Matzen
151 posts
Apr 07, 2011
10:07 PM
|
Lately I've been working on my accompaniment playing. 'Cuz of this, I've also been trying to sing. I have to say I've been having a hard time. I used to sing in an indie rock band (singing my own tunes and lyrics) and did ok. Now that I haven't sung in quite a while and I am singing blues, I've been having a real hard time sounding anything close to good? Does anyone have any tips or know of any books or videos that might help out? Or should I just practice singing to blues albums?
Thanks!
----------
|
Stevelegh
153 posts
Apr 08, 2011
1:20 AM
|
Look up Speech Level Singing.com.
I'd say this is the only way to go, especially as you're going to want a bit of dirt in your voice. All to easy to learn bad habits.
If you need convincing, go to the client list.
You can buy the tuition in book format with instruction CD's. I think it's called 'Singing With The Stars'.
I hope this helps.
Steve
|
arzajac
488 posts
Apr 08, 2011
3:14 AM
|
Sing to jam tracks where you can only hear the melody in your head. Don't be discouraged, keep working at it.
If you have trouble with some notes in a song, change key - figure out what is your sweet spot and sing songs in those keys.
If you have trouble with any notes in your range (especially at the top or bottom), use more air. If you know the note is in your range, but you can't hit it - the problem is that you are not using enough air. You don't have to sing loudly to use more air. Volume and airflow are two different things. Don't be shy to sing loudly, though...
To practice, you can sing major triads starting from A below middle C. "Ahh, ahh ahh!" Go up until you can't hit the note. Start back at A below middle C and work your way down (if you can).
Any finally, relax. Your lungs (belly, chest, throat, face) should be relaxed when you sing. The more you are tense, the less air you will be able to move and the more strain you will put on your voice. You should be able to sing for hours without tiring your voice. Relax. Tension will not help you hit a note. If you have to tense up to hit a note it's because you need more air, not because tensing up does something favorable to the sound of your voice.
----------
|
jbone
510 posts
Apr 08, 2011
4:18 AM
|
i have been where you are. sang for a while, stopped, then when i revisited vocals, i couldn't seem to find my voice. or i'd find it but would strain so hard i'd be hoarse by the end of the night. not good.
i got back to basics. first and most important, true deep breathing. exercises are available via voice coach, yoga, etc, that will help you utilize more of your torso to become a resonant chamber. results are apparent pretty quickly.
finding your key is vital also. that for me just took experimentation.
taking care of one's vocal cords- not talking loud, yelling, smoking (in my case i didn't pay attention to this one), drinking alcohol, which will dry things out a lot. i always drink water when i'm gigging. i also keep some fisherman's friend throat lozenges handy for if i'm sniffly or have a sore throat and the show must go on. because to me the real world requires that i do the show sometimes even if i'm sick.
relaxation is key to keeping the air column open and fluid. opening the throat and sinuses, using the tools we all naturally possess, shaping notes in the upper end of things after making the notes deep inside.
hope that helps!
|
apskarp
442 posts
Apr 08, 2011
4:22 AM
|
Complete Vocal Institute, they have a really good book and if you are able to join a workshop it will improve your singing a lot.
----------
Youtube
Hoodoo Sauna
Blog
|
toddlgreene
2880 posts
Apr 08, 2011
12:13 PM
|
Yup, Singing with The Stars by Seth Riggs. Lots of very good material in there. I went thru it several years ago. The best advice I can offer is to not try too hard to sound like anyone other than yourself. Also understand that it's the job of the other instruments to play in a key that is in your comfortable range. This is also a reason to carry a complete keyset of harps!
----------
Todd
Eudora and Deep Soul
Last Edited by on Apr 08, 2011 12:21 PM
|
Matzen
152 posts
Apr 08, 2011
3:09 PM
|
Thanks for all the input. I'll try and track down that book. I just hate having to cut into my harmonica practice time with vocal practice time, but I guess it needs to be done!
----------
|
marcos
31 posts
Apr 08, 2011
4:01 PM
|
I'd like to hear from Greg Heumann on this. I've been impressed with his vocals. Cool and relaxed, but accurate.
|
