I Need Help!!!!!!

[sipi1910]

I am by no means a singer,but i play guitar.the problem is that i want to be a singer- songwriter more than anything in the world.i can sound decent when singing at very low volume levels(too low to record) but the louder i get the worse i sound.i guess my question is ,are singing lessons worth it or do you have to know how to sing somewhat and they just teach you how to tweak you voice with exercises?



thanks in advance,
wayne

[Buffalo Bob]

Singing lessons will teach you how to use your voice without damaging your vocal cords. It will also teach you proper breathing and enunciation, as well as technique. If your goal is to be a singer, it would be money well-spent. Good luck!

Bob

[sipi1910]

thanks for your reply bob.i think i will go ahead and take lessons ,i think i just needed someone to assure me that lessons would help that doesnt have a stake in the money i will be paying.


wayne

[octoruss]

a compressor wouldn't hurt either...

[sipi1910]

how would the compressor help octoruss? i have noticed that reverb and chorus help a little.

wayne

[Buffalo Bob]

A good singer should be able to sing into a mic WITHOUT any compression. The best ones can, but not without learning mic technique, breathing, inward plosives, dynamics, etc. Everybody wants to squash everything, and it usually sounds like it.
Yes, you can electronically make a mouse sound like a lion, but you said you wanted to be a singer. Learn your instrument first, then use the electronics to fine-tune it. Nobody ever said "I really love the compression on that vocal track" - they usually say "That guy has a great VOICE!"


Bob

[octoruss]

Sure, a good singer should be able to sing without any compression, but that's like saying that with proper mic placement you shouldn't have to use any EQ or reverb. FX are there to help smooth out the rough edges and compensate for our natural limitations...unless you're Pavarotti or Brad Delp.

I don't advocate listening to anything by WHitney Houston, Celine Dion or Mariah Carey, but there is a reason why they are professionals. If you watch them singing, they give very good visual examples of proper vocal technique. Each uses all sorts of dynamics, but on the louder parts, they turn their heads away from the dynamic microphones, but bring them in close on the quieter parts.

Compression will "do" that artificially--not as good as proper vocal technicque mind you, but in Wayne's case, he "sounds better soft instead of loud". A compressor won't make his voice sound any better tone or pitch wise, but it will even out some the dynamics between loud and soft.

[octoruss]

One last thing, and I meant to include this in my previous posting, is simply that I concur with Buffalo Bob about voice lessons. Before you purchase a compressor, or add chorus, delay, reverb, whatever, DO take singing lessons. I have taught singing to males and females, and you'd be surprised at how much better your tone gets with even a moderate improvement in breath control.

No need to initially shell out more $$ for proper lessons, but look online for resources on "how to sing well" and how to use your diaphragm to make notes, not your throat. Once you get a few basics and practice well out of earshot of your neighbors, you WILL notice a difference. Then go take lessons to maximize the money you'll spend on them. Once you have even a moderate foundation of how to sing well, you'll find that all the external FX will make your vocal recordings exponentially better.

Good luck--

octo

[Buffalo Bob]

"Compression will "do" that artificially--not as good as proper vocal technicque mind you, but in Wayne's case, he "sounds better soft instead of loud". A compressor won't make his voice sound any better tone or pitch wise, but it will even out some the dynamics between loud and soft."


I surrender. Wayne, just go out and buy an RNC and a C1 and you'll sound like a pro!

[mrbigputts]

sipi, Im in the same boat..... Im a guitarist/singer/songwriter and let me tell ya my guitar is the best part of that trio. I have been considering vocal lessons myself and I think your post has made me decide to go ahead with the lessons. I have been playing guitar for about 16 years and only singing for about 2 I can tell there have been improvements in my singing in that time period but I still have a very limited range. Hopefully the lessons will allow me to improve my range. good luck

[sipi1910]

once again thanks for eveyones replies and advice.its good to know im not the only one in this boat mrbigputts.good luck to you and let me know how it goes.