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Post by duggyk on Jan 16, 2009 13:21:53 GMT
Hi Marilyn,
yes I think you're right, it does depend on the song - there are some songs I can 'get away' with in G, but others for which I sound like a wounded animal!
i think i need to work on improving my range - however you do that ?!
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Post by Marilyn on Jan 16, 2009 16:07:20 GMT
i think i need to work on improving my range - however you do that ?! Assuming that this is a genuine question and not a rhetorical one: I don't think it's reasonable to expect to extend your range very much beyond an extra few notes at each end. Basically your range is what you're born with. I don't have a very wide range even though my voice is 'trained' whilst my husband (untrained but lovely voice) has an absolutely massive range. The best way of getting the maximum range out of your voice is to sing! Sounds daft but it's true - if you use it regularly it will improve and get stronger and the weak notes at the top and bottom will get better. The best tip anyone can give is NEVER EVER strain your voice. Never push it, ever - there's no compromise on this if you don't want to do permanent damage. Warm up the voice every day by humming gently in the centre of your range over a 5 note scale and shifting the start note up or down a semitone each time but always within your comfort zone. Like singing 'doh, re, mi, fa, soh, fa, mi, re, doh' only humming if you know what I mean. Each repeat of the scale you start on the next note up or down. I like to start on middle C so I hum C, D, E, F, G, F, E, D, C. Then I start on C#. Next on D and so on until I'm starting on F. After this one I go down a semitone each repeat until I'm starting on the G below middle C. All comfortably well with my range so not straining at all. After a minute or two of gentle humming start singing vowel sounds to the same (movable) five notes ah, ah, ah then oo, oo, oo and so on with ee and eh. You can also start singing a bit higher or a bit lower but never to the point where you're straining. It seems a bit boring to do this but it really does warm up the voice properly and, over time, it will strengthen the voice right across your range so that the highest and lowest notes sound much better and more in control. It *might* also give you an extra note or two at each end but no promises  If yours was a rhetorical question then sorry to have gone on so long! Cheers, Marilyn |
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Post by duggyk on Jan 16, 2009 16:10:16 GMT
It was a real question  thanks for the advice i'll give it a go! Cheers |
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Post by Danny on Jan 16, 2009 19:46:45 GMT
Okay then Marilyn
I can't sing a note (well not without getting arrested and/or beaten up) How would I go about starting? I sing along with records and stuff (discovered I can actually go quite high pitched, especially for a guy) but whatever note I hit seems to be the wrong one if that makes any sense
Any advice?
Danny
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Post by jonfreeman on Jan 16, 2009 20:31:42 GMT
I think that pretty much matches what I found when I tried to sing more regularly than I do now Marilyn I wasn't so much that the range of noises I could make extended but say a low quiet grunt I could make did become a more usable note.
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Post by Marilyn on Jan 25, 2009 10:09:12 GMT
Danny,
Very few people are actually tone deaf - I've only ever met one in my life - so I think you're hitting of the wrong note when you sing along with a CD is just lack of practice. Keep singing at least a bit EVERY DAY and gradually you will train your ear and start singing more in tune. Honest!
Jon
Yes, it's true isn't it? Just using the voice makes it stronger and better (as long as you don't strain of course).
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Post by Danny on Jan 25, 2009 19:24:21 GMT
Thanks Marilyn,
As with all things 'practice makes perfect' I suppose
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Post by Fingers n thumbs on Jan 28, 2009 9:07:34 GMT
Hi again When i started singing my voice was really high too, and the only way i can describe it is - the sound when i sing, has gradually moved from the back of my head in between my ears to lower down my throat and in my chest. I find that i need to breathe and use more air for a better sound, but that goes against your instinct when you start out because you are so nervous - you sound bad so dont want to add more volume. Playing and singing with a good friend (Duggy) has given me loads of practice and i have about 3 or so songs i am comfortable enough to sing and play - but it took a while. And someone who was honest enough with me when i sucked and when i showed improvement. Encouragement from afriend is a great thing. First person i sang and played with just laughed at me and didnt want to jam anymore!! At the ukfolkies w/e i pushed myself to sing a few songs there with a different crowd - some of em were awful but then so were my first couple of years with a guitar. I think once you get over feeling such a 'nana', berk, (add your own word here) , then you are on you way - bit like repeatedly getting on a roller coaster  yours in a teacup Roj |
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thanks for the advice i'll give it a go!
