Help on singing

[jeremy_9]

I could use some help on singing, if any of you out there know how to sing, and I don't mean (well you can either sing or you can't mentality) To me singing is a science or like playing an instrument it takes practice , but unfortunately i don't really know where to start or how to find my own voice, or how to stay in key or pitch and etc etc you get my drift. Any help comments or suggestions would be greatly appricated.

[MistreatedLewis]

Hmm... I will have to think about this more. One major thing to point out however: Breath control is one of the essential ingredients. You cannot sing unless you have lungs filled with air. Also, there's a method often referred to as "breathing through your diaphragm". The sensation is that when you breathe, your chest doesn't rise and your belly presses out. Of course, you aren't really breathing through your diaphragm, but for some reason this is the best way to control your breathing for singing purposes. Good breath control should help prevent you from going flat when you hit notes in your range.

[picc21]

I have to learn how to sing to get my Music Education degree. I definitely find it really hard. The best suggestion I can give you is to take private lessons.

[Pipsqueak]

A good voice teacher is always the best bet for singing.

notice...I said a "good" teacher. Sometimes they are hard to find.
Anyway....here is some food for thought....

A very BASIC beginning to singing, is to be able to sing single notes while plucking that note on the guitar.

*pluck an A* *sing an A*

*pluck a C* *sing a C*

etc.

This also helps you learn the notes on the fretboard, which I am learning (everyday) are more and more important to learn if you want to be a successful guitarist.
Even better.....as to what this does for you. It helps train your ear.

Go dowload the "Fretboard Warrior" from this website:
http://www.francoisbrisson.com/fretboardwarrior/
Use the "warrior" everyday, just for the 10 minute session. But as the program plays the note, you sing it, then answer what the note is.
I've been doing this everyday for a little while, and I'm already getting to the point to where I can sit across the room and ONLY listen to the note being played and be able to tell what it is. It's kind of like an epiphany! :p
Why is that important? Well....if you ever want to be able to just sit around and jam, or play the blues, or whatever with other people......you don't want to be the guy that says, "ok, so what key is this song in?"
But, remember, that program is two-fold. It will help you learn the notes on your fretboard. Use it both ways.

One other thing that REALLY helps out people singing is to play a song in the right key for YOUR voice. Sure, I might play 'Jack-A-Roe' by Grateful Dead in the key of G. But that might not be right for YOUR voice. You might be able to sing it MUCH better in the key of A, or whatever.
That's why we have capos and the ability to do drop tunings....etc..etc...
In short, play around with your capo for some songs. If a certain song is too high at concert pitch, tune your guitar down a full step and see what happens when you sing it. Better?....maybe.
Just don't be pulling out the Vise-Grips in order to sing as high as Dave on 'Stay or Leave' or any other song for that matter. Play the song in standard tuning!...or tune it down a half step if you have to!
Many people make big mistakes by trying to play songs (covers) in the key that the artist wrote it/plays it in. That's just not a good idea at all, if you're voice can't handle it. You will only embarrass yourself.

Now, can I sing? Sure.
Does it scare the ever living hell out of my two cats? Absolutely :lol
Someday I will take voice lessons to knock it into shape. I think at some point, everybody has to do this, unless they have inherent genes. (you know, the kind that make the rest of us want to puke!)

Anyway.
Sorry so long-winded.
Last thing.....
The rest of the programs on that website above are WONDERFUL training devices. Not to mention....THEY'RE FREE!! The best kind, right?

good luck.

[AnUprightMan]

it has been my experience that the biggest problem people have with singing is committing to their voice. Unless you are tone deaf of have a real weird voice(i.e. nasal or something) you can probably sing alright. The key is to sing with your longs don't be one of those folks that sings softly or whispers it out, commit to singing with your full voice. Also the previous advice about a capo or transcribing the song to a different key is very good advice.