United States

Some of you know that I've been looking for another female vocalist to help my band sing some more harmonies.
We're already doing 3 and 4 part harmonies, and call-and-response.
And, another voice would be great.
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But - it seems that no one thinks they're good enough. I've heard them sing, and they're plenty good.
But they are afraid of being embarassed.
I'm constantly hearing things like "I don't want to ruin your songs, " I can't sing good enough," "I want to wait until I can sing better," "I could never sing as good as her," "My voice isn't that good," etc..
. . .
I've talked to waaaay too many ladies who are afraid to sing with us, for fear of embarassment . . .
Hell - my band wasn't doing ANY harmonies, 6 months ago.
Jeeez - we're not so special; we just practice and rehearse a lot, that's all.
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And, anyway - I expect people to make mistakes at first; hell - I still do.
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Here I am, offering some girl a real chance . . .
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. . . guess the 'Divas' are all out there, already doing their own thing.
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So - give me an inexperienced girl with a pretty voice, and . . . I'll teach her breathing control, projection, the difference between a sawtooth voice and a sine-wave voice, singing from the mouth, singing from the throat, singing from the chest, when to slide into a note, when to hit a note immediately, singing in the right genre for the song, how to harmonize in majors, minors, 7ths, 9ths, sus4ths, call-and response, . . . microphone techniques, how to move while singing . . . the works.
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I'd work with her for 6 months and make her a star. Crap - I could probably charge $50/hour, but I'm doing it for free, to make the band sound as good as possible.
And, no 'casting couch,' either - no strings; I just want a better band . . .
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Hell - she'd sing in public, get her voice on CDs (get her own FREE demo CDs with her singing), perform all around the area, make a name for herself and get popular with the guys; get PAID for singing, even get a slight chance at her voice on a song in a movie . . .
- and they all seem afraid!
Sheeessh . . .
You think there'd be a line a mile long . . .
What do I have to do to get another girl singing - sound like crap, so they're not so intimidated, or something?
. . . unbelievable . . .
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Last night I met another prospective singer, nice girl. She asked me "Isn't it really scary playing in front of people?"
I was kinda perplexed, and she said, "Aww, c'mon; you mean to tell me you're not a little afraid to play in front of people?"
No, I'm not afraid.
Afraid of what?
Jesus . . . do singers expect the audience to swarm the stage with knives and clubs or something?
She couldn't conceive of the possibilty of not being afraid on stage; couldn't even imagine it . . . if you're on stage, you're supposed to be scared . . .
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No wonder I can't find any singers. They have their own groups or they're afraid of not being good enough or they're afraid of . . . people, basically . . .
. . .
I've been looking for 9 months, now, but I give up on looking for singers; I'll make do with what I have . . .
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Has anyone else run into this kind of thing?
Is this just me, or is this just where I live, or what?

Most if not all of the good singers are already in working situations. The ones you've encountered are just green. If you really want a good singer you have to steal her, but before you do make sure all your ducks are in a row; good tight band, good songs written and recorded, decent, steady jobs lined up. Good singers will demand at least $100-150 a night; pay her even if you make nothing.

pay her even if you make nothing.

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No way.
I'll do without.
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Any girl who asked to work with me on those terms would likely get a broken nose from the door slamming so hard in her face.
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The concussion of the door slamming into and splintering the door-jamb would probably set off burglar alarms for a quarter mile.
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I will never pay-to-play.
Wanna know my response to the girl (with the big testicles) who'd ask that of me??
"Thank you; good bye; go away; don't call again; don't need you; we're already doing quite fine without you; shoo; go find a cover band; I'd like you to leave now, Sayanara . . ."
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I'll do without.
Maybe I am looking for a green girl, dunno. Don't care anymore, either, I guess.
But I don't want to waste any more time writing internet ads, responding to emails, putting up posters, asking in music stores, asking singing instructors . . .
Just venting, I guess . . . wondering if others had the same thing happen to them . . .

Then I suppose this thread's title says it all. Good singers are mostly prima donnas; they don't move equipment, want to get paid and are the first ones to leave (the gig and the band when something better comes along). This is why most bands just try to do the vocals themselves, and also why most bands will be stuck where they are.

Our singer recntly had the flu and we brought in another singer. He got a full cut, for that gig he got $150

It's too bad those gals cant sit down and talk with Ray and Tony.
These boys aint a skeered.
They have both grown emensly over the last year. And continue to work hard to improve.
Comes down to desire pure and simple.
All the raw talent in the world wont get you diddly squat without the desire.

The operative words are "we just practice and rehearse a lot." Seems like today nobody wants to "just practice and rehearse a lot." That's all.

lol You said a mouthful.

Gimme a novice with some talent that doesn't mind rehearsing and I'll show you someone that anyone can work with.

Work out the kinks people because fortune favors the bold and the big one, "you have to be in it to win it".

The way I look at it is -
- if you don't ask, the answer is already 'no.'
- if you're afraid to try, then you have already failed, - without trying.
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If you’re not failing every now and then, it’s a sign you aren't doing anything very innovative, - just the simple stuff that everyone can do . . .
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What kinda legacy is that, eh?

Wisdom is generally not free .. or at least not without pain.

I've no patience with this crap...

Too bad you aren't closer, Alan.

I don't know that our styles are conducive to each other, but I would love to sit down and play a couple of tunes and let you pick it apart, holistically speaking.

Hard to get people that knows what it looks like to work with you. Most of the time, they'd rather just watch you crumble or approach you after you crumbled/stumbled/fumbled.

Teach what you know, it makes you an important guy and that's no joke.

I've no patience with this crap...

People may not come out and say this, but their actions speak it louder than words. There's an old saying for sax players "You can't blow if you don't show." Pretty much sums it up...

Ain't it the truth!