Making your voice unique yet appealing?

[growlingsoulpup]

Hey there guys. Recently I asked my guitarist on tips to improve my singing, and he told me this one thing: that my voice must be lovable.

I took this to mean that it must be able to appeal to the masses and sound pleasant on first listen. Does anyone have any tips on how I can add this sort of quality to my voice? I've always gotten very mixed reviews about my singing. My girlfriend for one hates my voice, while my bandmates think I sound, quote, "zai". How do I make my voice appeal to more people?

Another thing I'm asking about is uniqueness. I've heard people say that my voice is very distinguishable and recognizable, but some other people have also told me that I sound alot like some other singers as well. The one I get most often is that I sing like Bono of U2. How do I get a unique and distinguished voice without losing that mass appeal quality?

 

[sage]

Errr... actually I'm very confused about the remarks you get. They seem to be in opposite sides of the spectrum! For starters, maybe you should stop listening to others and just sing it your way?

Maybe you have different ways or styles of singing, which could end up in mixed reviews from different songs. I know I sound like an idiot in some songs, and sound perfectly fine in others. So maybe it's the same case?

I don't know about keeping the distinguishing voice and quality at the same time, but maybe quality here depends on how you hold the note and stuff?

And I'm still wondering what on earth is a lovable voice... It's not something that sounds like tellytubbies is it?

If you want an appealing voice, imo, it's not often something distinguishing or unique. Unique voices aren't accepted very easily yknow? Unless you're talking about voices that literally hypnotise people and make them do things like jump like a monkey or something at your request...

 

[growlingsoulpup]

I don't blame you sage, I'm damn confused myself! Hahaha. I've gotten comments ranging from "stfu, you suck" to "you're a great singer!" I guess what I mean by appealing is to have that certain "pop" quality to your voice that makes it more suitable for radio? Or something like that.

 

[pf]

Why do u ask a guitarist on tips to sing? Hmmm....

Sorry...no offense. But this amuses me.

 

[growlingsoulpup]

Hmm, well I guess i didnt so much ask him for tips as a review I guess...

 

[sage]

Next time bring insect repellent and spray the bugger if they talk too much!

 

[growlingsoulpup]

Next time bring insect repellent and spray the bugger if they talk too much!

Haha...I don't exactly get you..you are referring to? :/

 

[Eviltrice]

-post deleted-

 

[btherl]

Here's the "technical" point of view Disclaimer: I am not a singing teacher, I am a singing student.

First, you already have a unique and loveable voice! You were born with it! All you need to do is unlock it, which is easier said than done.

Technically, you need a number of things:

1. Open throat
2. Vocal cords connected firmly WITHOUT using outer larynx muscles (swallowing muscles). There are special muscles inside the larynx designed for connecting the vocal cords, and those are the ones you need to train.
3. Breath "support" (actually this is holding back breath more than pushing it out. The word support is a bit misleading)

The firmly connected vocal cords generate a "buzz" that you hear in all loveable voices. Listen to any great singer and you will hear that buzz. The only time it will be gone is when they use falsetto, or when they deliberately drop the buzz for effect. On higher notes it can sound more solid and less like a buzz.

A side effect of that solid connection is that you will be able to sing for extended periods without needing to breathe. I never run out of breath when singing.

Next, the open throat gives space for the buzz to resonate and gain depth. Without that, your voice cannot sound loveable. Instead it will sound weak and uninteresting. If you're trying to sound like someone else, you're probably squeezing your throat to create a specific sound. But with your throat open and relaxed, you will be generating your own unique voice.

Third, breath support. You actually don't need to focus on this if you follow SLS technique. All you need to do is connect your vocal cords and open your throat, and your breath will naturally provide the necessary support. This is in contrast to many other techniques, which consider breath support as the basis and connected vocal cords as the by-product.

 

[flunked]

Well, for all budding singers out there, just some ideas to think about:

1) Our voice quality and tone is something that we are born with, so that is something that can be a blessing or a curse in some way. But there are ways to improve your singing technique so that you sound better when you sing, either in terms of pitching, diction or even in overall vocal quality (by changing the way you sing e.g. opening your mouth, using different vocal positions etc.)

2) The music industry is changing all the time, and preferences for singers are changing too. If you were to compare singers from 20-30 yrs ago, with singers now, you will find that their voices and also the music they make are so very different. So, if you constantly try to make your voice meet the requirements of the masses, you will find that you will get really tired after a while because the industry changes real fast!

3) For me, the personality of the singer is also extremely important. If you don't have a really great singing voice, but have a terrific personality as well as character, ppl will still love you all the same! And best of all, once you become a singer, you can still work on yr singing! But the X-factor quality is difficult to cultivate. If you have it, you have it. If not, it's tough. But then again, industry preferences change all the time.

Just some advice from a vocal coach, but yes do constantly ask for feedback about your singing, because that is the best way to improve. Criticism, if taken in a healthy way, is extremely beneficial for us in our personal growth. ;-p

Aaron
Personal Singing Guide, Tips From A Vocal Coach For All Professional and Karaoke

 

[growlingsoulpup]

Wow, thanks a lot guys. I really appreciate all the advice! Thanks!

 

[JAMXIAO]

From what i think.. Singing is all about improving =) i love singing alot and i`m young ... juz came in as i wanted to try it out in a band =D. listen to this fella sing.. he`s 20 one year older then me .. and i learn my singing by listening to him and the results are shocking !

YouTube - Taiwanese Boy - Bon Jovi - It's My Life

he`s a taiwanese and he sucks in his english but notice how his voice makes u wanna listen =) thats unique and special ! the song he`s singing is bon jovi`s its my life.