PeteM
This is a follow-up to D-man's thread who recently asked about the need for a singing coach.
What I would like to know is how many of you guys sing and play guitar and who would like to have good info on how to get the most out of your voice. Maybe you sing at the braai, front up a band or need to do backing vocals for your band and you know you're just not cracking it.
The reason I ask is that there seems to be a decided lack of singing forums on the internet and the one I frequent is damned difficult to navigate. The members are okay, civil and helpful but they're not active like on GFSA, mainly I think because it's not user-friendly. I was just wondering if it might be worthwhile starting a singing forum here in SA.... what do you think?
Hammeron
Pete, when people see me play they ask, "When are you gonna start singing"? I dont know but when people see guitarists play they seem to expect them to sing as well.
I've decided to do backing in the band, just simple chorus - chanty {?} stuff.
So I'm in need of a decent mic.
I agree with you.
---mario---
+1
Once upon a time I sang in the school choir, but stopped when my voice broke, now I like singing where only I can hear myself (insert sneaky lookin' devil smiley here) I'm not tone deaf and I do have a few notes I can hold, so IF its possible to learn such a skill again, I'd really appreciate a forum to help out with that, simply 'coz I don't have the confidence to try and sing in front of other people as is and I don't think someone would be able to teach you if you don't want to open your trap...
flatfourfan
I would deff be keen to learn more as I've been dabbling in vocals when I have a few easier rhythm tracks to play. I know that I don't have a total shyte voice, but I know my limits, a video recording of our last sesh showed them very well.....lol.
I used to sing in my school choir and sang actively till my mid teens.
My tutor has started giving me a few contacts whee I can go locally to improve my voice, but at R250 an hour it can get pricey.
+2
DonRoos
Yup, I am the vocalist in my band. I have sung for years in various situations including school choir (I sang soprano!), church choir (sank to a tenor) and with numerous other groups and social occations (picnics and braais) and then I went for lessons to help me sing without straining my throat and vocal chords. I play to back my voice rather than sing to acompany my playing - I am basically a rythm/accoustic guitarist.
Could we not just asks for a topic on GFSA for singers rather than creating a seperate forum?
Warren
Squonk wrote:
I try ?
Ditto ?
AlanRatcliffe
I would be keen to start up a vocal board here on the forum. Just say the word guys and I'll add it in.
I sing when necessary (happier with backing, but take lead when needed), but vocals are definitely my weakest skill. While I know I'll never be Freddy M, I'd love to learn to use my voice effectively and be able to pull off a performance.
I was also a soprano in a choir until my voice broke... :-[
singemonkey
I do. Better singer than guitar player. Not saying all that much though.
Hammeron
singemonkey wrote:
I do. Better singer than guitar player. Not saying all that much though.
You aint known as 'Singermonkey' for nothin'! ?
PeteM
Having the right info is 'a good to know' but it does need dedication and application. Like learning to play any instrument well, you need to work at it. Singing the wrong way can do serious damage to the voice... I know because that's what I've done over the years. I wish I had been given the correct basics early in my career.
So, if we have a vocal board here, I would be keen to share the knowledge I have gleened more recently. And for the Durbs guys, you're welcome to come to me for one-on-one lessons. (a cheeky little punt there :-[)
Seventhson
When I sing I sound like dave mustiane ?
AlanRatcliffe
PeteM wrote:
So, if we have a vocal board here, I would be keen to share the knowledge I have gleened more recently.
OK. Good enough for me...
guitarboy2828
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
PeteM wrote:
So, if we have a vocal board here, I would be keen to share the knowledge I have gleened more recently.
OK. Good enough for me...
+1, would love to glean that knowledge of Pete. I'm a worship leaders, so I sing every week, often multiple times a week too. So, I would love some tips to improve ?
Jack-Flash-Jr
singemonkey wrote:
I do. Better singer than guitar player. Not saying all that much though.
Oh c'mon. False modesty suiteth not the monkey ?
+1 on a vocals board. Just getting into backing vocals for the monkey man and Rene... quite enjoying it but a lot to learn.
singemonkey
I really belt it out. The styles I like best are '60s R&B singers and blues singers. So what I'm saying is I'm always putting my voice under a lot of pressure. There are very few songs in which I'm just happily in my comfort zone. So any advice on not ending up involuntarily sounding like Tom Waits before I'm 45 would be most appreciated.
A sideline: I noticed the other day how truly spectacular Rod Stewart's voice is. What a pity he spent his career singing utter crap.
p.s. Jack, I sing well, for a white dude ? But my black and coloured colleagues sing so well I'm embarrassed to sing in front of them. Depends where you place the bar. Admittedly they sing in a more modern R&B style and probably couldn't do all the stuff I do. But in terms of actual vocal control, they leave me in their dust.
Jack-Flash-Jr
singemonkey wrote:
I really belt it out. The styles I like best are '60s R&B singers and blues singers. So what I'm saying is I'm always putting my voice under a lot of pressure. There are very few songs in which I'm just happily in my comfort zone. So any advice on not ending up involuntarily sounding like Tom Waits before I'm 45 would be most appreciated.
A sideline: I noticed the other day how truly spectacular Rod Stewart's voice is. What a pity he spent his career singing utter crap.
p.s. Jack, I sing well, for a white dude ? But my black and coloured colleagues sing so well I'm embarrassed to sing in front of them. Depends where you place the bar. Admittedly they sing in a more modern R&B style and probably couldn't do all the stuff I do. But in terms of actual vocal control, they leave me in their dust.
I was referring to your under-evaluation of your guitar playing. Your singing sucks.... ?
NorioDS
Also very keen as that's one of the areas I'd like to work on next.
Squonk
Would appreciate this hugely Pete ?
Svengali
singemonkey wrote:
A sideline: I noticed the other day how truly spectacular Rod Stewart's voice is. What a pity he spent his career singing utter crap.
&B style and probably couldn't do all the stuff I do. But in terms of actual vocal control, they leave me in their dust.
Rod Stewart just ended his career singing crap. He started out as a rocker, tried and true.
Another one who didn't follow up on early promise (thinking Yellow Brick Road) is - dare I say it - that blighter, Elton John.
