Plz Recommend Songs For a Newbie (gal)

Mobius: Yeah i love Cranberries. Happening. Hee. Thanks~
The rest: Erm... i wasn't aware one comment from Jimmy Page would spark so much feedback. Well... Jimmy ain't so wrong (speaking from a gal's point of view) cos it's rare to see a female vox these days. So when a gal takes on stage, everyone would sit up and listen intently (of course a handsome dude would create such impact too, but that's besides the point). Same goes for me cos i always admire people with good vocals/style. I'll spend time waiting just to hear the first few words coming out from the girl's mouth. When it sucks, i will move on, irregardless of how attractive the girl is. But when she sings well, i would give her the respect she deserves by staying on and i'll applause loudly to show that she has done the girls' proud even if she doesn't look that swell. Never judge a book by its cover.

Of course those singing in pubs are meant to draw crowds and supporters (esp men - you know how men are... hee). Often, they are making a living. Different story if you are performing for interest. Other than looking presentable (dress sexy if you personally like, but not to flaunt too much) would be good. Main thing is to let the people out there hear your voice and feel the connection of the band.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for such a day when i don't get people walking away in disgust when i sing. haha. I would be grateful if they pause to listen, even with no expression (for a start).

So gals, relax... like what fgl said, it's hard work no matter newbie or not. Even if one is sexy and look pretty on stage, she may not make it in the long run if her voice can't make it. What we are looking for is long term recognition. (erm... talking too much as a newbie... ending here) :oops:

PS: I heard that female voxs are greatly in demand so let's work hard gals!!! Cheers! :D
 
female vox 101 (applies to males, cats and dogs as well)

1. To work with regularity you have to show sex appeal and stage presence. As much as that may suck it is the business we are in. Club performers are beer salesmen (and women :-)) If you want a night club job that pays enough you will have to learn how to be comfortable and not intimidated by crowds - and not embarrassed about your sexuality as a sales pitch.

2. If your goal is strictly singing (i.e. American/ Singapore Idol), than learn covers as if you are learning a new language. Anything you hear that sells and sounds OK is worth knowing like the back of your hand. If you are singing to become a songwriter and write originals, be alot more selective and learn only what you really dig - otherwise you may risk gathering chops that will hurt your inherent originality. (That point is debatable)

3. Record yourself and critique yourself regularly. This is very important and applies to all instruments and musicians with a desire to improve. A good, really cheap way to accomplish this goal is buyin an old school 4 track cassette ministudio-like deal. You can pick one up on Ebay for under 100 Sing. If you got lots o money, grab a HD multitrack recorder. I believe Fostex, Zoom and Korg have cheap hd recorders. (Don't forget a good, cheap mic aka Shure sm 58...

4. Have/ learn a basic knowledge of music theory, understand and practice harmony all the time - if you plan to work you will be doing harmonies in any group worth salt. Grab a piano tutor or vocal coach - btw if you have enough natural talent you may not have to pay for this. Most musicians/ teachers do what they do out of love and not money so if they hear talent... teachers sometimes will help.

*A valuable way to practie vox, harmony - vocal training in general is to practice singing the "third above" harmony over a lead vocal line. If you constantly do this your vocal structure is strengthened greatly, as is your ability to differentiate notes in relative scale structures.

**Singing the "third above" harmony is also a great way to critically listen to yourself if you are recording your practice sessions.
 
Hey binderdonedat,

The "third above" harmony over a lead vocal line is profound. Can't catch that. Mind elaborating?

And yeah... i was asked to maybe invest in a Shure mic. Heard it's highly recommended though it's expensive? Do you know the range (prices)? Where would be a good place to buy? But of course i was told to concentrate on my vocals now. Still lousy. That would come later when i am ready.
 
how to explain "third above" hmmm...

OK, think of the lead note in any song, lets take Coldplay "Fix You" as an example:... listen to the lead vox and try and sing with him, but a few notes higher - go for the pitch that sounds good to your ears and stays in tune with the music. That will be the "third above".

So hard to explain in words la!! keke.

Maybe better example is - if you listen closely to the chorus of "This Love" Maroon 5. There are two vocals here, the lead line and a harmony pitched above it. The "third above" will be the line that the lead singer is NOT singing. So the dude singing falsetto above the main line will be the "third above". :-)

Not sure if you know chords or scales, and I am assuming u may not. If you do have some music theory background, the "3rd" is note #3 in a scale. In a C scale, the "3rd above" will be an E.

A Shure Sm 58 will run you between 80 and 120 USD. Do some legwork though (as in ask around club bands, studios, rehearsal halls) and you will likely find one a bit cheaper. As for microphones, if you are just buying one to record yourself you can get away with anything almost. The quality of your equipment will always improve with the quality of your performance. (At least that's what I have found)
 
sycododo said:
SO...
what do they take us girls for?!?!?!
BARBIE DOLLS?

sadly many agents and clubs take Female vox as "pieces of meat" who hope to draw in the male crowd - sad to say but sex sells.... I on the other hand rather work with real talent & a sparkling stage personality rather than with a pair of walking boobs...but the industry is such... :cry:
 
its so sad to see singapore's entertainment industry these days... cuz majority of these organisers and agents are men, so can understand they mayb a bit buaya...

my band has a female vox too, she can sing, but she's not that great looking.. and well, a lot of organisers tend to look down on our band when we audition... totally hate it when that happens...

it makes us all feel our music is not good enough, even though we know it is... ah well.. mayb we need more stage presence..
 
i will say not yet ... i m just a half-baked musician ...
anyway..what u r experiencing happens in many fields of work besides music ...
i m a working adult in the service industry so I know how important outlook and perception is ... sigh
 
haha.. half baked musician?? who cares?? as long as u have passion... thats all that matters in music.. passion and feel actually..
 
RazrAsh said:
its so sad to see singapore's entertainment industry these days... cuz majority of these organisers and agents are men, so can understand they mayb a bit buaya...

my band has a female vox too, she can sing, but she's not that great looking.. and well, a lot of organisers tend to look down on our band when we audition... totally hate it when that happens...

it makes us all feel our music is not good enough, even though we know it is... ah well.. mayb we need more stage presence..

Stage presence does make a great difference, and it pays off to work on how you move on stage. It shows how confident a band is, or gives the illusion of the latter, so it's a really powerful tool. At the end of the day, the audience is still visually driven, so give them a live performance!

My guitarist once told me, "rock and roll has always been about the crowd getting the rocks off while watching the band get their rocks off"

Crude, but true. The crowd loves to see a band up there moving like they're enjoying themselves. Too many people go up on stage and look too serious. It's harsh, but the crowd loses interest in a band that looks at their instruments the whole night.
 
soo... starslove...

did that explanation make things any bettr?? Let me know..

Explaining it in words I had to use examples of bands iM NOT VERY INTO but I thought it was best to give you somekind of heads up on what it means to sing alot in the third inversion when practicing over lead lines. I got this trick from Sarah Maclaughlin long ago when we were in High School together. Seemed to work for her.. , 8O 8)

If you want instruction I have a network of producers looking for Asian talent to perhaps assist in records and marketting bands - so maybe you can come to a studio some day and show us what you can sing? There are a few gigs available right now and I am in charge of making sure the bands can "hang with the big boys in Singapore" Right now we are interviewing band membrs from japan and some local guys we know.
aNYWAY THAT IS A HEADS UP so keep it in mind when you are practicing.

peace
 
binderdonedat: Will definitely keep you in mind when i am 'there'.

Thanks so much for the tip(s). will bear in mind and be experimental. i guess what i need is more confidence and more practice. It's crucial. And i have to listen to more genre of music for more exposure. It helps. Planning to visit more places with live bands too to get a feel of their stage presence and how they put across their songs to the audience. Cheers~
 
yea..go with ur band and check out other "live" acts together ... and can discuss abt it ... and when jamming, put it into practise lor ...
 
hey bengster... got a strong feeling i know you... hmzz... the word "beng" rings a bell recently...

haha... is that you "ah beng"? :roll:
 

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