Plz Recommend Songs For a Newbie (gal)

[starslove]

hey all,

i am a newbie here. Was recently roped in by a friend to a jamming session for a vocal test cos they lack of a vocalist. Having no experience, but a passion for singing i was overwhelmed. The first session was unnerving, but nevertheless it was extremely enjoyable.

My vocal range is said to be wide, and they actually (thank God) liked ONE of the songs which i've sang towards the end of the session so i am kinda relieved i am invited on the next session.

But having not sung seriously for years (i was a soprano in the school choir donkey years ago), i have problems hitting the high notes (esp when it's low and then abruptly high). I have read the input by you guys since yesterday and recalled some of the techniques. I know it's the lack of practice so i will work hard. Thank you.

But i have 2 main problems. They are:

1. How to better one's memory for songs cos i have a horrific memory. I get especially nervous when i am in front of an audience. My mind will go blank and I will forget the lyrics no matter i've rehearsed the song umpteen times?

2. What are the recommended songs (for a gal) to sing as a newbie in a band (it's unlike karaoke yeah)? I was asked to pick the songs which i think i can sing (then again songs you like are unnecessarily songs which you can sing well).

Please enlighten. Will appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[TequilaSunrise]

Recommended songs: Try michelle branch or something.

Memorizing songs: Looks like you got stage fright or something there. Go talk to yourself in the mirror or something. Alternatively, drown yourself in the song for a week or so. Sing it everywhere you go, have it on your playlist, practice it all the time (as in really ALL the time, not 2-3 hours a day, ALL THE TIME). You'll remember it eventually. If not, at least try to memorize the melody. It'll help.

 

[Judas]

actually memorizing songs are the easy part... just get a walkman/mp3/discman and listen to the song everywhere... on the bus, walking home, anywhere... as time goes by... shdnt be a problem remembering..

 

[Phil]

Yeah as Judas said, practise makes perfect!
And with ample practise, you'd not even need to think about remembering the lyrics, it'd just all come out.
Sweeetly.

 

[djanggo]

as a newbie...you should learn songs like....twinkle2 little star,mary had a little lamb,auld lang syne..etc....those very basic,straightforward melody....heheheheh try singing in different keys..hehehe...maybe with a bit of distortion or metalzone..hahhahahahahaha

 

[legin]

as a newbie...you should learn songs like....twinkle2 little star,mary had a little lamb,auld lang syne..etc....those very basic,straightforward melody....heheheheh try singing in different keys..hehehe...maybe with a bit of distortion or metalzone..hahhahahahahaha

oh my. u lost it!ahahaha.

 

[Morbidus]

as a newbie...you should learn songs like....twinkle2 little star,mary had a little lamb,auld lang syne..etc....those very basic,straightforward melody....heheheheh try singing in different keys..hehehe...maybe with a bit of distortion or metalzone..hahhahahahahaha

Lol.

Hi starslove, u can try Jewel too.

 

[Indigo_blues]

1. to better one's memory at songs, print the songs out in size 20 fonts and stick them on the stage in front of you. If you forget, just pretend to look at your shoes.

2. as for recommended songs, please look at djanggo's reply.

 

[Morbidus]

Poor girl's being mocked at lol.

 

[blueprintstudios]

But i have 2 main problems. They are:

1. How to better one's memory for songs cos i have a horrific memory. I get especially nervous when i am in front of an audience. My mind will go blank and I will forget the lyrics no matter i've rehearsed the song umpteen times?
2. What are the recommended songs (for a gal) to sing as a newbie in a band (it's unlike karaoke yeah)? I was asked to pick the songs which i think i can sing (then again songs you like are unnecessarily songs which you can sing well).

first of all, I'd like to say I like how you describe your feelings for singing. hahah. Almost novel-ish. but who am I to comment that.. I don't even read.
anyway here's my 10¢ worth ..

well memory wise .. I've seen it on discovery channel , this guy takes cold showers after a piano practise... eats loads of salmon (for the Omega 3 thingy). and gets lots of rest and he actually "dreams" that he's practising in his mind. other than that. what works for me, (I'm not a vocalist guy. but I just practise enough to "guide" the band during recording to hit certain proper notes as long as it's within my range) is listen to it loads and loads of times. y'know, like the others mentioned to listen on Repeat 1. if you're in places where you won't make a fool out of yourself, go ahead and sing it out loud. if you're on the bus etc, you can always "lip-sync" and "silently"-sing the song. I don't know if i'm gonna make sense but it's like giving your lips a "brain" to memorise what your lips is supposed to be ready to pronounce the word after the next. listen until you hate the song or somethin'.
and as for your case of stage fright. I hope this somehow helps, if you wear glasses. the higher the degrees the better, take them off. and sing away , think the crowd as a shade of blur (that's what you'll be seeing anyway). I've heard how ppl get over their shyness/social problem/stagefright by confronting fear in the face and go model nude or something. but of course there are better alternatives , maybe try go work at the jewellery stall at bugis flea market towards simlim, you always hear this chinese lady narrating promotions etc like as if she's on the news channel. if not the only shot you got is, go ahead on stage, get all nervous etc, nvm standby paper and lyrics. until you get used to it, getting on stage is like going to the toilet.

i've nothing to suggest for 2) cos depends on the genre you're singing. heheh. abit like the american idol audition I saw this chick who can sing classical really well. though the judges were impressed, they asked her to sing a pop song and she screwed up haha.

 

[starslove]

hey all,

Thank you all for your wonderful advices. I am cool with the jokes. Really :lol:

TequilaSunrise: Thanks. Will looking into Michelle Branch's songs after this.

Judas/Phil: Sweet advices. Thanks!

djanggo: Erm... not funny~~~ 8O

Morbidus: Yeah i like Jewel's songs too. Been practising her songs lately. Guess i can sing her songs.

Indigo_blues: Erm... a joke to share: i once sang duet on my school's graduation ceremony many years back (was kinda forced to do a number) with only a few rehearsals (time was tight) and i really did print the lyrics with large font size on a A3 paper and place it on the stage's floor once i go on stage (people are wondering). Totally embarrassing. But thank God the feedback's cool. Haha. We managed to pull it off. It was a desperate case.

blueprintstudios: Interesting advice, except that i don't think i will go nude unless i am in my room with the shades down! Haha. But the rest of the advices' swell. Wonderful. *muacks*

Starslove

 

[RentaBass]

It's a good idea to bring lyrics into studios during practice, and read off them if you need to. As you get more confident with the songs, you can slowly ditch them.

Just keep them there for reference, it'll do you a lot of good when you forget some part from time to time. My singer forgot lyrics quite often in the past, but since he started doing the above, we've had no problems.

 

[Indigo_blues]

Sorry for pulling your leg earlier..

think for 'easy' songs you can learn up some of corrine may..but she's an alto though so you may have to transpose her tunes abit higher..

for difficult songs you could try mariah carey, celine dion or whitney houston. But they may be considered 'old school' nowadays?

Singing is all about timing, breath control and articulation. Having a pretty face helps too.

My wife is an excellent vocalist btw.

 

[blueprintstudios]

blueprintstudios: Interesting advice, except that i don't think i will go nude unless i am in my room with the shades down! Haha. But the rest of the advices' swell. Wonderful. *muacks*
Starslove

haha of course I don't expect ya to go nude, it's just extent ppl will go to confront their fears. head on.
anyway your face (now that you've updated your profile) don't look like you wear glasses. the other way i can think of is sing with your eyes closed, then open your eyes and look back at your band, when you gotta turn to face the crowd again , turn to look at Only your mic and sing with eyes closed again. if you're scared you look stupid singing with eyes closed, wayang kulit act act abit sing as if you're "super feeling" like the way jewel sings or something. then they'd "shake their head" a little when they're singing the lyrics "no" "don't have" "can't you" y'know the typical nonsense. hahah.. helps get into the mood and distract ya.

 

[RazrAsh]

hey starslove... well, for remembering songs, what they have said is true, just keep singing the songs everywhere u go, but just dont become a public nuisance.. and for the stage fright?? simple, go get a lil wasted before a stage performance.. well, not really wasted.. but i do drink about 3 shots of tequila before a performance.. helps u loosen up a bit.. but the amt u drink is dependent on ur alcohol tolerance level... :lol:

 

[starslove]

hey all,

RentaBass: well... am doing that now. I guess it's easier to indulge in the song if you do not keep staring at the lyrics in panic. Yeah... listening and singing to the song as it played does help. Takes more practice i guess.

Indigo_blues: I really envy people who can hold their vocals well. The next thing for me to do is to get down in learning my guitar. perhaps i want to write my own songs if i know how.

blueprintstudios: no wonder, but i truly think this technique work... *hee* i guess for a virgin trial i am too shy and tend to hold back while singing. Doesn't help that way. I will try to be bolder on my next trial.

RazrAsh: Erm... sometimes the jamming sessions are in the day. Can't drink. Anyway, most of us jam for pleasure. Not planning to cut an album (demo maybe if my vocals are suitable and when my friend starts penning songs) or anything. If you are talking abt actual gigs on stage... perhaps... provided that i know and feel the song like the back of my hand then.

by the way, how many of you are performing in public here? How do u promote your band? How long does it take to get where you are? Any advice?

 

[blueprintstudios]

by the way, how many of you are performing in public here? How do u promote your band? How long does it take to get where you are? Any advice?

heheh just do whatever works for ya. erm i'm not in a band and never performed before. but I believe what ppl do is "myspace" / "purevolume" and gig + record demos and send mp3s to everyone you know etc.

 

[azlyjacaz]

Ah ok lah from what I noticed lah on how bands get their names up.

1) Record a demo. Strongly encouraged minimum 3 songs that's about it. Send it to an organiser. How to find an organiser? Attend gigs and you will noticed who are the organisers who often organise gigs. In soft, there are quite a few, one being HeartRock Singapore.

2) Presuming you gotten yourself a first gig. Have a good impression. Don't overdress, don't act macam rockstar scold vulgarities here and there. Since you are female, the crowd will pay attention more, especially if you are wearing low-cut. Ok kidding.

3) Give it your best shot. Perform a mixture of originals and covers. If you are playing covers, choose a cover that can get the crowd going or something that can really click well with the audience.

4) When you are done with the gig, praise yourself.



From there, how did they get more gigs?


Have a website, or an online networking account (myspace, friendster) where ppl can know more about you and contact you. When performing, advertise your website.

Upload your mp3s (purevolume, myspace) so potential organisers who haven't heard you perform can know how you sound like.


Usually, from the first performance, there's bound to be someone else from another organising committee. From there they will contact you to be in their next gig. And the cycle goes on.


Usually the band got an average of 20 gigs in a year. Depends on what genre you are in.


Just my $1.99 worth. Speaking from a true experience. As this is a computer generated email, no signature is required.

 

[azlyjacaz]

oh if you do make it through, please remember me so when you become the next avril lavigne, gimme backstage passes to your personal dressing room. then you know we can...ahem...

ok sorry kidding again.

 

[starslove]

blueprintstudios: You have been so kind sweetie :wink:

azlyjacaz: Hee... very informative. Thanks dude.

2. I will wear a low-cut if i don't catch a cold. It's alright. Good to feel sexy overall. I agree packaging is important, but if my voice can't make it... lol... nothing sells. I am not so good i realised. Kinda depressed now. Think i am taking it too seriously. It should be serious fun!

4. If it happens, i would praise myself and the band ESP. my friend who gave me a chance to make mistakes after another

And... erm... if i am as FAMOUS as Avril one day (which i doubt so), i will definitely give u a backstage pass to my personal dressing room, EXCEPT that i won't be there... my not-straight (normally) make-up/stylish/hair artists would be all waiting there to SERVE YA. HAHAHAHHAA :lol: