JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Microphone and Vocalist Forum yell/scream

Thanks girls. Feel like an argument? Well here is something to get your teeth into. First of all I am nothing special except that I, like a lot of folk, have a natural talent for singing. I have mixed feelings about voice coaching. Most people I have heard who use vocal coaching sound unnatural, lack light and shade plus power especially if singing my kind of music, Rock, Soul and Blues. It may be different for Operatic styles and Stage Musicals or Classical pieces. But in my opinion these people cannot sing Rock or Blues anyway. Formal training can spoil a good natural voice. On the plus side if you have a weak voice or lack any natural style or technique then proper training is essential. Most folk who do any serious singing will instinctively know if they are doing something wrong and many will know naturally how to prevent or correct this without any outside imput. I must admit that some excercises work and some tips about breathing and control come in useful but all in all coaching is not really necessary for most folk especially those who cannot hold a tune to start with. A young Karaoke singer told me that she was going to vocal classes and asked for my advice. In my usual down to earth manner I told her to forget it and not to waste money as she could barely hold a tune and had no sense of rythmn. Too many folk with no talent think that they will turn into Mariah Carey if they go to a vocal coach. That is how coaches make money. You sometimes have to be cruel to be kind.
If you use common sense, have a little talent and do not strain it is questionable if a vocal coach is worth the money.