United States

Hello fellow musicians - I am starting out as a vocalist/songwriter. I love many, many types of music and need some help! I have one song to sample on MySpace http://www.myspace.com/tazzrhyen

(I am having trouble uploading tune on BandMix)

If you have a moment to spare, I would sure love some imput - good or bad and some suggestions (other than - quit while you are ahead - hahahaha). I just want to get better and find music that might suit me. I apprecitate your help and look foward to making some cool friends that love music as much as I do!

Good pipes!

This is my 2nd try at responding. Hope my sat dish stays the course this time...

My suggestions:

1 ) make your profile more complete - surely you have some influences in your life, ppl you've tried to emulate, or that you've admired. Do you REALLY want bagpipes? What kind of experience do you have? Work on that "no audio" problem. Post some varying genres if you are interested in more than the blues like you have on your MS page.

2 ) there are a slew of threads on how to meet other ppl in these forums. Check out your local theatre, your local colleges & music stores & check out the bulletin boards.

3 ) Get as much experience as you can onstage - karaoke, open mics, theater stage, whatever.

4 ) When you go to those open mics, listen for the 1st time or two, then go home &

5 ) PREPARE! Know the material that they play so you don't need cheat sheets & can fit in seamlessly. Learn your preferred keys to sing in.

6 ) Move around on stage. Interact with both the audience & the players. Be entertaining to watch as well as to hear.

7 ) Don't over- or under-dress for the show

8 ) NETWORK! take notes when you talk to ppl who might know someone who knows someone, & stuff. Make up some pro-looking biz cards & pass 'em out. Talk to lots of ppl. Go to where the music is, even if it isn't an open mic.



From what I've heard, I'd use you in a heartbeat for lead & b/u vox. (It's been awhile since I heard it, but I think there may be a phrasing thing at one point, if I haven't confused you w/someone else.)

Best of luck & welcome to the forum.

What philby said-

Nice vocals. Sounds strong.

You have a great voice and your tonal quality is pleasing to listen to. My advise is to listen to what a lot these guy's have to say and just keep doing what you are doing (marketing yourself) on different forums, Stay focused on what it is you want to achieve in the music biz. and most of all be patient. Also be careful about how you meet up with people you don't know, don't let your dreams blind you about your safety. Be carefull and good luck!!!!!!!

Hello Tazz,
From Sussex England,
You sing very clearly and confidently but it would be even nicer to hear you sing something where the music comes solely from you... but don't don't get me wrong, or take me wrong, R&B is great and may be the right music for you; what I mean is, R&B is quite stylising, and it is harder (for me) to find the real person that is in there.

It came over well though, and you kept the pace going as well as the music did, and weren't being carried by it.

I am being picky really Tazz, because being an analy retentive Englishman, I didn't just want to swamp you with praise, so I am picking through the bones trying to be critical, when I should really just be saying, 'keep on straight ahead', as did my hero Jimi hendrix!
Best wishes,
Mark D Phillips.................

Two words:
Brett Manning


If you have not heard of this fellow, I've sat through a few of the DVD's, as my wife was going though them.
Pretty amazing teaching methods & appraoch.


http://www.getsigned.com/page/GMM/PROD/BMSNGSCD

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brett_Manning

Hi all,
I am getting a bit out of sequence here, but I am jumping back to an entry by Kramerguy, as I just went on his profile and listened to his two songs.
So yes, both were interesting, but 'Strange Surf' especially took my fancy; I liked its length and different phases with always that incessant bass running round and round behind the guitar.
Was it your composition Kramerguy or part of something you did with other musicians.
My songs always come out quite slow and introverted, and I can never write anything that rolls along at a good pace... something to work on this winter indeed.
Have you got others you can put on the site?
Thanks,
Mark D Phillips.................

I actually think you have the potential for a great voice, but I don't think you're there yet. I feel like you over sing a little and are pitchy at times. But if you could tone it down a little bit and really tighten up those pitch issues you'd have a cool voice. Also, the song you're singing really isn't anything special. It's kind of cool that you are singing in that sultry style over heavy blues, but at the same time, it's kind of a dud as far as grabbing my attention or keeping me interested.
I think you could use some better material, intonation practice, and learn to let it flow without trying. That's my honest opinion. Good luck.

Hello Symph, and hello again Tazz,
Being totally objective is barely possible, but that of course is what you would like us commenters to be... trouble is when the song isn't really of a type of music you like; it sounds like Symph has the same probem as I do there.
I suppose that in wanting to hear and know your real voice in 2008/9, that blues song gives the feeling of listening to an old recording from the 19... something or others!
But of course for many Blues is still as relevant as it ever was, so there would be a market to devote yourself to; I think though that you would be painting yourself into a corner with it.

I am also quite aware Tazz, that you might like other styles far more than blues, and that it was just something quick and easy to make a demo of to show your voice against?
Good luck,
Mark....................

Hold still cause I am very critical. I like the bluesy sound you got going not sure you can call that metal though. As far as from a vocal stand point I see where your going but you need to work on your annunciation. I cant really hear what your saying I can tell you have a strong voice but working on the diction will greatly improve the clarity. Concentrate on the vowels and use them to carry the notes. other than that rock it out and sell yourself.

regards

Hello Mr Theline and Tazz,
It was I am sure excellent and technically correct advice about vowels etc; but it gave me this lovely image of someone advising someone like Amy Winehouse to try and sing more clearly, not in her usual drunken drawl!
I cannot think of any useful objective comments to make about your singing Tazz; it seems to have all the technical aspects nailed to a perfectly high standard to my ear; to me every question left is a subjective one not objective, and as such means finding a genre with a travelable road in front of it, and getting a couple of lucky breaks by being in the right place at the right time... so in truth all stuff that I know little about... which is why at 52 I am still a nobody in the music world. Though enjoying it as much as ever!
Mark D Phillips...............

Yeah...I agree with this!

You got tone...eeee---nun----ceee---ate
Rock on!

Good pipes!

This is my 2nd try at responding. Hope my sat dish stays the course this time...

My suggestions:

1 ) make your profile more complete - surely you have some influences in your life, ppl you've tried to emulate, or that you've admired. Do you REALLY want bagpipes? What kind of experience do you have? Work on that "no audio" problem. Post some varying genres if you are interested in more than the blues like you have on your MS page.

2 ) there are a slew of threads on how to meet other ppl in these forums. Check out your local theatre, your local colleges & music stores & check out the bulletin boards.

3 ) Get as much experience as you can onstage - karaoke, open mics, theater stage, whatever.

4 ) When you go to those open mics, listen for the 1st time or two, then go home &

5 ) PREPARE! Know the material that they play so you don't need cheat sheets & can fit in seamlessly. Learn your preferred keys to sing in.

6 ) Move around on stage. Interact with both the audience & the players. Be entertaining to watch as well as to hear.

7 ) Don't over- or under-dress for the show

8 ) NETWORK! take notes when you talk to ppl who might know someone who knows someone, & stuff. Make up some pro-looking biz cards & pass 'em out. Talk to lots of ppl. Go to where the music is, even if it isn't an open mic.



From what I've heard, I'd use you in a heartbeat for lead & b/u vox. (It's been awhile since I heard it, but I think there may be a phrasing thing at one point, if I haven't confused you w/someone else.)

Best of luck & welcome to the forum.

Great vocals! I would love to hear you do a soft ballad.
Maybe even a cover like Black Velvet or a Heart song
from the 70s.

The style, sound, energy, words, etc. could be the next "new" thing/sound.... In my opinion. That's all. And keep hungry. I look forward to more.