I have been taking ear training/music/piano lessons with the (truly) lovely and talented Rachelle Reath, and in between lessons I often ask for musical help from the (truly) lovely and talented Chloe Lampman. Chloe and I talked about working out some harmonies someday (that is, she would work them out and I would listen carefully to what I was supposed to do), and finally one day Chloe suggested we do Nina Simone's "Compassion". We learned that Nina Simone had put music to a poem by Paul Lawrence Dunbar (he doesn't mince words):
Because I have loved so deeply
Because I have loved so long
God in his great compassion
Gave me the gift of song
Because I have loved so vainly
Sung with such faltering breath
Oh-oh-oh-oh, the Master in his infinite mercy
Offers the boon of death
Chloe pointed out that the recording had Nina doing harmonies with herself, and Chloe of course had to figure out the parts because although I am taking ear training lessons, WHOA, I could not discern what was going on there. I do have faith though that one day I will have this ability, as I do see the progress I have made. You can, you can, you CAN teach old dogs new tricks! And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
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