Please stop singing

After hearing yet another awful rendition of "Happy Birthday" in a local restaurant, I realized a few things :

1. The majority of the population does not sing well.
2. #1 doesn't stop all those people from singing in public.

Think about it.  Most people don't consider themselves singers, yet will always join in on "Happy Birthday" at the restaurant or "Don't Stop Believing" at the karaoke bar.  People love to sing!

First, let me just say that the two songs that are sung in public often - "Happy Birthday" and "The National Anthem"  - are both difficult songs to sing well.  They both have wide ranges, that is, there is a large distance between the lowest and the highest notes in the song.  

Actually, most people do ok on the first part of "Happy Birthday":

      (please listen along in your head :)  )

       "Happy Birthday to you, (green GO)

       Happy Birthday to you, (caution)

       Happy BIRTH (argh! STOP!) day dear whosie whatsit, 

       Happy Birthday to you!" (Congrats!  The song is in a new key - not a good thing :(  )

Did you hear it?  Next time you're in a restaurant, pay special attention to the third "Happy Birthday".  That's where the melody jumps up an octave.  Ok...no more music theory in this post...just know that's where it all goes downhill!

So, I know you're concerned about this.  You're probably wondering

• Am I one of those people who sings badly in public?
• How can I protect my child against these embarrassing experiences?

Fear not! If your child receives music training before the age of 7, they can develop their musical ear - that is the ability to tell if something is in tune, on key, or in other words - it sounds good.

But beware.....they might tell you to stop singing!