singing advice---any singers around?

[gravfed]

I've been learning to sing for a while now, and I while I'm certainly not a natural, I am very slowly getting better. I can match pitch pretty easily singing along with whatever and can harmonize with myself when I record. My problem is that my voice sounds weak and nasal-y, for lack of a better description, especially as I start to sing higher. So I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or techniques to try to strengthened ones voice? Even recommended books/cds/lessons? Thanks, I appreciate it.

 

[Gainfreak]

I've been learning to sing for a while now, and I while I'm certainly not a natural, I am very slowly getting better. I can match pitch pretty easily singing along with whatever and can harmonize with myself when I record. My problem is that my voice sounds weak and nasal-y, for lack of a better description, especially as I start to sing higher. So I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or techniques to try to strengthened ones voice? Even recommended books/cds/lessons? Thanks, I appreciate it.

This might seem like im joking but Im not. I know of a few singers who have had great success with this and Brett is a highly saught after vocal coach.


http://www.singingsuccess.com/

 

[gravfed]

I've been learning to sing for a while now, and I while I'm certainly not a natural, I am very slowly getting better. I can match pitch pretty easily singing along with whatever and can harmonize with myself when I record. My problem is that my voice sounds weak and nasal-y, for lack of a better description, especially as I start to sing higher. So I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or techniques to try to strengthened ones voice? Even recommended books/cds/lessons? Thanks, I appreciate it.

This might seem like im joking but Im not. I know of a few singers who have had great success with this and Brett is a highly saught after vocal coach.


http://www.singingsuccess.com/

Interesting, I will have to look into that. I have no problem plunking down some $$ so long as I can see some gains from it. Thanks for the info.

Any other suggestions, etc?

 

[metalowns101]

when you go for the high notes, try not to let your voice rise up along your throat up into your head, try as much as you can to keep it down low in your chest. The most common sense reason is probably that the note you are singing is getting "filtered" through your nose the higher up you go.

when you purposefully try to sing through your nose, you should get essentially the same feeling. Try and make those feelings seperate, in a good way.

thats all I have really heard from sitting in with my girl's vocal lesson. Sounds more like a course of therapy to me, but hey!

 

[Gainfreak]

I've been learning to sing for a while now, and I while I'm certainly not a natural, I am very slowly getting better. I can match pitch pretty easily singing along with whatever and can harmonize with myself when I record. My problem is that my voice sounds weak and nasal-y, for lack of a better description, especially as I start to sing higher. So I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or techniques to try to strengthened ones voice? Even recommended books/cds/lessons? Thanks, I appreciate it.

This might seem like im joking but Im not. I know of a few singers who have had great success with this and Brett is a highly saught after vocal coach.


http://www.singingsuccess.com/

Interesting, I will have to look into that. I have no problem plunking down some $$ so long as I can see some gains from it. Thanks for the info.

Any other suggestions, etc?

I have to point out that I can't sing for shit anymore but I have friends who have studied and they can sing!! If you sound nasally its because you are singing through your nose and not from your diaphram. One way you can combat that is to pinch your nose when you practice singing and that will force you to sing from the gut.

I only mentioned the Brett manning discs because the guy has it down to a science and Ive heard people improve 10 fold by using his methods.

As crazy as this might sound, I think that you should check youtube and see if there are any free lessons on there just to get you started!

 

[metalowns101]

^ thats what I was getting at, well said mate!

 

[chunktone]

I've been learning to sing for a while now, and I while I'm certainly not a natural, I am very slowly getting better. I can match pitch pretty easily singing along with whatever and can harmonize with myself when I record. My problem is that my voice sounds weak and nasal-y, for lack of a better description, especially as I start to sing higher. So I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or techniques to try to strengthened ones voice? Even recommended books/cds/lessons? Thanks, I appreciate it.

After studying with Maestro David P. Kyle for years, I can tell you there is no substitute for a great voice instructor. If you would like to strengthen your voice and increase your range and vocal cord agility, contact your local opera house, and ask them to recommend an instructor. Studying opera will not lock you into any particular style. Some of Maestro Kyle's students include: Geoff Tate(Queensryche), Ann Wilson(Heart), Don Dokken, Maria callas(opera soprano), Tony Bennett, Marylyn Horne(Opera mezzo soprano) Ronny Munroe(Metal Church)etc...You will have better results if you have the instant feedback of an instructor vs. Brett Manning's CD set.

 

[gravfed]

I've been learning to sing for a while now, and I while I'm certainly not a natural, I am very slowly getting better. I can match pitch pretty easily singing along with whatever and can harmonize with myself when I record. My problem is that my voice sounds weak and nasal-y, for lack of a better description, especially as I start to sing higher. So I'm wondering if anyone has any tips or techniques to try to strengthened ones voice? Even recommended books/cds/lessons? Thanks, I appreciate it.

After studying with Maestro David P. Kyle for years, I can tell you there is no substitute for a great voice instructor. If you would like to strengthen your voice and increase your range and vocal cord agility, contact your local opera house, and ask them to recommend an instructor. Studying opera will not lock you into any particular style. Some of Maestro Kyle's students include: Geoff Tate(Queensryche), Ann Wilson(Heart), Don Dokken, Maria callas(opera soprano), Tony Bennett, Marylyn Horne(Opera mezzo soprano) Ronny Munroe(Metal Church)etc...You will have better results if you have the instant feedback of an instructor vs. Brett Manning's CD set.

Unfortunately, I don't think there is much of that in Wyoming. That said, I think I'll call over to the music department at the University and see what some of the faculty recommend--heck maybe they can do summer lessons.

 

[chunktone]

Didn't notice your location. That's a good idea. Best of luck!

 

[Gainfreak]

After studying with Maestro David P. Kyle for years, I can tell you there is no substitute for a great voice instructor. If you would like to strengthen your voice and increase your range and vocal cord agility, contact your local opera house, and ask them to recommend an instructor. Studying opera will not lock you into any particular style. Some of Maestro Kyle's students include: Geoff Tate(Queensryche), Ann Wilson(Heart), Don Dokken, Maria callas(opera soprano), Tony Bennett, Marylyn Horne(Opera mezzo soprano) Ronny Munroe(Metal Church)etc...You will have better results if you have the instant feedback of an instructor vs. Brett Manning's CD set.

I totally agree with you that a vocal coach would be easier then learning off of a CD but good luck trying to find a decent vocal coach. They arent easy to find.

 

[scredly]

I have used Jeannie Deva's warm-up tape for years: http://www.jeanniedeva.com/ Warm up is critical to a good and comfortable performance. I started her first set of lessons but never made it all the way through.

If you can't find a local instructor, check out the CD/DVD offerings and go with the one that seems to fit your style or approach. Maybe you can find an instructor farther away that you drive to once a quarter to get updates and corrections based on your home work.

Some interesting stuff here: http://www.voicecouncil.com/

Melissa Cross has a training DVD for screamers, "Zen of Screaming" I believe.

 

[LUKATHERFAN]

You'd be amazed at how much you can get from a good vocal
teacher.....Learning how to breath correctly and being sure to
sing from your gut. I know that sounds weird but once you know
the correct way to do your vocal work you can avoid the things
that rock singers always have trouble with:sore throats,blowing
out their voice and,god forbid,vocal nodes.......

 

[chunktone]

After studying with Maestro David P. Kyle for years, I can tell you there is no substitute for a great voice instructor. If you would like to strengthen your voice and increase your range and vocal cord agility, contact your local opera house, and ask them to recommend an instructor. Studying opera will not lock you into any particular style. Some of Maestro Kyle's students include: Geoff Tate(Queensryche), Ann Wilson(Heart), Don Dokken, Maria callas(opera soprano), Tony Bennett, Marylyn Horne(Opera mezzo soprano) Ronny Munroe(Metal Church)etc...You will have better results if you have the instant feedback of an instructor vs. Brett Manning's CD set.

I totally agree with you that a vocal coach would be easier then learning off of a CD but good luck trying to find a decent vocal coach. They arent easy to find.

That's true. When I was searching in Seattle, every teacher I found was a student of Maestro Kyle, so I just went to him. There's a guy up there named Robert Lunte that is having alot of success, and he offers lessons over the web. This may be a good option for you.

http://www.thevocaliststudio.com/