yay self-confidence boost ^_^

i did some back-up vocals for a friend of a friend yesterday. studio back-up vocals. i've never done a professional recording session before. i've done my own makeshift ones and a semi-professional one with my a cappella group, but this one was kind of a big deal. the studio was legit, and the three hours the dude bought were for me to record vocals and for him to oversee the mixing/mastering of what i did. basically, that means there is sufficient pressure on the vocalist to do a good job so the primary musician doesn't buy a worthless session.

i felt okay going into it, though, because it sounded fun, and i thought another girl was going to be doing it with me. i found out at the last minute that she couldn't come because her grandmother had a heart attack (yikes!), so i had to brave it on my own. i just hoped the main dude wasn't uptight and would be patient with me.

it was awesome! i would say the song leaned more toward the classic/soft rock side, and i was feelin' it when i listened to it the first couple of times. it's not usually the type of music i listen to, but the creative process can make you like songs you didn't think you would. my voice teacher worked my voice out good the day before, so i sounded good for having not warmed up (whoops). i discovered auto-tune in the works, but the sound recording guy didn't have to use it much for me. when i came out to hear how the song was coming along after my first take, i was blown away at how awesome it sounded. the reverb, the blend of voices, the music itself...they worked together to make a great sound. i've never heard myself sound like that. the song sounded good enough to be on the radio. and it was on full blast, so, with the subtle bass line and everything, i couldn't help but break into a smile. sista jones and soft rock? a combination most would not expect, but it worked out, suckas!

my voice has truly gotten better. i was singing in my head voice mostly for the song because (1) my voice isn't worked out enough to be full voiced and (2) this song didn't call for a true full voice. the result sounded like i was singing full voiced. the dudes i was with thought i was belting, but truly it was just a more resonate head voice kicked up a few decibels.

and i got paid! i got paid for having fun!

doing that has made me realize i can do this music thing. i don't suck at it. i am versatile. i'm thinking of maybe recording a song for my demo before i leave for the mission.* i'll post the song or a link to it or something when i know it's done. it should be done soon because when the artist heard just my vocals and his, he said he thought that would be fine for the final cut. as in, forget the other three to four parts that were arranged to be added to the song. that's a compliment.

i'm so happy!

*sista jones cannot have her stake president interview for her mission until july since the interview must be 90 days before my availability date. womp womp, but life goes on.