Published on 12, July, 2020
It's something I've been working on over the years. Before my voice broke (around the age of 11/12) I used to be able to sing fairly confidently. Not in front of a crowd or anything but I could do it, and wouldn't mind recording myself.
Since then, it was mainly just little bits of practice here and there but never really taken seriously. In recent years I decided I wanted to get reasonably good at it. In 2022 I had ten singing lessons; I didn't proceed because I had a sore throat (which turned out to be COVID) and also I realised it wasn't really working. My problem has been that I sing from my throat all the time, meaning it gets tired and strained very quickly. I have tried everything to stop that but nothing has worked. It kept happening in singing lessons, even in instances where I wasn't choosing a song that was too big for me (!).
The friends I had knew that I was keen on it but I didn't really ask for help from them as people to practice in front of or something (I was too embarrassed and I would always feel funny about asking for help anyway). As a result, I never really got over the nerves that come with it.
Anyway, here's a few recordings I did a month or so ago. I imagine not many people here are trained professionals but any feedback would be great and if it can be simplified (as I'm not all over the technical jargon!) it'd be even better. I'd love to know if it's worth continuing or I'm wasting my time.
Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol): https://voca.ro/1cgeFVwDH3Bi
She's the One (Robbie Williams): https://voca.ro/16UDEIbM3B6X
How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees): https://voca.ro/1nNKcQ2p7Bw1
I am hoping you all hate my voice a lot less than I do!
That's great!
I think it's largely nerves, and fear of judgement. In those recordings, I'm almost whispering because I'm afraid people will hear. I've parked it a bit but it's something I still think about.
breathing exercises can help but you need to do the right ones, reading a little of what you wrote, it sounds like you don't know how to engage your core strength when breating or singing, so maybe some yoga, or Tai Chi would help? I get the not wanting to sing in public though, I avoided it for years and never knew what a good voice I had until I'd almost lost it, I amazed an ex choir master, he couldn't find a note I couldn't sing and said I had an operatic range. If there was one thing I wish I could get back it would be my singing voice, I miss it so much, it's spoiled my enjoyment of so much music, because I can't sing along any more. I never had singing lessons or anything, never had choirs or anything at school. My school friends would often ask me to sing songs for them, I can still remember the words to Bohemian Rapsody by Queen because I was asked to sing it so often and sang it so well. Don't let singing become a missed oportunity for you too, even if you only sing in the shower.
lm a also a good singer even I can sing along too
Thank you for your kind words. I think it's my lack of confidence that holds me back from really practicing and actually just singing more.
I do it really quietly which doesn't allow me to strengthen my voice. I don't know how I'll ever be able to sing loud.
Hello my friend!
I don't hate your voice, I think your recordings are good there's a lot of potential there but in order to reach that potential it requires hard work and dedication. No one is born being able to sing, you need to work and train your voice.
I think though that you can be impressed with what you've done. It's a good start man. Keep at it and you'll get there
I've been practicing my own singing. YouTube videos are a big help with this! Lots of lessons on there on how to improve your vocals.
And don't be afraid to sing loud. Don't hold back give your music everything!
Good luck I wish you well with your singing journey.
GuybrushThreepwood said:have you been shown how to use your diaphragm and abdomen to push the air up, rather than pulling it up from your chest and throat?
We tried a few breathing techniques, like holding a pillow to my chest and trying the breathing that way. I've also tried lying down and trying to sing that way so my posture is correct.
None of that really worked. I think mainly I'm too afraid of being heard by others so I just sing really quietly instead of ever really projecting.
There is so much to singing, your voice sounds like it has good potential but like you said you need to work on the throat strain. Some of it is technique and some of it is working the muscles and making them stronger through warm up exercises and practice. As it’s just a voice recording I can’t see your breathing technique, have you been shown how to use your diaphragm and abdomen to push the air up, rather than pulling it up from your chest and throat? I like watching Ken Tamplin on YouTube, he is an American singing coach he gives some tips on YouTube or you can pay for a course but that’s expensive! I have used some of his tips myself especially the breathing ones, he really does make you realise how much there is to think about to sing really well. It will take a lot of practice but a good place to start if you’re not currently able to have singing lessons in person. It can take time to unlearn your current technique but keep practicing better technique then your muscle memory will change