Masel - 8-7-2008 at 05:54 AM
I'm want to improve my singing voice (right now it's not so good!) and improve my arabic as well, so I though singing songs I already play will be a
good way, but my arabic isn't good enough to understand the lyrics from hearing, so I need a website with lyrics, if anyone knows one.
So who here sings as well as play? If you have any advice on getting a better sound please share.
Yaniv
John Erlich - 8-8-2008 at 09:57 AM
Shalom Yaniv,
You can find Arabic lyrics to 107 Iraqi songs at: http://iraqimusic.com/lyrics.html I draw your attention particularly to #39, #48 and #55. 
Here are some lyrics by Syrian composed Nizar Qabbani: http://www.damascus-online.com/Music/nizar_songs.htm I recognize one song, "Qariat Al Finjan," but the rest look like "wataniyyat." 
This site has Arabic lyrics of many songs sung by Umm Kulthum: http://almashriq.hiof.no/egypt/700/780/umKoulthoum/Songs/ 
Kol tuv,
John
SamirCanada - 8-8-2008 at 11:29 AM
Nizar Qabbani poems are often sung and adapted into songs by the famous singer Kathem el Saher.
Masel I think the best way is to hang out with someone that plays and sings at the same time. just listen and try to remember for when you
practice.
I am affraid singing for me is just one of those things that you can do very well but still always think that you can be better.
thats why most people that sing good... when you tell them they say they can be better or they are not aware that they sing that good.
thats just me...
what do you think??
amtaha - 8-8-2008 at 12:00 PM
A moot/side point, perhaps, but it appears that singing should be carefully approached. The general advice on looking into breathing exercises and
becoming aware of how much strain is being put on the vocal chords - such advice should be followed closely. Vochal chords are fragile, and damaging
them can be either without recovery or with long recovery times.
There are many resources online, even youtube I think have some videos. Beyond the cyberspace, you might want to seek voice instructors in music
school or speech pathologists. Can't make more definite advice as I'm still looking into this.
The thing about playing and singing at the same time is like playing on the piano - demands a rewiring of between your left and right brains. You
should keep at it and until it "clicks". How it clicks differs between person to person, but once it does there's still much work to do. My guess is
to start with something that's mostly rythmic in the beginning.
But the same with the left and right hand strains, never overwork your body. As Samir would tell you, you're doing it to enjoy. I'd add "for the
longest time possible".
As for lyrics, you can pass along any song and I'd try to help as much possible.
Cheers!
Masel - 8-9-2008 at 09:15 AM
Hey thanks, I didn't mention iraqi music but I really like it. I tried translating a few of them but I had trouble with the dialect.
Amatha, do you think you could translate "ya nba`at al-reihan"? This song is in lami for the curious, I posted a clip of it once before. I would
really appreciate a translation it's one of my favourite iraqi songs.
In return, here's another of my favourite iraqi songs, "kul ma amar ala darkum", in a evening in memory of Yosef Shem Tov, who wrote the song. It was
a really good show! First part is a mawal and taqasim, second is the actual song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2e3PcBCDxw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2M3TI0hP3E
Anyway I will keep singing, eventually I'll be good at it. Thanks for all your help guys!
Yaniv
amtaha - 8-10-2008 at 11:47 AM
Rought around the edges, but here goes.
Oh, fountain of basil scent Be kind to the enchanted (meaning himself).
My body has frained, my soul lost, and my bones are showing.
This ailment within me (literlay, in my gut) is such that I can't think soundly.
An ailment so cruel, and no one knows its cure.
The day I fell in love, my desire/wish (meaning his loved one), I became a madman.
And I became baffled - wondering what wrong have I done.
And I have no fault, save my love for you.
If it truly be a fult, I would repent to the merciful.
I lay down, night and day, sobbing.
Don't torture my soul; be graceful/to me. (Literllay: show me an act of kindness.)
Masel - 8-11-2008 at 02:11 PM
Shukran ktir amatha!