Music Any Other Musicians Here?

[Music Platter]

Instrument player, singers, professional cymbal crashers, etc.

If there are any singers here, I would love to get tips on where to start.

 

[Spang]

I play guitar. People who don't play think I'm good. I think I used to be good when I played everyday. I think I could get that good again.

 

[Tom L.]

I don't know if I can consider myself a musician at the moment. I started taking classical piano lessons as an adult but stopped taking lessons back in the mid-90s. I taught myself some acoustic folkish/rockish guitar earlier than that, but it was pretty simple. I'm pushing myself to start playing again, even though I don't plan to take lessons.

 

[Dedalus]

I'm a musician - singer/songwriter, guitarist, hack piano player - not a virtuoso by any stretch. I don't focus on being technically good - scales are boring - I focus on what I hear in my head and what is good for the song - and then I figure out how I'm going to play it. (IE: IF I can even play it.) I've been in a plethora of bands of all types of genres for nearly 30 years - punk, folk, hard rock, electronic, black metal, alt-country - all music interests me, because it all has great intrinsic value if you are open to hearing it.

Tips for singing? Yes - well this is easy. Find what your natural strength is - where you're most passionate feelings are communicated via your vocal chords. Don't struggle to sound like someone else - or convey a certain style. You have been granted a gift of singular expression. It makes no difference if 'society' for example, believes you have a great voice. YOU have a voice all your own. If you sing with passion - if you sing about what you believe - and you don't have to sell your message because simply by virtue of hearing you sing - your listeners will believe...this is all that matters.

 

[Misfit]

I'm a singer and have sung in Rock bands since I was a teenager. My last band sucked though so I'm currently retired.

 

[Music Platter]

I'm a musician - singer/songwriter, guitarist, hack piano player - not a virtuoso by any stretch. I don't focus on being technically good - scales are boring - I focus on what I hear in my head and what is good for the song - and then I figure out how I'm going to play it. (IE: IF I can even play it.) I've been in a plethora of bands of all types of genres for nearly 30 years - punk, folk, hard rock, electronic, black metal, alt-country - all music interests me, because it all has great intrinsic value if you are open to hearing it.

Tips for singing? Yes - well this is easy. Find what your natural strength is - where you're most passionate feelings are communicated via your vocal chords. Don't struggle to sound like someone else - or convey a certain style. You have been granted a gift of singular expression. It makes no difference if 'society' for example, believes you have a great voice. YOU have a voice all your own. If you sing with passion - if you sing about what you believe - and you don't have to sell your message because simply by virtue of hearing you sing - your listeners will believe...this is all that matters.

I find that I have to do the technical stuff (well, on trumpet at least) so that I can better play songs, or improvise better. High C's and above are hard, and my flexibility and speed isn't where I would like it. But I would agree that scales are boring.

As for singing, I'm still trying to find my "natural strength." Yes, my voice is unique, but I feel that I should try to improve it some before I perform, or anything like that. If were to do a duet (or trio, or whatever) with someone, I would want to at least be on the same level as them, technical wise.

By the way, what is hack piano? And have you ever played in a jazz band?

 

[KLS52]

I started piano lessons when I was ten and continued for six years. I was never really talented but played well enough to entertain myself and family/friends.

I taught myself some chords for the guitar when I was in my twenties and took a few lessons. Then just this year I took six more lessons. I play once a week with three other women. I know enough basic chords and strum patterns to have fun. I get to pretend I'm a rock star.

As far as singing goes, I can carry a tune and seem to have a knack for harmonizing. I don't have much range and some people say I have a good voice, while others tell me not to quit my day job.

I am very selective as to what I will sing (if anything) in front of people. It has to be in my key and not go too high or too low.

I love music.

 

[Dedalus]

I find that I have to do the technical stuff (well, on trumpet at least) so that I can better play songs, or improvise better. High C's and above are hard, and my flexibility and speed isn't where I would like it. But I would agree that scales are boring.

As for singing, I'm still trying to find my "natural strength." Yes, my voice is unique, but I feel that I should try to improve it some before I perform, or anything like that. If were to do a duet (or trio, or whatever) with someone, I would want to at least be on the same level as them, technical wise.

By the way, what is hack piano? And have you ever played in a jazz band?

You make a great distinction. That scales are boring (IMO) doesn't mean one shouldn't practice - especially in regards to parts of their playing that they want to improve on. Practice is a necessity - no getting around it. And certainly, if one finds that memorizing scales is helpful to their overall playing then they should do whatever works for them. Though I don't play scales anymore - I did for a long while in the early years, so one could argue that they helped me as well. I just don't find them useful anymore.

Early on, I was around a lot of other players who were really hell-bent on getting music theory down - and I saw them get so bogged down with that endevour that their creativity really seemed to suffer because of it. Nothing wrong with that approach - if I believed by memorizing (for example) Harmonic Minor and Byzantine scales that it would make me a better songwriter - I would have memorized them. But I had no interest in that because applying them to the creative process felt mechanical rather than natural. I studied Classical guitar for awhile and though it really expanded some technical horizons for me (finger-picking) my god it was so tedious that I began to look on my guitar with disdain. Like practice was a chore; and you don't want that. Practice doesn't always have to be fun - but it should be enjoyable.

When you're just starting out musicians seem to fall into one of two categories - those that want to be great players - masters of their instruments; and those (like myself) who just want to write songs. I don't think I ever dazzled anyone with a technically great guitar solo - but I like to think that the solos I did write were exactly what the song required and not a lot of fluff. The perfect note in the right place and time within a body of music is a work of art. And silence is a note too!

My view on singing is that your vocals should be treated like any other instrument. The more you put into it - the more you'll get out of it. Endurance, range, stylistic expression, etc. are all things that you can get 'strong.' But since you're pretty much stuck with what the vocal chords you have - don't despair if you don't have a velvety smooth pipes that could shatter a wine glass. Obviously we all have to work with what we have; which is what I meant when I mentioned to embrace your own voice.

Technically you want to make sure you're singing correctly - that is to say - from the gut and not from the throat. A vocal coach can help you with that - but it's also something that if you focus on while you're singing you'll pick up in time. It's really a feely -type thing. If you sing from your throat - you won't have near the endurance or power to project - and you can really hurt yourself. Think of your vocal chords as the instrument and your gut (diaphragm) as the amplifier. There are lots of videos online regarding the proper breathing and technique for this. Don't get too carried away (some do) but it is important.

To be a strong singer - it seems obvious but the most important thing is to stay in key. If you're flat - or out of key at any time - it will be glaringly apparent to everyone listening. Hopefully you recognize this yourself. So listen to yourself and make mental notes as to where in the song you're a little less sure of staying in tune than others. Unless you were born with a powerhouse vocal range - there will be notes that will be harder for you to hit than others. But you must hit them - and if you can't hit them - change the key of the song or don't sing it.

If you are or desire to sing backup or as a duet - there is a great way to practice: Harmonize with every song you listen to (while driving or whatever...). You will be surprised at how difficult this can be - but nothing will get you up to speed faster than this excercise. Just pick your spot - (a step up or down, etc.) and sing away! In no time you should have a good grasp of harmonizing structure.

Hack piano - slang reference to not being a piano player per se` but somehow able translate what is in my head onto piano keys. I've never had a formal piano lesson - so I'm certain that I'm mutiliating all the 'rules' when it comes to playing. I mean, I've recorded keyboard lines hitting keys with my big toe just because my hands were busy on other notes. My focus is not on playing live - (I'm a guitar player) but rather recorded works, so I only have to get it right once, and I don't have the time, money or patience to hire a piano player. So if a particular song needs piano - I have to get creative and figure out how to get it down on tape. Which is not always easy - but it is a lot of fun.

I have never played in a jazz band. I have played with jazz players - guitarists and drummers and trumpet players - they were all awesome - wickedly good. I find that most jazz players work really well in conventional bands - because that creates a really interesting dynamic. Since I've played with a jazz drummer - I'm not certain I can ever play with a 'rock' drummer again. That being said - I'm not a huge fan of jazz.

That was all probably way more information than you needed but I could babble on about music for hours.

 

[Dedalus]

I taught myself some chords for the guitar when I was in my twenties and took a few lessons. Then just this year I took six more lessons. I play once a week with three other women. I know enough basic chords and strum patterns to have fun. I get to pretend I'm a rock star.

Three well chosen chords are all it takes! Let the trashing of the hotel rooms begin! (I pretend I'm a rock star every. Single. Day.)

My Grandmother played John Denver's 'Country Roads' for me (on acoustic guitar) when I was a kid and it made a great impression on me. That E minor chord in the chorus still gives me chills.

 

[Music Platter]

You make a great distinction. That scales are boring (IMO) doesn't mean one shouldn't practice - especially in regards to parts of their playing that they want to improve on. Practice is a necessity - no getting around it. And certainly, if one finds that memorizing scales is helpful to their overall playing then they should do whatever works for them. Though I don't play scales anymore - I did for a long while in the early years, so one could argue that they helped me as well. I just don't find them useful anymore.

Early on, I was around a lot of other players who were really hell-bent on getting music theory down - and I saw them get so bogged down with that endevour that their creativity really seemed to suffer because of it. Nothing wrong with that approach - if I believed by memorizing (for example) Harmonic Minor and Byzantine scales that it would make me a better songwriter - I would have memorized them. But I had no interest in that because applying them to the creative process felt mechanical rather than natural. I studied Classical guitar for awhile and though it really expanded some technical horizons for me (finger-picking) my god it was so tedious that I began to look on my guitar with disdain. Like practice was a chore; and you don't want that. Practice doesn't always have to be fun - but it should be enjoyable.

When you're just starting out musicians seem to fall into one of two categories - those that want to be great players - masters of their instruments; and those (like myself) who just want to write songs. I don't think I ever dazzled anyone with a technically great guitar solo - but I like to think that the solos I did write were exactly what the song required and not a lot of fluff. The perfect note in the right place and time within a body of music is a work of art. And silence is a note too!

My view on singing is that your vocals should be treated like any other instrument. The more you put into it - the more you'll get out of it. Endurance, range, stylistic expression, etc. are all things that you can get 'strong.' But since you're pretty much stuck with what the vocal chords you have - don't despair if you don't have a velvety smooth pipes that could shatter a wine glass. Obviously we all have to work with what we have; which is what I meant when I mentioned to embrace your own voice.

Technically you want to make sure you're singing correctly - that is to say - from the gut and not from the throat. A vocal coach can help you with that - but it's also something that if you focus on while you're singing you'll pick up in time. It's really a feely -type thing. If you sing from your throat - you won't have near the endurance or power to project - and you can really hurt yourself. Think of your vocal chords as the instrument and your gut (diaphragm) as the amplifier. There are lots of videos online regarding the proper breathing and technique for this. Don't get too carried away (some do) but it is important.

To be a strong singer - it seems obvious but the most important thing is to stay in key. If you're flat - or out of key at any time - it will be glaringly apparent to everyone listening. Hopefully you recognize this yourself. So listen to yourself and make mental notes as to where in the song you're a little less sure of staying in tune than others. Unless you were born with a powerhouse vocal range - there will be notes that will be harder for you to hit than others. But you must hit them - and if you can't hit them - change the key of the song or don't sing it.

If you are or desire to sing backup or as a duet - there is a great way to practice: Harmonize with every song you listen to (while driving or whatever...). You will be surprised at how difficult this can be - but nothing will get you up to speed faster than this excercise. Just pick your spot - (a step up or down, etc.) and sing away! In no time you should have a good grasp of harmonizing structure.

Hack piano - slang reference to not being a piano player per se` but somehow able translate what is in my head onto piano keys. I've never had a formal piano lesson - so I'm certain that I'm mutiliating all the 'rules' when it comes to playing. I mean, I've recorded keyboard lines hitting keys with my big toe just because my hands were busy on other notes. My focus is not on playing live - (I'm a guitar player) but rather recorded works, so I only have to get it right once, and I don't have the time, money or patience to hire a piano player. So if a particular song needs piano - I have to get creative and figure out how to get it down on tape. Which is not always easy - but it is a lot of fun.

I have never played in a jazz band. I have played with jazz players - guitarists and drummers and trumpet players - they were all awesome - wickedly good. I find that most jazz players work really well in conventional bands - because that creates a really interesting dynamic. Since I've played with a jazz drummer - I'm not certain I can ever play with a 'rock' drummer again. That being said - I'm not a huge fan of jazz.

That was all probably way more information than you needed but I could babble on about music for hours.

Those are some great tips you put there! I would say that in general I fit into the "master the instrument" category, although I have not really tried writing music down that often. But I do "improvise" by messing around on the piano every once and awhile.

Singing-wise, I will definitely try out your tips about harmonizing, and staying in tune. Diaphragmatic breathing I find confusing; I'm not to sure if I do it correctly or not. I should probably figure that out soon, as it would be helpful in trumpet playing too.

Thanks for such an in-depth post!