General Music Chat

Trying a different genre for my voice and hopeful that a few of you can supply some good feedback for me. I'm a very insecure singer, just unfortunate from the lifestyle I was brought up with, but I'm trying my heart out and making every effort I can. Thank you to anyone who responds!

http://cdn.bandmix.com/media/400/400667/303525.mp3

Trying a different genre for my voice and hopeful that a few of you can supply some good feedback for me. I'm a very insecure singer, just unfortunate from the lifestyle I was brought up with, but I'm trying my heart out and making every effort I can. Thank you to anyone who responds!

http://cdn.bandmix.com/media/400/400667/303525.mp3

If you are gonna do acapella, consider the tunefulness of the song. The melody has to stand on its own (hence acapella) . There are parts of Skyfall,l where the vocal lost me... I had no idea if you were in the minor, major, sevenths or what...and I have no idea what genre you were referring to. ( The only way to test a new genre is to dive in it with all the instrumentation you can muster. )
Your voice is not bad ... Keep singing (and relax). You definately can hold a note and a tone... But you need a little more strength /wind

One of the biggest vocal mistakes that I see younger people making today is that they "try" to sound "street-cool" and they wind up putting serious gnarly on what might have otherwise been an awesome expression... Its comical actually and audiences cringe when that happens... Makes us want to grab the big cane with the hook and gong them off the stage with it.

Keep on keepin on You'l get there.. Just stay real, dont put on airs, be honest and you'll do great.

BTW, were all sensitive...If you expect to be successful with any of this, you will really need to learn how to take an ass-whipping...without crying or falling apart....cause working musicians get that a lot... Be tough, and remember, when step on that stage, your already braver than your worst critics.

IMHO
Peace out

Trying a different genre for my voice and hopeful that a few of you can supply some good feedback for me. I'm a very insecure singer, just unfortunate from the lifestyle I was brought up with, but I'm trying my heart out and making every effort I can. Thank you to anyone who responds!

http://cdn.bandmix.com/media/400/400667/303525.mp3

if you don't mind me prying just a little, but when you say,"trying a different genre" that leaves me wondering what your previous genre and/or styling was?

It's good to learn other genres... rather than sitting in your comfort zone all the time so I applaud you for trying. Keep at it if you want to grow. Especially through the tough spots. Remember everyone has more cutting room floor material than final product.

Adele is kind of the "it" singer right now. She has a great voice and unique tone about her. Those are some mighty big shoes to try and fill. I don't imagine she's an easy copy for most.
But you do show some passion. Sounds like you struggle to continue or hold a note at times so you break it into additional syllables. Work out those phrases so they are continuous and smooth. You don't sound like a schooled singer so I would also suggest to learn some vocal exercises to strengthen your voice.

Good luck to ya!

Go ahead and spend the money and get the music behind you. You need people to hear you in the context of a song. Musicians need singers for the most part
and singers need musicians. Find musicians that get what you are trying to do
and pay them. They dont need a lot just enough to show them respect.
Above all listen to them then listen to your gut.[/b]

I'd recommend recording with some backing tracks, hard to tell but I think you are going offkey in your a capella stuff. Nice vocal tone, but your microphone style needs some work to keep the volumes more even. DOn't give p, though!

I'm not one of ear to make in-depth critique of vocals ETC.

I will say this.

You have a pleasant quality to your voice.
At times I can feel the emotions your attempting to impart in your song.

The others make some valid critique I'm sure.
As are their suggestions.

For my part, take this with you if you will.

Energies imparted into that which you perform, is every bit, if not more important than "notes & rests".

Best wishes.

Danielle,
You have a nice voice. The critiques above pretty much cover my thoughts.

I have additional recommendations. Learn to sing with little to no melisma style, minimal vibrato as well. This will force you to learn to hit a solid note, strongly, and hold it. you can always apply that stuff later.

My three favorite female vocalists are "on the note" singers- check them out

Hannah Hooper in the band Grouplove
Maddy Wilde (formerly) in the band Spiral Beach (check out their stuff, not her newer stuff with Moon King.. it sucks)

And....
Sade

I tell all female singers this.. it's amazing to hear their great voices without having to listen to them fake orgasms throughout every song Sure Mariah and whitney are great.. but that style gets hard to listen to.

I'm not accusing you of going overboard with it- you certainly represent a more soulful and melodic style, but just a suggestion on how to bring out your best possible voice without applying too much effect.

I have no idea what you're doing. You're putting so much "stuff" in that it sounds almost like a SNL skit trying to imitate somebody. The quality of your voice is fine. Quit trying to sound like somebody you're not. It's like you're thinking too much and not just singing naturally.
Just sing your ass off (pardon the French) full bore, don't try to project what you think people will like. Just project YOU. It's worked fine for me for 30+ years.

ok...i'm not a big fan of that style of singing. correction...i am NO fan of that style of singing.

someone coined the term "urban yodelling" for that style and sorry, that's exactly what i think of anytime i hear someone singing like that.

a one or two syllable word can work being spead over several pitches, but that can EASILY be overdone. like when that approach is overused. it can be done...but that doesn't necessarily make it the BEST choice.

and you don't need to ramp up and slide into every note that you're targeting. one eddie vedder is quite enough, thank you very much.

and speaking of EV...i think you need some more vibrato moves. that fast, braying goat vibrato isn't very happening to my ears.

you might listen and take note of the very many different ways that good singers and good instrumentalists END their phrases. they do not always hit the last note hard and smother it in vibrato. that grows very old...very fast. perhaps, think about developing some different ending strategies.

one of the great, great musicians who used vibrato to good effect and very judiciously was miles davis. in his biography he explains he used to really overdo it until one day a teacher he respected told him...."lay off the vibrato some, you'll shake plenty when ya get old!"

there are also some timing issues that bugged me a little. time and groove being EVERYTHING...and as marvin said "everything is everything".

keep at it. develop a thick skin (if you haven't yet) and make the music that makes YOU happy. good luck