how can i tell if i can sing or not

[garf75]

is there anyway in which i can tell if my singing is anygood for people to hear as it can be nerve racking getting up and sing. i wanna start busking in the summer i got a few tunes down but not any songs as not really sure if my voice is any good. i hope you guys can give some hints and tips thanks

[reels]

I know some people are blessed with amazing sounding voices but the truth is, if you are enjoying yourself then it will rub off on listeners. If you are really uncomfortable then that will too. I think getting used to the sound of your own voice on recordings or over a microphone is invaluable. We all hate the sound of our own voice the first time we hear it from the outside in. Also you do get better the more you practice it, same as with your instrument.

"Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.”

[dougie]

Hi Garf,

You could post a Mp3 here or a vid on youtube and let the folks here give you advice, marks out of 10 or whatever. We are all friends here and in the same boat so I am sure that you will get constructive comments. I would like to think if I posted something I would get honest comments about it, and who better to ask than the good people here. Anyway best of luck with the busking. Let us know how you get on regardless.

All the best

Dougie

[dick]

I think good singing is a bit more complex than just singing into a mic and asking for votes on how good it is. It may well not be good and you could go away thinking you can't sing when in fact you can. A very few of us can't sing and never should, a few of us are amazing singers and can join in with anything, but most of us have a limited range and providing we stick to that range our singing is absolutely fine. The difficulty is finding that range or your 'voice'.

The best way to find out if you can sing is to find a singing teacher who will be able to try you out over broad spread of keys and find out what suits you. Singing teachers are much easier to find than you think.

Once you have established your 'voice' you can see what songs suits you - and you are off!

There is also the fact that singing is an exercise and needs practise. You wouldn't expect to be good at a sport first time but would hope to become better the more you practise. Belt it out in the car on your own to develop strength and stamina. Good luck.

[Fingers n thumbs]

Hi Garf

I stated trying to sing & play about 3 years ago and was rubbish ;D.

I think there is a difference between just 'singing' and performing, i practice singing along to what ever tunes i want to learn in the car, but when it comes down to playing and singing it often falls apart. I find songs i can sing along with and then find out what key it is in and go from there. So far i have found i can sing ok in the keys of G, Am, E & B but then different songs seem to only work for me in one key and not the other.

Heres what i do - find the song i like and get the lyrics off of the t'interweb - sometimes there are numerous verisons so i go for the lyrics i like. Then work out the key - hopefully from the t'interweb but sometimes the hard way of playing bass lines till i start getting an idea of the key. I then work out how the words fit the rythmn and try to use a v simple single note to guide me during each chord change. Then i just play with it and practice it, i usually let my fingers play along with me so i don't have to learn it exactly how 'fred bloggs' plays it.

Getting up and doing it live - well i find it easier amongst people i don't know - and yep tis scary. Recording yourself is good practice but i have found myself spending hours agonising on a 3 minute take just to post on the web

Go busking with a mate and make it a bit of a laugh.

Hope that helps a bit.

Roj

[karaokeb]

Hi Garf,

I hope you have now done your busking and you are enjoying it however if you are still having reservations and have not yet done this give it a try. When you are practicing listen to yourself through head phones you will then get a much better idea of what you sound like to other people. The reason for this is when we make sounds we hear through our bone structure rather than our ears hence when we hear a recording of ourselves we sound completely different as we are now listening via our ears.

Hope this is of some help to you what ever you do don't give up and enjoy which is what music and singing is all about!

Brian