dkrc Chapter 65: Intensive Choir Rehearsal, Excellent Results
Chapter 65: Intensive Choir Rehearsal, Excellent Results
Zhang Ye had originally prepared a solo song called "Little Bamboo Basket".
It was a classic folk song that teacher Jin Tielin helped her choose, and she prepared for it for many days.
But now Li Shuangjiang says he can't sing anymore.
Zhang was still somewhat disappointed.
The General Political Department's directing team removed her solo performance due to considerations for the overall length of the gala and the diversity of the program.
However, Li Shuangjiang's next words gave her a jolt.
"Zhang Ye, don't be discouraged. Your solo performance has been temporarily rescheduled, but after discussion, the troupe feels that your voices complement Lin Hanjiang's. They've proposed that you two collaborate on a duet of Lin Hanjiang's two award-winning songs, 'The Story of Spring' and 'Entering the New Era.' This is a highlight of the gala, carrying significant weight. Are you confident you can do a good job?"
The road twists and turns.
Zhang Ye's mood was like a rollercoaster ride, suddenly soaring from the bottom to the top.
Singing a duet with Lin Hanjiang?
Sing those two songs that are now famous?
This is truly a blessing in disguise!
Li Shuangjiang handed the adapted piece of music to Zhang Ye and said:
"Study this score carefully. Also, your rehearsal is coming up soon, so check out the actual effect first. If you find anything that needs to be changed, we'll have to make the necessary modifications immediately."
The two responded, and Li Shuangjiang left first, leaving them to study the matter.
"Hanjiang".
Zhang also held the sheet music and spoke softly.
"Look at this sheet music, the changes seem quite significant. I'm a little worried, the feeling of singing in a chorus is completely different from singing solo, what if I hold you back?"
Lin Hanjiang looked up from the score and gazed at her calmly:
"Senior sister, don't think like that. The production team and Teacher Li arranged it this way because they think our voices can create a better effect. Solo singing has its own power, and chorus singing has its own layers and depth. Your voice is clear and sweet, and has a friendly feel, while mine is relatively fuller. Combining them might better express the sense of collectivity and resonance of the times in the song."
He paused, then added, "Besides, isn't Teacher Li personally overseeing things? Following his guidance will be fine."
Lin Hanjiang's calmness and analysis reassured Zhang Ye somewhat.
She nodded vigorously: "Yes, I will try my best. It's just that the score has been revised, and some of the harmonic progressions are different from the original. I need to familiarize myself with it quickly."
"Let's watch it together."
The two sat down in a row of seats in the audience and looked at the sheet music for their duet.
Li Shuangjiang said these two songs were key performances, so he certainly wasn't just going through the motions.
After all, this is the General Political Department, so we'll be careful what we say.
Lin Hanjiang still remembers very clearly what Li Shuangjiangzi said at Teacher Jin's house.
This was a high-profile gala with the theme "Celebrating the Great Cause of Reform and Embracing a New Era".
Li Shuangjiang himself said it was a high-profile event, a gala celebrating reform and opening up.
Those present were undoubtedly wealthy and powerful.
So it's understandable that the two of them were a little nervous.
A bad performance would be embarrassing and would also cost you bigger opportunities on stage.
Sufficient preparation is essential.
Lin Hanjiang moved the sheet music closer to her, and the two of them leaned their heads together, quietly discussing the harmony arrangement of a certain section under the bright lights of the rehearsal hall.
At this point, the dancers who had been rehearsing earlier began to leave the stage.
Li Shuangjiang, standing tall and straight, entered the rehearsal hall through a side door, surrounded by several people.
He first spoke a few words in hushed tones with the band conductor, then his gaze swept over and landed on Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye.
"How's it going with the sheet music, kids?"
Li Shuangjiang spoke in a loud voice and walked over to them.
Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye quickly stood up: "Teacher Li!"
"I've seen it, and I'm familiarizing myself with it," Lin Hanjiang replied.
"It's a bit difficult," Zhang said honestly.
"That's exactly what makes it difficult."
Li Shuangjiang sat down on a chair next to them and gestured for them to sit down as well.
"Transitioning from solo to chorus is not simply a matter of each person singing a line or singing together. It requires the interweaving of vocal parts, the dialogue of emotions, and the fusion of timbres. Especially with these two songs of yours, most people across the country have already heard the original versions and have a preconceived notion of the melodies. Our adaptations must not only retain the essence of the original songs but also elevate them through the art of chorus, giving them a new auditory experience and emotional depth. This is where the real test of skill lies."
He took the sheet music and pointed to the beginning of "The Story of Spring":
"Look here, the original solo of Hanjiang starts with a soft, gentle singing and gradually builds up. Now it's changed to a duet. Zhang Ye, your part should be above the main melody of Hanjiang, forming a harmonic line with a storytelling quality, like the first stream breaking through the ice in spring, the feeling of a pioneer of hope. And for Hanjiang, your voice needs to be more stable, like the land waiting to be revived. The two parts, one above the other, one bright and one dark, should create a sense of layering and space from the very beginning."
……
Li Shuangjiang explained for a long time, hoping they could understand.
Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye listened intently and silently tried singing along, following Li Shuangjiang's instructions.
Sure enough, the feeling was immediately different; it lost some of its theatrical tone and gained more warmth and a sense of narrative.
With just a few words, Li Shuangjiang demonstrated his profound skills as a vocal master and artistic director.
His guidance wasn't just abstract theory, but rather practical instruction that specifically addressed tone of voice, timbre, and even the imagery he used.
Teacher Jin Tielin places more emphasis on their vocalization and emotional expression abilities.
There are still some differences between the two.
Soon, it was their turn to rehearse.
Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye went on stage, took microphones, and bowed to the band members and conductor.
The band members took their positions, and the conductor began with his baton.
As the prelude begins, the rearranged orchestration becomes richer, with more strings added to enhance the atmosphere.
Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye exchanged a glance and nodded to each other.
In the first chorus, perhaps due to nervousness and unfamiliarity, Zhang Ye's harmonic entry was slightly hesitant, and the volume was not well controlled, slightly overpowering Lin Hanjiang's main melody.
"stop!"
Li Shuangjiang immediately called a halt, his voice not loud but decisive.
"Zhang, don't try to overpower me, don't be afraid. Your harmonies are accompaniment, embellishment, and adding the finishing touch, not something to drown out the main melody. Hanjiang, you're the backbone; your voice needs to be more assertive to give your partner confidence. Let's try again!"
The second time, it was much better.
However, when it comes to the line "cities rose up like myths", the transition between the two singers at a certain pitch change is not smooth enough.
"here!"
Li Shuangjiang raised his hands, using them as batons, and drew lines in the air.
"Watch my gesture."
Li Shuangjiang had them sing a few verses using hand gestures, and their coordination improved significantly.
"There should be a rise and fall, a dialogue, a response, not each singing their own song. The emotions are flowing, and your voices should intertwine like flowing water. Let's do it again!"
Once, twice, three times...
Li Shuangjiang listened intently, noticing even the slightest deviation in pitch or a mismatch in emotion.
He would then criticize harshly.
But every time a problem is pointed out, the most accurate modification plan is always provided.
Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye were highly focused.
They could sense that Li Shuangjiang was using the highest standards to temper them.
This high-intensity, problem-oriented rehearsal was more tiring than any practice they had ever done at the academy, but the rewards were also enormous.
Gradually, the adjustment period began to take effect.
A slight smile appeared on Li Shuangjiang's tense face.
After a short rest, rehearsals for "Entering the New Era" began.
……