Singing tips...

[ThePuppetMaster]

Alright, I'm not sure if this is the right place for this kind of thread... but I couldn't really figure out where else to put it.

Ala the thread title, I'm looking for some vocal tips!

Basically I've been singing while playing a guitar, (literally all types, bass included) recreationally, for a year or so.

I've got no problem with the timing of singing and playing contrasting parts; in fact in most cases I can sing and play a song within about 25 minutes of learning the guitar part.

Basically, and I'm not trying to blow my own horn here, I've got a great grasp of music in a raw sense (ie. no real 'traditional' musical training).

The only problem is I've got an incredibly inconsistent voice and generally sound like shit!

I've never had signing lessons, so I was on the lookout for any easy tips that any vocalists on here might have.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Alright, I'm not sure if this is the right place for this kind of thread... but I couldn't really figure out where else to put it.

Ala the thread title, I'm looking for some vocal tips!

Basically I've been singing while playing a guitar, (literally all types, bass included) recreationally, for a year or so.

I've got no problem with the timing of singing and playing contrasting parts; in fact in most cases I can sing and play a song within about 25 minutes of learning the guitar part.

Basically, and I'm not trying to blow my own horn here, I've got a great grasp of music in a raw sense (ie. no real 'traditional' musical training).

The only problem is I've got an incredibly inconsistent voice and generally sound like shit!

I've never had signing lessons, so I was on the lookout for any easy tips that any vocalists on here might have.

I'm probably in the same boat as yourself talent-wise PM, self-taught, can play guitar and sing - but the singing leaves a bit to be desired ...

here are some (possibly unhelpful !) tips;

* sing from the diaphragm, not the throat (not that I follow this one myself)

* get a cheapy keyboard, try to match any notes you play on the keys with your vocals, i.e. use the keys to 'tune' your vocals

* alternatively, embrace what you don't like about your voice, emphasise it, come up with something unique - most of the bands and singers that I truly enjoy aren't the most gifted.
Look at Mariah Carey/Christina Aguillera/Vanessa Amorossi - all amazingly gifted vocalists, all as boring as bat sh*t - to me, performers like Tom Waits, David Byrne, Jonathon Richman and plenty of others hold my interest and it's because they have something unique and interesting about their vocal style.

I love this old quote from David Byrne : "The better the singer's voice is, the harder it is to believe what they're saying."

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Thanks from the tips mate; will try a couple of them.

The 'tuning' one is probably the one i'll try first.

 

[Roos4eva]

I'm probably in the same boat as yourself talent-wise PM, self-taught, can play guitar and sing - but the singing leaves a bit to be desired ...

here are some (possibly unhelpful !) tips;

* sing from the diaphragm, not the throat (not that I follow this one myself)

* get a cheapy keyboard, try to match any notes you play on the keys with your vocals, i.e. use the keys to 'tune' your vocals

* alternatively, embrace what you don't like about your voice, emphasise it, come up with something unique - most of the bands and singers that I truly enjoy aren't the most gifted.
Look at Mariah Carey/Christina Aguillera/Vanessa Amorossi - all amazingly gifted vocalists, all as boring as bat sh*t - to me, performers like Tom Waits, David Byrne, Jonathon Richman and plenty of others hold my interest and it's because they have something unique and interesting about their vocal style.

I love this old quote from David Byrne : "The better the singer's voice is, the harder it is to believe what they're saying."

Agreed with all that.

Obtaining the uniqueness of your voice is the best advice though, because it means you're comfortable with it and you're also sounding like no one else, but YOU. When I realised this, it helped immensely, but it takes time to know what works best for you.

Also, try things like lip rolls; they can help with gaining a bit more freedom in your voice.