Confidence when singing

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bishmanrock

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Does anyone struggle to hit certain notes, but only in certain situations?

I tend to find I can only pull off the bigger screams and shouts I sometimes need to do in comfortable gig\studio situations, more often than not when the band is playing along with me.

However, if someone asks me to sing some of the heavier songs I've done just by myself, I find it impossible. This also makes recording at home impossible too, as my confidence kicks in and stops me from being able to reach the area I need to be singing from. It's like I'm far too aware of myself (I should also point out I'm an incredibly loud vocalist though!).

I don't know if this just applies to aggressive vocals, but if anyone else has had this, is there any particular way you've managed to trick your mind into being able to go for it?
 
Do you mean you're used to having all that volume around you of the band/music - which makes you sing loudly and powerfully - yet when the support isn't there you can't do it cause you think it's too loud on your own and clam up??
 
I think that's the largest part of it yeah.

I think it's 'cause my mind knows what's gonna happen too, so it kicks in and tries to stop me before my mouth can do anything, and then my throat just goes dry.

Hasn't been a problem so far as I've been in pretty comfortable studios, but I've had moments recording in houses in the past which produced pretty results.
 
So - when you say 'recording in houses' - are you just not getting the volume of the track you need through the cans?

So now you've convinced yourself you can't do it - so now every time you're in that situation - where you don't feel comfortable for whatever reason - this is gonna happen right?

but the thing is - you can do it - you know you can do it -

So start thinking that way! It's obviously all about confidence.

Get yourself a room somewhere - where no one can hear you, and blast the heavy stuff out, just practice without any music, (stick a finger in your ear if it still sounds too loud) once you've done it a few times you'll brain will see you can do it and have the confidence to 'just go for it' next time!
 
Sounds like a group energy thing to me. No communication with your fellow band members makes you feel left alone out on a reef with a busted foot as the tide is coming in and darkness is settling, as the hot babe you were planning to cruise with disappears into the gathering dark on your sailboat, calling out to you that she just found your cache of The Glenlivet.

I hate it when that happens.
 
@teacup
Did try this, which is how I realised it's still a problem. I got bored and decided to write an album at home by myself, but when it came to the vocals I just couldn't belt it out like I knew I could. I might just try again, close my eyes and imagine I'm on stage, see if I can trick myself!

@treeline
That definately is a tragic scenario, and probably not too far away from the truth with my last band actually (well, the initial sentance at least). I'm in good hands with my current band though, and I've been with em for two-odd years.

I noticed last time I was in the studio I did overperform a bit and strained my vocals, but I imagine this is probably a common thing for anyone not overly experienced in a studio environment, trying to get the best out of yourself. Lesson learned for that now.
 
I kinda suffer a bit of that... but I think I have a worse case of that.
I only actually started singing only a few months ago, I'm not sure where to start, I don't have much time for lessons and I feel rather embarrassed singing in the open when theres people listening. I can sing freely when I'm with 2 of my friends doing some jams and I can even improvise some lyrics (although they usually sound rather funny). But if I know there's someone around besides them my inspirations gone and I feel rather embarrassed to do any singing.
So any help on this topic is welcome. :P
 
double posted the last reply by accident, srry. :(
 
Last edited:
However, if someone asks me to sing some of the heavier songs I've done just by myself, I find it impossible. This also makes recording at home impossible too, as my confidence kicks in and stops me from being able to reach the area I need to be singing from. It's like I'm far too aware of myself (I should also point out I'm an incredibly loud vocalist though!).
Click to expand...

If/When you're doing toned down versions (acoustic) of prerecorded material that people may be familiar with, it's very common to have toned-down vocal melodies. It's not always just about confidence, it's about overall volume and emotion. Singers will often do subconscious volume adjustments to "mix" their voice with accompanying instruments when it's an acoustic or similar low-key performance. Big notes need a lot of air, and if your subconscious is controlling your mix volume, you're not gonna always get where you need to go. This is one reason for a alternative melody, another would be that a loud scream might not work as well in an acoustic version. Emotion also plays a big role in this. Find a way to always feel what you're singing. This will allow you to get outta your head and just sing.

If you NEED to hit the notes in question in the described settings, and nothing else is working, you can always try the following. Grab your favourite bottle of "liquid courage," drink just enough to get a buzz going. You'll lose your inhibitions, plus it might give you an extra couple semitones you've had trouble hitting before. Don't overdo it though. It gets counter productive quickly. Then, keep your "cords" well hydrated. Plus, it looks very rockstar :)
 
The most important thing to remember about singing confidence is that even the best singers have their limitations and doubts, but it's only those who step up to the challenge who enjoy success. So to be a successful singer you have to have the guts to take a chance and the singing confidence will follow naturally with experience.
 
I find that I can more easily reach my top couple of notes in my range when by myself. On stage I can do it too, but I require more warm-up time!
 
One of the fallicies is trying to sing stuff that is just way too high. In the ancient times, singers had to perform 4 hours a night, 6 days a week. Singing most of the tunes.... a three song set is just not going to cut it....
My opinion (an we all have one) is:
1) sing stuff that is in your comfort zone.
2) gradually you will learn from experience your upper limit
3) if you keep straining to hit notes you can't reach easily, you will wreck your voice and people will cringe when you sing
4) remember this is suposed to be fun, so pick your tunes carefully so you enjoy singing them
5) tell the band to tune their instruments down a step or more if necessary (or transpose)
6) remember too that most people (the girls) listen for the words and identify with the singer so you gotta be good
7) get the band to record a vocal-less version you can take home and practice with
8) record, review, critique, make changes, record, review, critique etc etc etc....
 
And...if you sing good you will know it. Compliments from others are gravy, you have to have self-satisfaction first before you can satisfy the crowd.
 
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