WTF? I can sing!

One More Solo · 8 Jun 2006 at 13:22

Been singing a bit recently and I've found my sense of pitch isn't actually too bad on the two songs I've been working on which are both by Radiohead, No Surprises and I Will. I've found I can hit most of the notes pretty well, so what's the best way to practice or develop?

sinister_stu · 8 Jun 2006 at 13:28

Sing some more?

One More Solo · 8 Jun 2006 at 13:37

sinister_stu said:
Sing some more?

Would be the obvious thing, are there any exercises or things that could help?

Shoseki · 8 Jun 2006 at 13:37

Sing in the bath?

/points to sig and wonders... whats beneath the bubbles?

William · 8 Jun 2006 at 13:39

Prove it!

Zefan · 8 Jun 2006 at 13:41

RECORD YOURSELF.

I thought I could sing, and I sounded pretty good, but when I recorded myself it sounded utterly UTTERLY awful. It may have been because there was no background music when I played back, but it just sounded awful, give it a try.

iCraig · 8 Jun 2006 at 14:04

You alone can't judge the quality of your singing, the voice that you hear is different to what other people hear.

You need to sing infront of some people first and see what they say before you can safely say that you have a decent voice.

nero120 · 8 Jun 2006 at 14:10

One More Solo said:
Been singing a bit recently and I've found my sense of pitch isn't actually too bad on the two songs I've been working on which are both by Radiohead, No Surprises and I Will. I've found I can hit most of the notes pretty well, so what's the best way to practice or develop?

Lol! Good for you dude, but be aware that singing is an art form so making a few sounds a singer does not one make! If you want to learn how to sing there is only one true way, and that is to get lessons like any instrument. Teaching yourself how to sing is MUCH harder than teaching yourself how to play guitar or piano, as it is so easy to pick up bad habits and technique which is majorly hard to correct in the future. Its better to get some lessons to put you on the right path and then take it from there.

And if ya wanna test yourself, go sing Jesus Christ Pose by Soundgarden! Good luck!

One More Solo · 8 Jun 2006 at 14:15

I'll make a recording or two tonight, far too self conscious to post them at the moment!

PikeyPriest · 8 Jun 2006 at 14:16

I`m an amazing singer, but only when i have headphones on or the music loud....

Unfortunately when the earphones come out I realise why people nearby are crying

Proper lessons from someone who is trained is the best way forward. Like nero says, you dont want to pickup bad habits and getting the technique right now is important.

Obviously if you dont wish to take singing this seriously just turn up to pop idol or whatever without any lessons and try your luck

Zefan · 8 Jun 2006 at 14:17

One More Solo said:
I'll make a recording or two tonight, far too self conscious to post them at the moment!

if you're unlucky you'll be amazed at how different you sound. It becomes really difficult to sing songs how they sound rather than how your voice wants them to, makes my brain hurt.

MrMoon · 9 Jun 2006 at 09:03

I sing all the time but I really really cant sing that well

SexyGreyFox · 9 Jun 2006 at 15:19

iCraig said:
You need to sing infront of some people first and see what they say before you can safely say that you have a decent voice.

Ever been to a karaoke? I've seen awful singers come off stage and treated like they were amazing and so have all of us. Your family and mates are the worst people to ask because they'll be nice to you. The best people to ask are local singers that you might think are good and ask them to be honest with you.

I can confidently say that after singing professionally/semi professionally for 36 years that I am good at it and I've sung all sorts of music including very close harmony. It doesn't instill confidence when a mate classes my voice alongside another local singer who empties pubs on a regular basis. This shows that most people haven't got a clue what is a good or bad voice. However, if I go to watch any local band I can virtually guarantee that they will shout me up to do one and its usually an AC/DC song, so at least my peers think I'm OK.

The best practise you can do is sing along to your favourite artists and record it, listen back and see how far out you are.
If you record something I will give you constructive criticism if you want it.

quadboi · 9 Jun 2006 at 17:11

dmpoole said:
Ever been to a karaoke? I've seen awful singers come off stage and treated like they were amazing and so have all of us. Your family and mates are the worst people to ask because they'll be nice to you. The best people to ask are local singers that you might think are good and ask them to be honest with you.

I asked my parent, and sister, they wern't sympathetic lol!

I thought I was good though

Zefan · 9 Jun 2006 at 18:27

I'm noticing a lack of updates... does this mean you're awful ?

ElvisFan · 9 Jun 2006 at 19:00

One More Solo said:
so what's the best way to practice or develop?

A piece of advice:

If you're singing along to backing tracks then don't try to sing in a key which is not right for you. Use something like AUDACITY to digitally alter the key of the song.

Don't try to make your voice fit the key. Alter the track to YOUR key.

SexyGreyFox · 9 Jun 2006 at 19:39

nero120 said:
And if ya wanna test yourself, go sing Jesus Christ Pose by Soundgarden! Good luck!

Not a very good example because Cornell is singing in a range that only dogs can hear and singing high doesn't make you a great singer. He's higher than Brian Johnson and I can only manage several of his songs. You may as well say to Chris Cornell go test yourself to Nessum Dorma by Pavarotti but it would be in the wrong key for him. Cornell is a great singer but he's singing in his range and key (see Elvisfan above).

A great song to learn that is in the middle keys and uses all the notes in a perfect way is Do Re Me from The Sound Of Music. Crack that and you'll go on to crack anything.