GreenDAY23

I wasn't quite sure which forum to put this in, so if it's in the wrong one, any moderators can move it over.
Anyways, so I've been singing with my band for just under a year now. A year back I begin singing and I went from a flat, out-of-key and horrible singer to an okay one now.
During feedback from a recent live performance, people tell me that we sound good as a band, but would sound even better with a trained vocalist. My question is, should I take heed to their advice? It sounds reasonable, but I know many great bands out there started with horrible singers, who got really good and ended up making them famous.
You think I should keep going with the singing or instead get a trained vocalist?

Thanks for any answers!
-Adam

Plankton

Get some training.

__________________
See location...

GreenDAY23

Blunt and straight up. I like that. I'll find places to train, though you think I could manage without a teacher?

Plankton

You could use some on-line video tutorials, but having an actual person to bounce things off of is probably a better way to go.

__________________
See location...

GreenDAY23

Hmm. Cos I did go to a teacher for around a month or two, then stopped and am simply learning through watching the pros and practicing at home. Seems to be working, but maybe it's too slow a pace. Thing is, singing teachers are usually expensive.

Chula Vista

What kind of music do you currently sing? Whatever the genre, try singing along to stuff that's way outside of your comfort zone.

Sing some country stuff. Some blues stuff. Some R&B. Try singing along to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Hank Williams, Smokey Robinson, George Michael, BB King, Buddy Guy, Johnny Cash, etc.

You may not be able to match them but it'll force you to really push your abilities. Also, from a physical standpoint, you'll be stretching your vocal chords.

__________________

“The fact that we live at the bottom of a deep gravity well,
on the surface of a gas covered planet going around a nuclear fireball 90 million miles away
and think this to be normal is obviously some indication of how skewed our perspective tends to be.”

GreenDAY23

That's a good point actually. I'm doing mostly pop-punk stuff like Green Day (hence my username), Blink 182, etc.
But you're right, covering singers who have different vocal ranges and styles will definitely be a good help. Any artists that come to mind when you think I should stretch from the pop-punk style? Thanks for the help man!

Chula Vista

__________________

“The fact that we live at the bottom of a deep gravity well,
on the surface of a gas covered planet going around a nuclear fireball 90 million miles away
and think this to be normal is obviously some indication of how skewed our perspective tends to be.”

Musican

you can find good video methods to by in the web. I could recommend "superior singing" by Aaron something (forgot his full name).

Moss

A great band with a ****ty singer will still sound ****ty. A ****ty band with a great singer can almost work. Vocals are absolutely key. I think you have to be real with yourself and if people are telling you a different singer would help you may want to listen. I say look for a really good singer and focus on singing backup harmonies. Of course having not heard you I have no idea. I have no doubt you can get better.