vocals / rhythm
 

Hey,
My friend (a guitarist) was looking to start a new band, so around a month ago he asked me if I knew how to sing. I refused him stating that I never sung before, was probably tone deaf, and didn't want to waste his time. He sparked my curiousity though, and I practiced listening to a couple of my favorite songs and gave a stab at singing.

I didn't think my voice was all that great, and I still thought I was tone deaf, but he said I had an amazing voice for never singing before, and with training and hard work I could become the singer for his band.

So we started practicing a little and he taught me a lot about how to sing and stuff, but a lot of it was experimentation and lots of practice.

Now we have a band, but there are still many things I need to know and need to practice.

First off, I have NO SENSE OF RHYTHMN. As my friend plays the accoustic guitar, I never know the right time to come in. He always says 'you should just be able to feel it.' I've tried tapping my feet, listening to the beat, or whatever, but I can never come in on the right time unless it's by chance or i'm instructed to come in. Is there anyway for me to develop rhythmn? Because I end up focusing so much on when I have to come in, I lose all my confidence and sing horribly. Please help!

Also, is there any advice for learning how to use ones diaphragm? (killed the spelling probably). I heard you're supposed to use that, not your throat itself.

Anyways .. please help me out. I have some crappy recordings of my voice (windows sound recorder) with a bad mic, but maybe it will give you guys an idea of how you can help me improve.

topicasia.com/jun/heartbreakerfinal.mp3
topicasia.com/jun/waiting1.mp3

If you think I have a sucky voice, feel free to say it, please just give me some pointers on how I can get better :). I'm willing to work hard at it.

Thanks.

Dude...first of all get a new mic :hphones: ouch.

I don't think you have a bad voice @ all. But dude, don't take voice lessons. Practice w/ someone else playing guitar and please go to Guitar Center and buy a decent mic (you can get an audio technica for $75).

Also, try and get guts enough to sing in front of other people w/ an accoustic guitar or piano. This will help build up your confidence.

Good luck young skywalker.

Hey. Thanks for the tips :]. I'm definitely going to practice a lot more. I ordered this mic ..

"M-Audio Solaris Large-Diaphragm Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone"

it should be here tomorrow! Supposedly we can get some near-professional quality recordings now? :]

just be confident and out going, thats what makes a good vocalist (besides a good voice) but you already got that..........and remember that being the vocalist you represent the band .....cuz most eyes are on you when you perform

90 % of being a singer for a band is all down to stage presence,confidence is everything. so take some heavy pills and just bounce off the walls, there'll be no stopping you :D.
and i've just listened to your vocals, right...first off it takes balls to record yourself singing accapella and present ito a bunch of strangers, kudos. you seem to be able to hit a vast range of notes and i don't know why your asking how to use your diaphram because that's where your vocals seem to be coming from.
i can see more than potential in your voice but you seem to stray off key now and again, all that'll need is a bit of brushing up. i don't even suggest lessons, it wouldn't be worth it, just practice a little and it should come together fine.
you have the potential to be an above par singer,
what with the timing thing just work at it and for the time being get your co members to nod you in or something, or just count the bars in your head, its easy, find the tempo and steadily count 1,2,3,4. **** you can even get a metronome to do it for you for about £30.
last but not least the confidence issue is what i suggest you develop the most if your a little under confident now. if you want to truly entertain the crowd you got to be able to give them their moneys worth and do more than just sing if you ask me.
so yeah, moleys two cents, good luck and all, hope all works out well and send me some band recordings when you can, i'm quite interested in watching you guys progress as a band. :)

Get a decent recording package as well. I use Sonar 4.0 and ACID Pro. Both decent recording software packages.

Remember w/ power comes great responsibility.

what>???????? i dubt get isnt that from spiderman?

it was probably unintentional, but yes it is:D

You have a good voice with lots of potential. However, try to use air more from your diaphragm, (when you breathe in try to make your stomach look fat and not raise your shoulders), and DON'T sing through your nose (I head a little bit of that in the recordings). Watch the music video for Miss Murder by AFI and try to sing like Davey. Yeah he overexaggerates the words but it will encourage a proper sound. As for rhythm, practice practice practice. Tap your foot with the beat, COUNT the one two three fours, and you will get it. Get your friend to nod you in until you can get it yourself. Keep it up though you do have potential.

...and most of all steer clear of talking potatoes :p