Vocal Help.

[Siren Silently]

Well, I kind of got a rag tag band of kids from school together and we've decided to make a band. We have 2 guitarist (I'm one, the other can play keyboards as well), a bassist and a drummer. We've been pretty excited, but the problem is.... None of us can sing. Well, our bassist can; but he has just picked up bass so singing will be out of the question for him (plus he doesn't want to front either). Now out of our 2 guitarist, I'm the weaker one and generally the one playing rhythms, in addition the other guy doesn't want to put effort into singing anyway. So that leaves me.

I have zero vocal experience and possibly zero ability either. So I'm wondering is it possible to improve to sing respectable within a years time? And if it is, where should I start? I'm not tone deaf so I know when I'm off pitch (which is most of the time), how would I begin to work on that?

[OveriseFan]

Anyone can learn to sing.

I'll post a list of tips later, but know that ANYONE, and I mean anyone can learn how to sing. I've seen some god-awful singers turn into very good singers.

I like to think of myself as an example. I'll post a recording from a couple years ago, then post a current recording, and you will hear a ridiculous difference.

My best advice is to get a teacher though. There's no substitute for a good teacher, and while you can improve through reading/videos, a teacher will make sure you don't develop bad habits.

Anyway, I'll be posting a (hopefully) thorough post of vocal advice for you later.

Glad you're not afraid to try though - that's the first step!

[OveriseFan]

Oh, and read through this thread, the first post has a LOT of useful information, which saves me a lot of time:

http://ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=610558

[11:11]

That was very informative. Thanks for putting that up, I'm sort of in the same spot. Except we only have a 3-member band, and the bassist won't do lead vocals.

[OveriseFan]

Glad that helped.

I need to find this website about the "Bel Canto" technique, but basically, it's the idea that you can 'inhale' your voice... I think it's a really good thought to always have when singing, personally. Really opens up your mouth, lets the sound reverberate more, and produces better tone.

Here's some advice: When breathing, place your hand on your back, and feel it expand. That's how you know you are breathing correctly.

Also, keep a vertical mouth shape when singing, no matter how high or low you go. I'll try to find pictures, if you don't understand what I mean.

When singing high, direct the sound more towards the nasal cavity, around your nose and cheekbones. As you get lower, the sound can be more directed to your mouth.

When singing low, don't put your chin down, and likewise, when singing high, don't raise it. This actually LIMITS your range more than it enhances it. Keep your head perpendicular to the ground.

Lastly, you just need to work on pitch, really. It comes with time. Sing scales. Sing along to recordings of singers who sing with GOOD TECHNIQUE. And please, get an instructor! Haha.

Hope this helps. I'll be popping in to give some more advice as I think of it.

[Sargent Sausage]

auto tune

[SLoT]

Well I always have questions about people singing when they need help. I'm a trained singer, and I've also spent quite a while experimenting with my own voice and genres etc... anyway,

1. depending on what kind of band youre in to begin with will make a huge difference in where to start vocally. dont bother learning correct techniques if you're just going to be slinging out words in a general band.

2. if youre starting a band that is putting a lot of stress on how good the vocals need to be, for now you may just want to look for a singer you guys agree on while you work up to where you need to be.

3. my point about not learning correct techniques is not a set in stone kind of thing. mainly my point is that there are bands out in the world that sound great because of there singer. there are also those bands like rancid who are unmistakable because of his voice. same thing goes for primus. if youve got a somewhat eccentric voice you may not want to ruin that by training yourself to do the opposite you know? take a bit of time to think about it because its a big thing. no one wants to hear a handful of bands who have the same sounding singers you know?

[Sargent Sausage]

thats good advice, can you give your oppion on my vocals in this one track. which is my song 173 or something. yes i auto tuned the hell out of it because i dont have no confidence in my voice

www.purevolume.com/mattkurkjian

[Siren Silently]

Glad that helped.

I need to find this website about the "Bel Canto" technique, but basically, it's the idea that you can 'inhale' your voice... I think it's a really good thought to always have when singing, personally. Really opens up your mouth, lets the sound reverberate more, and produces better tone.

Here's some advice: When breathing, place your hand on your back, and feel it expand. That's how you know you are breathing correctly.

Also, keep a vertical mouth shape when singing, no matter how high or low you go. I'll try to find pictures, if you don't understand what I mean.

When singing high, direct the sound more towards the nasal cavity, around your nose and cheekbones. As you get lower, the sound can be more directed to your mouth.

When singing low, don't put your chin down, and likewise, when singing high, don't raise it. This actually LIMITS your range more than it enhances it. Keep your head perpendicular to the ground.

Lastly, you just need to work on pitch, really. It comes with time. Sing scales. Sing along to recordings of singers who sing with GOOD TECHNIQUE. And please, get an instructor! Haha.

Hope this helps. I'll be popping in to give some more advice as I think of it.

Thank you for your advice. I'll be looking forward to the before and after transformation of your voice :].

Well I always have questions about people singing when they need help. I'm a trained singer, and I've also spent quite a while experimenting with my own voice and genres etc... anyway,

1. depending on what kind of band youre in to begin with will make a huge difference in where to start vocally. dont bother learning correct techniques if you're just going to be slinging out words in a general band.

2. if youre starting a band that is putting a lot of stress on how good the vocals need to be, for now you may just want to look for a singer you guys agree on while you work up to where you need to be.

3. my point about not learning correct techniques is not a set in stone kind of thing. mainly my point is that there are bands out in the world that sound great because of there singer. there are also those bands like rancid who are unmistakable because of his voice. same thing goes for primus. if youve got a somewhat eccentric voice you may not want to ruin that by training yourself to do the opposite you know? take a bit of time to think about it because its a big thing. no one wants to hear a handful of bands who have the same sounding singers you know?

I'm off pitch a good 80% of the notes,i doubt theres many singers that aspire to that. I'm not trying to be the next Cap'n Jazz or anything. In addition, my voice is a very boring baritone that sounds god awful when I'm offkey, and pretty average if I were; the latter seems a little bit more appealing. Singing respectfully is one of my priorities.

My band is just getting together currently, we just jam a bit and the lead guitarist and I are writing a little bit of music. We don't plan on doing any recording/rehearsing for gigs until atleast a year when we finalize exactly what we want to do. I figure in the mean time I'll just learn how to sing.

[CP_Ree]

Thank you for your advice. I'll be looking forward to the before and after transformation of your voice :].



I'm off pitch a good 80% of the notes,i doubt theres many singers that aspire to that. I'm not trying to be the next Cap'n Jazz or anything. In addition, my voice is a very boring baritone that sounds god awful when I'm offkey, and pretty average if I were; the latter seems a little bit more appealing. Singing respectfully is one of my priorities.

My band is just getting together currently, we just jam a bit and the lead guitarist and I are writing a little bit of music. We don't plan on doing any recording/rehearsing for gigs until atleast a year when we finalize exactly what we want to do. I figure in the mean time I'll just learn how to sing.

Honestly, if you want one on one help, get a vocal coach. It will help with the basics if you have any kind of potential in you. Get one that will tell you what is wrong and will help you work on it.

[OveriseFan]

Honestly, if you want one on one help, get a vocal coach. It will help with the basics if you have any kind of potential in you. Get one that will tell you what is wrong and will help you work on it.

What kind of a comment is that?

EVERYONE has the potential to become a phenomenal singer, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you get a vocal coach who tells you otherwise - find another. They won't be worth a damn thing.

[AlkalineAvA]

thanks for the info guys, i needed to know this stuff too haha. i really wnana learn how to sing well.

[Siren Silently]

What kind of a comment is that?

EVERYONE has the potential to become a phenomenal singer, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you get a vocal coach who tells you otherwise - find another. They won't be worth a damn thing.


I'm starting vocal lessons in 3 weeks, what should I do in that time? I've tried singing scales, but even though I can differentiate and hear notes when I'm playing guitar or piano or something but when I sing I can't. Sometimes I think I'm on but I'm way off, likewise it's even been the otherway around before.

[OveriseFan]

I'm starting vocal lessons in 3 weeks, what should I do in that time? I've tried singing scales, but even though I can differentiate and hear notes when I'm playing guitar or piano or something but when I sing I can't. Sometimes I think I'm on but I'm way off, likewise it's even been the otherway around before.

Play each note in the scale, then sing it. Like, one at a time.

For example:

In a C Major scale (I don't recommend starting with C, maybe start with D or something?) [Also, singing minor scales is WAY harder for the human ear (mine anyway, but I'm used to singing major) than major.]

Play a "C" on the keyboard. Sing C. Play a "D" on the keyboard. Sing D. Etc.

As you get more comfortable just matching pitch, then start playing little three - five note phrases in the scale, working up a half step each time.

A phrase like: C-D-E-D-C. (Sing, you can even accompany yourself playing the scale) Up a half step: C#-D#-E#-D#-C#. and so on.

That's a common kind of vocal warm up, the latter one. Your teacher will undoubtedly play it.

[aloneatlastnj]

finding your range is also VERY important. there are certain keys that your voice will sound best in.

[CP_Ree]

What kind of a comment is that?

EVERYONE has the potential to become a phenomenal singer, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. If you get a vocal coach who tells you otherwise - find another. They won't be worth a damn thing.



Sorry, I didn't mean it in as an asshole comment. I guess more-or-less... I was meaning if you have any kind of motivation to become a better singer. I would like to drum one day, but do I have the motivation to coordinate myself to be able to drum??? not right now. I think I'll stick to other things I'm better at.

[miketrondson]

I've been learning some great warm-up techniques from Brett Manning on youtube.
There's another dude, I can't remember his name right now that has good breathing techniques.

It's helping me a lot. I've been singing in bands for 6 years. So it's re-teaching me a better way to do it.