any singers?

VeganTofu*ker · Jun 17, 2006

hi! is anyone around here an amateur or even somewhat experienced singer? i've recently joined an acapella group in school, and i discovered singing is pretty fun, but my technique sucks. i've been playing music since 4 so my ear isn't a problem at all - it's the technique, how to warm up, breathing, etc. i only discovered last week the secret of diaphragmatic breathing, still working on that. any other tips for a beginning male singer? (my goal is to improve range to at least a respectable tenor's range) 
also, are there any good videos or instruction books? or should i just shell out the $ for real voice lessons? thanks for your help in advance <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

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chiaraluna · Jun 19, 2006

Hi! I'm an experienced classical singer (it was my parents' profession and I am in school making it mine as well), and I think that it's fabulous that you're getting into it! Unfortunately, the only way to really learn to sing properly is to shell out for lessons from someone with experience... There are lots of technique books that can supplement lessons, but without someone to monitor your progress it's incredibly difficult to iron out bad habits and to develop healthy ones. 
It's also very important to remember that there are LOTS of voice teachers out there, and that many may not be right for you. Be ready to try lots of different people to find the right fit. If you don't mind sharing, what universities are you near? If I know of any of them, I'd be happy to suggest teachers -- the music world is a very small place and I could probably track down someone who knows someone in your area. 
Again, major congratulations on taking your singing health/development so seriously! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":up:">

Schoska · Jun 19, 2006

*waves* another classical singer here <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
I totally agree with Chiaraluna that a teacher (even if it isn't weekly..although I'd recommend frequent lessons until you both agree that there can be bigger gaps between sessions) is a must. It is important not just so that you learn the techniques that enable you to be good, but also because if you have poor technique you can damage your vocal folds. (Something that can be very painful and even permanent). 
If you are interested in understand why things go wrong/how to avoid problems and also from a teachers and physical pov I'd suggest reading 
Meribeth Bunch's "Dynamics of the singing voice". 
I found it a great help because sometimes I wanted a more concrete rather than abstract explanation of what happens/why/how etc. 
I'm sure Chiaraluna and I could reel off loads of excercises and warm ups for you but I still think a tutor is the way to go. 
I will say though that as you already are an instrumentalist you probably are familiar with certain warming up techniques...arpeggios, scales, broken chords etc. You can do an ok warm up just by using those.

Leia · Jun 19, 2006

I'm a singer, too... don't have many suggestions since mine is a female voice and I've only been singing in school for 4 years, but I do have to say that playing a wind instrument really helps (I play the clarinet). I had breathing problems at first when starting the clarinet (also because of my asthmatic tendences) and I strengthened my lungs by blowing up balloons and by blowing through a straw into a glass of water. I don't know if that helps, though! Also, if you breathe in while lying down you are more likely to use the muscles you are supposed to be using to sing, according to my choir teacher, and I've been told to put a book on my diaphragm while lying down so I could see and feel where the breath should be coming from. 
Hope that helps, and good luck!

elibrown · Jun 19, 2006

I "trained" myself by recording my voice on a crappy tape player and playing it back, then fixing what sounded bad, over and over. I've never had a voice lesson in my life. Maybe I should? 
Sorry I'm not much help. But you can check out my music if you want. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"><a href="http://www.purevolume.com/elibrowning" target="_blank">www.purevolume.com/elibrowning</a> It's an old song...excuse the naivety of lyrics and the cheesy production.

Kill Uncle · Jun 19, 2006

i sing in my car.

*AHIMSA* · Jun 19, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by elibrown <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
Sorry I'm not much help. But you can check out my music if you want. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"><a href="http://www.purevolume.com/elibrowning" target="_blank">www.purevolume.com/elibrowning</a> It's an old song...excuse the naivety of lyrics and the cheesy production.</div>
</div>
 
You sound like Lisa Loeb or Vanessa Carlton to me. My 13 year old would probably like your voice <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/bow.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":bow:"> . How old are you? The profile says 20 but you say it's an old song so I am curious <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

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Kill Uncle · Jun 19, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by elibrown <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I "trained" myself by recording my voice on a crappy tape player and playing it back, then fixing what sounded bad, over and over. I've never had a voice lesson in my life. Maybe I should? 
Sorry I'm not much help. But you can check out my music if you want. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"><a href="http://www.purevolume.com/elibrowning" target="_blank">www.purevolume.com/elibrowning</a> It's an old song...excuse the naivety of lyrics and the cheesy production.</div>
</div>
 
i like your voice very much.

soilman · Jun 19, 2006

I love singing. I sing on the bus and occasionally that antagonizes someone who doesn't like my singing. 
I have a very limited range. To extend it I use falsetto. I practice making the transition from my comfortable range to the falsetto range without a noisy break. After I warm up I can more easily make the break or landing on the wrong pitch. 
I have no trouble with proper diaphragammatic breathing as I have several years of training on the clarinet. I also find that swimmng helped me regulate my breathing. Tho it tends to be more the other way around -- practicing my singing breathing helped me regulate my swimming breathing -- pace my breathing with my stroking so I don't run out of breath before I get where I want to go.

karenlovessnow · Jun 19, 2006

I'm no where close to being an experienced singer. I can carry a tune and I sing all of the time, sometimes to the point of annoying others, specifically at work. It can be distracting, I just don't always realize I'm doing it. So I'm learning to not do it all of the time. It can also be a little wierd if I'm in a store. I notice other people who do it, and I think to myself, OMG, that's what I look like, some nut job walking around a store, singing to herself!!!

Dhatri Goddess · Jun 19, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by elibrown <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I "trained" myself by recording my voice on a crappy tape player and playing it back, then fixing what sounded bad, over and over. I've never had a voice lesson in my life. Maybe I should? 
Sorry I'm not much help. But you can check out my music if you want. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"><a href="http://www.purevolume.com/elibrowning" target="_blank">www.purevolume.com/elibrowning</a> It's an old song...excuse the naivety of lyrics and the cheesy production.</div>
</div>
 
You have a beautiful voice <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":up:"> I like that song!

chiaraluna · Jun 19, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by elibrown <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I "trained" myself by recording my voice on a crappy tape player and playing it back, then fixing what sounded bad, over and over. I've never had a voice lesson in my life. Maybe I should? 
Sorry I'm not much help. But you can check out my music if you want. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"><a href="http://www.purevolume.com/elibrowning" target="_blank">www.purevolume.com/elibrowning</a> It's an old song...excuse the naivety of lyrics and the cheesy production.</div>
</div>
 
Very pretty voice! I think that it sounds just right for the style of music you sing... Some lessons might help you get more efficient breath (useful in any style, IMO, though I might be biased <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/wink3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">), but it sounds just lovely!

karenlovessnow · Jun 20, 2006

I absolutely love it! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

">

ElliottsMom · Jun 20, 2006

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/rockon.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":rockon:"> very good! I did take classes for 5 yrs but that was a very long time ago.

Chook · Jun 20, 2006

Serious "amateur" chorister here. I'm currently singing with 2 choirs and belong to 2 more. I learnt lots just singing with really good choir leaders but can't recommend private lessons highly enough. I was a really good alto, doing the occasional choir solo, but having had lessons for the last 2 years I have switched to sop1. Who knew I could sing the high stuff? Not me and not the conductor I had sung for for 20 years but my teacher recognised it the first lesson I had. 
Find a teacher who suits you and go for it. Don't make my mistake and wait til you're 48!

hamilton · Jun 20, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by karenlovessnow <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
OMG, that's what I look like, some nut job walking around a store, singing to herself!!!</div>
</div>
 
That's me too...except it would be 'himself.' <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
I can't help myself, I always have a tune banging around in my head.

VeganTofu*ker · Jun 23, 2006

hey thanks for all of your advice, everyone. i've read up on a lot of breathing exercises and warmups, and i do them, but i get frustrated, as singing is supposed to be easy on the throat yet my throat kinda feels it before i'm even done with the warmups (even though i think i'm using the diaphragm for power). so, i think i'll just shell out $ for real lessons - pitch isn't a problem but i know my range and stamina can be 1000x better. 
i live near bradley university in illinois... the thing is, i'm kinda looking to be more of a rock singer, not classical (which is probably way harder!), although at this point i'm willing to learn ANYTHING to get better technique. 
hamilton, i know how you feel - that happens especially when i'm taking a test or having a serious conversation, sometimes i can never get great songs out of my head when i need to. it sucks <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

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thanks everyone for your input <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

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soilman · Jun 23, 2006

" i've read up on a lot of breathing exercises and warmups, and i do them but i get frustrated, as singing is supposed to be easy on the throat " 
I think there must always be some actual song you can sing, that is fund to sing, that will be just as helpful as an "exercise." I follow the same philosophy with strengthening my singing as I do with strengthening my muscles -- I never go to the gym or use weights -- there is always something I can actually DO with my muscles -- that will kill 2 birds with one stone -- build up my muscles and get some sort of job done. Why lift weights when you can lift an air conditioner or turn a compost pile or help someone move furniture? Same thing with singing. Why do a breathing or pitch exercise when you can sing an actual song?

simplyrahil · Jun 23, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by elibrown <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
I "trained" myself by recording my voice on a crappy tape player and playing it back, then fixing what sounded bad, over and over. I've never had a voice lesson in my life. Maybe I should? 
Sorry I'm not much help. But you can check out my music if you want. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"><a href="http://www.purevolume.com/elibrowning" target="_blank">www.purevolume.com/elibrowning</a> It's an old song...excuse the naivety of lyrics and the cheesy production.</div>
</div>
 ^ also my general method as well, except that for the past few years i've used the pc instead of tape for demos 
your song and voice are beautiful <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
do check out my stuff here as well if/when you can <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> <a href="http://myspace.com/rahilbabooram" target="_blank">http://myspace.com/rahilbabooram</a> 
or <a href="http://rahil.iscool.net/" target="_blank">http://rahil.iscool.net/</a> 
or even <a href="http://www.purevolume.com/rahilbabooram" target="_blank">www.purevolume.com/rahilbabooram</a> <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
feel free to post feedback on <a href="http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?goto=lastpost&t=17942" target="_blank">http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/s...stpost&t=17942</a> <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/grin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
thanx!

chiaraluna · Jun 23, 2006

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by VeganTofu*ker <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a> 
i live near bradley university in illinois... the thing is, i'm kinda looking to be more of a rock singer, not classical (which is probably way harder!), although at this point i'm willing to learn ANYTHING to get better technique.</div>
</div>
 
Sorry, I misunderstood what you wanted! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="

"> 
Anyway, I think that taking lessons from a classical singer no matter WHAT style of music you want to sing is a good idea. An open-minded teacher won't make you change your voice or anything like that -- the basis of classical singing is establishing a solid breath base and freeing the voice of tension, which is something that singers of any style can majorly benefit from. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":up:">

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