo level. If you have any issues or questions, let me know. Again, not up to date with the latest version, but I've used the older versions professionally for years. Maybe this will give me an excuse to upgrade.
Show threadShelagh SingsMar 1, 2023
@etherdiver I've mostly been recording acappella using my cell phone over the last couple of years, tbh. I see so many singers on youtube with professional-sounding accompaniments and can't figure out how they work all that out. I'm assuming there's an outlet to get the back-ups, either that or they just use decent karaoke?
I'd like to emulate some of that - recording the audio, then lip syncing for the video (I guess?).
I just don't know where to find the resources or how to assemble it all.
Show threadEther DiverMar 1, 2023

@shelaghsings you might be able to find some loops to sing over via a service like Splice, or I know some people buy or lease beats from producers but I don't know how that works, not my scene.

If you play guitar/piano and wave to accompany yourself, it's pretty easy to record that.

You could also find a producer to work with locally or online, if collaboration interests you. Or learn production and make your own backing tracks, but that's a big commitment.

Show threadShelagh SingsMar 1, 2023
@etherdiver I can manage piano enough to find my notes when needed. But I've never played well enough to even consider accompanying. Same with guitar or any other instrument. That's part of the issue.
It's also been the issue for finding options to perform.
Show threadEther DiverMar 1, 2023
@shelaghsings Yeah, that limits options for sure. For traditional/popular songs, you may be able to find instrumental versions to sing over. For originals, you'll have to make it yourself, or find someone to do it for you (probably for money, one way or another).
Show threadEther DiverMar 1, 2023
@shelaghsings oh, if you can sort of play piano, you could get a basic DAW and record simple parts via MIDI, "fix" them via step editing/recording and use those as accompaniment.
Show threadShelagh SingsMar 1, 2023
@etherdiver I honestly don't play piano. I can plunk out notes to learn songs, play some chords, and use it for a modicum of composing.
I'm not a pianist in any universe.
Show threadEther DiverMar 1, 2023
@shelaghsings Hey, me either but that hasn't stopped me from producing full songs (~4 albums worth so far). With MIDI sequencing, or conceivably other methods such as smapling, you can use your knowledge as described to create a pretty professional, polished sounding accompaniment in a DAW...but it's going to be a bit of a learning curve. Audacity is not going to do it. Garage Band will if you are on Mac. On PC, there are many options but nothing bundled in, free and easy to use like GarageBand.
Show threadShelagh SingsMar 2, 2023
@etherdiver all that is more than I want to do right now. I want to sing and add an accompaniment.
Nothing more complicated than that.
Show threadSimon I Groove musicallyFeb 28, 2023
@shelaghsings I love your rambley intro! I also #sing #irishmusic on occasion and play the #banjo! Look forward to the toots!
Show threadShelagh SingsMar 1, 2023
@groovemd Here's my #Stpatricksday playlist from last year - with varying degrees of audio quality. I'd love your feedback!
https://soundcloud.com/shelaghc/sets/st-patricks-day-2022
St. Patrick's Day 2022

Shelagh Collins is a free-lance soprano performing at weddings and memorial services. She previously was a soloist and part of the Sanctuary Choir at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh. Shelagh wa

SoundCloud