Some uncreative people, like myself when I am feeling lazy, like to entertain themselves at the expense of others. One great place for a cheap laugh if you are musically inclined is at a local choral event–rehearsal or performers–where amateur singers exhibit their panache for singing on pitch or singing off pitch. There are always between one and three people in the group, including the poor director, who have beautiful voices and a good sense of voice pitch. Many of these types have perfect pitch, and therefore no trouble singing on pitch. Then there are those with pretty good ears who can usually match singing pitch, and usually are singing on pitch though they may occasionally be singing off pitch in more difficult passages. This is ok, except when they are in groups not quite singing on/off pitch at the same time and to the same degree as everyone else in the group.

Finally there are those with no concept of vocal pitch. These are the ones, usually, who just love singing and shout out at the top of their lungs, much to the dismay of their surrounding fellow vocalists. They are always singing off pitch and thinking they are singing on pitch. Just watch the faces of other people in the choir listen to these “joyful noise”-ers. Quite funny. And then watch the poor director try to get a clean harmony out of the group. He or she will begin patiently, but nearly end up with smoke coming out the ears as they attempt to remain calm and congenial when futilely trying to pull an accurate vocal pitch out of a large group of singers, all with different ideas of singing on/off pitch. This is why I don’t sing in choir, but I will go to their shows for an occasional laugh.