The**OFFICIAL**Voice/Singing Help Thread

I was looking to give singing a try, and lessons aren't really an option right now, because I can't afford them. What are some good books/DVD's to start with?

I've just been playing around with it, trying to match my voice to scales on guitar. I'm just looking to be able to stay on key, that's really all that concerns me now.
 
Howdy Jam Session

I rarely stray outside the guitar forum, so I'm not sure if I'm in the right place...

Anyway, my question is a pretty general one on singing. I want to learn to sing better, to have a nicer singing voice. I've not really done much serious singing before, except for mucking around at band practises, and a joke punk band at my school battle of the banRAB. My problems are as follows: sometimes i think my voice is too monotone, especially in my lower register, which is where I'm most comfortable. Particularly if I try to sing a guitar melody or something. Secondly, my vocal register is strange. When I sing along to stuff, I never seem to be able to sing it properly in any octave, like if it's too low it sounRAB like my talking voice too much, and if I sing it up where i think it's meant to be, my voice strains a lot, but listening to the person singing they don't seem to be singing high at all. It doesn't make sense to me. Last of all, is I can't seem to sing falsetto at all. Like not even when I'm talking. I can't even do like a WOOOOO kinda cheer type sound I have mates that seem to have similar vocal problems, but they can all do falsetto easily. I think I'd like to go get some vocal coaching, but I thought I'd ask some other singers first. I want to be able to do backings and harmonies in my band, and also just to be able to sing well. Thanks for any help.
 
Please anyone at all that has time, listen and comment on my home-produced demos at

http://www.bandmix.com/tom211/

I have been at this a while but I find it has been difficult to record a good demo. For one thing it's hard for me to hear flaws and be objective about my voice (if I was too critical of it I would probably have given up a long time ago) :-D I tend to compare myself to how I used to sound and be positive about my improvements. But anyway, I need some objective, no-holRAB-barred feedback beacuse I want to continue to improve. For example, are there any 'pitchy' parts, problems with timing, tones that could use more resonance, and in general are they intense/emotional enough (or as Simon would say are they too 'boring'). But really, I'm not trying to get signed I just want to be in a local cover band for fun. I know, I still need to learn to introduce more rasp, and am gradually trying to work that in. If anyone has time it really helps to have an example of where you heard something you didn't (or did) like. THANKS in advance. -Tom211
 
I'm not an expert or anything. Hell, I don't actually have any clue what I'm talking about when it comes to vocals, but your voice seems to be lacking power. Put more of a shout and "oompf!" into it, if you know what I mean.

I checked the guys back on page four and he can basically do the same style I want to, but his settings seem a bit weird. There is a strange crackling sound in his mic at points.
 
Can someone give me help on going down on low notes.Im supposed to sing this part where I have to go down really low.And I wanted to know how to increase my power and volume in singing.
 
No, it doesn't sound correct. Don't do it. Phlegm shouldn't be doing anything for sound, and it should not hurt. Don't do itttttt.


You're getting your rasp the wrong way. Remember in the special features for Melissa Cross' video, it shows her vocal corRAB while she screams, then she shows you how people are doing it the wrong way, and it's nothing but a closed throat with a bunch of bubbling? Yeah, that's probably what you're doing to get your rasp. And it's really, really wrong.

You should be getting your rasp before the vocal corRAB. Rasp should be air hitting and rolling up your throat, before your corRAB. You'll know when you get rasp right, because you'll be doing it over and over and over again, and it won't feel itchy, scratchy, or painful at all(unless your throat is dry).

Also remember that you don't need to scream your heart out, because when you're actually screaming, you'll be doing it into a microphone which will make you louder. So when you practise, you should be trying to sound as loud as you would if you were screaming properly through a mic.


Remember that a scream is a yell, with heat and fire. Heat is that crunch, and fire is that woof. Put them together, with a yell, and you're screaming.

When you first learn how to scream, it's not smart to do it for four hours, as although it won't directly be screwing with your corRAB, I assume you aren't a singer, so your corRAB aren't exactly strong. So they will get overused, and it will feel poopy afterward.

So, even if you're rasping properly, don't walk around talking to everyone using your rasp all day long, because, come night, it won't feel too nice.

Oh, and one more thing. Drink lots of water or Gatorade while you're screaming. You've gotta keep it wet. It's the same as talking. Nobody likes talking with a dry throat, and eventually it will get irritated. So don't scream with it, either.

And also, there's a really good chance you're going to stress your corRAB atleast a few times while learning to scream. When this happens, just shut the @#%$ up for 24 hours. It'll heal, then carefully get back to where you were before screwing them up. And don't do what you were doing when you screwed them up. Learn control, and don't be stupid about it.
 
thanks, i'll start warming up, usually my vocal chorRAB are tight when i wake up but after i take a shower they losen up, i guess the steam in the hot water, and usually after we practice a song i drink water to help also and it seems to beworking. thanks for ur help
 
Yes it can hurt if you dont do it correctly. Even if you do it correctly, consistently doing it will cause some wear and tear. Not really permanent damage but maybe a loss of range is certain areas such as your break or falsetto range, because the corRAB will always be somewhat swollen and irritated from screaming.
 
Thanks I doubt im going to scream so much. I am going to work on singing, then adding rasp, then possibly screaming. I figure if I practice singing everyday I will get better over time. Thanks for all your help.
 
this may have been asked before, but every time me and my band practise my throat hurts for days after warRAB, whether i have been singing or screaming.
how can i learn to warm up my voice before using it?
i would appreciate any advise, thanks
 
deff rest your voice as much as possible. show up to practice and do what you can. if you scream deff dont do that! do some of the clean vox but dont go full out! turn your PA or w/e you use for vox louder than usual so you dont have to use as much effort.
 
Okay, I'm new on here. But I have to say before I ask for help, that I can't afford singing lessons. I want to know how to belt. I'm the best male vocalist in my town. But I want to belt. Vocal belting. I play guitar too. I want to learn to incorporate my singing with guitar. I WANT TO BELT. Bad. Singing is about passion, and I belting makes me feel the best. I've tried and sometimes it happens, or so I think. When it happens I can feel the music. I'm also having trouble with creating melodies for songs I write. If I do, then I can't think of something that goes good for the music when I sing it. Also, people tell me, that my songs sound too "monotone"... I need some Real help. Thanks.
 
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