Members Mi-key Posted March 18, 2007 Members Share Posted March 18, 2007 I know I'm setting myself up for alot of jokes but maybe i can get a little useful information between the lines. Eons ago I played folk guitar and sang Dylan songs for my own pleasure. Nobody ever laughed or ran away but in so many words I was not that great. ( Nasaly ) Like Dylan. Anyway 40 years later I'm playing in a cover band and we get a few gigs but I still would love to sing. Is there anything out there that may help a poor soul like me? I do have a good ear so I can sing in key, but a few notes may be flat or sharp, and I think a little harmony would help, the rest of the band is too shy or chicken. ( latter ). I have the courage, just not the voice. I'm sure lessons would help but I think God just made some people singers and others Instrumentalists. I do play keyboard. I don't want to sound like anyone in perticular just myself. I know I could give it some feeling. We play alot of blues and old rock 60's 70's.... If anyone out there understands what I'm trying to convey and has any ideas, I would be much obliged. Thanks, Mi-key Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sharnrock Posted March 18, 2007 Members Share Posted March 18, 2007 Do what the best singers in the world do... lip sinc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Scodiddly Posted March 18, 2007 Members Share Posted March 18, 2007 A lot of lead singers come from being the only one in the band who's not afraid to sing, so don't worry too much. I myself took a few lessons a while ago, and that along with regular practice made a huge difference in my singing. Not that I'm that great, but I'm one of the stronger voices in the choir (another good place to get some learning done!) and do an occasional solo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members flanc Posted March 18, 2007 Members Share Posted March 18, 2007 I know I'm setting myself up for alot of jokes but maybe i can get a little useful information between the lines. Eons ago I played folk guitar and sang Dylan songs for my own pleasure. Nobody ever laughed or ran away but in so many words I was not that great. ( Nasaly ) Like Dylan. Anyway 40 years later I'm playing in a cover band and we get a few gigs but I still would love to sing. Is there anything out there that may help a poor soul like me? I do have a good ear so I can sing in key, but a few notes may be flat or sharp, and I think a little harmony would help, the rest of the band is too shy or chicken. ( latter ). I have the courage, just not the voice. I'm sure lessons would help but I think God just made some people singers and others Instrumentalists. I do play keyboard. I don't want to sound like anyone in perticular just myself. I know I could give it some feeling. We play alot of blues and old rock 60's 70's.... If anyone out there understands what I'm trying to convey and has any ideas, I would be much obliged.Thanks, Mi-key Take lessons and practice. Record yourself and listen back with a critical ear. Even going to the local karaoke bar can give you practice in singing...as goofy as it sounds...it's not a bad tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bigmike216 Posted March 19, 2007 Members Share Posted March 19, 2007 Try out for american idol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members VSpaceBoy Posted March 19, 2007 Members Share Posted March 19, 2007 The #1 most important thing is your pitch. But to hold the pitch clean, you have to support it with your breath. Otherwise you'll go sharp and flat as you have too much or not enough (uneven) breath support. By breath support, I mean an even flow of air much like if you were playing a trumpet or something. If you are serious about it, find a coach and take some lessons. Thats what I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Andier Posted March 19, 2007 Members Share Posted March 19, 2007 Hey, that's problem many people have to confront with, and you're the one who has the courage! We are almost in the same position.. I'm not great at singing, but sometimes have to. I'm actually seeking for a solution,too.. I'm thinking of having some lessons; but before that, I usually practise a song time and time again following the notes. I feel that's helpful to know what notes you're singing (if you play some instrument). And I'd then to try to sing it while playing guitar, try to harmonize with the guitar. Once I can do this, I can sing with any other instruments. No fake~~~ Good luck~!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted March 19, 2007 CMS Author Share Posted March 19, 2007 If you've got the courage and can sing reasonably in pitch, you're 95% of the way there. Some coaching/lessons, and practiec will definitely get you the rest of the way. Good luck, and definitely let us know what you do and how it works out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarharv52 Posted March 19, 2007 Members Share Posted March 19, 2007 Choose songs that are in your range and capabilities and you should do fine.I imagine there are a lot of people who find themselves in your position.I did.Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members alcohol Posted March 19, 2007 Members Share Posted March 19, 2007 I started singing lessons at 56. Just to learn something so I could help others in my recording studio. I tried three other teachers before this one. My voice has improved tremondously. Can't emphasize how important it is to learn diaphramatic breathing. The next thing is focusing your sound. You need to have teacher there to tell you when your getting "it." It is not something you can judge on your own. Recording your voice lessons is a big help. Lastly, don't be wwary to change the key of a song so that it's appropriate for your voice. I still work in a cover band with some very good singers. I get a couple of songs a set and no one has told me to stop singing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Morphic Force Posted March 19, 2007 Members Share Posted March 19, 2007 Sing from your diaphragm and not your throat. Learn to breathe properly and how to use that breath to it's fullest extent. Develop a natural vibrato. Each song should be looked at as an exercise in breathing and control of pitch. Learn your vocal scales in all the keys you are compfortable with. Just a couple of thoughts from a newbie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mi-key Posted March 20, 2007 Author Members Share Posted March 20, 2007 I would like to thank all that "pitched" in with advise, and I will take it to heart. Need to find a coach. I've heard about the breathing and diaphram control. Like you all said, with some practice and some honest advise I should be able to belt out a song or two without scaring the crowd away. Like Jimi said " if Dylan can sing, so can I ". Thanks again, Mi-key Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tremendo Posted March 20, 2007 Members Share Posted March 20, 2007 I've played guitar in bands for 20+ years (damn.... damn!) and I have sung the occasional song here and there. A couple years back we went to a 3 piece (mostly covers) and I became the lead singer. I picked up lots of books, CD's, and found a couple that worked for me. One of the 20 minute vocal exercise CD's helped me get stronger and blend chest and head voice better, using more of a "mid" voice. Either way, I haven't really gone back to it, but it put me to a higher level than I was at. I don't consider myself a singer, but I have done some pretty big gigs now as the singer. It's all good, just learn to practice the right techniques. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rxnet Posted March 20, 2007 Members Share Posted March 20, 2007 In the shower I always sound good!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bajazz Posted March 20, 2007 Members Share Posted March 20, 2007 Choose songs that are in your range and capabilities and you should do fine.I imagine there are a lot of people who find themselves in your position.I did.Good luck. That will expand your repertoire and strengthen your present abilities. But it won't take you further. If you really want to improve, then step out of your comfort zone and practice what you can't. Aim high. I thought that nailing "Living on a prayer" was out of my range. But theres no such thing as out of your range. There is practice or laziness. With practice you'll do it. With laziness you won't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarharv52 Posted March 21, 2007 Members Share Posted March 21, 2007 That will expand your repertoire and strengthen your present abilities. But it won't take you further. If you really want to improve, then step out of your comfort zone and practice what you can't. Aim high. I thought that nailing "Living on a prayer" was out of my range. But theres no such thing as out of your range. There is practice or laziness. With practice you'll do it. With laziness you won't![/quote exactly!I was thinking in terms of him just starting out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members One_Dude Posted March 21, 2007 Members Share Posted March 21, 2007 I am in a position much like the OP. I really can't sing but I do seem to be improving as I get older. I took some singing lessons many years ago and that helped a bit with breathing and technique, but I think there's a natural talent that I am missing. More recently I have been talked into singing in the Praise & Worship group I belong to. Since I play bass, I can only sing on songs that have an easy bass part and on songs with words that I am mostly familiar with. In the last few weeks I have been paying closer attention to singers I see on some of the PBS programs they are running during their "fundraiser" drive. I am amazed that I have not really noticed before that few of the big name singers have great voices. What they do seem to have is plenty of technique, little vocal tricks, and a voice that is unique. In the past I have been told that I will never be able to sing Rock because my diction is too good, and I believe that to be true. Over the years I have decided that one of my problems is that my voice falls partly in the tenor range and partly in the baritone range, and that I generally cannot hit all the notes in either range. Right now I am not doing too bad harmonizing within our group, but I don't see that solo's will ever be in my future. As for offering any useful tips, I'm sorry to say that I don't have any. It's interesting however to hear the advice offerred by those experienced singers out there. JR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bajazz Posted March 21, 2007 Members Share Posted March 21, 2007 In the past I have been told that I will never be able to sing Rock because my diction is too good, and I believe that to be true. Over the years I have decided that one of my problems is that my voice falls partly in the tenor range and partly in the baritone range, and that I generally cannot hit all the notes in either range.That's just bull{censored}, but Believe and it shall come true!!Why not rather deceide that you will become good with practice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members picker13 Posted March 21, 2007 Members Share Posted March 21, 2007 Holding the pitch is one of the things they teach you in vocal (singing) lessons. If you love singing, by all means take some lessons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Scodiddly Posted March 21, 2007 Members Share Posted March 21, 2007 I am amazed that I have not really noticed before that few of the big name singers have great voices. What they do seem to have is plenty of technique, little vocal tricks, and a voice that is unique. As a Tom Waits fan I'd have to agree. Some of the best singers have pretty bad voices, at least as far as smooth sound goes. Stevie Wonder has an awful, nasally voice - but he's an incredible singer nonetheless. Or maybe it's the limitation of his voice that forced him to really work on style and technique? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Zeromus-X Posted March 22, 2007 Members Share Posted March 22, 2007 I'd love to start singing, at least backups to begin with... but I've got a really weird tone to my voice or something. We played a show at the Oceanfront here a few months back and the guy at the monitor board came back to make sure the mic was working -- said it sounded like it was missing some frequency or something, but it was just my voice. Who knows. I rock the {censored} out in the car though, hell with everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members puritanrodeo Posted March 22, 2007 Members Share Posted March 22, 2007 just do it (I hate to use the Nike cliche) but I never wanted to be a singer but I've been the singer in every band that I've been in. Am I a great singer, no, but I've definitely improved and I've fooled people into thinking that I'm a singer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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