Honestly can i sing or do i suck?

Jezz8me · #1 09-11-2007, 03:13 AM

As well as bassist I am the lead singer of my band but at times i am not sure i am up to the job.

My guitarist seems to think i'm great but he has never had the confidence to sing, i used to sound exactly like him before i plucked up the courage, but he can do a mean death metal growl :P.

My keyboardist/singer has never said anything bad about my singing and is supportive but i can tell she isn't THAT impressed. Mind you she has been trained to sing since she was 5 or 6 (10 years) so her standards of a good singer are high.

I just want to know what you guys, and girls, think of my voice. It can definitely be improved but i want you guys to tell me how it is at the present. There is a link to my bands myspace in my sig, listen to "poetry and emptiness" and give me your honest opinion and possibly advice.

Vandelay · #2 09-11-2007, 03:44 AM

IMHO your voice has an appealing quality to it (reminds me a bit of Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes), but you're struggling with getting some notes into proper pitch. If you pay attention to it, you should be able to improve that with practice. With that style of music, you don't have to have perfect pitch on every note (especially since your female singer is helping with the choruses), but it's something you should probably continue to work on. Nice song, and good luck!

Jezz8me · #3 09-11-2007, 03:56 AM

thanks, we are actually probably going to cover a bright eyes song. They are one of our guitarists favorite bands, i like the fact his singing isn't something amazing (all though four winds its great in) and in one of his songs he said something along the lines of "if i had a better voice i wouldn't e singing this song." The first non-cocky muso i have heard of.

Skeletomania · #4 09-11-2007, 03:57 AM

In my opinion I think the female singer is competing with you than complimenting you. There are times when the female singer is drowning out your voice, and becoming more of the lead singer than you do.

Jezz8me · #5 09-11-2007, 04:00 AM

yea she does always seem to cut through everyone else singing no matter who is singing but it is also because she has a HUGE lung capacity and much better projection than i do.

Basshole · #6 09-11-2007, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jezz8me

she has a HUGE lung capacity

Pictures required!!

Jezz8me · #7 09-11-2007, 04:18 AM

lol i know what you are thinking!! and i think this should be shame on you because she is 16! if you are underage or 18 i guess it is ok but still!!!! And there are pics of our whole band on our myspace, bad ones but my phone was the best camera we could get a hold of :P

Deacon_Blues · #8 09-11-2007, 06:20 AM

TBH, I think you could improve a lot.

It's not really bad though and with more practicing and LESSONS (I recommend it HIGHLY for anyone) I'm sure you could get much better.

A few months ago, I got enough courage to start taking singing lessons, an although I wasn't bad before it, I have improved a lot and can use my voice in many more ways than before. And I've extended my usable range pretty much. Check out my posts on the last page in the sticky "Bassist's guide to singing" for a link to a method called Total Vocal Technique. I study using this method, and it's amazing. The best is that it works for ALL genres from death metal to opera.

Jezz8me · #9 09-11-2007, 07:05 AM

thanks for the honesty, problem is with a VET course and bass lessons i don't think my parents will be able to pay for singing lessons and i don't have money. Any way to do it free online?

jive1 · #10 09-11-2007, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jezz8me

thanks for the honesty, problem is with a VET course and bass lessons i don't think my parents will be able to pay for singing lessons and i don't have money. Any way to do it free online?

Join a church or community choir with a director that is willing to coach you.

You can read books and use the internet, but none of that touches what a competent instructor can do to work on your breathing, posture, projection, pitch, etc. Most of the physical aspects of singing are not readily visible, so a coach is really helpful for that.

morf · #11 09-11-2007, 07:42 AM

There is room for improvement, you need to let go alot more, but I dig what you're trying to pull off, smashing pumpkins-ish sort of singing. You can get there, keep it up. Try this trick if you dont know it already: cover your right ear when you practice singing, helps a lot.

mjolnir · #12 09-11-2007, 07:53 AM

You've got plenty to work with, though I agree with many here that you need to let go more.

It doesn't help that "head voice" is bloody difficult to get in good pitch, and that sounds like what you're doing. Try singing from your diaphram, see how it turns out, though doing that may take some of the original feeling from the music a little.

CelinderMotoMan · #13 09-11-2007, 08:23 AM

It is harder to sing a ballad because you have to hit the pitch and hold it longer, sing some faster songs to build up confidence. I never thought that I could sing until I received my first complement , then once I had the confindence I started pushing myself because I believed that I could sing.
I have been the lead singer in all of my bands for the past 12 years. Just keep at it.

::Saint:: · #14 09-11-2007, 03:59 PM

I'd agree that the girl is definately taking centre-stage in the vocals department, but I'll be honest it doesn't sound good.. just very "can't decide who is actually singing this piece" and/or "I have no idea how to mix this properly". Are you recording this through a condenser mic or something?

From what I can hear of your voice, I think a vocal trainer is really the only way to really figure out what you're capable of. At the moment you sound a little out of your element.

John123z · #15 09-11-2007, 06:48 PM

You really need to learn to pitch match. Especially on a peice like this every time you waver it's very noticable. Your keyboard players voice seems to be fine, it just got mixed up front, probably to cover up your problems with pitch matching. Your voice has a nice tonal character thought, so I would also recommend some voice lessons.

John

morf · #16 09-12-2007, 06:17 AM

Personally, on the long term, I think you have a better shot at lead singing than your female bandmate. Her voice, while she knows how to sing, sounds bland and like every other girl whos practiced janet jackson songs from 5 to 16. Your voice is much more original. It just needs work and confidence.

John123z · #17 09-12-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morf

Your voice is much more original.

Really, I haven't heard any original voice in rock for more than a few decades.

JOhn

morf · #18 09-12-2007, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John123z

Really, I haven't heard any original voice in rock for more than a few decades.

JOhn

Lets not compare whats not comparable

Jezz8me · #19 09-13-2007, 03:54 AM

thanks for the tips guys, so basically you think i have a good voice but i need to work on using it right, I have the canvas but now i have to paint the picture.

I will try to get lessons if i can, or just get the girl to teach me while our guitarist has his tuning breaks (i honestly don't know why guitars detune so easily.)

And as for confidence and letting go it has been one of my biggest problems, i used to mumble every word and sound monotone because i lacked confidence.

Is there a certain way to keep breathing and singing from the diaphragm because i can breath from there but it makes me feel uncomfortable in the stomach area. I can do it fine while talking, i have done allot of drama stuff, but singing it is more difficult.

And morph what does covering your right ear do? it makes me sound louder but does it also block out internal sound or something?

morf · #20 09-13-2007, 06:14 AM

It makes you hear the pitch much more easily so you can practice singing on key better. Basically what you hear with your ear covered is what people are hearing.