- Sale on Now Cyber Monday Specials
Forums > Social Chat > Singing - tips?
Login/Join to ParticipateSILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
I'm the "singer" in a band, and have ben for a while. I plan to get vocal coaching this summer as I've always felt my voice was the weak link in the band, and I don't want to let the boys down.
Has anyone got any tips or advice on how to sing well? I can hit notes, and I have a fairly good idea of a warm-up, but I have no microphone technique, I don't know how to sustain notes without them sounding rubbish and my phrasing is variable at best, crap at worst...
Any tips would be really appreciated..
I've trawled the net and only come up with crap about the role of a good singer, nothing about technique.. so good links are equally appreciated!
I know the best advice is practise, but I've been doing this for 5 years now and my voice, whilst stronger, still has the same problems it always did...
I'm the "singer" in a band, and have ben for a while. I plan to get vocal coaching this summer as I've always felt my voice was the weak link in the band, and I don't want to let the boys down.
Has anyone got any tips or advice on how to sing well? I can hit notes, and I have a fairly good idea of a warm-up, but I have no microphone technique, I don't know how to sustain notes without them sounding rubbish and my phrasing is variable at best, crap at worst...
Any tips would be really appreciated..
I've trawled the net and only come up with crap about the role of a good singer, nothing about technique.. so good links are equally appreciated!I know the best advice is practise, but I've been doing this for 5 years now and my voice, whilst stronger, still has the same problems it always did...
What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
GOLD Member
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Posted:
Just keep singing... everywhere.
Drive everyone nuts, don't even care.
You'll get better with practice.
Just keep singing... everywhere.
Drive everyone nuts, don't even care.
You'll get better with practice.
To do: More Firedrums 08 video?
Wildfire/US East coast fire footage
LA/EDC glow/fire footage
Fresno fire
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
record a tape of yourself singing and send a copy to everyone in your local phonebook.
ask them for feedback
record a tape of yourself singing and send a copy to everyone in your local phonebook.
ask them for feedback
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
KGR, thanks, will probably get punched in the face a few times but it's worth a try
UCOF, takes one to know one
good idea, minor problem is my tape shortage.
KGR, thanks, will probably get punched in the face a few times but it's worth a try
UCOF, takes one to know one
good idea, minor problem is my tape shortage. What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
GOLD Member
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Posted:
Depends largely on what type of music you sing.
Depends largely on what type of music you sing.
To do: More Firedrums 08 video?
Wildfire/US East coast fire footage
LA/EDC glow/fire footage
Fresno fire
BRONZE Member
Snoochie-boochie-noochies!
663 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Snoochie-boochie-noochies!
663 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
i need to read topics twice before reacting. thought you'd been out and singed your tits.
anyhoo try contacting local bands/singers/UCOFs etc
i need to read topics twice before reacting. thought you'd been out and singed your tits.
anyhoo try contacting local bands/singers/UCOFs etc
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
"thought you'd been out and singed your tits."
Why contact me?
I have no recording studio.
"thought you'd been out and singed your tits."
Why contact me?
I have no recording studio.
GOLD Member
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Posted:
UCOF, you have hot breasts as well. That's why.
You could give him tips on how to fend off the laaaaaadies.
UCOF, you have hot breasts as well. That's why.
You could give him tips on how to fend off the laaaaaadies.
To do: More Firedrums 08 video?
Wildfire/US East coast fire footage
LA/EDC glow/fire footage
Fresno fire
BRONZE Member
Snoochie-boochie-noochies!
663 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Snoochie-boochie-noochies!
663 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
edit: local bands/singers/village idiots
edit: local bands/singers/village idiots
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
My breasts are the bane of my life.
*withdraws from the thread leaving a trail of slime....*
My breasts are the bane of my life.
*withdraws from the thread leaving a trail of slime....*
GOLD Member
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Posted:
SERVED! SERVED! SERVED! SERVED!
jkjk
but no, seriously...
(Thinks up more comments on UCOF's chest and decides to shut it)
SERVED! SERVED! SERVED! SERVED!
jkjk
but no, seriously...
(Thinks up more comments on UCOF's chest and decides to shut it)
To do: More Firedrums 08 video?
Wildfire/US East coast fire footage
LA/EDC glow/fire footage
Fresno fire
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
It's OK, I'm willing to edit the thread title to "John's Tits" if you'd rather 
It's OK, I'm willing to edit the thread title to "John's Tits" if you'd rather
What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
GOLD Member
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Posted:
I bet the thread would get far more traffic.
Mayhaps you should sing a song about them.
I bet the thread would get far more traffic.
Mayhaps you should sing a song about them.
To do: More Firedrums 08 video?
Wildfire/US East coast fire footage
LA/EDC glow/fire footage
Fresno fire
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
OK. Based on all John's posts in this thread, for added insanity
His name is UCOF, he's got luvverly tits
They're the size of an ape and create general bliss
And well may you cough when his dulcet tones
Bemoan his lack of microphones
His boobies have been his rival from birth
Perhaps it is due to their phenomenal girth
And he's some kind of snail, but a snail with breasts
That's some kind of unimaginable fantasy chest.
OK. Based on all John's posts in this thread, for added insanity
His name is UCOF, he's got luvverly tits
They're the size of an ape and create general bliss
And well may you cough when his dulcet tones
Bemoan his lack of microphones
His boobies have been his rival from birth
Perhaps it is due to their phenomenal girth
And he's some kind of snail, but a snail with breasts
That's some kind of unimaginable fantasy chest.
What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
Yeeeah, that shut you all up, didn't it?
Yeeeah, that shut you all up, didn't it?
What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
GOLD Member
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Basu gasu bakuhatsu - because sometimes buses explode
1,584 posts
Location: Angels Landing, USA
Posted:
no, it's now my signature.
no, it's now my signature.
To do: More Firedrums 08 video?
Wildfire/US East coast fire footage
LA/EDC glow/fire footage
Fresno fire
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
I aim to please
I aim to please What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
SILVER Member
Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.
2,293 posts
Location: NJ or DE, USA
Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.
2,293 posts
Location: NJ or DE, USA
Posted:
As said before, lots of practice.
If you're having trouble sustaining notes and your phrasing isn't that great, it's most likely due to poor breath support. Every note you sing has to be supported, no matter how long or short, high or low, loud or soft. A lot of people can hit the notes, but the breath support isn't there so they can't sing nearly as well as they could with it.
The best way to improve, in my opinion, is to get a voice teacher. Practicing on your own helps tons, but a voice teacher is the safest way to go. You don't want to practice techniques and whatnot that are bad and/or could damage your vocal chords. An online site probably won't help you much. Every person's voice is different, so a general online instruction won't do you much good. Also, a site can't tell you if you're doing something wrong. It could sound correct to you, but be the total opposite of what you ought to be doing. Spend the extra money and get yourself a teacher. It really is the best way to go.
Lots of luck!
As said before, lots of practice.
If you're having trouble sustaining notes and your phrasing isn't that great, it's most likely due to poor breath support. Every note you sing has to be supported, no matter how long or short, high or low, loud or soft. A lot of people can hit the notes, but the breath support isn't there so they can't sing nearly as well as they could with it.
The best way to improve, in my opinion, is to get a voice teacher. Practicing on your own helps tons, but a voice teacher is the safest way to go. You don't want to practice techniques and whatnot that are bad and/or could damage your vocal chords. An online site probably won't help you much. Every person's voice is different, so a general online instruction won't do you much good. Also, a site can't tell you if you're doing something wrong. It could sound correct to you, but be the total opposite of what you ought to be doing. Spend the extra money and get yourself a teacher. It really is the best way to go.
Lots of luck!
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
Pies Jesu Domine *whack*
Dona eis requiem *whack*
Come join us and chat - we're bored! irc.newnet.net #homeofpoi
resident bagpiper
342 posts
Location: Vermont, USA
342 posts
Location: Vermont, USA
Posted:
also, remember that dynamics are key... a sustained note is nothing if it doesn't do something dynamic... creshendo's or diminuendo's are the key to powerful sustained notes... also, kicking yourself in the nuts can help with the high notes.
also, remember that dynamics are key... a sustained note is nothing if it doesn't do something dynamic... creshendo's or diminuendo's are the key to powerful sustained notes... also, kicking yourself in the nuts can help with the high notes.
Q:What's the difference between the Great Highland Bagpipes and the Northumbrian Pipes?
A:The Great Highland Pipes burn longer.
Internet Hate Machine
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...
Posted:
*winces*
nice pair of g-clamps work wonders for the high notes ive been told
*winces*
nice pair of g-clamps work wonders for the high notes ive been told
The existance of flamethrowers says that someone, somewhere, at sometime said "I need to set that thing on fire, but it's too far away."
SILVER Member
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Tosser
1,712 posts
Location: Bristol,UK
Posted:
As far as mike technique goes, two good basics are to hold the mike up and straight in front of your mouth, and second not to hold the nike in the cup of your hand or any other 'funky' grips- it'll just mess up the sound.
As far as actually singing goes, it really depends on your style and sound- I'm a choral tenor so sustained, clean notes from the diaphram are the way to go, but if its Rock then its all about the individual voice. Breath control is a must though- even as an asthmatic my lung capacity is greater than many of my friends a) because I don't smoke and b) because I use my lungs a lot singing. Swimming is excellent practivce for breath control- I've been meaning to get into it for years
Hope that helps
As far as mike technique goes, two good basics are to hold the mike up and straight in front of your mouth, and second not to hold the nike in the cup of your hand or any other 'funky' grips- it'll just mess up the sound.
As far as actually singing goes, it really depends on your style and sound- I'm a choral tenor so sustained, clean notes from the diaphram are the way to go, but if its Rock then its all about the individual voice. Breath control is a must though- even as an asthmatic my lung capacity is greater than many of my friends a) because I don't smoke and b) because I use my lungs a lot singing. Swimming is excellent practivce for breath control- I've been meaning to get into it for years
Hope that helps
BRONZE Member
Playing OldSchool Poi
593 posts
Location: amsterdam, Netherlands
Playing OldSchool Poi
593 posts
Location: amsterdam, Netherlands
Posted:
yeah, I was told by my teacher years ago to breath from my stomach, not my chest: that way it will be more powerfull and will have more sustain.
if the long notes start bending, try a bit of vibrato in your voice towards the end or dropping to another note in the same scale while holding the same sound, that is the 'trick' most singers use.
as far as mike technique goes (and I am a soundengineer working for bands): don't!!!!!
often you see people who are famous use "technique", dragging the mike away from the mouth as the hold notes. this only means they have no volume while singing 'normal' and boost to get the long notes. and often they drag too far, making the note sound feeble and thin. besides: most clubs and soundengineers have a little machine called a vocal compressor that should correct all of this anyway.
but most importantly: DO NOT 'CAP' THE MIKE. it looks very hip-hop and 'cool', but it makes you voice sound like you're singing through a toilet-roll and will also make the PA and monitor system more feedback sensitive.
yeah, I was told by my teacher years ago to breath from my stomach, not my chest: that way it will be more powerfull and will have more sustain.
if the long notes start bending, try a bit of vibrato in your voice towards the end or dropping to another note in the same scale while holding the same sound, that is the 'trick' most singers use.
as far as mike technique goes (and I am a soundengineer working for bands): don't!!!!!
often you see people who are famous use "technique", dragging the mike away from the mouth as the hold notes. this only means they have no volume while singing 'normal' and boost to get the long notes. and often they drag too far, making the note sound feeble and thin. besides: most clubs and soundengineers have a little machine called a vocal compressor that should correct all of this anyway.
but most importantly: DO NOT 'CAP' THE MIKE. it looks very hip-hop and 'cool', but it makes you voice sound like you're singing through a toilet-roll and will also make the PA and monitor system more feedback sensitive.
eRic.
I'm not normally a religious man, but if you're up there, save me, Superman!
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
Mr Chutney should know... he has cds out
and that song is brilliant Thank you very very much.
Mr Chutney should know... he has cds out
and that song is brilliant
Thank you very very much. SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
Thanks a lot to everyone, this is all great advice Breath control really isn't something I've ever given much thought to, so it seems pretty fair to assume this is where I've been going wrong.. volume etc is also an issue for me.
I'm definitely looks at voice lessons this summer, but obviously it's good to have something to be thinking about in the mean time
Thanks so much for all the tips, I'm actually really excited to have something to look at in order to help it
And there'll be no mike holding for me - I'm also a guitarist
Thanks a lot to everyone, this is all great advice
Breath control really isn't something I've ever given much thought to, so it seems pretty fair to assume this is where I've been going wrong.. volume etc is also an issue for me.I'm definitely looks at voice lessons this summer, but obviously it's good to have something to be thinking about in the mean time
Thanks so much for all the tips, I'm actually really excited to have something to look at in order to help it
And there'll be no mike holding for me - I'm also a guitarist
What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
SILVER Member
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
coming to a country near you
4,696 posts
Location: home of the tiney toothy bear, Australia
Posted:
p.s drooling is a bad thing..............go figure
p.s drooling is a bad thing..............go figure
"but have you considered there is more to life than your eyelids?"
jointly owned by Fire_Spinning_Angel and Blu_Valley
SILVER Member
Pasta of Muppets
2,722 posts
Location: in the interwebs..., United Kingdom
Pasta of Muppets
2,722 posts
Location: in the interwebs..., United Kingdom
Posted:
Sing from your belly!
A good simple breath exercise is to start by breathing in cycles (that is, breath in for a slow count of three, hold for three, out for three hold for three) then make sure your belly is expanding, not your chest (but it will a little) This is DIAPHRAMATIC (sp?) BREATHING. If your chest expands more than your belly, you are INTERCOSTAL BREATHING.
Another tip. Find a note that when sustained provides a reasonance. Find out where this reasonance is in your body. If its in your sinus, mouth or upper throat, its not the best place. Try, by providing more power, changing your mouth shape more like an "O" and any other way you can, to shift this reasonance downward. This is your chest voice. When singing higher notes, this reasonace will travel upward. When you are singing very high, it should be in your upper throat. This is "falsetto" and useful for reaching very high notes (if youre a bloke)
Thats just for starters. Any more you have to pay! Teaching singing is some people's way to make a living. That above is practically lesson one!
(You can tell I'm a musical theatre actor and my g/f is in professional training...)
Sing from your belly!
A good simple breath exercise is to start by breathing in cycles (that is, breath in for a slow count of three, hold for three, out for three hold for three) then make sure your belly is expanding, not your chest (but it will a little) This is DIAPHRAMATIC (sp?) BREATHING. If your chest expands more than your belly, you are INTERCOSTAL BREATHING.
Another tip. Find a note that when sustained provides a reasonance. Find out where this reasonance is in your body. If its in your sinus, mouth or upper throat, its not the best place. Try, by providing more power, changing your mouth shape more like an "O" and any other way you can, to shift this reasonance downward. This is your chest voice. When singing higher notes, this reasonace will travel upward. When you are singing very high, it should be in your upper throat. This is "falsetto" and useful for reaching very high notes (if youre a bloke)
Thats just for starters. Any more you have to pay! Teaching singing is some people's way to make a living. That above is practically lesson one!
(You can tell I'm a musical theatre actor and my g/f is in professional training...)
ohmygodlaserbeamspewpewpew!
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Pooh-Bah
1,626 posts
Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Posted:
Thanks FP!!
Thanks FP!! What a wonderful miracle if only we could look through each other's eyes for an instant.
Thoreau
SILVER Member
Pasta of Muppets
2,722 posts
Location: in the interwebs..., United Kingdom
Pasta of Muppets
2,722 posts
Location: in the interwebs..., United Kingdom
Posted:
NP N_A_G!
NP N_A_G!
ohmygodlaserbeamspewpewpew!
SILVER Member
comfortably numb
2,676 posts
Location: The countryside, Australia
comfortably numb
2,676 posts
Location: The countryside, Australia
Posted:
Learn breathing techniques!
Learn breathing techniques!
.All things are beautiful if we take the time to look.
© 1998 - 2025 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com