How do I improve the tone of my voice?

I'd post clips, but I'm too embarrassed...my singing just sounds like slow, sustained talking. How do I make my voice resonate?

I'm sorry if this is a question that pops up over and over and over...it just seems like, regardless of my ability to hit a note, the timbre and tonality are missing...

1. Total relaxation of the larynx/jaw/tongue

2. Proper breath support

3. Raised palate

The first two are indispensable; the third item is primarily stylistic--a raised palate will lead at its extremes to an operatic sound. But even if you want to sing, say, country or pop, knowing how to raise the palate will give you a lot of flexibility in your tone.

The single most important thing, however, is learning to value and to use your own natural tone. A lot has to do with the size and shape of your resonating chambers, which (of course) cannot be changed. But assuming that your pitch is stable (which can be taught), you simply need to work with your natural tone. Experiment--see what you can do with it.

You should post a clip (via soundcloud.com or picosong.com) so that we can give advice. Lots of beginners have posted clips here. Don't be shy.

It helps me a lot to use a PA system so that I can hear myself. My progress is slow but I think I'm improving. It's like learning to speak with different accents.

Key words: Resonant Chamber. Your sinus cavities and in general your head are what makes your voice carry and determines the timbre of your voice. The term I use is "head voice" which means you direct your sound up and out of your head as opposed to just from your throat. When you hum you are essentially singing through your nose so the sound is naturally passing through your nasal passages thus thru the sinus cavities as well. (Try humming and pinch your nose closed while humming. Your sound will stop. Now try directing the sound through your nose while singing (with your mouth open) You don't want to go too nasal in your sound but you will find a balance with practice. Stand with one foot slightly ahead of the other for support, breath from your diaphragm not your shoulders and don't forget to warm up before you sing.

Shameless self promotion, but give it a watch if you want

[video=youtube;fn_D9mL9NWI]

Hey Derek, great video and very helpful. Thats pretty much exactly what you were talking about me needing on my thread. thanks....Im gonna check out your other tutorials

Great Vid man, I've been recently falling back into the dopey sound thinking that was the right thing to do. Great clarification!

Thanks guys!...I've got a newer one up on "grit and distortion", if anybody's interested in that sound as well?

I'll take a look! I spent the last year or so working on being able hold notes and being on key, but I always sound like my nose is stuffed up. Pretty sure that was from not resonating properly. Makes sense now that I hear it the correct way.