Singing critique? :]

[Topdoggeh]

Singing critique? :]#1

Posted: 6/1/08 at 3:25pm

My first video of me singing, and I'd love some feedback/critique on it. I know it's kind of breathy and quiet... but other than that, yeah. Thanks!

Enjoy!
"No One is Alone" from "Into the Woods."

"Cannoli already? It's only the second date!"

[scaryclowns223]

re: Singing critique? :]#2

Posted: 6/1/08 at 4:44pm

You might be better off putting this on the student board.

Just a recommendation...

[Topdoggeh]

re: Singing critique? :]#2

Posted: 6/1/08 at 4:49pm

Uh... I'm pretty sure it is on the Student board. I think? That's what it looks like to me.
Unless you're referring to another student board...?

Well, that's where I intended it to be, if it's not there. I'm new at this...

"Cannoli already? It's only the second date!"

[oohshizz146]

re: Singing critique? :]#3

Posted: 6/1/08 at 4:58pm

I would avoid high songs if I were you, your head voice is pretty weak, why don't you give a more alto-y song a try?


And what are you talking about? This is the student board!!

"I told you, NO Rodgers and Hammerstein!"- Bart Simpson

Updated On: 6/1/08 at 04:58 PM

[Topdoggeh]

re: Singing critique? :]#4

Posted: 6/1/08 at 5:08pm

You're definately right... I am better in my lower range. I don't know, I guess I got confused by the fact that a previous teacher encouraged me to sing more soprano than anything.

When I get the chance, I'll video and post me singing "My New Philosophy" from YAGMCB... it's one of my stronger ones.

Thanks!

"Cannoli already? It's only the second date!"

[doitonstage8]

re: Singing critique? :]#5

Posted: 6/1/08 at 10:42pm

Pretty.. =]
but needs some more support!
and you should try to relax your face(eyes) a little more.

[scaryclowns223]

re: Singing critique? :]#6

Posted: 6/1/08 at 10:51pm

My bad!!!!!!

I got lost, and wasn't concentrating.
Blame exams...

I watched it.

The first thing I noticed was that it was definitely breathy, but you noticed that, and you'll fix it, so don't worry.

Also, this song might be too high for you. It felt like you were stretching in some places, and that was a problem. I would love to hear some of this song in your chest, with certain phrases getting that chest support that they need.

The BIGGEST thing you need to fix (and this is easy to do) is to give it some modulation. Change your volume, tone, inflection, something. The song is very repetitive, and I found myself getting bored. Explore the dramatic arc of the song, the message Cinderella (It is, Cinderella, right?) is trying to convey. Act the song, and have your vocal inflection reflect what the character is thinking and saying. This will keep the audience interested. Especially with Sondheim, it is CRUCIAL that you act the song.

Keep on truckin', there's a great actress in there somewhere.

[showfreak101]

re: Singing critique? :]#7

Posted: 6/1/08 at 10:52pm

When you breath breath from your stomach

[Topdoggeh]

re: Singing critique? :]#8

Posted: 6/1/08 at 11:25pm

Many thanks!

I'll definately get on recording a more alto-y song, and possibly re-recording this one, too, with the necessary changes.

Also, a question... I've always had ALOT of trouble switching smoothly from my head to chest, and vice versa. It's always been really rough and sounds not too great. =/ Any suggestions on how to make it smoother?

"Cannoli already? It's only the second date!"

[skb2010]

re: Singing critique? :]#9

Posted: 6/1/08 at 11:36pm

Just because i'm pretty much a pro at this aspect of recording songs on youtube...

Wait till everyone is gone to record. I HATE singing in front of my family unless there is an audience, so sometimes I may not get to record a song, but if I wait and don't worry about being quiet, it works so much better.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I? I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

[Topdoggeh]

re: Singing critique? :]#10

Posted: 6/1/08 at 11:39pm

Haha, I thought I was the only one that felt that way! I can't stand singing at home with my family lurking around. The only reason I ended up recording this was because I was motivated and my voice was already warmed-up... The quality probably suffered because of the fact that family was around. :|

"Cannoli already? It's only the second date!"

[skb2010]

re: Singing critique? :]#11

Posted: 6/1/08 at 11:43pm

Oh no. You are DEFINITELY not.I have never, ever felt comfortable. In fact, I'm more comfortable singing in front of complete strangers then with my family in the audience. I think I'm just worried what they will say about it, but yeah. I don't even really sing around my friends unless I'm actually singing, and not screwing around.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I? I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

[Topdoggeh]

re: Singing critique? :]#12

Posted: 6/1/08 at 11:51pm

Same here... Ugh, I know that if I do, my mother will just gush about how wonderful I am. I appreciate the appreciation, but... it gets old. But yeah, I'm exactly the same way. Oh, what I would give for a sound-proof room, all to myself...

"Cannoli already? It's only the second date!"

[skb2010]

re: Singing critique? :]#13

Posted: 6/1/08 at 11:52pm

Yeah. My room is at the end of the hall, but still. And I'm never lucky to where EVERYONE is gone at the same time. SO i just sing in my car.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I? I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

[Topdoggeh]

re: Singing critique? :]#14

Posted: 6/1/08 at 11:57pm

Gah, same here. There's always someone around. It's frustrating...

"Cannoli already? It's only the second date!"

[Cruel_Sandwich]

re: Singing critique? :]#15

Posted: 6/2/08 at 12:16am

I never sing for anyone. My family has rarely, if ever, heard me sing. I have kind of a fear of it.

[Topdoggeh]

re: Singing critique? :]#16

Posted: 6/2/08 at 12:23am

Yeah, the only time my parents ever hear me is when I perform... and even then I kinda feel awkward about it, if I know they're watching. I also have trouble singing around my friends... Some of them will just start singing and such when we're hanging out, and sometimes I will join in too, but most of the time, I'm so afraid that I'll be off-pitch that I just don't. I can be pretty self-concious, especially when it comes to singing.

"Cannoli already? It's only the second date!"

[skb2010]

re: Singing critique? :]#17

Posted: 6/2/08 at 12:26am

yeah. singing is one of the only times i am ever self concience.

I had to make out with a guy on stage this year. in front of my parents. It's awkward, but that's preforming for you.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I? I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

[Topdoggeh]

re: Singing critique? :]#18

Posted: 6/2/08 at 12:31am

It's official; theatre is just one massive awkward-fest.

But that's why we love it, right?

"Cannoli already? It's only the second date!"

[skb2010]

re: Singing critique? :]#19

Posted: 6/2/08 at 12:34am

it's only awkward if you make it awkward, or your first kiss is a stage kiss.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I? I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

[Topdoggeh]

re: Singing critique? :]#20

Posted: 6/2/08 at 12:42am

Well, yeah... that's true. My first stage kiss sucked, and it wasn't even that bad. Oh well...

"Cannoli already? It's only the second date!"

[Select a Member Name]

re: Singing critique? :]#21

Posted: 6/2/08 at 12:58am

ahah. same here with the family thing. It's way too awkward for me to sing in front of my family and most of my friends. But tuesday-thursday I have the house to myself til about 4. and sometimes I'm all alone until 5:30, so I get pleanty of time to practice.

"You have two kinds of shows on Broadway – revivals and the same kind of musicals over and over again, all spectacles. You get your tickets for The Lion King a year in advance, and essentially a family... pass on to their children the idea that that's what the theater is – a spectacular musical you see once a year, a stage version of a movie. It has nothing to do with theater at all. It has to do with seeing what is familiar.... I don't think the theatre will die per se, but it's never going to be what it was.... It's a tourist attraction." Stephen Sondheim

[lola_actor22]

re: Singing critique? :]#22

Posted: 6/8/08 at 1:54pm

I agree with everyone
haha
Defiantly put up my new philosophy
I think you have a lovely voice, I'd like to hear you sing lower though.
And try to breathe more from your diaphragm that's where you will get more support
And pronunciation is ALWAYS key, so you might want to work on that a bit
Otherwise you have potential just keep working at it
You started off great with guts to post on youtube and have people judge you, that means your confident and you are comfortable to take on new advice, that's a main key to getting better :)

"Now the best way to learn the theater, always, is to be a stage manager" - Stephen Sondheim

[jessikax09]

re: Singing critique? :]#23

Posted: 6/10/08 at 6:08pm

Your head register needs work. It also sounds really naselly (sp?). Work on singing from your diaphram.

And, as mentioned, stay away from high songs, most probably aren't in your range. I also don't think that My New Philosophy would be a good choice for you, it's usually for sops.

-Don't let anyone tell you you can't reach the stars when there are footprints in the moon.- p.s. display picture was a dress rehersal...stop asking why the seats are empty please ;)

[flicker_]

re: Singing critique? :]#24

Posted: 6/10/08 at 9:20pm

Kudos to you for being able to do that! Youtube can be a vicious place, haha, even with a lovely voice such as yours. You need to work on that breathy quality in your head voice. The strength in that range will come from practice and breath support.

Ok, and no offense to anyone on this board, but I really hate the phrase "singing from your diaphragm." I mean...when you really think about what that means, it makes no sense. The diaphragm is an involuntary muscle that HAS to move in order for us to breathe. We can't control it. So, instead, think of taking breath from a deeper place than from where you normally breathe. Your stomach and your back should expand.

Anywho, I think you have great potential. Keep practicing!

Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings.