Hobby Thread - March 28, 2026 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. When you follow the long and windy road, you end up with singing as a theme for this Hobby Thread.

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What are you hobbying?

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. All (legal) hobbying is welcome. I understand that some people pay attention to military hardware, tactics and strategy as a hobby. Discussion of current events permitted but must be made in the form of hobby commentary. Pants are optional. As always, puns are welcome and encouraged.

Play nice and do not be rude. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

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Your dino host is not known for being able to carry a tune. Dinosaurs in general are ranked lower in the animal kingdom on the scale of singers (and probably rank below most humans). You trying making "RAWR!" melodic.

Some among the Horde, however, are likely to be blessed. Do you sing in a church choir? Did you sing in a children's choir? Have you appeared on a stage and made music with a band?

Are you are a terrible singer, but love belting out the classics in the shower? Are you wise in the way of karaoke? Have you done karaoke in Japan?

Have you taken singing lessons? Have you had formal schooling? Have you sung professionally? Do you wish you tried but life took you in other directions? Have you sung at a friend's wedding or a family member's funeral?

Do you have horror stories of singing at your youth holiday concert recital? Do you have epic stories of when you carried a tune (whether good or bad)?

Have you sung in a venue that was special, such as a cathedral? Have you sung at an event that was special, such as a national anthem for a big game?

Let's limit the theme to voice. Musical instruments are an entirely different category.

Let's also keep this to YOUR singing. This is a hobby thread. There are plenty of other music threads to debate "the singer of my favorite band rocks" and "the singer of your favorite band sux."

Going to need help from the gray boxes on this one. You don't want to hear me sing. Trust me on that. If you are unable or uninterested in singing, whistling is an acceptable substitute.

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Beethoven to get started:

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Has anyone been in a Barbershop Quartet?

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Rick Beato with his top 20 vocal intros:

Any you've tried to emulate?

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Watch this video in the privacy of your own home. Attempt making musical sounds at your computer or phone. Report back.

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Is twelve hours sufficient?

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Hallelujah:

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Tennessee Whiskey:

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When the audience is the instrument:

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This will give you goosebumps. This video is a longer story of a TikTok video that went viral of an American singing acapella in a Spanish church. Skip ahead to the 5 minute mark if you just want to watch the singing.

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This is a personal favorite:

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Any paratroopers among the Horde?

If you prefer the traditional version of the song: Battle Hymn of the Republic with the the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from West Point

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When being pitch-perfect or in-tune is not the point:

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Ave Maria in the Dresden Frauenkirche:

If you are wondering whether taking in a concert at the Frauenkirche should be on your bucket list, we can confirm that it should be. We also had the memorable experience on a visit when the spirit moved two random visitors to sing Amazing Grace acapella.

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Interview with Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson about his singing style and technique (no, I didn't recognize him immediately either):

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Is this good advice?

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For the big finish:

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did a maps theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, contribute your own. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at March 28, 2026 05:30 PM (Ia/+0)

2 There is a reason I have a day job

Posted by: Skip at March 28, 2026 05:32 PM (Ia/+0)

3 Me me me me! Oh, I can 't sing.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at March 28, 2026 05:32 PM (1Ff7Z)

4 Top 10?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 28, 2026 05:34 PM (wzUl9)

5 Tap, tap, tap.... tap tap tap

Is this thing on?

That's my extent.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at March 28, 2026 05:35 PM (AkEZC)

6 Thank you TRex.

I played Joseph's father in a high school production "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

It was a silent role. I walked around and nodded.

Posted by: Stateless - Day 9 of 14 or so - extreme dog care at March 28, 2026 05:36 PM (Sco7b)

7 School Chorus, Church Choir

3x All-State
2x All-New England

Posted by: Captain Ned at March 28, 2026 05:36 PM (nADdg)

8 I sang barbershop with my Dad for several years. I used to sing tenor, but as I aged I slid into bass. I am a decent singer, but never really trained. Wife and sons can't carry a tune in a bucket.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 05:37 PM (0aYVJ)

9 A number of the sound effects I use are my own voice, processed over and over. I don't think that counts.

In college I was a member of the choir and did pretty well. I got to solo a couple of times. But as Lou Reed once said, "Those were different times."

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 28, 2026 05:37 PM (CHHv1)

10 As a boy I thought I could sing. I found out otherwise in high school vocal music, when the teacher hid me among several similar tenors and covered us all up with the bass guys.

I *think* I'm carrying the tune. But somehow, it never comes out right. It's odd, since I'm good with my voice and can do various stage dialects, or could do them well in school, and worked in radio for some years. Ah, well.

I understand there is a distinction between "tone deaf," which is probably what I am, and "tune deaf," where the hearer cannot distinguish one song from another. In the Hornblower books Forester gave Horatio that affliction, and in one of his Trek short story adaptations James Blish did the same with Kirk. Is there such a thing?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 28, 2026 05:38 PM (wzUl9)

11 I sang barbershop with my Dad for several years. I used to sing tenor, but as I aged I slid into bass. I am a decent singer, but never really trained. Wife and sons can't carry a tune in a bucket.
Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026

***
"Daddy sang bass,
Mamma sang tenor;
Me and li'l brother would join right in there . . ."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 28, 2026 05:39 PM (wzUl9)

12 I was also Barnaby Tucker in our high school production of Hello Dolly. I had crush on the cutie who played Minnie Fay.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 05:40 PM (0aYVJ)

13 I tried to sing to my boys when they were babies.

It made them cry.

Posted by: nurse ratched at March 28, 2026 05:43 PM (A5RD0)

14 When I played Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls in high school, the role was tailor made for me: Nathan has only one song, it's a duet, and his half can be "talked-sung."

I understand this came about in the original play because Sam Levene, who created the role in the original play, couldn't really sing.

"Frank Loesser agreed it was easier adjusting the music to Levene's limitations than substituting a better singer who couldn't act. Levene's lack of singing ability is the reason the lead role of Nathan Detroit only has one song, the duet 'Sue Me'."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 28, 2026 05:44 PM (wzUl9)

15 My highlight in high school was the solo in "Old Man River". I was the only 17-YO who could get down to those notes.

Posted by: Captain Ned at March 28, 2026 05:44 PM (nADdg)

16 I like singing more than it likes me.

Lately I have been chanting along to lauds and vespers.
I have the canticle of Zechariah memorized now

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at March 28, 2026 05:45 PM (tcsrY)

17 There's dirt to be abolished
But don't forget one thing
When the body's washed and polished
Sing brother sing

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at March 28, 2026 05:46 PM (Kt19C)

18 I tried to sing to my boys when they were babies.

It made them cry.
Posted by: nurse ratched at March 28, 2026 05:43 PM (A5RD0)

I joked with wife that I would file a cease desist order if she ever tried to sing.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 05:46 PM (0aYVJ)

19 I can't sing, but I'm somewhat adept at doing imitations and accents. For some reason I can't imitate a good singer. I don't even sing in church because God doesn't need that racket in His ear.

I went for a SOTA hike this morning. Band conditions weren't great (20m), but I did manage to find my 2m roll-up J-Pole and put it to good use. I need to get back in shape; this wasn't that long of a hike, but I'm shot.

Posted by: PabloD at March 28, 2026 05:47 PM (8sD0/)

20 My wife is a singer. That's how we met, in fact. I was in a restaurant, and I followed the hot blonde into the piano lounge, where she was playing.

Recently, and after a thirty-year absence, she has re-started her singing, live and in studios. Working on her third album now.

Musicians are weird, man.

Posted by: goatexchange at March 28, 2026 05:50 PM (hyS0X)

21 Singing has always been a huge part of my life. I've sung in school choruses since 7th grade. I performed in a folk group in high school doing traditional folk music and folk-rock like the mamas and the Papas. Music that concentrated on vocal harmony. I was a voice major in college for a time and the faculty wanted me to go professional. But there are so few roles for basso profundo in opera or most music styles that I decided to pass. There's been a residue of regret about that as I loved performing but reality intruded. I sing for my own enjoyment these days and that's enough.

Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 05:51 PM (yTvNw)

22 I did some more animation work this week. Here are some stills. The second and third are a machine "hatching."

https://tinyurl.com/48kc3z68

https://tinyurl.com/4sxpp5ue

https://tinyurl.com/uw67p9fp

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at March 28, 2026 05:53 PM (CHHv1)

23 I am slowly working on a metal medallion for my black powder cartridge box. Trying to replicate a 1809 Russian model

Posted by: Skip at March 28, 2026 05:53 PM (Ia/+0)

24 Before the stroke in Jan '25 I sang Tenor, Church, Cathedral, and backup acknowledgement on a cd label.
Post stroke I am barely tone.
Seriously.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at March 28, 2026 05:55 PM (RDqo2)

25 @21:

As a fellow low bass, I grok.

Posted by: Captain Ned at March 28, 2026 05:55 PM (nADdg)

26 The Be Sharps were almost as hot as Mr. B Natural!

Posted by: Booji Boy at March 28, 2026 05:56 PM (AoJi8)

27 I have never tried to do karaoke. I can imagine I might do okay on a fast talk-sing song like "Hot Rod Lincoln," or a funny one like Confederate Railroad's "I Like My Women a Little on the Trashy Side." HRL would take a lot of rehearsal, though, as there are so many lyrics in such a short space. Or maybe I could do one of Henry Higgins's "talk-sing" numbers: "Why Can't a Woman Be More Like a Man?"

Most karaoke singers, I suspect, prefer the slow heartfelt ballads, the kind of thing every movie musical I've seen now abounds in. There are no catchy, bouncy tunes, and very few fast ones, the kind of tune that sends you out of the theater humming it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 28, 2026 06:01 PM (wzUl9)

28 I don't sing karaoke often, but I liked singing King of the Road and Dust in the Wind.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 06:05 PM (0aYVJ)

29 My late sister loved singing White Rabbit. She nailed it too. I still get misty when I hear that song on the radio.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 06:07 PM (0aYVJ)

30 Love the video of the girl singing in the cathedral. The acoustics can be extraordinary. I've performed in cathedrals a few times. But I had the chance to sing by myself in a mostly empty one. The echoes and sheer vibrations are unforgettable. One voice becomes a choir whose notes seem to stream from heaven. If you are a singer and get the chance to just sing even a few notes in a cathedral, take advantage of the opportunity.

There is a vocal technique, at least for deep voices, where relaxing the throat and holding the jaw a certain way increases the resonance of your voice. When singing in a cathedral or any place with echoing acoustics, I tend to do that automatically.

Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 06:07 PM (yTvNw)

31 my favorite "found space" singing video. Icelandic hymn in a train station! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4dT8FJ2GE0

Posted by: Sabrina Chase at March 28, 2026 06:09 PM (PHjsi)

32 Morons at the TxMoMe X have heard me sing.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at March 28, 2026 06:09 PM (KBJGw)

33 Your dino host is not known for being able to carry a tune. Dinosaurs in general are ranked lower in the animal kingdom on the scale of singers (and probably rank below most humans). You trying making "RAWR!" melodic.

We don't get it.

Posted by: death metal bands at March 28, 2026 06:10 PM (VHUov)

34 Sucked at sports and knew it, so I would take shop, home ec, and choir as electives when I had no better alternatives.

I've sung in church choirs from time to time. I can (mostly) carry a tune and sight-read, which is sometimes a miracle, I'm told.

Posted by: RandomDave at March 28, 2026 06:10 PM (aJQbY)

35 Discussion of bass vs. tenor reminds me of the 1960s hit "Mr. Bass Man" by Johnny Cymbal, in which Cymbal's narrator wants to learn how to sing like the bass guy. Wiki: "The 'Bass Man' part was sung uncredited by Ronnie Bright (1938–2015), who sang with the Cadillacs, the Valentines and, for 40 years, phase two of the Coasters."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 28, 2026 06:13 PM (wzUl9)

36 Thanks for sharing the Bruce / Charismatic voice interview - I'm excited to watch it! I love her and knew she was a fan of his, but I haven't kept up with her channel lately... didn't know this existed.

As for the top 20 vocal introsvid, it could've started at 16, IMO. Also, I would've put 7 Bridges Road in the top 3. I might also argue for including Boston's "Something About You" and "Down with the Sickness" by Disturbed.

Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 06:25 PM (kOluj)

37 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming

Didn't do it! Wolfus broke the thread!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at March 28, 2026 06:25 PM (RDqo2)

38 37 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming

Didn't do it! Wolfus broke the thread!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at March 28, 2026 06:25 PM
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Guess the singing theme ran out of air...

Posted by: TRex - pavarotti dino at March 28, 2026 06:28 PM (TyP0R)

39 Roger Miller songs make for great karaoke.

King of the Road
King of Kansas City
Can't Roller-skate in a Buffalo Herd. etc.

They say roses are red
violets are purple
sugar is sweet
and so is maple surple

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 06:30 PM (0aYVJ)

40 Roger Miller songs make for great karaoke.

King of the Road
King of Kansas City
Can't Roller-skate in a Buffalo Herd. etc.

They say roses are red
violets are purple
sugar is sweet
and so is maple surple
Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026

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I was a kid with my first transistor radio listening to Top 40 when he arrived on the scene at the same time as the Beatles. Two more different artists could hardly be imagined. "Dang Me," "King of the Road," "England Swings Like a Pendulum Do" . . . he was sort of the Ogden Nash of Top 40 radio.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 28, 2026 06:33 PM (wzUl9)

41 I 'think' that I can kinda match my voice to the people around me. So a church service where the whole congregation sings I'd join in, or back in my school everyone was in choir class and they did not exempt me, but I always tried to not sing too loudly to not ruin the music if I was off. On my own I definitely am one of the 'cant carry a tune in a bucket' folks.

I will sometimes mentally sing some song I know to pass time while I'm lasering my horse's leg. In my head I hear the artists voice, not my own out of tune voice.

Posted by: PaleRider at March 28, 2026 06:33 PM (+89TD)

42 As for my own singing, I used to drink enough to think I was decent at karaoke. At some point I realized that was bullshit. If sufficiently arm-twisted, I will sing Roger Miller's "King of the Road" at karaoke and feel minimal shame.

The problem is that lyrics largely drive my enjoyment of music- I know the words to a LOT of tunes. Alas, that does not mean I am qualified to belt them out. Also, if I could sing "Man in the Box" by Alice in Chains the way it was originally performed, my ego would likely grow outta control....

Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 06:34 PM (kOluj)

43 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 28, 2026 06:33 PM (wzUl9)

My Dad loved his songs, which explains why I even know who Roger Miller was.

I'm a metalhead.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 06:35 PM (0aYVJ)

44 Pug - Horde Mind!

Did you have the blue "Greatest Hits" album by Roger Miller? I wore that out as a young kid.

Dang me, Dang me, they outta take a rope & hang me... 🎵

Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 06:36 PM (kOluj)

45 Kaneohe choice?
The house of the rising sun. Haven't done it yet...

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at March 28, 2026 06:36 PM (RDqo2)

46 I don't so much sing in the shower but (like most of us, I assume) along with radio songs or the ones on my flash drive. My favorite test of my wind is Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife," following along with that note he holds and holds at the end, then not needing a breath before adding "Look out -- ol' Mackie is back!" I figure if I can still do that, I'm still hanging in there.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 28, 2026 06:36 PM (wzUl9)

47 There are some very talented singers among the Horde. Karaoke night at the TXMOME is fantastic.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 28, 2026 06:37 PM (+nEug)

48 I thought for sure someone among the Horde would have a story of being in a choir as a child and falling off a riser or throwing up at a recital.

Posted by: TRex - child recording star dino at March 28, 2026 06:38 PM (TyP0R)

49 By the way, JTB: My most recent pipe purchase, a 1934-1953 (?) Marxman smooth straight pot from e*Bay, has proved to be a solid smoker. My first time out with it, it burned hot -- possibly from the blend I chose, or my puffing, or the wind I was standing in outdoors that time. Ever since then it has performed exactly as a pipe should.

The Marxman brand existed on its own from '34 to '53, then Mastercraft took it over until the latter ended in the '60s. So this pipe might be only about sixty, or it might be over seventy.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 28, 2026 06:40 PM (wzUl9)

50 I once could sing along with Layne Staley* singing "Would?," but my upper range has lowered. He did it better, of course.

*Alice in Chains

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 06:41 PM (0aYVJ)

51 Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 06:36 PM (kOluj)

Yup. Greatest Hits on vinyl.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 06:43 PM (0aYVJ)

52 Church choir, former public school and private vocal music teacher. Have sung at weddings and funerals.

When I retire from piano teaching and homeschooling (this year and this year!), I want to compose more often than sporadically, like it's been, oh, the last 40 years since college, lol.

I most want to write something for a vocal ensemble of some sort.

When life quiets down later this year, maybe the melodies and harmonies swirling in my head will emerge...

Posted by: Official Delurker/Piano Teacher/Occasional Singer at March 28, 2026 06:43 PM (jN+eu)

53 Our own Half Dozen sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 28, 2026 06:46 PM (+nEug)

54 As far as singing goes, I had a lucky youth. My parents were Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra fans and their records were on the hi-fi often. Also, the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals gave me a chance to hear some of the best vocalists in both styles. That's where I developed a love for sea chanties, madrigals, and traditional folk music.

Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 06:46 PM (yTvNw)

55 One of my cousins was an incredible singer when he was young. He was a soloist in a fairly prestigious boys choir. Got to travel all over the country and beyond.

And then he hit puberty. Now he sings like me. Which is terrible.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 28, 2026 06:47 PM (viF8m)

56 I'm not much of a singer. My first favorite band that I can remember was The Ventures. The only thing I ever remember them ever singing was "Red Top!".

Singing and playing at the same time is pretty much out of the question. People who can do that amaze me.

Posted by: fd at March 28, 2026 06:49 PM (vFG9F)

57 And then he hit puberty. Now he sings like me. Which is terrible.
Posted by: JackStraw at March 28, 2026 06:47 PM (viF8m)

Reminds me of a Simpsons episode where Homer's voice changed mid-song. You know, back when The Simpsons was funny.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 06:49 PM (0aYVJ)

58 That's awesome. I gotta think that, in his day, it would've been an absolute riot to run into Roger Miller in a bar....

My overall musical tastes are quite broad- or perhaps schizophrenic? My Spotify "favorites" list is over 1100 songs ranging from Waylon Jenning to Slayer to Alison Krauss to Cake... wait, there's more!

Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 06:49 PM (kOluj)

59 Cracking up at some of these comments

Posted by: Skip at March 28, 2026 06:49 PM (Ia/+0)

60 >>Reminds me of a Simpsons episode where Homer's voice changed mid-song. You know, back when The Simpsons was funny.

I was told that is exactly what happened to my cousin. No joke. One minute he sounded like an angel and the next, well, me.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 28, 2026 06:52 PM (viF8m)

61 Singing and playing at the same time is pretty much out of the question. People who can do that amaze me.
Posted by: fd at March 28, 2026 06:49 PM (vFG9F)

That has always mystified me. While I would not call Dave Mustaine a "singer," the fact that he can belt out lyrics while playing balls to the wall flawlessly is astounding.

But in any genre of music, being able to sing and play an instrument is a sign of true talent, and a helluva lot of practice.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 06:52 PM (0aYVJ)

62 52
I most want to write something for a vocal ensemble of some sort.

When life quiets down later this year, maybe the melodies and harmonies swirling in my head will emerge...

Posted by: Official Delurker/Piano Teacher/Occasional Singer at March 28, 2026 06:43 PM
***
May I suggest something from the Horde comments of the week or Pittsburgh scanner if you're looking for subject matter inspiration??

Posted by: TRex - where are my royalties? at March 28, 2026 06:53 PM (TyP0R)

63 49 ... "Marxman smooth straight pot from e*Bay, has proved to be a solid smoker. My first time out with it, it burned hot -- possibly from the blend I chose, or my puffing, or the wind I was standing in outdoors that time. Ever since then it has performed exactly as a pipe should."

Wolfus,
Glad the pipe started behaving itself and congrats on some old briar. I was talking to a representative for Savinelli and Peterson pipes last week. Finding really good briar is becoming harder and harder, even for the big makers. Your 60-plus year old pipe could end up as a treasure.

Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 06:53 PM (yTvNw)

64 I think my current hobby is video game streaming.

It's tangentially related, I swear! Keeping my voice modulated so that I don't get vocal fry is a constant struggle. And also speaking loud enough so that my Scintillating Commentary (TM) is audible.

I need to write a script for the architectural drafting introduction I'm planning for tomorrow.

Posted by: FeatherBlade at March 28, 2026 06:54 PM (C0Nlv)

65 I love to sing. I was in choir through junior high and then did not join in high school because I am an alto and altos never get to sing the melody. My dad started teaching me to play the guitar when I was 15 and I sang whatever I wanted. After my mom died, I moved in with my dad to help him out. He and I volunteered at the nursing homes in our little town, playing and singing old country music, until the covid shutdown. Dad died in late 2020 and I slacked off playing. I'm going to start volunteering again because I do love to sing.

Posted by: huerfano at March 28, 2026 06:58 PM (98kQX)

66 I'm going to start volunteering again because I do love to sing.
Posted by: huerfano at March 28, 2026 06:58 PM (98kQX)

Do it. That's awesome.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 06:59 PM (0aYVJ)

67 While I would not call Dave Mustaine a "singer"
Posted by: Pug Mahon

If Bob Dylan is a singer, Dave definitely is.

Posted by: Cock of the Walk at March 28, 2026 06:59 PM (PMwFr)

68 If Bob Dylan is a singer, Dave definitely is.

Posted by: Cock of the Walk at March 28, 2026 06:59 PM (PMwFr)

But Dave never had the harmonica apparatus. That's next-level.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 07:03 PM (0aYVJ)

69 I was watching some show about metal bands on AXS or one of those channels a while back. All the other metal bands referred to Megadeth as the "Jazz Band of Metal". Pretty hard to argue....

I went to college with a bunch of guys who shared the same MN hometown as Dave Ellefson. Unsurprisingly, sounds like he was rather wild as a youngster ...

Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 07:06 PM (kOluj)

70 The "find your vocal range" thing says I can't even cover a single operatic range. I'm about D2-D4, so a bass without the bottom note or the top two notes? Even D2 is a stretch. E2-B3 is..... "comfortable?"

So, no chance of a second career in music.

I'll sing along at church, where I can hide behind others. Most hymns are written on the treble clef and range from C4-D5, so I just sing an octave low. And usually skip the high D's (Now D4) since that's just about the top of my range.

Singing alone? Karaoke? No thanks. The last time I sang in the shower, the shampoo curdled.

Posted by: mikeski at March 28, 2026 07:07 PM (VHUov)

71 I always figured Black Sabbath was the jazz band of metal, courtesy of Bill Ward

Posted by: Cock of the Walk at March 28, 2026 07:07 PM (ZN/jb)

72 Glad the pipe started behaving itself and congrats on some old briar. I was talking to a representative for Savinelli and Peterson pipes last week. Finding really good briar is becoming harder and harder, even for the big makers. Your 60-plus year old pipe could end up as a treasure.
Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026

***
That, along with price (this one was $45), is a big part of why I like to find vintage pipes -- one from a company that had some interesting history like this Marxman, or an older Peterson, or a brand that no longer exists like Orlik.

Several of my pipes are forty years old and more -- I know, as I bought them new in the '80s!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 28, 2026 07:08 PM (wzUl9)

73 Thete are famous musicians who are not great singers, maybe for a music thread sometime

Posted by: Skip at March 28, 2026 07:09 PM (Ia/+0)

74 73 Thete are famous musicians who are not great singers, maybe for a music thread sometime

Posted by: Skip at March 28, 2026 07:09 PM
***
Agreed. Some of them became rappers.

Posted by: TRex - MC DJ Jazzy Dino at March 28, 2026 07:10 PM (TyP0R)

75 I went to college with a bunch of guys who shared the same MN hometown as Dave Ellefson. Unsurprisingly, sounds like he was rather wild as a youngster ...
Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 07:06 PM (kOluj)

Heh. I remember Mustaine talking about the time he met Junior (Ellefson) on VH1, Behind the Music. Junior was playing the bassline of Running with the Devil over and over again. Dave knocks on the door to tell him to tone it down, and Junior asks "can you buy us some beer?"

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 07:11 PM (0aYVJ)

76 Thete are famous musicians who are not great singers, maybe for a music thread sometime
Posted by: Skip

Dylan has already been mentioned!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at March 28, 2026 07:12 PM (RDqo2)

77 If you are a singer, certain memories stay with you. The sound of your voice in a cathedral as I mentioned above. (An indoor version of the Globe Theater had similar acoustic qualities.) Hearing Peter, Paul, and Mary singing acapella; their three voices interweaving in a way that transported the audience. The first time, 1966, I heard the 'Grinch Song', sung by Thurl Ravenscroft, (love that name) and realized what a true bass voice could do. I didn't know in a year I would be singing nearly that low. Singing in a choir and the ending harmony seems to extend into the infinite, leaving the audience stunned and silent for a moment. The first time you hit a new note, high or low, exactly right and you can feel it.

Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 07:13 PM (yTvNw)

78 I always figured Black Sabbath was the jazz band of metal, courtesy of Bill Ward
Posted by: Cock of the Walk at March 28, 2026 07:07 PM (ZN/jb)

And Tony and Geezer worked with that. Due respect to Ozzy, but those three were the rock that Sabbath was built on.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 07:14 PM (0aYVJ)

79 The problem is that lyrics largely drive my enjoyment of music- I know the words to a LOT of tunes. Alas, that does not mean I am qualified to belt them out. Also, if I could sing "Man in the Box" by Alice in Chains the way it was originally performed, my ego would likely grow outta control....
Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 06:34 PM (kOluj)

If I depended on knowing the lyrics to enjoy music, I wouldn't enjoy anything. I can rarely understand even the best-enunciated singers. It's all just a muddle to me. I have to like the actual music.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 28, 2026 07:16 PM (h7ZuX)

80 Gregorian chant but no Byzantine? I am disappoint.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at March 28, 2026 07:17 PM (Wnv9h)

81 80 Gregorian chant but no Byzantine? I am disappoint.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at March 28, 2026 07:17 PM
***
Tried, but couldn't find a Byzantine exorcism piece of sufficient quality.

Posted by: TRex - monkinsh dino at March 28, 2026 07:19 PM (TyP0R)

82 I've been commenting a lot on this thread. It's because I love music. If someone demanded that I choose, I would choose blindness over deafness. No hesitation.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Trumpy can do magic at March 28, 2026 07:20 PM (0aYVJ)

83 May I suggest something from the Horde comments of the week or Pittsburgh scanner if you're looking for subject matter inspiration??

Posted by: TRex - where are my royalties? at March 28, 2026 06:53 PM (TyP0R)

AOSHQ: The Musical. It's gonna be great!

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 28, 2026 07:20 PM (h7ZuX)

84 Time to say thank you before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. Thanks for being here and joining in the hobbying fun and games. What theme should we do next week?!

Will leave the comments open if you want to hang around for a while. Don't forget to stop by Club ONT later.

Posted by: TRex - autotune dino at March 28, 2026 07:22 PM (TyP0R)

85 72 ... "Several of my pipes are forty years old and more -- I know, as I bought them new in the '80s!"

That got me thinking. I realized a number of my pipes are over 40 years old. Bought them new. Some of the grain quality couldn't be matched today for under 500 bucks from what I see. These were good quality but affordable, even for a young person's budget.

Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 07:22 PM (yTvNw)

86 62 TRex

The Pittsburgh scanner, LOL! Those two old ladies having a cane fight in the middle of the street -- I could put in lots of forte major sevenths/minor seconds, haha.

Posted by: Official Delurker/Piano Teacher/Occasional Singer at March 28, 2026 07:23 PM (jN+eu)

87 King of a the Road is a favorite to sing along with as is Devil's Right Hand.
I sing in church which is odd because we have a choir and band but the rest of the congregation doesn't. Sometimes we get the older hymns and my daughter and I bounce to the beat.
The newer hymns are dreadful: no rhythm or real joy.

Posted by: Accomak at March 28, 2026 07:25 PM (wkU1F)

88 83 Dash...

Love it! :-)

Posted by: Official Delurker/Piano Teacher/Occasional Singer at March 28, 2026 07:26 PM (jN+eu)

89 Don't get me wrong, Dash - I have to like the tune as well. And I love a lot of instrumental tunes.

But for those that are sung, the song must have memorable lyrics for me to keep coming back to it

Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 07:27 PM (kOluj)

90 Beach season Dino, that's where the hip cats are at.

Posted by: Accomak at March 28, 2026 07:27 PM (wkU1F)

91 Tried, but couldn't find a Byzantine exorcism piece of sufficient quality.
Posted by: TRex - monkinsh dino at March 28, 2026 07:19 PM

Fair enough. I'll just leave this here, then.

https://youtu.be/Rju5GyVtfnQ

The Boston Byzantine Choir. This is chanted on the day before Palm Sunday (Lazarus Saturday). That'll be next Saturday for us this year.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at March 28, 2026 07:27 PM (Wnv9h)

92 Also, I love that Spotify now includes lyrics for the majority of songs.

Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 07:28 PM (kOluj)

93 AOSHQ: The Musical. It's gonna be great!
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 28, 2026 07:20 PM

Hey! Let's put on a show!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at March 28, 2026 07:28 PM (Wnv9h)

94 But for those that are sung, the song must have memorable lyrics for me to keep coming back to it
Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 07:27 PM (kOluj)

I miss vinyl albums with lyric sheets, haha! I wore those things out!

Spotify usually runs lyrics, which is nice.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 28, 2026 07:28 PM (h7ZuX)

95 When I was a teenager my friends and I would hang out in the parking lot at the beer stores. Being underage we would ask guys going in to buy us some beer. We would buy them a six pack if they would get us two or three. Most times we got beer. But we knew better than to ask old people. Mostly asked a twenty something guy who looked cool enough to help us out.

Posted by: Case at March 28, 2026 07:30 PM (pvf3X)

96 Being able to sing a certain way can influence the music you listen to. When the Beatles and Beach Boys were popular I could sing that high. Same with a lot of the folk-rock songs of the 60s. But as my voice changed, I couldn't match the screeching/screaming voices of later heavy metal groups so I never followed them.

Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 07:31 PM (yTvNw)

97 The Karaoke at Corsicana is very worth listening to....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at March 28, 2026 07:32 PM (TyP0R)

98 TRex,
Thanks for this topic. It brought back a lot of wonderful memories and smiles.

Think I'll listen to some Geoff Castellucci and see if I can finally sing that D1 note.

Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 07:34 PM (yTvNw)

99 To my earlier points about interesting lyrics (and schizophrenic tastes) - here's a playlist I personally curated, for any of you on Spotify:

https://tinyurl.com/v6r7mdcf

Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 07:34 PM (kOluj)

100 Don't sleep on the Pirates. They've got some arms.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 28, 2026 07:36 PM (viF8m)

101 When I transferred from Catholic elementary school to public middle school I tried out for the choir...I was OK, but not good enough to work my way into an established choir...so I went to the band...and had the absolute adventure of a lifetime....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at March 28, 2026 07:36 PM (TyP0R)

102 I have been partially deaf since weeks old. First time I wore a hearing aid, I thought, "for this? To hear fans hum and dinnerware clink?". I would chose deafness, Pug.

Posted by: Accomak at March 28, 2026 07:39 PM (wkU1F)

103 We had Eternal Father sung at my daddy's funeral.
But while those Marines won't win any vocal awards, their passion and devotion is unmatched. God bless them.

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at March 28, 2026 07:39 PM (TyP0R)

104 If I'm doing karaoke, it's gotta be 'I Like to Sleep Late in the Morning.' Bromberg is one of a kind. He may not have written it, but he made it fun.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 28, 2026 07:43 PM (Fbc0I)

105 Even when the song is instrumental, I often vocalize with parts of it. I like matching the bass riff that opens the Barney Miller theme or the tuba in the Patton soundtrack. Or I sing along but lower on songs like "Music of the Night" from Phantom. (I always thought the Phantom should have been a bass.) Just fun.

Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 07:43 PM (yTvNw)

106 Hullo, All.

Posted by: Bulg at March 28, 2026 07:46 PM (77rzZ)

107 Hi, Bulg!

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 28, 2026 07:46 PM (h7ZuX)

108 107 Hi, Dash!

Posted by: Bulg at March 28, 2026 07:47 PM (77rzZ)

109 Even when the song is instrumental, I often vocalize with parts of it. I like matching the bass riff that opens the Barney Miller theme or the tuba in the Patton soundtrack. Or I sing along but lower on songs like "Music of the Night" from Phantom. (I always thought the Phantom should have been a bass.) Just fun.
Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 07:43 PM

-----------

https://youtu.be/dHPKmmhKokI

Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 07:48 PM (kOluj)

110 109 ... That's the idea although I try to match the timbre of the instrument.

Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 07:51 PM (yTvNw)

111 Yeah, I'm lucky to do much better than Ted 😂

Posted by: Matthew Kant Cipher at March 28, 2026 07:52 PM (kOluj)

112 Basic voice lessons can really expand your useful voice range. And the lack of practice can really restrict it. I use to have an easy baritone through most of the tenor range and be able to sing well into bass. But no more as my singing is left to occasionally in the car when I'm by my self. I've lost whole octaves.

Posted by: banana Dream at March 28, 2026 07:56 PM (3uBP9)

113 Movie thread is up.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 28, 2026 07:57 PM (h7ZuX)

114 There is no better seat in a big professional choir performance than in the choir. Nothing can sound as good as singing and hearing your voice resonate and form harmonics with the air around you. It is one of the most magical feelings.

Posted by: banana Dream at March 28, 2026 07:58 PM (3uBP9)

115 Basic voice lessons can really expand your useful voice range. And the lack of practice can really restrict it. I use to have an easy baritone through most of the tenor range and be able to sing well into bass. But no more as my singing is left to occasionally in the car when I'm by my self. I've lost whole octaves.
Posted by: banana Dream
*********
Truth. Ask me how I know.....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at March 28, 2026 07:59 PM (TyP0R)

116 But no more as my singing is left to occasionally in the car when I'm by my self. I've lost whole octaves.
Posted by: banana Dream at March 28, 2026 07:56 PM (3uBP9)

Same. Mom and I were talking about this in the car the other day. My first public performance was as a four-year-old, singing a duet with my mom in church. "In The Garden." She asked me if I sing anymore. I told her I just croak now, and she laughed in solidarity.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at March 28, 2026 07:59 PM (h7ZuX)

117 I hate movies.

Posted by: Ronster at March 28, 2026 07:59 PM (LjEfn)

118 112 ... "Basic voice lessons can really expand your useful voice range. And the lack of practice can really restrict it."

Ain't that the truth. If I had to sing above middle C without going to falsetto it would take at least a month or two of practice to get those notes back.

Posted by: JTB at March 28, 2026 08:00 PM (yTvNw)

119 I play cocktail/lounge piano at events and gatherings, i wouldn’t call it a hobby nor a profession as typically donate the time, it’s just something I do for fun.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at March 28, 2026 08:05 PM (XV/Pl)

120 Yes, I sing all over the place whether anyone likes it or not. I sing with a group of like-minded oldsters every Wed, I sing along with the grocery store music, I burst into song whenever life hands me an opportunity to quote a song. Why ask someone to lend you a fiver when you can burst into "Buddy, can you spare a dime?" ? . .( I do not know how many question marks, nor the placement thereof, that last sentence requires). Everybody should sing, all the time. Shut up and start singing, my friends!

My favorite moments in life are when a complete stranger is singing too, and we do a spontaneous duet in condiments aisle, giggle a little, then go our separate ways. It happens more than you'd think, but less than it should. and why less? Because YOU, gentle reader, just aren't singing enough.

And yes, you can too sing. You just need to find your key and your range. Furthermore, studies by experts - EXPERTS mind you - have shown that group singing by people who can't sing produce a special, unreplicable and inexplicably beautiful, resonance.

Everybody hates the sound of their own singing voice, so don't let that stop you. Sing!! Right now, I want to hear you sing!

Posted by: Persnickety at March 28, 2026 09:12 PM (NXsA/)

121
AOSHQ: The Musical. It's gonna be great!
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!
=====
Hey! Let's put on a show!
Posted by: RedMindBlueState

Why is Baby Shark in the playlist six times?

Posted by: BifBewalski - at March 28, 2026 09:48 PM (Kdl/a)

122 A man and woman I go to church told me they were not asked to sing hymns during service, they were so off.
Sitting next to them, they were getting off easy. I want to bring duct tape.
Can't sing but not that bad. Amazed how many beautiful voices in the choirs I have heard.
It is a blessing to have the gift of loving and appreciating their gift and work.

Posted by: Elect me because i'm dyslexic and racist at March 28, 2026 10:22 PM (bkAYe)

123 Delurking for the first time after having been here since shortly after the blog started. Thought about it several times over the years. Even typed them out but then delete them.
My father's sister and her husband were members of the Grand Ol' Opry, toured the southern US for over 20 years, and even cut a couple records, so singing just came natural. Have sang my entire life - musicals, choir, jazz and dance bands in high school; then in college and on karaoke nights when the beer hit right. Many thought I should try making money from it, but that wasn't the path I wanted. Now, it's mostly in my car where I can turn up the volume. 0>;~)

And, fwiw, got caught in one in Montana once, and you really can't rollerskate in buffalo herd.

Posted by: DLSly at March 28, 2026 11:09 PM (2JT2x)

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