[bassbari]

I am in this choir, which is why my namesake gives me away. Recently, I was singing with this girl, who had a noticeable lisp when she sang. Her tone quality was gorgeous and her voice strength was opera stylistic. But while she did her Bach aria with all those pronounced "ss", I was wondering to myself, why hasn't this impediment been brought to someone's attention? She studied voice in school. Would saying something be so insensitive and cruel with the possibility that it could be corrected? Or is it better to be silent and let her believe in her dream. What would you do?

[massimo]

What are you looking to gain by telling her this? You only stand to lose when she takes offense. As a singer myself, I've learned not to offer advice unless asked.

[bassbari]

I would gain nothing personally and I would never hurt her feelings. But she is delusional if she thinks she could be accepted by the masses. People are so critical and competitive every day. They look for the flaws. It is human nature. I see it all day long.

Please share your dilemmas.

[MeLurkyLongTime]

Well lets see, first of all posting this on a public forum seems a little tactless. Second don't you think this chick knows she has a lisp? Maybe she can't correct it, maybe she likes it, and maybe others do too. Saying someone is "delusional" and won't be accepted is pretty rude, remember that may just be your opinion.

[Bwis53]

I'll go with the majority. I think the most talented vocalists have flaws, but have such passion it transcends everything. Observe what you like. I know the thrill.

Maybe you need to change your position or expand your view.

[TheBookPolice]

This question is so grossly egotistical and--dare I say--tone-deaf to common human interaction that I can't believe it's legitimate.

I am in this choir, which is why my namesake gives me away.

This makes no sense.

But while she did her Bach aria with all those pronounced "ss", I was wondering to myself, why hasn't this impediment been brought to someone's attention?

I'll chime in with MeLurky and ask: what makes you think she's unaware?

Would saying something be so insensitive and cruel with the possibility that it could be corrected?

This makes no sense.

Or is it better to be silent and let her believe in her dream.

I assume this is a question. What dream are we talking about? And ultimately, does it matter what dream we're talking about? Are you personally ever in the position where you have veto power over people's desires?

But she is delusional if she thinks she could be accepted by the masses.

Accepted as what, and by what masses? Are we talking church mass?

People are so critical and competitive every day. They look for the flaws.

Yeah. No shit, Sherlock.

[rabble]

I wasn't going to, but I'll throw in my two cents anyway.

There is no "diplomatic" way to tell someone who loves to do X that they suck at X. Especially when the evaluation is an opinion, not a fact.

There is only responsibility. Do you want to be responsible for supporting her, or do you want to be known as the person who bashed her?

"Hey look, there goes that bass-baritone who yanked out Betty's heart and tap danced on it. Bass really did the music community a great service with that one!"

[wack wack]

Are you the director or a fellow singer? I can't imagine you would've become a director without learning to deal with a sensitive situation like this, so you must be a fellow singer. In that case, as others have basically implied, STFU. Not your right or concern.

[Kenneth Burns]

I am in this choir, which is why my namesake gives me away.

This makes no sense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bass-baritone

[TheBookPolice]

I get the meaning, now, but people can be bass-baritone and not be in a choir, right? Is there only one bass-baritone currently in a choir in the Madison area? Bassbari's name (not namesake) gives nothing away.

[fisticuffs]

So how long has this chick been singing? More than a week? Then she already knows. No need to rub it in. This isn't a booger she's had hanging from her nose for 5 minutes it's a problem she's most likely had her entire life. Is this Sheppy?

[O.J.]

http://www.kylek.net/

If this is the OP, it confirms my long-held suspicion: Never trust anyone named Kyle.

[Kenneth Burns]

I get the meaning, now, but people can be bass-baritone and not be in a choir, right? Is there only one bass-baritone currently in a choir in the Madison area? Bassbari's name (not namesake) gives nothing away.

It gives away the fact that he's a bass-baritone, which I gather is what he meant.

[TheBookPolice]

Never trust anyone named Kyle.

Hey!

[Kenneth Burns]

Me I wish I could sing bass, like super intense bass, like Richard Sterban in the Oak Ridge Boys super intense bass.