Melody Mayhem

My Singstar Score of stuff for less than $50, including the Playstation 2 [REpaired by RUDE]

“When you sing with a group of people, you learn how to subsume yourself into a group consciousness because a capella singing is all about the immersion of the self into the community. That’s one of the great feelings – to stop being me for a little while and to become us. That way lies empathy, the great social virtue.” Brian Eno

I [Karen] joined in a local singing group a few of weeks ago.  Another frugal and fun activity so I thought.  Unfortunately sometimes group community activities just don’t cut the mustard.  This singalong group, for whatever reason decided to ban me from its group.  Whoops!

I was probably too helpful with all the feedback I gave to the musical director – yes, you read right – a director of music for a fun singalong in a shed.  Anyways, I was not immersed in a couple of proposed song choices like Sadie and My Old Man’s A Dustman  My stand may have been seen to be lacking in social virtue.  I definitely did not feel like I was, in any way, learning how to subsume myself into this group’s consciousness.

Luckily for me, Danny had already REpaired a Playstation 2, and had over the past two years located in tip and op shops, the relevant connections, microphone and dvds for me to play Singstar.  There is definitely no instant gratification in our household.  I had to wait until all the bits were amassed secondhand and cheap.  I have also discovered that I can sing along to karaoke and instrumental music via Youtube.

I wanted to share my singing story, to show that there is more than one way to skin a cat.  The joy of frugal living is about frugal but it’s also about joyousness.  If you are going through life singing someone else’s tunes and not your own, it maybe time to go solo.

“Beat the man and your own drum for frugal fun” ~ Karen Ellis / Solo Singstar Recording Artiste