why do i sing covers better than originals??

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e unum pluribus

e unum pluribus

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why is this?? i dont get it i sound way better when i sing covers than originals does anyone else feel this way..??

if so does anyone know how to overcome this??
 
im guessing because you're more familiar with the cover song. familiarize yourself more with the original so you're more comfortable singing it.
 
A cover already has a set format, where as an original is new. Practice singin to covers, to get into a mood, and try and translate that into your originals...
 
good advise guys...

where would i post a question about singing? like advise on singing harmony?
 
A while back we were trying to take the event room as the singing forum.
 
An established, published cover tune carries the weight that it has some virtue and therefore, it is easier to invest oneself into it.

An original, on the other hand, is a totally unknown quantity with no 'track record.' By singing the tune, you are the only one giving it any credence therefore, you must believe in the tune. If you cannot do this then the tune is either not that good or not right for you.

Good Luck...Hope this helps....
 
Bluester said:
An established, published cover tune carries the weight that it has some virtue and therefore, it is easier to invest oneself into it.

An original, on the other hand, is a totally unknown quantity with no 'track record.' By singing the tune, you are the only one giving it any credence therefore, you must believe in the tune. If you cannot do this then the tune is either not that good or not right for you.

Good Luck...Hope this helps....
Click to expand...


hit the nail right on the head imho...
 
e unum pluribus said:
good advise guys...

where would i post a question about singing? like advise on singing harmony?
Click to expand...


Singing is just like any other instrument, the amount of time you put into it is what is important. Just keep singing, and it will it will start becoming easier.

If you really want to improve, you should do exercises. Grab a guitar, or sit at some keys, and play a single note, C for example. Get a metronome going, or just tap your foot, and play the C on the quarter notes (slow tempo). Start singing the Cmajor scale, on top of the neverending C. (C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C) Go as slow as you have to, but the idea is to become familiar with the character of each harmony, and to feel comfortable going to them. Also sing up the minor scale to mix it up. a personal favorite of mine is the melodic minor.

or just scream until it sounds good.
 
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For me an original has too be extremely catchy and pleasing to the ear for it to even sound halfway decent recorded or live.

I've also found that when you have lyrics that are saying something very alluring or sincere, the listeners focus is turned away from nitpicking how the vocals are executed.

I think what one is saying is just as important as execution if not more important when writing a really good song,a song that you want to believe in and play over and over without tire.
 
I agree with all of the posts but I would like to say it this way:

To sing a song is to act a role in a little 3 minute play. If you have already heard the part portrayed in a genius way by another actor it is much easier to get into character and give it a fresh interpretation.

With new material you must create a new character from the raw materials of melody and lyric which, of course, is much harder to do because you have no model to follow. The good news is that if you do it well, you will have set the standard and all future cover artists will in some way be imitating YOU.
 
Personally I think if you're performing your own song and you've spent time thinking about the lyrics, then just 'singing' it is a little bogus... because as with speaking, you would have picked up a singing accent. Play back your recordings and you're likely to pronounce words like the singers you listen to. It's taken me years to remove my American sounding singing voice (no offence to any Americans :) just I'm English, and have listened to loads of American artists)

Instead of just 'singing' like emotionless karoke, I prefer kinda speaking in tune, and sounding just like you do naturally. And if you've written a song with a particular person in mind, speak to them (in tune) as if they were standing right in front of you, make sure they would understand exactly how you feel. How many times have you heard someone sing 'I luuuuurrrvvvvvvvee the whhhhay you.... etc...' because that's how the guy before sung it. Leaves me totally cold.

I'm sure you would perform your own songs far better than covers if you allowed yourself to be natural, and threw away the singing act.
 
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The audience vibe is part of a great performance also. It's usually easier to get the audience on board with a classic tune than with something they have never heard before. The classic tune always stirs up old memories for them and they respond in kind. It's harder to do that with an original tune. Believe in yourself, sing it like you're the only one who knows how (True!), and entertain the heck out of 'em. Good luck. ;)
 
Same problem here.. Always been that way. Seems the problem I have now is just "finding" my voice. It's been a struggle. Cause, for so long I have written tunes one way and when I try to stay away from the screaming the balls off and trying to sing with some mids and melody. I just can't seem to find the place. Yet. A cover song, with mids, melody, screaming whatever. Doesn't seem to be a problem..

I do agree that if you can't feel it, you can't sing it.
 
I've seen alot of bands unwilling to change the key of the song to match the vocal better. This is really everything. Move those chords up and down until your voice sits good in it, and it feels good, sounds good, etc. Alot of bands write in E and A and that's the way it's gonna be. Also, it could be perception. My friends band really thought that they sounded better on covers, and then to their surprise, the fans wanted more originals. good luck with it.
 
I agree totally with everyone one here .It seems singing covers comes much easier.I always thought though, You can sing any cover the way you want and add your own style to it,for example I sing a lot of Roy Orbison material, but I cant reach every one of his notes in some songs, so I find one the harmonizes and still blends nicely, still his song ,but my way. This is a good way to learn how to find your own voice.
 
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