sea
Sea themed music that celebrates the power and beauty of the sea.
Exploring music written about the sea
This month we are celebrating the sea, and the music we that is written about the sea.
This list is a few of the diverse pieces written from more recent centuries, and it is also a playlist on youtube. Click the link at the bottom to read about each piece while listening to them too.
Feel free to comment and add your own favourites in the comments box - what have I missed out?
Prelude in G, Op 28, no.3, Chopin
Used in the BBC adaptation of Persuasion which features the sea-faring exploits of Captain Wentworth, this Chopin prelude seems to capture the ever moving and reflecting water which is present in so many Sea themed compositions.
Sirèns, Debussy, ‘La Mer’
Would it be the sea if a composer wasn’t writing about mermaids or Sirens luring sailors to their death? Here Debussy writes soaring melismas for the choir to represent those other-worldly creatures.
O Waly waly - Britten, Folk Song Arrangements
This folk song and arrangement is a favourite with me and many of my pupils. The technical aspects of performing are matched by the job of the performer to be a supreme storyteller.
4 Sea Interludes: Storm, Britten, ‘Peter Grimes’
There were 4 sea interludes to choose from, and I chose the storm as we haven’t had any music yet that really captures the strength and danger of the sea.
Here Britten really uses his powers of orchestration and melody to suggest the crashing sea on rocks, spray, wind, and surge.
My Gallant Crew, Sullivan, ‘HMS Pinafore’
As much as we respect the sea, we also enjoy satire and gently poking fun at authority and those in power. In this Sullivan song from HMS Pinafore the Navy and privilege are gently mocked.
Leave Her Johnny, Sea Shanty, ‘Assasins Creed’
The Shanty tradition is alive and well in this shanty used in the ‘Assasins Creed’ computer games. In recent years a sea shanty went viral as young people on tiktok enjoyed the art form and recorded their own performances.
La Mer, performed by Charles Trenet
To finish, we have French singer Chalres Trenet with his celebration of holidays and beach life. His rendition sums up the hot summer relaxing by the ocean.
Singing and Golf: what can we learn from other hobbies?
What singing tips can we learn from other hobbies and sports?
Recently we had a little spare time and decided to head to the Driving Range for the afternoon. I’m a terrible golfer and have not hit a ball for years, but it was fun to do something different, and we hope to go back more often.
I’ve picked up a few tips over the years listening to others who play, and watching golf on the tv. It got me thinking; are there any transferable pieces of advice that might also be helpful in singing?
I often have pupils who begin learning to sing with me tell me they know nothing at all about singing or how to use their body - but the truth is there are actually lots of similarities with other sports and hobbies that you could put into your singing practice.
Golf is a search for perfection, for balance. It’s about meditation and concentration. You have to use hand and brain.
Celine Dion
#1 Swing with less than 100% effort
Yes, this gets said a lot in singing. Sing comfortably within the limits of your voice. Singing at 100% is not only very effortful, it is likely to cause your voice to tire and and a handful of technical problems with your voice to occur.
#2 Play More Break
So, this is a little more convoluted. In golf, it means
the amount the ball moves left to right of a straight line in response to contours
NCG’s Golf glossary
In singing, we want the smooth legato line (latitudinal) to be mixed with feel of the voice being connected into the body (a longitudinal feel) in what is sometimes likened to a string player playing into the string, pressing through the bow.
#3 Work Hard on the Details
Singing is a wonderful, beautiful thing, that makes us feel great! But remember that mixing a little study, some exercises, and singing some repertoire outside the usual pieces you might pick can add a huge number of positives to your favourite songs.
#4 Use a Conservative Strategy
Just starting out on your vocal journey?… Put down ‘Queen of the Night’. Put down ‘Largo al factotum’… because you’ll never sing these arias?… no. It’s just not helpful to run before you can walk! It’s also likely to be less rewarding if you feel the piece you are singing is very hard work and full of technical things you aren’t yet doing.
#5 Practice Your Short Game More that your Full Swing
You know those high notes?…. yeah, they sound great! They feel great?… good! But they are rarely the most important notes in your voice, or the song. Don’t forget that you spend that majority of your time singing the other notes in your voice, and they need to be just as well sung.
I hope you’ve enjoyed these top 5, the full list I took them from is linked below, and there are definitely more comparisons!
Your singing teacher will enjoy guiding you through your lessons, happy golfing and happy singing!