Singing (part 1)

This month we are going to focus on ‘singers’. I could write a book on this topic and one day I might just do that. I feel immensely passionate about this subject. I’ve been a professional singer for most of my life and a vocal coach for the last 15 years and reckon I’ve seen just about everything, when it comes to singing.

Firstly, let’s look at the singers roll. Let’s forget image and stage craft for the time being – we’ll cover this at a later date. For now, let’s just focus on the job of a singer, putting over a song. Okay, here goes, I’ll sum it all up in one sentence…………’the singer must make the listener feel an emotion’. Read it back a million times – this is what makes a great singer. Take a look at your favourite CD’s and question yourself, why do I keep playing these CD’s time and time again? Chances are…….the singer stirs an emotion within you.

A singer’s ability can be put into two categories: ‘technique’ and ‘feel’. Technique is why you go to your singing lesson – it’s about pitching, voice placement, breathing, phrasing, control…….etc. ‘Feel’, on the other hand, is completely different: It’s the ability to make the lyric personal, it’s the ability to give a part of yourself away, it’s the ability to make a personal connection with your audience. Scary stuff! When I hear a singer put a song over with true ‘feel’, my eyes sometimes well up or I’ll get a lump in my throat – I feel emotion! When I hear a singer with only great technique, I usually get bored by the first chorus! Don’t get me wrong, I admire a singer with great technique, but a singer with ‘feel’ will steal the show every time.

Singing is a huge topic, so I’ll follow on with part 2 shortly. I wanted to keep this initial page pretty short, not to lose the importance/impact of the above section. I’ll finish up with 10 general tips on singing and will expand on them at a later date.

1) Feel

Put your heart into it. Make it personal. Don’t be afraid to be you.

2) Understand the lyrics you are singing.

Take time to read and understand the lyrics of the song you are recording/performing. If you don’t understand the lyrics, how can you put them over to an audience?

3) Be Original

Please…..don’t try and sound like someone else, unless you’re in a tribute band! You were born with a unique set of vocal chords, so wouldn’t it be a crying shame not to be original. Also, who wants to be known as a clone!!!

4) Voice Placement

Do you continually suffer from sore throats and a hoarse voice after a gig or recording session? If so, this is probably due to bad voice placement and means you are singing/pushing off your throat. You will need to lift your voice up into the ‘mask’ (the face) area. Continued singing from the throat will undoubtedly result in serious damage to your vocal chords. If this is you, you will need the help of a good vocal coach to fix the problem.

5) Look after that voice

I’ve an old acoustic guitar in my lounge and whenever I pick it up and play a D chord, it always sounds the same. I can be very tired, have the flu, done a marathon…..whatever…..fact is, the D chord always sounds the same. Your voice is not like this - It’s a living thing! If you drink heavily or smoke, or stay up all night, this will take its toll on your voice. We’re all born with one set of vocal chords – look after them.

6) Range

Know your range. Picking the right key for a song is time well spent. A vocal coach can extend your range to a point, but only to a point. If you are out doing gig after gig, this point is crucial.

7) Listen to great singers and learn.

Why have I titled this; listen to great singers and learn, when in point 3 I told you it’s all about originality? It’s cool to be influenced by many singers – in fact, it’s almost impossible not to be. There’s so much to be gained by checking out the great singers of the last 60 years – don’t limit yourself.

8) Phrasing

The common mistake of the amateur is to over sing and fill up every gap – very much like an amateur lead guitarist! I’m sure you know what I mean! In most cases, it’s not what you put in, it’s what you leave out.

9) Rehearse

Daily rehearsal is a must. People often asked me, ‘how long will it take me to be a good singer?’ I always come back with, ‘the voice is like any other instrument and they say it takes 7 years to be a good pianist’. Of course, if you have that magic gift of ‘feel’, then this does not apply to you. With information now being so readily available on the internet, I often do searches on my all time favourite singers. I’ve discovered that even the likes of Elvis and Frank Sinatra were big on rehearsing. These guys made it look so natural and effortless, as if it was a God given gift. This is what rehearsal can do!

10) Enjoy it
It’ll show in your performance.

I’ve spent 20 years of my life as a professional singer. When it’s all going right, you’re connecting with your audience, you’re feeling it, your technique is spot on…………Ahhhh, I wouldn’t trade one second of that time for anything!

Mark
Develop In Music