I have a singing gig at a local church over the next few weeks to help support the bass section through the Lent/Easter season. The guy sitting to my left – to protect his identity I’ll call him “Herman” even though his name is Frank – is one of the worst singers I’ve ever had the misfortune of performing with. Now, I don’t fault him for his love of music and desire to participate in his church, however, he is screwing me up. He seems to interpret the notes on the page as “suggested” notes, and proceeds to belt out his own interpretation of the music. During the forte sections, this isn’t much of a problem since I’m also singing loudly and can therefore hear myself. The difficulty in self-monitoring arises during the piano sections where I’m trying to sing quietly and he’s continuing to belt out the wrong notes, inasmuch as he isn’t exactly a stickler for dynamic markings either.
That being said, I would like to find some sort of object with which to plug my left ear during rehearsals and performances. I have opted for my left forefinger at various moments during rehearsal but I will not be able to do so during the performances. What I’d like is to have something stuck in my ear for the duration of the service that would be practically unnoticeable, even to Herman. Also, I would like to be able to remove the object myself without having to make a trip to urgent care. The typical foam ear protectors, with their yellow plugs and blue cords are hardly inconspicous. Essentially what I seek is some sort of flesh-colored (my flesh) ear tampon. I suppose I could go to the opposite end of the spectrum and tape a wad of gauze over my left ear, then tell everyone I severely injured myself in a bizarre accident with the electric hedge trimmer. Another possibilty would be to super-glue that little flap above my lobe over the opening to my ear canal; it’s a pretty good fit. Any ideas among the Teeming Millions?
As the Chief said, you can get ear protectors at a hardware/home supplies place. Another option might be ear plugs used by swimmers, but I don’t know how they are at blocking sound.
Do you have an Army surplus store anywhere near you? The military’s general issue ear plugs are suprisingly small and work extrememly well. When I have them in a G-3 sniper rifle sounds like nothing more than a far off rumble of thunder.
They also come with a neat little application/removal device right on the container. And you can use them over and over again.
Or you could just do what I did when I was in a large choir and sing at this guy until he gets it right.
Or you could use what’s commonly referred to by my old circle of friends as the AJ Method of Vocal Instruction and just hit him in the back of the head every time he issues a sour note.
Strainger, I was worried about you when I read the topic.
As for plugging ears comfortably I have custom molded silicone foam plugs I had made at a gun show. Mine are internatinal orange and have a cord but you can get them done in a sorta flesh tone, about $35 for a pair. Not sure if that would be inconspicuous to the person next to you but would be just about invisible to anyone in the audience.
To go along with what padeye said, I visit an Audiologist who fits hearing aids. They can probably make up a flesh colored plug for you. I have a set of clear ones made by a company called ESP. You visit the audiologist for the molds and then ESP makes the plugs. But for what you want the audiologist might be able to produce something “in house”
I think I’ve also seen a silicone translucent putty at Walgreen’s used by folks needing to sleep days. Brand name might be Flent’s Ear Stopples.
Good suggestions all. In all seriousness (rare, for me) I’ll probably check out the Ear Stopples or the GI ear plugs. The more sophisticated ideas are good, but I’m not being paid that much!
Simetra
Heh. I’m employing that strategy to a degree as well. Some of my pianos aren’t quite as piano as they should be, at least not during rehearsal. I’ll bring the volume down during the performances.
BunnyGirl
Well, not in that group unfortunately. I mean–really–don’t young ladies (i.e. under 60) sing in church choirs anymore? Breaks my heart, it does.
Just get the soft foam ear plugs they sell at every drugstore. I use them every night (I married a snorer). They come in different colors, but you can stick something the right color on the end, like a bit of Band-aid.
As for the OP, those silicone molds, if inserted properly, can do a very good job. A lot of pharmacies have hearing protection devices, (the foam ones work nicely too, but the key is proper insertion) and they will usually have a number printed on the packaging somewhere…a number called the NRR (noise reduction rating). The higher, the better.
But there’s no such thing as an earplug that will block out all sound.
