Can wail on guitar...But can't sing a lick!

goldy54 · 09-02-2011, 07:45 PM

Hi Goldy Here,
Been in Nashville for over 20 years. Helped many big country artists get airplay on radio. Decided to hire 2 of the best guitar teachers (2 distinct different teaching styles) to help me get to where I expected to be right now. My biggest problem has always been trying to sing. I've always been a pretty good musician on a few other instruments, but for some reason, I still can't sing! I have actually been on stage and had the bass player pull the mike away from me (while I was singing the harmony!) Anyone out there that can recommend a true, tried and tested course or maybe a teacher out there? Would appreciate any input.

Blarobbarg · 09-02-2011, 08:33 PM

Here's an idea. Play punk music. Boom, no singing necessary! Just make whatever guttural noises come out of your moth hole, and boom. You're doing it right!

SIRIUSB · 09-02-2011, 08:52 PM

Hi Goldy,

I'm sure there are a few excellent vocal instructors in Nashville, check a few out, someone should be able to isolate your problem and rectify it.

In the meantime, even though I know it's simple and you probably have done it, take a piano or guitar and make yourself sing scales with the instrument, then find an interval and harmonize with the instrument, keep checking your intonation with the note being played . . . boring but works. You gotta get it in your ear, the vibrations of harmony notes.

YorkeDaddy · 09-02-2011, 09:05 PM

do you have problems hitting notes or does your voice just sound bad?

I fall into the latter category, and it's quite unfortunate for me.

Howard the Duck · 09-03-2011, 01:22 AM

i can mimic other people's singing if I tried hard enough

what i do is sing along when the record is on and try to modulate my pitch and timbre to suit the record's singer

if all else fails, invent something like black metal country and just scream to your heart's content

djchameleon · 09-03-2011, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Duce

i can mimic other people's singing if I tried hard enough

what i do is sing along when the record is on and try to modulate my pitch and timbre to suit the record's singer

That is exactly what I have to do but if I have to sing original material and I have nothing to compare it to and mimic then I'm pretty sure I sound awful to others.

Howard the Duck · 09-03-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchameleon

That is exactly what I have to do but if I have to sing original material and I have nothing to compare it to and mimic then I'm pretty sure I sound awful to others.

i use other people's inflexions sometimes for my own songs

i did one song using Peter Noone's voice (Herman's Hermits)

Blarobbarg · 09-03-2011, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Duce

if all else fails, invent something like black metal country and just scream to your heart's content

This. This right here.

Or rap/country. No need to sing well, just have the ability to speak in rhyme well. And hey, while playing guitar? Then you'd be original!

Heck, I'd listen to you.

SIRIUSB · 09-03-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Duce

i use other people's inflexions sometimes for my own songs

i did one song using Peter Noone's voice (Herman's Hermits)

Ironically, I just finished mastering a Bowie song where I imitated something between Bowie's, Eno's voices but as if Bela Lagosi was singing . . .

The Batlord · 09-03-2011, 11:14 AM

Perhaps this is too obvious, but, hire a singer?

09-02-2011, 07:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
goldy54 Groupie Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9	Can wail on guitar...But can't sing a lick! Hi Goldy Here, Been in Nashville for over 20 years. Helped many big country artists get airplay on radio. Decided to hire 2 of the best guitar teachers (2 distinct different teaching styles) to help me get to where I expected to be right now. My biggest problem has always been trying to sing. I've always been a pretty good musician on a few other instruments, but for some reason, I still can't sing! I have actually been on stage and had the bass player pull the mike away from me (while I was singing the harmony!) Anyone out there that can recommend a true, tried and tested course or maybe a teacher out there? Would appreciate any input.

09-02-2011, 08:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Blarobbarg Do good. Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 2,065	Here's an idea. Play punk music. Boom, no singing necessary! Just make whatever guttural noises come out of your moth hole, and boom. You're doing it right!

09-02-2011, 08:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
SIRIUSB Luciferian Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 278	Hi Goldy, I'm sure there are a few excellent vocal instructors in Nashville, check a few out, someone should be able to isolate your problem and rectify it. In the meantime, even though I know it's simple and you probably have done it, take a piano or guitar and make yourself sing scales with the instrument, then find an interval and harmonize with the instrument, keep checking your intonation with the note being played . . . boring but works. You gotta get it in your ear, the vibrations of harmony notes.

09-02-2011, 09:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
YorkeDaddy silky smooth Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Pangaea Posts: 4,079	do you have problems hitting notes or does your voice just sound bad? I fall into the latter category, and it's quite unfortunate for me.