Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: remak on June 26, 2008, 08:26:14 PM

Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: remak on June 26, 2008, 08:26:14 PM
You guys are in bands, right? You must have a fix for this ....

We have been looking for a vocalist for one of our projects. On the basis of a music ad I invited a young, would be, singerette to sit in one of our jam sessions a few weeks ago. She couldn't really sing, was a bit tone deaf, but was (unusually for singers) focused, nice and committed to improving.

A professional voice coach is financially out of the question for her. So we decided to invest one hour a week in vocal training for 6 weeks. Simple standard exercises - scales, arpeggios, breathing, making sure there was no straining or bad habits being learned. After a few weeks a nice soprano voice suddenly appeared. Now, play a random note on the piano and she can sing it, play a chord sequence on the the guitar and she can improvise a melody to it. Good tone, good timing too.

Only problem is ... when she tries a real song ... ya-ow! (:x)

Once faced with lyrics it all goes back to one droning note again, all pitch control disappears. Even simple 2 or 3 note rock songs go to pieces and sound er.... bad. I mean Karaoke bar sounds good, bad.

Did any of you ever see the same phenomenon in a singer? - someone who can sing technically but always flakes out in the middle of the tune?

Is there hope for the lass?
Is there a way to fix it?
Or do I have to be cruel to be kind?
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: Will on June 26, 2008, 08:59:01 PM
Well, the obvious option would be sending her to Tim for a rewind, or maybe a magnet change, the focus of a ceramic magnet is looking quite neccesary in this case

(Thanks Wintersun :P )
 :lol:
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: FernandoDuarte on June 26, 2008, 10:39:26 PM
Well, I'm starting to sing by now... When she loses the thrill, stop and show how she should sing or try (for the beggining) put the original song in the play-back, to make she understand/catch what the singer is doing...
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: il˙ti on June 26, 2008, 11:00:59 PM
Quote from: Will
Well, the obvious option would be sending her to Tim for a rewind, or maybe a magnet change, the focus of a ceramic magnet is looking quite neccesary in this case

(Thanks Wintersun :P )
 :lol:

Dino has been taking credit for my joke long enough. I said that during an MSN conversation with him, and he quoted part of it in his sig. Being the great sport I am, I didn't call him out on it... untill enough is enough and justice shall be mine!  :shock:

 :roll:

Sorry.

I did come up with it though...
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: plastercaster on June 27, 2008, 10:53:06 AM
Try playing a recording of the band to her- she should hear that her singing is out.

That, or get her to try singing a capella- will mean she only has to focus on the tune rather than arrangement, keeping time and in key.

*Remembers* Turn her monitor RIGHT UP! She might not be comfortable with her voice at first, but she'll have to get over it. If she can't hear herself, it's no wonder she's struggling with holding pitch.
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: gingataff on June 27, 2008, 11:07:31 AM
More practice at 'real' singing I guess.
 It sounds like when I work on scales and modes for a while and then try to improvise over a track, all that comes out are the same old pentatonics again.  :oops:
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: wintersun on June 27, 2008, 12:42:58 PM
Quote from: ilyti
Quote from: Will
Well, the obvious option would be sending her to Tim for a rewind, or maybe a magnet change, the focus of a ceramic magnet is looking quite neccesary in this case

(Thanks Wintersun :P )
 :lol:

Dino has been taking credit for my joke long enough. I said that during an MSN conversation with him, and he quoted part of it in his sig. Being the great sport I am, I didn't call him out on it... untill enough is enough and justice shall be mine!  :shock:

 :roll:

Sorry.

I did come up with it though...


Well well, that's not exactly true!

So, I'm providing you with a part of my MSN messanger history AS EVIDENCE :D

12.12.2007  22:52:18  Casper  
oh i'm enjoying my crawlers so much that i can wait

12.12.2007  22:52:36  Casper  
when my honeymoon time with the crawlers is over, i'll move on to the mule

12.12.2007  22:52:42  Casper  
then the crawlers will get jealous

12.12.2007  22:52:48  Casper  
and i'll shred on them for awhile

12.12.2007  22:53:01  Casper  
then they'll learn to to live together in harmony

12.12.2007  22:53:02  Casper  
eventually

12.12.2007  22:53:05  Casper  
thats my plan

12.12.2007  22:54:13  Dino  
hahahahaahahaha

12.12.2007  22:54:15  Dino  
:D:D:D

12.12.2007  22:54:50  Dino  
wish it was that easy with women, ha? :D


12.12.2007  22:54:56  Dino  
heheheehehehee

12.12.2007  22:55:12  Casper  
oh just one woman for me, mate

12.12.2007  22:55:21  Casper  
but yes

12.12.2007  22:55:31  Casper  
i think we all wish women were like pickups

12.12.2007  22:55:35  Casper  
only say what they are told to say

12.12.2007  22:55:36  Dino  
hahahahahahaa :D

12.12.2007  22:56:02  Dino  
if they lack output, you sell them... or give them to Tim to rewind them
:M

12.12.2007  22:56:05  Dino  
hahahahhahaahahahaha

12.12.2007  22:56:08  Dino  
:D

12.12.2007  22:56:09  Casper  
haha

12.12.2007  22:56:13  Casper  
brutal

12.12.2007  22:56:28  Dino  
oh man I'll put that on BKP

12.12.2007  22:56:29  Dino  
hahaha

12.12.2007  22:56:29  Dino  
:D

12.12.2007  22:56:32  Casper  
hahah

12.12.2007  22:56:33  Dino  
forum

12.12.2007  22:56:36  Dino  
hahahahahahhaa

12.12.2007  22:56:39  Dino  
WATCH ME


See what I mean? :D now you see who initiated all that, and who concluded it :) bold text is a living proof ahhaaha

Now you know the backgroung story behind it! And now I'm putting that signature back!  :shock:  so sue me!
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: il˙ti on June 27, 2008, 07:13:23 PM
Ahhhh $%&# you Dino, I initiated it:

12.12.2007 22:52:36 Casper
when my honeymoon time with the crawlers is over, i'll move on to the mule

Thus indicating that we're comparing pickups to women. Hah!

 :roll:

But yeah, your rewind joke is definitely the best of the bunch.
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: wintersun on June 27, 2008, 07:34:44 PM
well, ok, lets say you inspired me :)

now, back to the topic...

This girl we're taking about doesn't need rewiring, just needs to learn how to handle VOWELS :)

I reccomend her SINGING SUCCESS from Brett Manning. 12 cd course. This should do the trick :)
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on June 27, 2008, 08:09:55 PM
And for EMO singers

http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Screaming-Vocal-Instruction-Breed/dp/B000AVZVTY

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51E74h0ToKL._SS500_.jpg)
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: wintersun on June 27, 2008, 09:56:27 PM
Quote from: FELINEGUITARS
And for EMO singers

http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Screaming-Vocal-Instruction-Breed/dp/B000AVZVTY

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51E74h0ToKL._SS500_.jpg)



Yeah, tried that too, but it's only if you wanna learn how to SCREAAAAM, and sound more extreme. And if you wanna be THE singer, then do the Brett Manning course, then apply some tricks from Zen of Screaming, just in case you wish to sound more raspy... without hurting your self (unless we are talking about an emo singer of course :D)
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: remak on June 28, 2008, 07:27:43 PM
I've heard differing views on the Brett Manning package. Some like it some hate it. Its a bit expensive too. Is it obtainable from anywhere in the EU?

Alternatively has anyone an opinion on this http://www.amazon.com/Voice-Lessons-V-3-Pure-Vowels/dp/B0019A8WFU/ref=dm_ap_alb2 or possibly this ... http://shesingsout.com/index4.html
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: Johnny Mac on June 28, 2008, 10:57:46 PM
Sounds like she's having a problem phrasing. When to breath as well?
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: remak on June 29, 2008, 07:10:52 AM
The problem seems to be accurate pitch memory rather than breath or range limitations.

If I play the melody on piano or guitar she sings fine. If I switch back to chords, she immediately sings flat and quickly looses it completely, switching to drone mode.
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: wintersun on June 29, 2008, 08:26:12 AM
Quote from: remak
The problem seems to be accurate pitch memory rather than breath or range limitations.

If I play the melody on piano or guitar she sings fine. If I switch back to chords, she immediately sings flat and quickly looses it completely, switching to drone mode.


ahaaa, well why didn't you say so in first place. Then she needs to PRACTICE, and also needs to LISTEN to herself while she sings. I think it can be fixed pretty fast, if persistent.
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: Johnny Mac on June 29, 2008, 09:07:39 AM
Quote from: wintersun
Quote from: remak
The problem seems to be accurate pitch memory rather than breath or range limitations.

If I play the melody on piano or guitar she sings fine. If I switch back to chords, she immediately sings flat and quickly looses it completely, switching to drone mode.


ahaaa, well why didn't you say so in first place. Then she needs to PRACTICE, and also needs to LISTEN to herself while she sings. I think it can be fixed pretty fast, if persistent.


I agree. She must be able to hear herself. Try turning down the volume on your music when your singing in the car and you will hear what i mean!  :lol:
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: mikeluke on June 30, 2008, 09:52:13 AM
Few suggestions - assuming that you really want her as your singer....

Monitors - in-ear would help her to get instant feedback...

She is trying too hard....

Try a different song - I have some songs that are a complete mental block - fine in the car - $hite at rehearsals!

If all that fails, get a new singer!  One of my mates is in a band that had a singer/keyboard player - they eventually realised after a lot of audience feedback that she had to go.... Just could not sing!
Title: Can sing but can't sing a song
Post by: FernandoDuarte on June 30, 2008, 04:51:53 PM
Quote from: remak
The problem seems to be accurate pitch memory rather than breath or range limitations.

If I play the melody on piano or guitar she sings fine. If I switch back to chords, she immediately sings flat and quickly looses it completely, switching to drone mode.


Normal... it's harder to find the tone when you play a chord instead of the note itself.... practice is the way... and listening what she is singing... try to record some things, could be good