For the last 30+ years (I can’t believe it’s been that long!), I’ve been coaching singers with a VERY specific methodology. I tell them there are 3 parts of their being that I need to train.
C.I.A. No… not the U.S. government’s ‘Central Intelligence Agency’. Rather, this short acronym is:
Coordinate—the voice
Inform—the mind
Acclimate—the ear
The least expected part of this formula is to ‘acclimate’ the ear. Let me explain. Singing involves the ear just as much as the voice that makes the sound.
But what happens when you hear the following criticisms?
- You seem to be tone deaf.
- You can’t stay on key.
- Your vocal tone is ugly.
- Your tone quality is wrong for this song.
- Hearing you sing is like nails on a chalkboard.
- Don’t quit your day job.
The fact is, if you don’t ever record your practice sessions, AND… if you don’t have the listening ear of other musicians, vocal coaches, singers, (friends and family: not the most objective…they either are too critical or too accepting), and a discerning ear that can compare what you are doing to singers you enjoy AND relate to, then you could fall into what I like to call the…
A.I. TRAP. Once again, these letters aren’t what most people might be expecting. It’s NOT artificial intelligence. Instead, it’s the dreaded…..
“American Idol Trap! “
You see, many fans of A.I. most enjoyed watching people who clearly had no idea how to discern whether they were any good at all. The judgment from those sitting at home laughing at their expense (This means almost everyone. I confess, it’s funny but sad, but funny, etc.) comes so easily. We are privately thinking, “My gosh…. don’t they know that they are awful? How can they not hear how bad they are?” The answer is in the title of this blog.
Their music practice is perhaps NOT very systematic with their singing lessons. Also, with a lack of self-recording, they have no idea how their voice sounds. They have no emotional connection, no idea of stage presence, and their lack of recordings leaves them with no real tracking progress.
This is why, with every lesson taught by my associates and me, we record the singer, so they can:
“Acclimate their ear” to the technical aspects of the voice, hear the improvement in the course of their lesson, gain a positive feeling about their ability, and learn to hear the new coordination of their voice. Also, being pleasantly surprised by how much range they possess, and singing in tune for the first time.
But…without self-recording, it’s very difficult to hear what was good and what needed more help.
Why Do I Need to Practice Singing?
Singing is a learnable skill. Those who teach with competence can demonstrate that most historically great singers were NOT ‘born that way’, but rather had hours of singing lessons while growing up, and moved on to professional vocal coaching as they matured.
Why is Recording Important in Singing Practice?
Recording yourself singing is one of the most important steps for improving. Even if all you’re doing is singing scales, you will be able to listen back, identify pitch issues, listen for breath control inconsistencies, and track improvements.
Benefits of Self-Recording When You Practice Singing
The reasons above are just a few of the reasons recording your practice is important. You can work on bad habits while reducing performance anxiety by building a certain amount of familiarity with your own voice. Now, we’ll take a closer look at some of these benefits.
Find Out What You Really Sound Like
It’s likely that you’ve heard someone say (or said yourself), “Oh, I can’t stand the sound of my own voice!”
Our voices sound different to us than they do to other people, and it can catch us off guard. That’s why it’s important to record yourself and play it back. When you do that, you’re hearing what your voice actually sounds like, possibly for the first time ever.
Music is very revealing. It’s important that you’re able to communicate exactly what you want to communicate, and that’s done by understanding how others perceive your voice.
Identify Your Weak Spots
If we try to remember all the things to fix after we’re done singing, we’re going to forget, and we’re going to overlook things that we don’t think matter. Recordings are not as forgiving as our memories.
Every awkward note, shaky rhythm, and insecure tone can be heard over and over and over and over and…
You get the point.
Recordings don’t allow you to be anything except objective. They give you the opportunity to scrutinize each weak spot in your singing and work on a plan to overcome it. The first step to correcting a problem is acknowledging that it’s there.
Switch From “Evaluating” to “Conceiving”
Evaluating your singing is not the same as conceiving what you want to become. Practicing is about actively evaluating, adjusting, and critiquing. You’re constantly adjusting, thinking, and implementing strategies. It’s incredible for improving in your lessons, but you can’t work that way on stage.
Conceiving is different. It’s connecting the ear of your mind with the ear of your heart and allowing your body to bring your vision to life. It’s about taking all of your critical thinking and developing it into the kind of voice you want to have. One of the best ways to do this is to record yourself and listen back to your singing. This allows you to focus on the performance and tweak later. You can then repeat that process until you’re satisfied.
Practicing as if you’re performing takes a lot of the pressure off and gives you a real taste of what it will be like when you hit the stage.
Keep Track of Your Progress
It’s sometimes hard to know when progress is being made. You’re listening to yourself every day, which means those tiny advances that add up over time are often lost to you.
If you have recordings from your early days, you will be able to hear a distinct difference between where you were and where you are. You may just be pleasantly surprised and impressed with yourself.
Which Recording Device Should I Use to Record Myself Singing?
If you want to move beyond a standard iPhone recording, there are two kinds of microphones that you should be aware of. We’ll cover the basics of both here.
Condenser Microphones
These mics are useful for attaining great detail in your recordings. It works best in treated rooms, because condenser microphones pick up every single fluctuation. They will capture every breath, every pitch fluctuation, and every bump of the mic. It’s a blessing and a curse.
Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones have low sensitivity, which works very well for loud sources. This also means they tend to require a preamp to capture some of the same detail you get with a condenser microphone.
However, the lower sensitivity does mean that you can use a dynamic microphone in an untreated room with a decent amount of success.
How to Record and Analyze Your Voice for Vocal Coaching
There are several factors that go into recording and analyzing your voice, but don’t let the idea overwhelm you. It can be as simple as using your iPhone to take a video and then listening to the playback. However, if you want to up your game, you’re in the right place.
The first thing you need is a phone or a computer. You can use that to record as long as it has a microphone and a recording app, or you can invest in a microphone for higher-quality recordings.
When it comes to an app, look for something that has the basics, such as record, pause, play, rewind, and fast-forward. Voice Recorder, Audacity, GarageBand, and Soundtrap are all good apps.
The most important thing is this: No matter what you choose to use, use it consistently. Record yourself using the same app, device, and settings each time, so that you’re absolutely certain that the changes in your voice are coming straight from you.
How Can Vocal Coaches Help Improve Your Singing
Human voices are distinct and unique. Each one requires a different approach.
This also means they need expert guidance, since they can’t be repaired or replaced like other instruments.
That expert guidance doesn’t come from you; it comes from a vocal coach. These professionals know just what it takes to draw out your voice and make it the best it can be without causing damage.
Steps to Make Your Voice Sound Better
Obviously, everyone is different, but these steps will help you improve your singing, no matter what stage you’re at.
Step 1: Record Yourself and Evaluate
You can’t grow unless you know what you sound like. Pick a system and stick to it. If you’re consistent, you’ll notice positive changes.
Step 2: Listen to Good Singers
Listening to people whose voices we admire can help us pinpoint weaknesses in our own voices. Mimicry can sometimes give us the boost we need to achieve great things.
Step 3: Improve Your Breathing
Breathing is the core of singing. Without proper breath support and control, you won’t get very far. Learning to breathe deeply and control your air supply is crucial.
Step 4: Slow Down Your Songs
Sometimes, all it takes to work out a problem is to slow the song down and figure it out note for note. Don’t worry about singing it at tempo right away.
Step 5: Stay Hydrated
The more dehydrated you are, the more strain you’re putting on your muscles. Drink a lot of water and stay relaxed while you’re singing. It will help eliminate tension, which will help you sing better.
Step 6: Try Warm-Up Exercises
Warm-up exercises will do more for you than you probably realize. You should never skip them, whether you’re performing or just practicing. Scales, sirens, lip trills, and tongue trills are great places to start.
Can I Use Recording and Self-Assessment for Live Performance Preparation?
Recording and self-assessment are excellent ways to prepare for an upcoming performance. This could be a solo performance, an audition, or a group concert. Your part, no matter how big or small, can be vastly improved by attention to small details.
Conclusion
Recording your singing is a valuable practice tool, especially if you’re on your own. However, the best approach is to combine recording your voice AND practicing with a vocal coach who can help you get the most out of your hard work. Recording makes you much more objective, and having a third-party listen in exponentially increases the amount of positive feedback.
