JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Microphone and Vocalist Forum V

V

Greg, I will review one or two songs and give you some feedback on the vocals, I'll have to do it later today as I have students coming in now. I just wanted say, though, that if you feel your vocals need improving, the good news is that you can make changes that will assist you to sing more easily and feel better about the quality of your vocals.

I'll get back to you,
cheers
Vikki
www.theshysinger.com

------------------
Vikki Flawith, Canadian Singer/Songwriter & Voice Teacher
'Bird's 'Official Site'
'Bird's MySpace
ZaNy cRaZy 'Bird Blog

'Bird's fledgling *F*O*L*K* CD

[This message has been edited by Hummingbird (edited 10-18-2006).]

Hi Greg - sorry, it took longer than expected to get back to you. Here are a few thoughts from me.

Didn't Even Know I Knew How How to Dance - fun song. It feels like the singer is distracted by the guitar. Sometimes the words are not finished or are swallowed - this implies to me that the groove of the song is overpowering the vocals.

I'd recommend singing the song at a slower pace on a syllable like 'boh boh boh' -- while just strumming the chord once when the progression changes. Work on the vocals so that you get a clear and consistant tone, and a fluid execution of the phrase. Then add the full guitar in at a slower pace, working on keeping the vocal line fluid while the guitar does the rythm part. Then add the words in, working again on keeping the vocal line fluid and smooth in contrast to the rythm of the guitar.

Work on singing the words with more refinement in the shaping. I suggest looking in the mirror when singing the words, if you see a lot of movement in the lips and jaw, the diction is a little sloppy. You want to think of all your words being framed in a round kind of shape that allows for subtle, focussed pronounciation.

I'm not sure if this is the best key for this voice (seems a touch low), I do like the quality on "oooh wee". The grinding of the voice in a couple of places is not healthy & I'd recommend against it.

When recording or performing, make sure you're standing upright and that the head is in a neutral position (not lookin down at the fret board, etc).

Hold of my heart

Feels like the vocals and the guitar are not always in sync. I feel like the vocal line should be more consistent and more fluid, it feels a little clipped even tho much of the diction is good. (Songwriting note - I'd tighten things up - there are too many breaks in the vocal line - too many pauses at the end of phrases)

Words like "song" show how diction can effect tonal quality - the 'ng' is too heavy & effects the vowel before it - you need to sing a longer, clearer "ahhhhhh"

I'd recommend both of you listen to some older singers, like Glen Campbell and Elvis -- even in the uptempo music, they both had good vowel sounds that bring the voice out effectively.

I'd also write my words in such a way to support phrasing and give the singer vowel sounds to sing - for example, "up aloFT" is harder to sing than "up where we belOOOOng"

As I said above, a good exercise is to sing a phrase on "boh Boh boh" ... and at the same time imagine a fiddle playing the vocal line with its fluid, legato phrasing... and sing that line. Feel the quality of the tone you get as you sing the "oh" and feel the shape of the lips as well. Then sing the same phrase, with words framed in the 'oh' shape and try to keep the same round tonal quality in your words.

I hope that makes some sense!

I think both voices have the potential to be rich and textured. With some coaching you'd bring out the quality more effectively, find a sense of ease with your singing and more confidence in your performance.

cheers
Hummin'bird

------------------
Vikki Flawith, Canadian Singer/Songwriter & Voice Teacher
'Bird's 'Official Site'
'Bird's MySpace
ZaNy cRaZy 'Bird Blog

'Bird's fledgling *F*O*L*K* CD