Complete and utter novice wanting advice please!!

Hi all

I might have a tendency to waffle on here, so bear with me!! And I generally don’t have much idea about this kind of stuff…

I come from a long line of amateur singers, the exception being my Mother who’s had some commercial success over the years, and considers herself an authority on all things singing related!

I LOVE to sing, but I have absolutely no idea if I’m any good, have potential or am horrendous. I’ve tried recording myself, but to be honest, I still can’t tell. I’m also very shy about letting anyone hear me sing, as I’m embarrassed that I might be awful.

A couple of people who’ve caught me have said I’m half decent, but the only comment I’ve ever had from anyone who might know what they’re talking about is my Mother who rather bluntly told me I was ‘flat’ – she’s critical of most things so I have no idea if this is true or just her being her usual nasty critical self.

So, I hope someone can help…

1)How do I work out if I’m any good, or have the potential to be any good??

2)Assuming I can hold a note, what do I do about it??

For the record, I’m not looking to be ‘the next big thing’, I just love to sing; it gets under my skin and in my soul, and makes me feel complete. I’d be quite happy performing on a Saturday night down my local pub… although obviously a major recording deal would be nice!

Any comments / advice most welcome – thanks!

Hmm it would be helpful if you posted a clip of your singing, I guess a good way to work out if you are any good is to have people's opinions! lol

Actually I find it rather odd that you don't have any idea about your level... Maybe make a checklist of sorts in your mind, like "I can sing on key - check"...that skill alone makes you a decent singer in my opinion lol. Then you can work from that.

Thanks Williamz!

I used to think I had a resonably good voice, but after a big confidence blow from Mother, who's achievements and opinions I value, perhaps I might not be that great. I also suspect a lot of my trouble is that I don't really understand what 'flat' or 'on key' means, so I can't tell if I am or not! Told you I was a complete novice

Anyway, I think your advice to post something on here is the way to go... I'll get that sorted. Cheers!

Hi!

And yes, please post a clip of you singing so we can hear. I personally have a very good ear (not to be conceited. I know I’m not the most fantastic singer, but I DO have a good ear) and will be honest with you.

I would like to hear you as well

Well, number one, you have to sing really regularly. That's the bottom line. I could hardly sing at all and I started getting better when I began to sing for at least 30 minutes per day.

Second, I would recommend singing with an instrument. I am primarily a guitarist, so it was easy for me to start singing along with chords in the background. However, I found that I progressed more quickly when I would find the melody on the guitar and sing along with the pitches to ensure good intonation. You could just as easily use a piano if you find that more convenient--I think most vocal instructors use a piano. My vocal pitch control and musical ear improved a ton from practicing like that and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Third, I would recommend recording yourself regularly. There's no feedback as instant or as accurate as listening to a recording of yourself. I record for 10 minutes or so every time I practice in order to hear what I really sound like. There's no need for excellent equipment...I record with the built-in mic on my laptop and use Audacity. It's quick-and-dirty and ensures that I waste no time with technology when I could be singing. This is huge!

Those are the best hints I can offer, although I am admittedly a beginner. I never really made any progress until I started following those steps and I've seen dramatic progress since then.

Well, number one, you have to sing really regularly. That's the bottom line. I could hardly sing at all and I started getting better when I began to sing for at least 30 minutes per day.

 

Second, I would recommend singing with an instrument. I am primarily a guitarist, so it was easy for me to start singing along with chords in the background. However, I found that I progressed more quickly when I would find the melody on the guitar and sing along with the pitches to ensure good intonation. You could just as easily use a piano if you find that more convenient--I think most vocal instructors use a piano. My vocal pitch control and musical ear improved a ton from practicing like that and I'd recommend it to anyone.

 

This is SO true. The more you sing the better you will get at least it was for me.

 

If I were you, I would try finding an "Open mic" night and mixing with some local musicians. Start a project or try out for a project. Be careful just listening to your friends they may not be as honest. Craigslist often has musicians looking for vocalist, you can try out and see if you get any offers?

Echoing (no pun intended) the others. The biggest thing is to get out there and do it. Open mics, karaoke, sing in the shower or the car, in your room, wherever.

There are a couple components to singing that separate talented from the not-so-much. Dumbed down (for myself more than anyone as I do not know all the theory of this stuff):

1) Pitch - whether you are on pitch or "in key" or not when you sing.

2) The tone or timbre of your voice - the quality of it, soulful, resonating, thin, gravelly, etc.

3) Delivery or performance - this has less to do with your voice and more to do with your body and your emotiveness on stage. Are you animated, soulful, do you just stand stiffly in one spot? How are you perceived on stage.

I daresay that if you possess 2 out of these 3 you may have something going for you - Neil Young made a career of singing off pitch.

I will say though that if you cannot tell if you are on-key or not, you may have a your work cut out for you and picking up an instrument (as others have suggested) may be helpful. As would lessons.