Any tips for a guy just getting into singing?
Let me give ya the rundown. I'm new to Rockpage. I have a friend in a local band that introduced me to Rockpage. Anyway, this friends band might be looking for a new lead singer. I never sang before but I am very interested in at least trying it. I'm sure lessons would probably be the best way to go about it but I'm not sure if I'm ready for all that. I've been around hard hitting music for awhile, going out to see the locals and ofcourse concerts. Never really thought about actually singing for a band before but I am now since I know my buddy's band is looking for a singer. I would appreciate any advice all my Rockpage brotha's (and sista's) would be willing to give me. Thanks.
Any Tips?
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Imgrimm01
- Platinum Member
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well
Mike I would try learning a tune that the band does and just jam it with them , see how it goes, having never sang before ( and I swear I mean NO disrespect by this ) but you may not be able to find and hold pitch ya know? However if you do jam with them and all involved think that this is a good match then my man riPP it up !! I wish you the best of luck and I hope to see you on local stages soon.
I'm glad I didn't have to fight in a war, I'm glad I didn't get killed or kill somebody, I hope my kids enjoy the same lack of manhood
Get in your car, drive somewhere by yourself, and put a CD in. Now turn it up, not too loud, and sing along at a level that feels like work, but not loud enough to hurt your voice. Lather, rinse, repeat. You're alone, so don't worry about what the neighbors think. Does it feel good? Can you hit all the notes? Put in a different CD, and try a few more songs. Still good? Excellent.
Now ask yourself... can I do this? Not everyone can. Singing in front of an audience is extremely rewarding, but not everybody's cut out for it. Not just because of shyness, but because of commitment. It takes loads of commitment... if you decide after a few months that you're not having fun, you have just wasted a huge amount of your friends' time. How about the day job, or school, or your girlfriend? Will singing mesh with those commitments?
Next, be realistic. You will not be on a major label in a year or two, and you will find out that being a musician is MUCH harder work than you expected. Also you will find that your Mom, sister, girlfriend, and drinking buddies are not accurate critics of your talent, or lack thereof. You will know if you suck, because the audience and your bandmates will let you know in very subtle ways.
Finally, ignore everything I just wrote. Nobody can tell you a damn thing, because you are a singer in a band, and that means you have the God-given right to do any damn thing you please. You will pay dues, learn hard, hard lessons, and have the very best time of your life. I promise.----------->JMS
Now ask yourself... can I do this? Not everyone can. Singing in front of an audience is extremely rewarding, but not everybody's cut out for it. Not just because of shyness, but because of commitment. It takes loads of commitment... if you decide after a few months that you're not having fun, you have just wasted a huge amount of your friends' time. How about the day job, or school, or your girlfriend? Will singing mesh with those commitments?
Next, be realistic. You will not be on a major label in a year or two, and you will find out that being a musician is MUCH harder work than you expected. Also you will find that your Mom, sister, girlfriend, and drinking buddies are not accurate critics of your talent, or lack thereof. You will know if you suck, because the audience and your bandmates will let you know in very subtle ways.
Finally, ignore everything I just wrote. Nobody can tell you a damn thing, because you are a singer in a band, and that means you have the God-given right to do any damn thing you please. You will pay dues, learn hard, hard lessons, and have the very best time of your life. I promise.----------->JMS
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bassist_25
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Monday Dec 09, 2002
- Location: Indiana
Coming from a limited singer ( I can hit anything in the range of a bass guitar )
Pick and choose what you sing, If you can't sing it consistent .... don't , at least not in public ( you can push your voice a little in practice ) But know your strengths and limits and work with them.
If the majority of a song works for you but a small part doesn't you can use creativity to get you around something that is difficult for you rather than sound like crap struggling to do it the way the original artist did
Don't worry about being exact use your own expression and style
If you find you suck take up guitar or bass
Pick and choose what you sing, If you can't sing it consistent .... don't , at least not in public ( you can push your voice a little in practice ) But know your strengths and limits and work with them.
If the majority of a song works for you but a small part doesn't you can use creativity to get you around something that is difficult for you rather than sound like crap struggling to do it the way the original artist did
Don't worry about being exact use your own expression and style
If you find you suck take up guitar or bass
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dayzichick
- Gold Member
- Posts: 151
- Joined: Saturday Dec 14, 2002
- Location: Johnstown
tips
Singing along with a CD is fine, but I advise to learn a song with the CD and then keep turning down the volume so your voice is louder than the CD in the room. This way, you won't rely on the original artist's voice so much and can hear what your own voice sounds like and what parts of the song may need work. You wouldn't want to get to an audition and then choke because you were used to having another voice to guide you. And then try a song with the band you are thinking of joining. Once you have a mic, it is completely different. You may find an instructional video would be helpful. Most vocal coaches aren't going to teach you how to sing pop, but you should still learn basic breathing skills and learn how to warm up your voice using scales.
Ribbon Grass
The Future's uncertain and The End is always near.
The Future's uncertain and The End is always near.
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esa
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first you need a toilet paper tube and black wiring tape. then you need silver duct tape. form a ball.. make a dildo base then mount the ball on top. sing to your hearts content with other people in the room. other people singing with you can be a help too. the stronger voiced they are, the greater chance you will follow them and get better at following their lead... helping you learn control... breathing..
above all.. don't be afraid to sing loud. sometimes that's all ya need. Warm them vocal chords up.. then scream! heh..
above all.. don't be afraid to sing loud. sometimes that's all ya need. Warm them vocal chords up.. then scream! heh..
~*~Esa~*~
I'll be the one left standing behind you, looking the other way as you glance back at what you've lost.
I'll be the one left standing behind you, looking the other way as you glance back at what you've lost.
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facingwest
- Retroactive Member
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If you're interested, send me a PM. I know a guy that would be great to learn from. I've learned so much from just being around him it isn't funny.
The liver is evil....It needs punished.
http://rockpage.net/bands/bands.php?band=johnsolinski
http://rockpage.net/bands/bands.php?band=johnsolinski
Check out Mark Baxter's stuff at http://www.voicelesson.com he has a book and video, which are both great for learning breathing techniques, and even the website has some great free tips.
But on the other hand, you may not even need them. Some people are just natural born singers, and can just sing anything with no warmup, no training, no nothing.
...The rest of us, however, aren't so lucky. It can be quite a hard road, wanting to be a singer, and it requires loads of commitment if you want to get good. Just dabbling in it here and there will get you nowhere, you need to practice like hell on your own, and keep it up. (unless of course you're one of the lucky ones I mentioned above
)
Something important to keep in mind- People will rarely tell you that you suck, but they'll be quick to tell you when you're good. Like someone else mentioned earlier, you have to learn to pick up on the subtle hints. For instance, say you're in a singing situation where there are others besides yourself singing stuff, whether it be karaoke, or with a band where several people are trying out. One of the people there sings, and the rest of the people there are quick to compliment him. You get up to sing your thing, and when you're done, people just kinda smile at you, and don't really say anything. That's a pretty good clue that you sucked.
Another thing I must stress, is that you need to find your niche. Don't sing stuff that you don't sound good singing. Unfortunately, this can be rough because of the last thing I mentioned, where no one will tell you when you're good and when you're not. It's great if you have an honest friend you can sing in front of, whose opinion you trust, has an ear for music, and respects you enough to not want to see you make an ass of yourself in front of other people. If you know someone like this, sing in front of them ASAP, as they'll be able to tell you where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Just don't give up, and try different songs, techniques, etc., if things aren't working out.
I could go on and on... Trust me, I'm on the same road, and still haven't reached my destination. It's hell, especially if you start out at a late age like me. If you ever want more advice or whatnot, feel free to PM ot IM me, I'd be more than happy to help. I've learned over the years, overall, that guitarists, drummers, bassists, etc., will NOT help you. Unless they're a close friend that is willing to work with you, most will just give you a listen, form an opinion, and say "NEXT!", and you rarely get a second chance, even if you do improve later on down the road.
But on the other hand, you may not even need them. Some people are just natural born singers, and can just sing anything with no warmup, no training, no nothing.
...The rest of us, however, aren't so lucky. It can be quite a hard road, wanting to be a singer, and it requires loads of commitment if you want to get good. Just dabbling in it here and there will get you nowhere, you need to practice like hell on your own, and keep it up. (unless of course you're one of the lucky ones I mentioned above
)Something important to keep in mind- People will rarely tell you that you suck, but they'll be quick to tell you when you're good. Like someone else mentioned earlier, you have to learn to pick up on the subtle hints. For instance, say you're in a singing situation where there are others besides yourself singing stuff, whether it be karaoke, or with a band where several people are trying out. One of the people there sings, and the rest of the people there are quick to compliment him. You get up to sing your thing, and when you're done, people just kinda smile at you, and don't really say anything. That's a pretty good clue that you sucked.
Another thing I must stress, is that you need to find your niche. Don't sing stuff that you don't sound good singing. Unfortunately, this can be rough because of the last thing I mentioned, where no one will tell you when you're good and when you're not. It's great if you have an honest friend you can sing in front of, whose opinion you trust, has an ear for music, and respects you enough to not want to see you make an ass of yourself in front of other people. If you know someone like this, sing in front of them ASAP, as they'll be able to tell you where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Just don't give up, and try different songs, techniques, etc., if things aren't working out.
I could go on and on... Trust me, I'm on the same road, and still haven't reached my destination. It's hell, especially if you start out at a late age like me. If you ever want more advice or whatnot, feel free to PM ot IM me, I'd be more than happy to help. I've learned over the years, overall, that guitarists, drummers, bassists, etc., will NOT help you. Unless they're a close friend that is willing to work with you, most will just give you a listen, form an opinion, and say "NEXT!", and you rarely get a second chance, even if you do improve later on down the road.
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tornandfrayed
- Diamond Member
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The material always helps me. If I feel stupid singing the stuff then I am not going to do it in a show. I was in a band where I did some covers that I hated and it showed. Do things that you love and that love comes through. If you really suck sometimes loving the material dosen't help that much, but every little bit.. Also keep in mind that some people did not like the sound of Elvis's voice. You cannot please everyone.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
Torn & Frayed
One World, One Voice, One God!
Music is LIFE!
One World, One Voice, One God!
Music is LIFE!