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murrue02
Guest
Hikaru admitted that she's having a hard time holding long notes, but I think she's working that out and practicing.
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ZoaKaizer
Guest
dont forget there is also the manipulator guy during the lives. he responsible for managing Kalafina's mic, such as increasing or lowering the volume of Hikaru's mic compared to Keiko's and Wakana's mic.
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Cerise
Guest
Hikaru seems to sing mostly from her chest whereas Wakana sings more from her throat, which is maybe partly why Hikaru has more trouble holding longer notes. But it's also probably why she's more powerful than Wakana. And Keiko sounds like she sings from the chest more too, though she seems to hold longer notes slightly better than Hikaru.
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KP-X
Guest
I find it sad that people seem to regard all mezzo sopranos as if they're all common J-pop (and at least when I think of common Jpop, the image that comes to mind is one of those very gas helium ones). Just because it is more easy to find mezzo it doesn't mean they're basically all the same.
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Pontianak
Guest
She is exactly that!
Hikaru always comes across as so lovely in interviews and things like that, and it's just so nice. Even if I disliked her, that kind of characteristic would make me feel a little guilty if I said anything overly harsh.And the effort and hard work she puts in should at least be respected and appreciated.
Eh, I think hard work and effort should always be respected and appreciated. If there's still problems with the final product, that's a different thing entirely, but putting in a lot of effort should always be congratulated.
Hime_Wakana
I have reached Yuki nirvana
Hicchan is so cuteee
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murrue02
Guest
Re:
Hikaru is powerful than Wakana? I think not.
~I also find Hikaru cute on interviews, and thinks she's like an anime charater.
mezzo Sopranos are not common i think. Before, I had the impression that most Jpop singers have this tiny and sharp voice. :DKP-X said:
Hikaru is powerful than Wakana? I think not.
~I also find Hikaru cute on interviews, and thinks she's like an anime charater.
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KP-X
Guest
^Well, as far as I know, mezzo are the most common. Even if they have sharp, tiny voice, they're still mezzo.
Wakana can't sing ARIA, Kalafina's most powerful song to date (my opinion). So, although she has her amout of power in her voice, that isn't her specialty. That's Hikaru's "field".
Wakana can't sing ARIA, Kalafina's most powerful song to date (my opinion). So, although she has her amout of power in her voice, that isn't her specialty. That's Hikaru's "field".
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murrue02
Guest
^I didn't liked ARIA that much. :[ (because of the shouting)
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anomalousentity
Guest
Funny, I had the same vibe as well following After Eden's release. I'll be honest; I have a soft spot for angelic & deep voices, so it's obvious which of the girls I have a preference for. Wakana has such a gorgeous voice... the first time I heard her in "Where the Lights Are" I just fell in -love- with her. Concerning Keiko, I happen to sing in the low register, so I have a fondness for folks who can sing low. I'll often find myself singing her parts whenever a song comes up.
That said, it's not that I dislike Hikaru. I think she has a lovely, dynamic voice, especially when she starts going low. My issue with Hikaru is her inconsistency... there are times when she rocks my socks off (Anna ni... & Magia) and other times when I sorta... cringe (the infamous "sayounara" in Fairytale, her kajiurago in the serenato live, her "fue no ne ga..." in Natsu no Ringo). There's no doubt she has power, but she could improve some more on control. Once she has that, she'll be a beast. On a side note, Wakana's pretty capable of power herself, case in point Ashita no Keshiki.
That said about Hikaru, ARIA is still my favorite song from Kalafina, lol, particularly the live with Maya. Speaking of which I don't understand all of this "Wakana can't sing ARIA." Sure, Maya has her beat in the penult chorus, but it's not as if she sung it poorly or out of tune. It's just a different take, one that sounds more sorrowful than Maya's rendition. I like both, but I do prefer Maya's for pure "epicosity."
That said, it's not that I dislike Hikaru. I think she has a lovely, dynamic voice, especially when she starts going low. My issue with Hikaru is her inconsistency... there are times when she rocks my socks off (Anna ni... & Magia) and other times when I sorta... cringe (the infamous "sayounara" in Fairytale, her kajiurago in the serenato live, her "fue no ne ga..." in Natsu no Ringo). There's no doubt she has power, but she could improve some more on control. Once she has that, she'll be a beast. On a side note, Wakana's pretty capable of power herself, case in point Ashita no Keshiki.
That said about Hikaru, ARIA is still my favorite song from Kalafina, lol, particularly the live with Maya. Speaking of which I don't understand all of this "Wakana can't sing ARIA." Sure, Maya has her beat in the penult chorus, but it's not as if she sung it poorly or out of tune. It's just a different take, one that sounds more sorrowful than Maya's rendition. I like both, but I do prefer Maya's for pure "epicosity."
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Cerise
Guest
I agree that of course Wakana does have power in her voice, but it has a different quality to it than Hikaru's voice. Hikaru has a more forceful and assertive, almost aggressive, tone which makes her sound more powerful. Wakana's voice is more subtle and melodic and has less of that wild energy (maybe because her voice is more controlled, too), so it sounds 'tamer' I guess?
And Hikaru has a sort of fierce, dominant, sort of angry, power that makes her sound really badass (like in Magia, destination unknown
) whereas Wakana has more of the tragic, heartbreaking, wretched sort of feel. The best examples I think are Lacrimosa, which I think is Wakana's most powerful song, and sandpiper (the chorus sounds so heartwrenching). Both of them have that powerful, compelling utterly desolate and tragic tone, but in sandpiper especially Wakana sounds like she's singing from the utmost depths of despair. And coupled with those violins in the second chorus... 
So it's not that Wakana doesn't have any power at all, it's just that she sounds less powerful than Hikaru because rather than sounding aggressive and forcefully driving as Hikaru does, she tends to end up sounding really sorrowful and desperate and tragic.
...I think it's rather like comparing a violin to say...a trumpet? If Wakana was the violin and Hikaru was the trumpet (not sure if that's the best metaphor lol)...both instruments can sound powerful, but in different ways. E.g. swelling violin music compared to a rousing, blaring trumpet call. Wakana is more of a compelling, moving powerful voice whereas Hikaru is more energetic and assertive powerful. But I Wakana isn't always considered a powerful singer because people define and attribute the characteristics of a powerful voice to be more along the lines of Hikaru's kickass voice.
And Hikaru has a sort of fierce, dominant, sort of angry, power that makes her sound really badass (like in Magia, destination unknown
) whereas Wakana has more of the tragic, heartbreaking, wretched sort of feel. The best examples I think are Lacrimosa, which I think is Wakana's most powerful song, and sandpiper (the chorus sounds so heartwrenching). Both of them have that powerful, compelling utterly desolate and tragic tone, but in sandpiper especially Wakana sounds like she's singing from the utmost depths of despair. And coupled with those violins in the second chorus... So it's not that Wakana doesn't have any power at all, it's just that she sounds less powerful than Hikaru because rather than sounding aggressive and forcefully driving as Hikaru does, she tends to end up sounding really sorrowful and desperate and tragic.
...I think it's rather like comparing a violin to say...a trumpet? If Wakana was the violin and Hikaru was the trumpet (not sure if that's the best metaphor lol)...both instruments can sound powerful, but in different ways. E.g. swelling violin music compared to a rousing, blaring trumpet call. Wakana is more of a compelling, moving powerful voice whereas Hikaru is more energetic and assertive powerful. But I Wakana isn't always considered a powerful singer because people define and attribute the characteristics of a powerful voice to be more along the lines of Hikaru's kickass voice.
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Shizu_Iliya
Guest
I won't talk so much. :P Since Seventh Heaven I like her. Red Moon, I like her more. After Eden, I LOVE her. 
(anyway, Wakana is still my most fave among yuki's vocs but i still treat vocalists equally when it comes to group coz they're all gorgeous and has diff charms) Yes, I admit that in some lives, I don't like her way of singing (ex. the way how she sang kajiurago of serenato) but I think, she's still adjusting. In Red Moon live DVD, she starts singing falsettos (or whatever you call that) to sing back ups (which I like tho It sounds a bit weak). You can really see her improvements in After Eden. Cool.. =D I like Destination Unknown so much. :P
Oh, by the way, before I forgot.. in some cases, I try to wonder if how does a vocalist(1) sound when she takes the parts of vocalist(2). I don't think Wakana can replace Hikaru's parts a lot better. ^_^ *imagines progressive, and destination unknown wakana ver.*
So I don't think people saying that "hey! wakana should be the one singing and not hikaru" is really, really right. 
Ohw, like others said.. I like her "sayonara" in fairytale. b^_^d
To those haters.. I would say nothing but.. brace yourselves. As time goes by, Hikaru improves.. up to the point that you'll regret saying those bashing lines!
Kidd! :P
(anyway, Wakana is still my most fave among yuki's vocs but i still treat vocalists equally when it comes to group coz they're all gorgeous and has diff charms) Yes, I admit that in some lives, I don't like her way of singing (ex. the way how she sang kajiurago of serenato) but I think, she's still adjusting. In Red Moon live DVD, she starts singing falsettos (or whatever you call that) to sing back ups (which I like tho It sounds a bit weak). You can really see her improvements in After Eden. Cool.. =D I like Destination Unknown so much. :P Oh, by the way, before I forgot.. in some cases, I try to wonder if how does a vocalist(1) sound when she takes the parts of vocalist(2). I don't think Wakana can replace Hikaru's parts a lot better. ^_^ *imagines progressive, and destination unknown wakana ver.*
So I don't think people saying that "hey! wakana should be the one singing and not hikaru" is really, really right. Ohw, like others said.. I like her "sayonara" in fairytale. b^_^d
To those haters.. I would say nothing but.. brace yourselves. As time goes by, Hikaru improves.. up to the point that you'll regret saying those bashing lines!
Kidd! :P
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Moonlight04
Guest
oh.. hey Hoshi... long time no see... ;) Nah, I doubt you'll be able to reply to me anyway, but I really missed you... 
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Pontianak
Guest
@Cerise I was going to quote you for truth, but then I realized I'd just quote everything you say, which would be pointless.
I really don't understand why everyone hates it. I thought it was lovely.
I really don't understand why everyone hates it. I thought it was lovely.
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Kagaribi no Hanabira
Guest
^It may be a kind of personal taste.... I found that for me, the way she sang "Sayonara" is too aggressive for the gentle song like Fairytale, while Wakana's part sounds too gentle in an aggressive song like ARIA...but some one like the first one, someone like the latter, and someone like both... humen have so various taste..
@Cerise I really like your sig!! .
. I found that for me, the way she sang "Sayonara" is too aggressive for the gentle song like Fairytale, while Wakana's part sounds too gentle in an aggressive song like ARIA...but some one like the first one, someone like the latter, and someone like both... humen have so various taste..@Cerise I really like your sig!!
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Spirica Rose
Parallel Heart
^ I agree. If Hikaru sounded gentler when singing the "Sayonara" and Wakana sounded more aggressive on the last stanza of ARIA, I would've been happier.
Anyway, I want to reply to all of the posts, but that would take too long, so I'll just give my opinion.
I first heard Hikaru on sprinter and ARIA (I'm not sure which I heard first). At first I thought she sounded too nasally, since in choir I was taught to have an open sound. ARIA grew on me quicker than sprinter did. I thought her voice was a little more piercing in sprinter. However, as she grew with time, I started liking her more and more. She sang a variety of songs, instead of just similar ones (like sprinter and ARIA, vocal-wise). I do think she is versatile, but not the best at it. She can sing in a higher range, but I don't think sounds very steady (like when Oblivious is sung live). I prefer her in the middle of her voice (as a mezzo-soprano). My favorite songs with her singing the main part are "Magia" and "destination unknown." Everyone has their own tastes, though.
Honestly, it depends on the song. My favorite YK singer is Keiko, but I don't like her part in "neverending". As another example, I like Wakana in "Lacrimosa", but not "snow falling".
Whatever I think about some of their individual parts, I love Kalafina as a whole.
Anyway, I want to reply to all of the posts, but that would take too long, so I'll just give my opinion.
I first heard Hikaru on sprinter and ARIA (I'm not sure which I heard first). At first I thought she sounded too nasally, since in choir I was taught to have an open sound. ARIA grew on me quicker than sprinter did. I thought her voice was a little more piercing in sprinter. However, as she grew with time, I started liking her more and more. She sang a variety of songs, instead of just similar ones (like sprinter and ARIA, vocal-wise). I do think she is versatile, but not the best at it. She can sing in a higher range, but I don't think sounds very steady (like when Oblivious is sung live). I prefer her in the middle of her voice (as a mezzo-soprano). My favorite songs with her singing the main part are "Magia" and "destination unknown." Everyone has their own tastes, though.
Honestly, it depends on the song. My favorite YK singer is Keiko, but I don't like her part in "neverending". As another example, I like Wakana in "Lacrimosa", but not "snow falling".
Whatever I think about some of their individual parts, I love Kalafina as a whole.
Considering the fact that I have played the trumpet for 3 years, I think the metaphor works. :)Cerise said:
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Cerise
Guest
@Spirica: High-five! I can play trumpet too...but...deplorably...like, really deplorably... 
But if I were to compare their voices to musical instruments, considering tone and timbre, I just think of Hikaru as a trumpet and Wakana as a violin. Of course, it does depend on the song because in different songs, obviously their voices sound different. But for example at the beginning of 'in your eyes', Hikaru's voice inexplicably reminds me of how a trumpet sounds on the higher notes. Or maybe some sort of saxophone...
And Wakana's voice resembles the sound of a violin to me - they both have a sort of tension about them. And on the higher notes too, they both have a similar resonant quality. And whilst Wakana's voice is more tight and controlled, like a string instrument, Hikaru's is more open and 'blaring', like a wind instrument.
So where a trumpet/saxophone sounds more 'powerful' in terms of sheer forcefulness, a violin has a more refined sound that's more what I would call 'swelling' (like that uplifting feeling you get with inspirational orchestral strings ). Likewise, a violin is more delicate with higher notes than a trumpet, which blares.
Applying that metaphor to their singing, you can sort of see where people are coming from when they say Hikaru's voice can some across as a bit sharp and 'shrieking' or blaring. But that's a natural characteristic of her voice and it's not really her fault. Just like how you can't change the way a trumpet sounds.
So I still stand by my previous comment that it's okay to have your own opinion about Hikaru's singing because there's nothing that can be done if you don't like it, since it's not like she does deliberately because that's just the way her voice is. But there's no need to be offensive; keep the comments nice, civil, respectful and unhurtful towards Hikaru and her fans.
And yeah...sorry if I'm repeating myself a lot and ranting heaps (my English teacher always tells me I write too much
) but that's just because I felt really uncomfortable (and now really overprotective) when I read of how some people seemed to be singling her out and dissing her so harshly and undeservedly.
And it's even more upsetting when you consider what a softie Hikaru is. I can't even bear to think of what it'd be like if she read some of those comments herself (heaven forbid... )
Oh, and @Kagiribi: Thank you~ I'm glad you like it. I find Wakashark so adorable~~
I can play trumpet too...but...deplorably...like, really deplorably... But if I were to compare their voices to musical instruments, considering tone and timbre, I just think of Hikaru as a trumpet and Wakana as a violin. Of course, it does depend on the song because in different songs, obviously their voices sound different. But for example at the beginning of 'in your eyes', Hikaru's voice inexplicably reminds me of how a trumpet sounds on the higher notes. Or maybe some sort of saxophone...
And Wakana's voice resembles the sound of a violin to me - they both have a sort of tension about them. And on the higher notes too, they both have a similar resonant quality. And whilst Wakana's voice is more tight and controlled, like a string instrument, Hikaru's is more open and 'blaring', like a wind instrument.
So where a trumpet/saxophone sounds more 'powerful' in terms of sheer forcefulness, a violin has a more refined sound that's more what I would call 'swelling' (like that uplifting feeling you get with inspirational orchestral strings
). Likewise, a violin is more delicate with higher notes than a trumpet, which blares.Applying that metaphor to their singing, you can sort of see where people are coming from when they say Hikaru's voice can some across as a bit sharp and 'shrieking' or blaring. But that's a natural characteristic of her voice and it's not really her fault. Just like how you can't change the way a trumpet sounds.
So I still stand by my previous comment that it's okay to have your own opinion about Hikaru's singing because there's nothing that can be done if you don't like it, since it's not like she does deliberately because that's just the way her voice is. But there's no need to be offensive; keep the comments nice, civil, respectful and unhurtful towards Hikaru and her fans.
And yeah...sorry if I'm repeating myself a lot and ranting heaps (my English teacher always tells me I write too much
) but that's just because I felt really uncomfortable (and now really overprotective) when I read of how some people seemed to be singling her out and dissing her so harshly and undeservedly.And it's even more upsetting when you consider what a softie Hikaru is. I can't even bear to think of what it'd be like if she read some of those comments herself (heaven forbid...
)Oh, and @Kagiribi: Thank you~ I'm glad you like it. I find Wakashark so adorable~~
Hime_Wakana
I have reached Yuki nirvana
I agree with you :):)
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Kagaribi no Hanabira
Guest
Hmm..I have quite different opinion when it goes to music instrumental metaphor for Wakana voice..ok..I think it's off topic though..:p.. Her voice may be close to violin in aspect of voice range (violin=Wakana, viola=Hikaru, cello=Keiko), but I think violin is an instrumental that can represent the various emotion, from gloomy to glory.., and its sound is also sharp&sensitive, while Wakana voice is smooth, quite gloomy, and controlled..
For the controlled-ness, the music instruments like piano, xylophone, marimba etc. (i.e. percussion with the specific various keys) popped up in my mind. And I think Wakana sound characteristic&atmosphere are very close to organ's.. . (but her singing in Lacrimosa is also violin-wise for me :D.)
, and its sound is also sharp&sensitive, while Wakana voice is smooth, quite gloomy, and controlled.. For the controlled-ness, the music instruments like piano, xylophone, marimba etc. (i.e. percussion with the specific various keys) popped up in my mind. And I think Wakana sound characteristic&atmosphere are very close to organ's..
. (but her singing in Lacrimosa is also violin-wise for me :D.)