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440 Forums _ Sound Theory _ Voices, And The Things We Do With Them...

Posted by: Ionized Wed 7 Sep 2005, 03:22

With the strong vocal presence probably err, present here on macmusic, there ought to be a fair number of vocalists, singers and similar creatures who skulk around these forums. What say you, are there any actually useful techniques, methods and tips for improving your vocal performance you'd like to share?

Posted by: AlexeyMohr Tue 29 Nov 2005, 17:55

I'm not much of a singer, but I certainly try. The thing that worked for me to get around my poor inherent ability was to try lots of different crazy things. Don't be afraid to be silly when singing; try funny accents, weird voices, etc. Also, my general rule of thumb for all singers is this: if you want the recording to sound like 100%, then you have to give 150% at the mic. A LOT of energy, aggression, and overall performance value is lost in the recording process, no matter WHAT gear or mixing techniques are used. It's just the name of the game. So if you want 100% out, you have to put 150% in.

Posted by: PhilTrueman Tue 29 Nov 2005, 20:06

Hi Ionized,

What AlexeyMohr said - plus...

buy a copy of Melodyne - Cre8 if you can afford it, Uno if you can't - then you have absolute control over your voice!

Plus - some of the settings in LogicPro - and you can sing like anyone you want to be.

There are no, no no no limits...

PT

Posted by: dixiechicken Fri 2 Dec 2005, 17:01

You must practice of course just like with everything else.

It's very important you get to know your own voice how it sounds to yourself & others.

You must learn to breathe properly with good support from your diagphragm.

You must learn what your natural range is while singing -
and also how far up or down you can reach outside that range.

You must also - if you -
like many other semi professionals/amateurs often work/practice in less than perfect surroundings
with less than perfect gear - you must must learn to conserve your stamina and strength.
I.e. how loud can you scream and for how long - without losing your voice.

Cheers: Dixiechicken

Posted by: Bonzo3 Thu 15 Dec 2005, 15:42

This tip might make you giggle, but it helped me...

If you worry at all that your voice has an unwanted nasal quality, try applying a small amount of Vicks Vaporub to your upper lip. It helps to keep your passages open in long sessions.

All the best,

Bonzo

Posted by: psyenergy Tue 14 Feb 2006, 09:52

just learn to breathe!!!! everything depends of the pressure rhythm on the vocal ropes!
namaste

Mig

Posted by: nbarnett Thu 27 Apr 2006, 18:44

It sounds as if, like many musicians, you are not interested in perfecting your voice or becoming Placido Domingo. A few years ago I accepted the imperfections in my voice, started calling them "character" and it did a great deal to free up my creativity. There are lessons and computer programs that really can improve your pitch accuracy and even intonation, but if you are like me you fear that too much training will change the natural sound of your music. Here are some things I have tried that work well for me, but everyone has to find their own tricks:

NO coffee whatsoever. Even in the morning when you aren't singing until the evening. I don't know if it's the caffeine or what, but it makes the voice very hard to control. Strangely however I have found that hot cocoa can be a positive agent, even expanding my range. I discovered this when people were asking me to do Elton John material.

No milk or ice cream. Phlegm and Mucus are not musical. However the effects are shorter lived than with coffee.

Limited sugar intake. Mostly I think makes our energy level too much like a rollercoaster.

If you are recording, try doing your vocal takes early in the day, right after you get up. For untrained monkeys like me, the professional singer's adage of "warm up for 20 minutes" does not apply.

ALWAYS record your warmups and practice takes. They can become the best takes you have, before your voice got tired.

Try recording right after a medium-full meal. I've heard it compresses your breath more, or that it gives you more energy, but whatever it is, it has given me some good results, although short lived.

Don't worry about perfect performance unless you are performing in front of that bastard Simon. (And if you are, what are you doing reading a MUSICIAN'S website?) Remember, most great lyrical songs are great because of WHAT they say and a good arrangement. Most great pop songs are great because of a novel sound or beat.

Finally use a quality mic with a large diaphram and a STRONG preamp, so you don't have to force your voice to get a good signal. Quality doesn't mean thousands any more. $100 at Musician's friend could get you two.

Posted by: drjuju Fri 28 Apr 2006, 05:51

very good advice. As a singer for almost 50 years, I've found that nothing works for the throat as well as good old water. More, however, control of breathing and the ability to keep lungs up and full is essential. If the lungs stay large, open, and full, the voice is the result of the tones released and the modulations we place upon them. Volume is fine, but what's often called "projection" is finer. While there are those who disagree, I think "projection" is more accurately an ability to sense a room's acoustics and use them as a medium in which to float the voice. It's not as wierd as it sounds, but it's always worked for me. Also remember, alcohol dries the throat.

Sing with as many voices as you can manufacture just to see where it takes you. There are a LOT of surprises in store for the singer. And remember, like the old song says:"Don't call up nothin you can't send back."

Cheers.
drjuju

Posted by: faradaze Sat 29 Apr 2006, 11:46

The most important thing is to let other people hear you. I might suggest you eat some cheese if I don't think you sound "phlegmy" enough. Character, also, is not a judgement YOU make. Rather, it is dictated by how you respond to criticism. And BTW, criticism can be the thing you need to hear before you can differentiate good from bad.

Posted by: eaks Mon 1 May 2006, 15:32

Hi! a lo of the latter tips work or seems to be efficient. However, after 10 years at singing energic music such as punk and metal, there NEVER were any moment where performing right after a meal help me. As far as I know myself, it's high on the "don't" list, as well as having an empty stomach. Both gives me an unatural feel about my stomach and the diaphragm pressure.
Concerning the water, I always keep a bottle at the environment temperature's. Too cold water can stress your warmed up vocal chords. I once heard that olive oil is also good for the troath but I never tried...seems to hectic and pricy.

stick with water and develop your technique and hears.

cheers!