KillerKu

I think this sounds quite solid. It's a bit sad when I don't have much solid critique, perhaps some of the more advanced singers could offer it and I don't come from a classical background either.

Wanted you to know it was listened to and keep working.

This sounds great. I don't really have any complaints or criticisms. It fits the style perfectly.

This is a really challenging song in Stevie Wonder's range. I've sung it in Paul William's (Temptations) range:

http://soundcloud.com/killerku/foronceinmylifebest

And there is no way I could comfortably be in Stevie's range without utilizing a real heady/falsetto sish tone. It wouldn't sound 'Stevie,"

You utilized a rather nasally piercing kind of tone, which is unique and your pitch was pretty good.

I think you could benefit from connecting into the voice a bit more and focusing on your chest voice too without having to flip into the falsetto so much. You might even try transposing down. If you could mix more richness into the nasal kind of tone without completely removing the playful/piercing personality I think you'd reach closer.

Thanks Ronws. You may be right about my voice type. I feel like a lyric baritone personally in vocal weight with expanded range on each side.

Feel strongest between G#2 and G#4 in a fuller voice, though can take it higher/lower. Ol Man River was a bass song (Temptations cover, Melvin Franklin did it) and I went down to F#2.

I agree I shouldn't give up. But I'm trying to deal with the drugs are addicting and tolerance forming. They are a problem in itself. I can't sing without them, but I want to continually ween off them. No singing for the time being.

@Tommy, actually I think Unchained Melody was one of the more comfortable songs I've sung in years. Speaking is more painful than singing in this style. I get the most pain from hmmm... Singing more in a 'pop' or speech style singing where the throat is more closed and the larynx is closer to the spastic area. When I use a more yawned or open throat approach it helps. Sorry you didn't like it but it's about the least painful noise I've been able to get.

You have a pleasant voice. Do not know the song which in a way is nice. You have a rather light and steady tonality with a consistent presence, which is good.

The only thing I can think of, I guess if there was a key word of what I'm thinking, it's 'dynamics' in general. There are quite a few options of doing this:

Add more 'emphasis' on syllables

Pull/push timings a bit from metronomic

Using a slightly weightier tone for more emphasis.

Fluctuate volume slightly more

Dynamics, not necessarily pitch dynamics (which so many people seem obsessed with, lol) but dynamics in general for me at least would push you over that edge. Go from what is a pleasant pop song, to something that could really, dig into you as a performer. Don't be afraid to be a bit selfish and revel in it.

Shyness could make that tough, but there is a flip side to shyness, and that's bottled up things we have trouble expressing. Music can be an outlet. I believe in you. You're already doing well. Keep at it.

This is rock solid. I've never heard the original song, but when I hear you sing it, it sounds like you can own it.

If you're singing comfortably and this feels good. Go write some songs and/or get voice lessons from a pro. I have no good advice to modify the style or fix a technical problem.

I think it's a pretty good job. Ptich was actually pretty good. Word trailing and unsure of lyrics in places already covered.

It sounds a bit to me like you could maybe 'open up,' support, and work a bit on resonance a bit more, but that's maybe a stylistic preference as a thinner vocal style has it's place.

Slightly more of just like you are barely beginning a yawn might help you open up. Breath support, feeling it more in the core of the body. I like to suck in on a silent 'w' whoooooooooooo and then hiss out 'ssssssssss.'' I find that helps engage my core a bit more.

Anyway I thought it was pretty solid actually. It could be tweaked a bit, and I'm sure you're still working on it, but it's the kind of voice that goes good with a pop song.

I'm probably taking off again to focus on my health back, so I'm going to take my links down again.

For all who listened, thanks and appreciated.

This is really well executed. It has an almost country undercurrent to my ears in the vocal styling, which might be the twang at work, kind of like a lighter Carrie Underwood.