The mental side of singing...

I think it's funny how the mind can totally screw with you. Anybody out there in the cover band scene have the same problem I do? I always feel like I'm auditioning, even if it's a band I've played with for a good amount of time...I guess because everybody knows the song or songs, and mentally, I think I have to be perfect every night. Pisses me off, lol

I have no experience in this, but as soon as I read the thread title, I said "ALL sides of singing are mental!!" and then realised that no, part of it is physical. Just for ME and all my silly hang-ups and mental blocks, it's pretty much 100% mental.

And what do you feel when auditioning? Do you feel that you need to perform above a certain level to be appreciated, gratified, accepted, impressive?

It's probably quite common.

Or did I misunderstand you? Maybe it's because you sing covers - do you get the same feeling when singing your own songs?

This is very common, and a hard thing to get past, I'm afraid, because singers are out in front. FWIW, I always remind myself that my singing is not about me, but about the song. I try to sneak past ego and focus on making the song the best it can be.

Doesn't always work, of course, but sometimes it does.

I have no issues live with an audience but, when I go record with all that clear sound and no smiling reasuring faces from patrons, I get all kinds of insecure! I hate having headphones on and I am there singing and watching the song writers face, or the producer at the desk and try to figure out what they think...it sucks so much that I ask to have no effects at all in my ears, I want plain, harsh, honest, vocals so I can hear what they hear with nothing else...hate recording! So robotic!

Rod

With an audience it's no problem. It's just when I'm with the band...always feel like every tune has to be perfect. It's just something I've got stuck in my head...like it has to sound EXACTLY like the original recording. I know the band is cool, but it's just this stupid mental thing I've got

Originals are different because it's my voice and my lyrics.

the most unfortunate truth

Ya... um "NO" LOL! I feel pressure when playing a new venue or singing with a new band, but never with the guys in my old band. Relax and have some fun man - that's what it is all about!

With an audience it's no problem. It's just when I'm with the band...always feel like every tune has to be perfect. It's just something I've got stuck in my head...like it has to sound EXACTLY like the original recording. I know the band is cool, but it's just this stupid mental thing I've got Originals are different because it's my voice and my lyrics.

well aren't you just doing this cover band thing to build a springboard for ur originals?

if that's the case, just picture it for what it is: a stepping stone. When I do that, everything becomes more tolerable knowing that you have a more fulfilling goal in the longrun.

Yes and no. The money's nice when there's a gig! Plus I'm looking for a new drummer since my last guy completely flaked. That may have something to do with my mood. As far as originals, I'd love to do them but there's is absolutely NO scene for that stuff here...sucks. The drive to Cali for gigs wouldn't be bad, but finding good players that want to play for the door are hard to come by. Everybody out here has delusions of a steady cover gig in some top 40 lounge band.

welcome to vegas baby.

i could never live there.

Tell me about it...I got maybe 2 years left in me then I'm bailing!

You're in a crowded public place, and someone finds out you're a singer. He or she asks you to sing something. Do you ...

A) look embarrassed and say, "Right here? In front of everybody?"

B) come up with a lame excuse as to why you can't sing right now?

C) mumble a few bars of something at low volume to get the person off your back?

D) grin and belt out something killer because you're a singer, dammit, and someone asked you to sing?

When you get to the point where it's "D", every time, any other more structured situation, like rehearsals and shows, will be cake.

Here's another exercise: go to a public place, like an outdoor farmer's market or a shopping mall. Now, start singing. Loudly.

This is simply another variation of "I'm a singer, dammit, so I'm going to sing."

These impromptu performances are "deep end of the pool" kind of stuff, but if you master singing anytime, anywhere, you may never have a case of nerves or over-think again.

You're in a crowded public place, and someone finds out you're a singer. He or she asks you to sing something. Do you ... A) look embarrassed and say, "Right here? In front of everybody?" B) come up with a lame excuse as to why you can't sing right now? C) mumble a few bars of something at low volume to get the person off your back? D) grin and belt out something killer because you're a singer, dammit, and someone asked you to sing? When you get to the point where it's "D", every time, any other more structured situation, like rehearsals and shows, will be cake. Here's another exercise: go to a public place, like an outdoor farmer's market or a shopping mall. Now, start singing. Loudly. This is simply another variation of "I'm a singer, dammit, so I'm going to sing." These impromptu performances are "deep end of the pool" kind of stuff, but if you master singing anytime, anywhere, you may never have a case of nerves or over-think again.

This is a great way of looking at things! I need to get to the point to where I'm at answer D. It's weird, if I have a gig I'm normally fine. But other than that, I'm usually stuck somewhere between B and C...

I only get nervous if I'm unfamiliar with the material and they just want wing it. But if anyone asks me to sing at a place in public I just say no. I know I'm a singer and I've nothing to prove to anyone. It's happened before. Most of my friends just laugh at the guy or girl and they woddle away.

It is the exact same attitude that you have to internalize as this meme:

u do what you gotta do to get the job done.

here u go:

The Duke speaks wise words; pay heed, lesserlings.

Well, there's a difference between obliging someone who says something like, "My friend said I would really enjoy hearing you sing something. Would you mind?", and someone who says, "So, I hear you're some hot {censored} singer or something. Yeah right. If you're so great, show me what you got."

Of course, I'm not going to give a jerk the time of day, but if someone is nice, I'm always much more inclined to indulge his or her request. Why not? I happen to LIKE entertaining people, which is different than trying to prove something.

here u go:

nice

Well, there's a difference between obliging someone who says something like, "My friend said I would really enjoy hearing you sing something. Would you mind?", and someone who says, "So, I hear you're some hot {censored} singer or something. Yeah right. If you're so great, show me what you got." Of course , I'm not going to give a jerk the time of day, but if someone is nice, I'm always much more inclined to indulge his or her request. Why not? I happen to LIKE entertaining people, which is different than trying to prove something.

This

I used to stand-up and people would sometimes ask me to do some of my act or "do something funny". Ugh. It would be like being an artist and having someone come and say "draw something for me". Performing out of context like that just seems awkward to me.