sage
New member
Question: What keeps you going when everyone just keeps telling you that you suck after practicing for ten million years? 
This thread is actually inspired by Ankh. Here's his post and my story.
Hope to hear everyone else's
--------------------
K I have a story to share. I have to say that the remark isn't harsh, but perhaps Ankh would like to rethink his/her words before demoralising other aspiring vocalists with such an opinion as that.
About eight years ago when I was in secondary school, my classmates used to shove me into talentimes just because I liked singing to myself in class. Every class had to have someone represent and no one wanted to do it.
Unfortunately, I was a closet singer and I was very very shy. Very. Like, if anyone heard my voice and turned to look at me, I'll blush like CRAZY.
Actually I'm still shy lah but anyway,..
The first talentime I had, I sang along with a minus-1 and I won consolation prize because no one heard my voice, and those who did thought it was by the original singer. Second talentime I had, I won 3rd prize only because my "partner" pulled some ropes and cut some corners.
During these phases, there were friends and other singers who were telling me that maybe singing wasn't my thing because I had a soft voice, and everytime I tried to sing louder, I'll go off-key.
Most of them told me I should just stick to playing guitar, because it seemed a more effective instrument compared to my vocals.
Even my MOM told me I can't make it and she tried to correct me every single time; "Must sing louder! From the stomach!" etc etc. My mum's not a singer lah haha she's just giving remarks. K anyway
I stopped singing after that and played guitar for the next three years and devoted myself to it, because I was, apparently, "not vocal material" and not "born to be a singer".
Singers also had to have confidence to lead a band, and with my shyness around people, it didn't seem to make sense for me to be a vocalist.
More than enough reason to stop singing even though I loved it the most.
My big break came one day when I broke up with my bf and impulsively went for an audition requiring a female vocalist. I actually just went for it because I wanted to sing to let it out hahaha... (they let me sing my fav songs lah, who can resist?)
I sang like shit, and they couldn't hear me even when they turned the mic really loud and there was only one guitar and one drummer. *slaps forehead*. Thankfully, the band took me in anyway (god knows why but they said it was because of me playing the guitar when they went for ciggie break. i think they thought if after some time I still can't make it on vocals, they'll tell me to play guitar. so in the end my guitar work saved my butt after all).
Five years later, this band is still established and my vocals have improved tremendously to the point of getting guest vocal offers from big names, got approached by BMG, and invitations to sing in concerts. I have also been reprimanded to cut a solo album (which I'm still considering on), and have been complimented and even made role model and an inspiration to some aspiring female vocalists in the music scene. People are also asking for help to teach them how to sing, but I don't think I'm qualified... altho I still try anyway. :}
My shyness? Well I'm still shy..... but just offstage. :} Sometimes when you see the crowd get into the whole performance with you, the energy just bounces back and that shyness just takes the backseat. Why be shy with people wanting to touch your hands and yelling at how beautiful your voice is?
K I'm not trying to brag here, and I'm sorry if anyone felt I went overboard, but my point is, if someone tells you you're not born to sing, that person obviously has no vocal experience or lack of sense and logic, because every voice can be trained and moulded into perfection from different ways such as practice, influences, ear training, throat studies, and .. god, so many others! Everyone has their own way of learning how to sing. If you can talk, you can sing (an old Tibeten quote).
The state of my voice is still soft sometimes, as I realised that it is just my style. But my voice has also been polished to the point of being able to control my volume and weaknesses I had in the past at will. I also learned other techniques from reading, experimenting, and asking other vocalists. ALL of them had different opinions when it came to singing, which is very very interesting, and in the end, I used ALL ideas to polish my range, my techniques, my styles, and my versatility. I have still a long way to go in polishing these up, but I'm pretty sure I don't sound the same from eight years ago...
It was stupid of me to listen to my friends and company when they told me I'm not cut out to be a singer. Fortunately for me, I was given a second chance (with that impulsive audition) with which my love for singing would never have materialised if I had believed people like Ankh here.
Food for thought sweeties, and I hope none of you would give up your dreams of singing. If you need help, we're always here to help.
Just remember... set realistic goals, and that if you're just starting out, humble down!
No one wants to support a proud braggy self-absorbed cockanaden no matter how good they sound.
Listen to as much as you can. Good singing is also subjective, as everyone has their own style. Listen to Bjork, for example. Would a blues singer call Bjork a good singer? Maybe not, but look at how many fans she has and how she's noted to have one of the most unique voices in our generation.
If you need more examples, check out Dadawa, Enya (soft singer like me but her voice can soothe a savage soul), Janis Joplin (rusky drug-infested probably rotting throat), Diamanda Galas (beautiful jazz voice but she makes weird noises with her voice), Antony & the Johnsons (a tranny who sings female ranges and is absolutely beautiful)....... you get my drift. All these singers are widely respected in their genre and have a strong fanbase.
Take every criticisms with a pinch of salt, and don't give up k!!!
This thread is actually inspired by Ankh. Here's his post and my story.
Hope to hear everyone else's
--------------------
K I have a story to share. I have to say that the remark isn't harsh, but perhaps Ankh would like to rethink his/her words before demoralising other aspiring vocalists with such an opinion as that.
About eight years ago when I was in secondary school, my classmates used to shove me into talentimes just because I liked singing to myself in class. Every class had to have someone represent and no one wanted to do it.
Unfortunately, I was a closet singer and I was very very shy. Very. Like, if anyone heard my voice and turned to look at me, I'll blush like CRAZY.
Actually I'm still shy lah but anyway,..
The first talentime I had, I sang along with a minus-1 and I won consolation prize because no one heard my voice, and those who did thought it was by the original singer. Second talentime I had, I won 3rd prize only because my "partner" pulled some ropes and cut some corners.
During these phases, there were friends and other singers who were telling me that maybe singing wasn't my thing because I had a soft voice, and everytime I tried to sing louder, I'll go off-key.
Most of them told me I should just stick to playing guitar, because it seemed a more effective instrument compared to my vocals.
Even my MOM told me I can't make it and she tried to correct me every single time; "Must sing louder! From the stomach!" etc etc. My mum's not a singer lah haha she's just giving remarks. K anyway
I stopped singing after that and played guitar for the next three years and devoted myself to it, because I was, apparently, "not vocal material" and not "born to be a singer".
Singers also had to have confidence to lead a band, and with my shyness around people, it didn't seem to make sense for me to be a vocalist.
More than enough reason to stop singing even though I loved it the most.
My big break came one day when I broke up with my bf and impulsively went for an audition requiring a female vocalist. I actually just went for it because I wanted to sing to let it out hahaha... (they let me sing my fav songs lah, who can resist?)
I sang like shit, and they couldn't hear me even when they turned the mic really loud and there was only one guitar and one drummer. *slaps forehead*. Thankfully, the band took me in anyway (god knows why but they said it was because of me playing the guitar when they went for ciggie break. i think they thought if after some time I still can't make it on vocals, they'll tell me to play guitar. so in the end my guitar work saved my butt after all).
Five years later, this band is still established and my vocals have improved tremendously to the point of getting guest vocal offers from big names, got approached by BMG, and invitations to sing in concerts. I have also been reprimanded to cut a solo album (which I'm still considering on), and have been complimented and even made role model and an inspiration to some aspiring female vocalists in the music scene. People are also asking for help to teach them how to sing, but I don't think I'm qualified... altho I still try anyway. :}
My shyness? Well I'm still shy..... but just offstage. :} Sometimes when you see the crowd get into the whole performance with you, the energy just bounces back and that shyness just takes the backseat. Why be shy with people wanting to touch your hands and yelling at how beautiful your voice is?
K I'm not trying to brag here, and I'm sorry if anyone felt I went overboard, but my point is, if someone tells you you're not born to sing, that person obviously has no vocal experience or lack of sense and logic, because every voice can be trained and moulded into perfection from different ways such as practice, influences, ear training, throat studies, and .. god, so many others! Everyone has their own way of learning how to sing. If you can talk, you can sing (an old Tibeten quote).
The state of my voice is still soft sometimes, as I realised that it is just my style. But my voice has also been polished to the point of being able to control my volume and weaknesses I had in the past at will. I also learned other techniques from reading, experimenting, and asking other vocalists. ALL of them had different opinions when it came to singing, which is very very interesting, and in the end, I used ALL ideas to polish my range, my techniques, my styles, and my versatility. I have still a long way to go in polishing these up, but I'm pretty sure I don't sound the same from eight years ago...
It was stupid of me to listen to my friends and company when they told me I'm not cut out to be a singer. Fortunately for me, I was given a second chance (with that impulsive audition) with which my love for singing would never have materialised if I had believed people like Ankh here.
Food for thought sweeties, and I hope none of you would give up your dreams of singing. If you need help, we're always here to help.
Just remember... set realistic goals, and that if you're just starting out, humble down!
No one wants to support a proud braggy self-absorbed cockanaden no matter how good they sound.
Listen to as much as you can. Good singing is also subjective, as everyone has their own style. Listen to Bjork, for example. Would a blues singer call Bjork a good singer? Maybe not, but look at how many fans she has and how she's noted to have one of the most unique voices in our generation.
If you need more examples, check out Dadawa, Enya (soft singer like me but her voice can soothe a savage soul), Janis Joplin (rusky drug-infested probably rotting throat), Diamanda Galas (beautiful jazz voice but she makes weird noises with her voice), Antony & the Johnsons (a tranny who sings female ranges and is absolutely beautiful)....... you get my drift. All these singers are widely respected in their genre and have a strong fanbase.
Take every criticisms with a pinch of salt, and don't give up k!!!
