Singing Techniques

[c7sus]

Do a search on Amazon for a book/CD by a guy named Roger Love.

The set is entitiled "Setting Your Inner Voice Free" or something like that. The book lines out the exercises, and the CD illustrates what they should sound like. He has stuff in there about breathing and head/chest/belly voicing.

 

[Benreturns]

Re: Hunger

He was hungry back then.

Not rich and succesful.

Maybe that has something to do with it.

yeah... you gotta hunger for something to get that passion down in a vocal. You have to live it and it will come across in your singing.

 

[smellyfuzz]

I've been singing for 30 years - poorly. I finally broke down and had six group vocal classes this summer, with one of the vocal profs at my college...

If you REALLY care about improving your singing, take the plunge, take some lessons - or join a community choir or something. You might get some of the training for free that way.

BRAVO !!!!!!!

 

[tyler657recpro]

Yes but, the problem is that Freeform really does not know WTF he is talking about and you are only interested in hearing only answers you want to hear.

The fact is your question was, "What ways are there to get the most out of your voice?"

You got your anwser, both Chris and Blue Bear, who both have respect on this web-site for thier knowledge, gave you the truth, which you do not want to hear.
You like most want a simple pill or quick fix to singing better.
This does not exsist.
The advice that Freeform gave you if you go and follow can RUIN YOUR VOICE.

He is not a singing coach, he is very young, he his simply speaking from his ass.
His advice is simply to show off his knowledge, of which from his post, is limited.

But go ahead and sing any way you want. Ruin your voice, you do not seem to want to really learn how to sing properly.

Sean

PS.


This is an idiotic argument, are you an idiot ?
That is why other informed members have not given you more answers.

Ok, first of all, and I don't mean this in a bad or sarcastic way, I've never been aware that Blue is a singer, or an authority on singing. He tends to be rude, err, thats not the right word for it, but let's say blunt with little room for compromise in his statements. ie, get singing lessons theres nothing else in the entire world you can do or read or study to help you. And again I'm not aware of his singing skills, so I took his post with a grain of salt. Chris, I've seen him around, I'm not too informed on his background, but I did pay attention to his statement.

All I'm trying to find out is what I can do without vocal lessons. I am not able to get them at this time. It's not that I can't afford them, or am too lazy to take them. I don't have time between my schedule and my parents schedule, since I am still dependent on them.

Obviously some people have done it. There must be some things you can do without lessons. Like the book c7sus suggested. Or a website or something. I realize that singing lessons are the best way and I will probably get them someday. But as of now, I can't. And so I must find alternatives. All I want is help finding them. I'm not being rude or hardheaded.

-Tyler

 

[smellyfuzz]

Obviously some people have done it. There must be some things you can do without lessons. Like the book c7sus suggested. Or a website or something. I realize that singing lessons are the best way and I will probably get them someday. But as of now, I can't. And so I must find alternatives. All I want is help finding them.

Ok, now your starting to listen a little but,

C7 and other Good singers on this web-site will recommend books. They are entitled to their opinion and certainly mean well.

I do not endorse books as any kind of replacement, beginning, ending or accompaniment to sing lessons.

The only thing that I feel that a book is good for is to teach the physical happenings to the body as you sing. The science of singing if you will.

As far as your comment about Blue Bear, He would be the first to admit he has no or little training in the singing department, but he is a very, very accomplished recording engineer who has worked with many bad and good singers. Plus, I suspect that he has read some of my posts on singing lessons and I would gather he would suspect that I know what I'm talking about.

 

[tyler657recpro]

ok thank you much.

 

[rogga_bogga]

Why is it every time someone asks about singing techniques, you always get the answer that vocal lessons is the only way to go, or else you'll ruin your voice forever? The main reason I can think of is because it's something you can't "see".
If someone asks about a certain guitar technique or whatever they always get long informative answers and everyone is very helpful. They almost never point you in the direction of a teacher. Do like they do. Ask around. Talk about singing. Record yourself and listen back. Be open and be aware of what you're doing. That's what all other musicians do. I don't see why singing would be any different.
Blue bear's answer really pisses me off. I don't care if he has recorded millions and zillions of great artists. If he doesn't play the instrument himself he doesn't know.

So find someone you can ask and listen to what your body has to tell you. Listen to singers and try to do what they do, if you want to. Singing isn't rocket science, or a lot of secrets that only a teacher can tell you. A teacher can only show you the tools, but you'll still have to use them in your own way, whichever they may be.

 

[c7sus]

Ok, now your starting to listen a little but,

C7 and other Good singers...............

Just a point of clarification:

Uhhhhmmmmmmmm............ I'm NOT a good singer by any stretch of the imagination or stretch of the words "good singer."

 

[glynb]

What's a 'good singer' is the question that comes to my mind?

I can think of many succesful artists who are not what would be conventionaly described as a 'good singer' eg Bob Dylan, Ossie Osborne, Johnny Cash, Lou Reed, etc. These guys were no opera singers. What they had was a distinctive voice and style. I say this not to contradict anyone here, just to add something to the discussion.

With regards to singing lessons, I'm sure they can only do good. What they can't do is give you a disctinctive voice if you don't already have one. What they CAN do is help you make the best of what you already have.

 

[Chris Tondreau]

Okay.... a couple of things here. A good singer - depends on what you're judging. You can have a singer that is pleasing to listen to for whatever reason (can hold a tune, has distinctive voice with a quality that you like, etc.), but that does not make them a good singer. I think of Kurt Cobain, Rod Stewart, Brian Johnson. I love their voices, but I don't believe they are good singers. Why not? There seems to be little technique, lots of straining, and not much resonance in their tone. All of these things lead to problems later. (I know I sort of contradict myself there... If anyone knows how Brian Johnson can even TALK these days, I'd be interested in knowing....) Cobain didn't really have time to mess up his voice really badly, and Rod Stewarts vocal problems are well documented.

A good singer, IMO, will be able to reliably perform on any given day, from now until old age. This involves techniques that you can use to NOT strain the voice, and to have a resonant (not necessarily operatic) tone (which is closely linked to projection/perceived strength in the voice).

Why is giving advice for vocals any different than giving guitar advice? A lot of guitar advice is not "technique" advice per se - a lot of it revolves around play these scales, do this for a warm-up, etc. Technique, as I see it, is the PHYSICAL framework within which you perform. As a guitar player, technique will probably take the form of (but not exclusively limited to) good hand position (finger tips perpendicular to fretboard, fingers parallel with frets, thumb pointed at ceiling but not over the neck, etc. YOu can SEE those things, evaluate your progress, and make changes accordingly. With singing, yes, the difference is that you can't see your technique - though there will be some visual cues to suggest whether you MIGHT be doing it right. How will you know if you're lifting your throat? How will you know if you are, indeed, focussing your voice across the cheekbones? How will you know if you are supporting your breath properly? How will you know HOW to rectify any problems you might encounter with those things? Answer...you won't without an instructor who knows how to spot those things.

(refer back to swimming analogy....)

Chris

 

[glynb]

I guess we could open up a whole thread on what a 'good singer' is!

I tend to agree with your description of distinctive (Rod Stewart) as opposed to technicaly 'good'. There are many singers who are considered to be 'good' who I find very boring and undisticnctive - the example that springs to mind is Craig David. I'm talking of singers who never miss an opportunity to sing 3 notes where 1 note would have done! I've noticed a lot of r nb artists tend to fit this category.

If I had a choice between having a voice which was 'distinctive/memorable' or a good technique i would take the former every time, even if it meant that in time my voice would be shot.

No doubt singing lessons can take a distinctive voice and help the singer to use it wisely and effectively without taking away those qualities which make it different from the pack. That would be an ideal situation.

One vocie which is stagerringly different now to what it was then is Dylan's - could singing lessons have preserved his voice i wonder?

 

[jeffoest]

A lot of good suggestions here...

My vocal teacher has told me that another nice technique is to try to emulate other singers and practice that way sometimes. Don't worry - you'll never emulate them or sound exactly like them - but you will lean some things about resonance placement by experimenting with your voice to try get different sounds.

If you clan't afford vocal lessons right now, definitely do yourself a favor and get one of the books suggested here - you really will progress faster (and sing safer) if you do the old boring 'study/practice/scales'.......

As far as keeping safe - mainly focus on reducing throat pressure. Good singers can control the amount of air that goes their larynx/vocal chords without placing a lot of pressure in the throat (you can feel this by putting your fingers on your throat - if it tenses up while your singing - you are doing damage. Focus on relaxing your throat and breating correctly as baselines and you won't screw yourself up too much.

Jeff

 

[smellyfuzz]

So find someone you can ask and listen to what your body has to tell you. Listen to singers and try to do what they do, if you want to. Singing isn't rocket science, or a lot of secrets that only a teacher can tell you. A teacher can only show you the tools, but you'll still have to use them in your own way, whichever they may be.

These and other comments you made just show how ignorant you truly are.

Sean

PS.

EXCELLENT ANSWER CHRIS !!!!

But, I do feel that Ros Stewart might just do it right, even though he sounds funny and has probably never had a lesson in his life.

PSS.

Ozzy absolutely sings correctly. Though he too may have never had a lesson.
Some people just natural place and produce to sound correctly. I never did.

 

[glynb]

I don't honestly think the section you quoted from 'rogga bogga' (or whatever he's called) shows extreme ignorance. Having looked through the thread he's actualy saying many of the the same things as some other people, ie if you can't afford lessons then talk to others who may have had, practice singing like other singers you admire, that lessons are not the cure all and you still need to develop your own style, and so on.

There are far worse examples of ignorance displayed on these boards IMHO !

 

[geekgurl]

Yes but, the problem is that Freeform really does not know WTF he is talking about and you are only interested in hearing only answers you want to hear.

The fact is your question was, "What ways are there to get the most out of your voice?"

You got your anwser, both Chris and Blue Bear, who both have respect on this web-site for thier knowledge, gave you the truth, which you do not want to hear.
You like most want a simple pill or quick fix to singing better.
This does not exsist.
The advice that Freeform gave you if you go and follow can RUIN YOUR VOICE.

I just want to add here that I've HAD singing lessons, and those exercises freeform mentioned ARE ones that my coach gave me.

HOWEVER, I will also add that doing these exercises with improper breathing and muscle tension, as well as improper placement of the sound as it's leaving your mouth (the "focus" of the tone) WILL get you a hoarse voice. Freeform is not 100% wrong; but the error of omission on the other things required to avoide injury shouldn't be ignored in this discussion. I just think that's all Chris and others are pointing out.

Ane really, only a vocal coach (ie, living breathing teacher in the same room with you) can give you the necessary biofeedback to tell you whether you're doing it wrong or right.

And after all this, you have to learn to hear proper pitch while singing. I'm not really a singer, yet.

Since you can't get lessons right now, Tyler, I'd suggest maybe work on singing in pitch but don't strain ... don't try to scream either. Does your school have a choir? Join it if it does. But lessons will really help you avoid injury.

Good luck.

gg

 

[tanlith]

...It seems that you can improve vocal range by singing a song that you are barely able to hit the high notes. And then you can also sing that an octave or so down. This im told will help to stretch your vocal chords and make them stronger. And you should sing at least every other day.

in that case, may I suggest you sing a Prince (or "the artist formerly known as") song immediately followed by a Leonard Cohen songe....

... wash rinse repete....

- Tanlith -

 

[tyler657recpro]

in that case, may I suggest you sing a Prince (or "the artist formerly known as") song immediately followed by a Leonard Cohen songe....

... wash rinse repete....

- Tanlith -

That's probably really funny, but i'm too young (or sheltered) to get it.

 

[smellyfuzz]

ie if you can't afford lessons then talk to others who may have had, practice singing like other singers you admire, that lessons are not the cure all and you still need to develop your own style, and so on.

I'm sorry but that is completely wrong.

I just want to add here that I've HAD singing lessons, and those exercises freeform mentioned ARE ones that my coach gave me.

Yes but, no one can just be told what to do when it comes to singing.

only a vocal coach (ie, living breathing teacher in the same room with you) can give you the necessary biofeedback to tell you whether you're doing it wrong or right.

100% CORRECT !!!!




Sean

PS.
Singing is not like dusting crops, boy.
Taking a couple of lessons can ONLY point you in the right direction.
Until one is FULLY trained, it is easy to fall into bad habits of sound production.
Years of study, trial and error is what it takes.
AND, finding a competent teacher, there are so many bad ones.

Pss.

Few are interested in the cold harsh truth.

 

[grinder]

PS.
Singing is not like dusting crops, boy.
Taking a couple of lessons can ONLY point you in the right direction.
Until one is FULLY trained, it is easy to fall into bad habits of sound production.
Years of study, trial and error is what it takes.
AND, finding a competent teacher, there are so many bad ones.

Pss.

Few are interested in the cold harsh truth.

Isn't this true of most things?

 

[tanlith]

That's probably really funny, but i'm too young (or sheltered) to get it.

Huh?

No hidden meaning there... Prince sings REAL high and Leonard Cohen sings REAL low...

- Tanlith -