Voice Training Software -- Good, Bad, or Ugly?

[Dark_Cynic87]

Hey guys, this is my first post and my first thread here. I'm a vocalist for a small-time band (nameless atm), and I'm a decent singer, but I know for a fact I'm not good enough to ever get considered a professional at my current skill level. I've looked into voice lessons in my area, but there are only two voice trainers in my area. One charges a rediculous amount of money and a few buddies I know who have also been in bands and sang said that it wasn't worth it for them to go to this trainer. The second trainer is outrageously cheap ($15 per each 30-min. session, $30 per each hour-long session), but only teaches a very classic style of singing, most often used for choir and etc., and nothing more.

While I believe that a person is better than a computer to aid you in learning to sing properly and safely, my options are limited. I think I will be taking lessons from the second trainer as they are cheap, and I can brush up on the very basics of singing (a bit of key and pitch recognition and matching, mostly ear training and a stronger voice from the chest, breathing properly and etc.). However, I'm looking for a program that I could buy, be it a computer program or otherwise.

The question for this post: DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A GOOD, FAIRLY INEXPENSIVE VOICE-TRAINING PROGRAM? IF SO, WHERE DOES ONE FIND THIS PROGRAM, AND WHAT MAKES IT APPROPRIATE?

The band I'm in has an Industrial-Grunge feel to it (weird mix, but it works for us), if that's anything you might need to know as far as style. By Industrial Grunge I mean the flow of our music as well as our lyrics are generally a quieter feel, but we use some fairly industrial distortion. I'd put it at a mix between Tool and Slipknot, but on sedatives.

Thanks for any input, I really appreciate the help.

Pce,

--DC

 

[saads]

I play drums in a currently "2 man band". My singer/guitarist loves grunge music and sounds a lot like Kurt Cobain when he wants to. He's classically trained. Even though we don't play the kind of music his vocals were trained for, it did help tremendously in the style he wanted to sing in. Besides the training, he uses a small usb piano keyboard daily to practice singing.

 

[VomitHatSteve]

He's classically trained. Even though we don't play the kind of music his vocals were trained for, it did help tremendously in the style he wanted to sing in.

+1 for that! Classical training will help you get rid of your bad habits and find ways to modify your bad habits that sound cool in such a way that you won't hurt your voice.

You said already that you plan to take lessons from the one guy, so that's good.

As to software to supplement that, I'm afraid I can't help you. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably take the lessons to learn how not to hurt yourself and then just practice different styles that you think would fit your music.
Listen to what other singers are doing; try to mimic and expand on their style. And always record yourself so you can listen to your progress and figure out what does and doesn't actually sound good.

 

[richardmac]

Buy the book "Set Your Voice Free" by Roger Love. It comes with a CD of practice vocal exercises, it only costs about $15, and it's really really good. Seeing a vocal coach would be better, but this book is good.