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Looking For Constructive Criticism

Not to be offensive to the OP at all, but could it be that she's just not a very developed songwriter, rather than a bad singer? It sounds like she's hitting the notes she intends to hit, it just that the melody she's singing doesn't seem to quite fit with the music through some passages.

A good test for this would be to have the guitarist learn to play the vocalists melody as single notes (not chords), then play it over the bassists progression and see if it still fits.
 
...It sounds like she's hitting the notes she intends to hit, it just that the melody she's singing doesn't seem to quite fit with the music through some passages...

You may be on to something there. In a conversation with the singer, she told me that the guitarist wrote the music, leaving her to create they lyrics and melody. I got the impression from her that she was "forcing" the melody to fit the harmony.
 
Well, my initial reaction was also that the singer has a cool voice, but pitch issues. Being the lead singer in my band I might be a little bit more sensitive than most, but apparently I'm not alone. Actually it does sound a little like the vocal melody doesn't quite match the chords. She should practice some with just an acoustic guitar as backing; a full band sometimes makes it hard to find a suitable note.

However, the delivery (and presence;)) compensates big time.

The choruses need more chorus feeling. Only Rush get away with consistently making the chorus the mellow part of the song. More vocals needed, and the lines consistently wander down the scale at the end. That's not how you build a hook!

Yep, you should look more at the audience, but you don't look scared or intimidated, just absorbed by your playing. As long as the people on stage look like that's where they want to be it's all good.

Baseball cap must go, as should the auto parts store clothes. Particularly since the guitar player is so absorbed by his wah-wah. The cap hides his face completely, and that's no fun.

Drummer hat is goofy, but would work if it match drummer image. Now it looks a bit random.
 
Edit: I forgot to say that the rythm playing is very solid from everyone. Grooves quite nicely. Solo? Not so much... I think the guitar solo should be more melodic and pre-written. That might also help the singer with ideas for a vocal melody.

Edit 2: The song has great potential. I could hear a slightly changed melody in my head, and then it could be killer. Not much difference, just a little up instead of down in places. Right now it is a little too tied to the roots of the chords.
 
Decisions in a band made due to hormones rather than music itself and logic can turn out to be less than ideal. That's what would be relevant about it. At least that's my take on it. Fortunately, your band does not face that problem. Count yourself lucky.

Yep. That's where I was going with this.


If she is the guitard's girlfriend, you are dealing with two people instead of one when offering critique or help to her. It would always be two against one, if you get my drift.

The fact that she is not being un-professional and hooking up with someone in the band means you can at least start the conversation from a business and professional stand point.

The chick needs some vocal lessons, or like the other poster mentioned...needs some work on matching the melodies to the chords. But for now, use that auto-tune next time in the studio!

I have some experience with this subject, as I was in 3 bands before with chick singers. One, I was skronking her, the other two bands, it was the guitard who was banging away. In all three, it totally messed things up and I am dead set against these kind of relationships in bands as a result. I mean, it even messes up gay bands! Culture Club broke up the minute boy george and the drummer parted ways!

Better to be professional and keep your wick dry and your eye on the prize!~


http://soundcloud.com/lucas-vigor/sets/set-3/
 
...The fact that she is not being un-professional and hooking up with someone in the band means you can at least start the conversation from a business and professional stand point...

I see what you mean Lucas. I have started a conversation with her, and she has been very open and professional to the dialogue. She truly wants to be the best that she can be. In the short time I've been in the band, she has shown a very good work ethic.

She mentioned that she has been working with a vocal coach and had her voice analyzed. The coach told her she had near perfect pitch. So, maybe we're looking at a mismatch of vocals to music or performance issues.
 
Not to be offensive to the OP at all, but could it be that she's just not a very developed songwriter, rather than a bad singer? It sounds like she's hitting the notes she intends to hit, it just that the melody she's singing doesn't seem to quite fit with the music through some passages.

A good test for this would be to have the guitarist learn to play the vocalists melody as single notes (not chords), then play it over the bassists progression and see if it still fits.

Good Idea
 
Yeah, your singer needs to completely update her wardrobe. If she looked the part of the Rock-N-Roll chick, it would sell the whole package. It doesn't have to be thigh high's and a leather boustier, (although that would work) ;) a skimpy top and a mini skirt would be a nice touch!

Keep on with the original rock! I get so tired of cover band after cover band. Boring.
 
couldn't read through, but watched the video.
you have no consistency in look.
more movement and communication on stage, move together as a unit to the song dynamics.
less clothing on the singer. like it or not, it'll help if you keep playing bars. at least the tv is turned off.
no dumb hats.
music is going ok keep on writing.
it's worth working on.
 
prd004 said:
Yeah, your singer needs to completely update her wardrobe. If she looked the part of the Rock-N-Roll chick, it would sell the whole package. It doesn't have to be thigh high's and a leather boustier, (although that would work) ;) a skimpy top and a mini skirt would be a nice touch!

Keep on with the original rock! I get so tired of cover band after cover band. Boring.

Yes more of a rock look would make the band look more serious.

Funny, my bands front Guy couldn't look more the Rock front Guy, but we catch hell for it.
 
You may be on to something there. In a conversation with the singer, she told me that the guitarist wrote the music, leaving her to create they lyrics and melody. I got the impression from her that she was "forcing" the melody to fit the harmony.

I caught that from the first time I heard the song...it is forced...I pointed that out.