Let's sing "Do" or "Doh"

As everybody probably already knows, it's pronounced "Doh" like Homer Simpson says.

But if we're going to start with basics, and this is what I started doing a little while ago, it can't get any more basic than playing and singing one note. Of course it has to be the right note.

How can we tell it is the right note? This is where a lot of self-teaching books may mislead you. They will tell you to simply check against your instrument. So you play a note then sing it and then check to see if you got it right by playing the same note again. But how do you know it's right or wrong?

You can, of course, simply ask someone for help. A good musician, especially a good singer, should be able to tell you right away. If they really are good that is. And they also have to be patient enough to listen while you flub it up again and again because the key to getting this right is doing it again and again.

Luckily there is a machine called a chromatic tuner that will do the job for you. If you have a Macintosh computer and it came with Garage Band installed you already have such a program. If not, search "online chromatic tuner" and you'll find lots of options. (You also need a computer equipped with a microphone. Most come with one built in these days.)

Once you have one,  hook it up and play with it a bit. Sing a note and see what the machine says. Then try another one and another one. When you are ready, play a note on your instrument and try singing the same note back.

And now we can begin what might be one of the most frustrating experiences of our lives. Some people will get a pleasant surprise and find they can do it. Lots of others will be like me and find they can't. But stick with it and you will get it. (Do it several times and days in a row just to make sure you didn't just get lucky the first time.)

Meanwhile here are a few helpful hints.

1. Start by humming not singing. Your brain determines whether two notes are the same by comparing vibrations. You can make your brain's job easier by making the vibrations stronger and humming does that.
2. If you, like I was, are all over the place when you first start, hold a note, any note, and then try moving it up or down to get closer to the note you want to reach.
3. But what if you can't control even whether you go up or down? Don't laugh. I couldn't when I first started. Try this, begin raising the note you are humming and raise your chin at the same time. Then try lowering your chin as you lower the note. I don't know why this helps but it does.
4. Walk away from the tuner every once in a while.  The tuner is an assist but we ultimately want to get to the point where we can do this without help. our big goal is to get to the point where we don't need anyone else to tell us whether we sound good because we can hear it for ourselves. Anyway, walk away and do it then come back and see if you got it right.

Then keep practicing until you can get it. This is perhaps the most frustrating part. It may take a long time. It took me weeks. It didn't help that I kept getting frustrated and giving up but it would have taken work even if I'd been more devoted.