Note: The sample MP3 is embedded at the end of this entry. You may also download it here.

I am not a singer, however, I do enjoy goofing around with different concepts like vocal phrasing and such. While living in Nashville, I did take a few singing lessons, where I was told I had ‘something’ (I think she was just trying to make me feel good). My love for music came from a variety of people, including my Grandmother (who once played piano), Mom (she has a beautiful voice when she’s serious) and my Dad (I recall him belting out tunes as a child). My most profound influence is Michael McDonald. I’ve spent many years and hours studying his live and recorded vocal techniques, analyzing every phrasing and breath. You could say I received an education in the ‘theory of singing’ from the man.

Usually, I’ll sing to get a feel for a song I’m writing — It’s my way of capturing what I hear in my head (you won’t believe how often I hear music) to gain a better understanding of the song’s structure, mood, energy, etc.

The little vocal I recorded here is from Michael McDonald’s ‘Peace‘. It’s a beautiful ballad co-written by McDonald and Beth Nielsen Chapman. The phrasing is a lot different from Michael’s — In fact, I didn’t have anything in particular in mind, it’s something I blurted out while being ‘In the Spirit‘ (which is actually the title of the album this song is from).

Anyway, you must promise me that you won’t tell anyone you heard this, okay? This is the first time I’ve ever shared my amateur music adventures in the public. I’ve got years of recordings, unfinished music and a lot of other crap. It’s only a hobby to tinker and learn new things. My only interest in any mainstream success would be as a songwriter and maybe a background vocalist / gabber.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.