Bono

I do not want to contradict you buddy, but you do sound like a singer, a good one actually...   Would like to hear your voice with no effect because it sounds a little robotic at the end of the phrases   finally, I hear a lot of Axel in your voice, that could be good or not... I think to copy is great at the beginning or as an excercise. I suggest you to keep this influence and go further, find out what makes you unique

I do not want to contradict you buddy, but you do sound like a singer, a good one actually...   Would like to hear your voice with no effect because it sounds a little robotic at the end of the phrases   finally, I hear a lot of Axel in your voice, that could be good or not... I think to copy is great at the beginning or as an excercise. I suggest you to keep this influence and go further, find out what makes you unique

I agree with most of your post and relate. But be careful with this line of thinking. There's almost nothing you've done with your voice that doesn't have a good context at least somewhere. You sing good. Rather than remove the old habits completely, you can expand your artistic palette so to speak.
 
Say some habits sound great on your low notes, quieter passages, but just don't work on the high notes. Do something different for the high notes.  There isn't endless flexibility, and yes habits exist and define people to some extent. You don't need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Some of those habits are part of what make you, who you are.
 
We are all physiologically different, but if we all used optimum techniques all the time, singing could be robotic and boring. You've already got character, so if you just adopted Stevie Wonder's technique as closely as possible, most of the time, you might lose some. 

Loved it! you sound like a professional singer along almost the entire song. Then I 'll give you another turn and I will dwell on issues that you need to work ; but I would love to say I think you're on the right track !! congratulations

Killer, I believe that the analysis and returns on the emotional aspect is just as important as technical analysis, because ultimately you sing to convey something to your audience not only to impress; at least that's my view. In that sense I am very pleased that, beyond my technical difficulties, you guys consider nice my singing   Sexy (I always feel weird calling you as well: D), yes, I've tried to study songs the way you suggest. The thing is that I don´t have many references of singers at this time. It happens that before starting to study vocal technique with a modern method I thought I was a baritone, not a tenor. As often happens, I was frustrated because not reaching high notes and being unable to sing the songs of my idols (all tenors). That led me to not sing for a long time. Until one day I began to accept me as I thought I was and started listening to singers within the vocal range I assumed to have by that time such as Josh Groban, Michael Buble. Then I started to develop a way of singing with which I am very happy for songs not very sharp. Then, a year and a half or so, I discovered, thanks to the internet, there are modern methods of singing, discovered SLS and started singing lessons via Skype. My vocal coach told me not to listen to josh groban or michael buble cause they were not good references for me; He told I could sing songs of them but he suggested that I listened to Stevie Wonder, Freddy Mercuri and other tenors. I found it very crazy because I feel that my voice is much heavier than theirs; however with vocalizations I began to reach incredibly high notes (maybe I can record them and upload for you to listen); But, as nothing is free in this life, now I can reach those notes but I can not put much of them into my singing so far, can´t find the same balance as when I vocalize. Plus, it seems that I have to get rid of some bad habits that, paradoxically, sound good but they are incoherent with the way I want to develop my voice.      Sorry , guys , hope not dizzy or bore you with this long story

Killer, I believe that the analysis and returns on the emotional aspect is just as important as technical analysis, because ultimately you sing to convey something to your audience not only to impress; at least that's my view. In that sense I am very pleased that, beyond my technical difficulties, you guys consider nice my singing   Sexy (I always feel weird calling you as well: D), yes, I've tried to study songs the way you suggest. The thing is that I don´t have many references of singers at this time. It happens that before starting to study vocal technique with a modern method I thought I was a baritone, not a tenor. As often happens, I was frustrated because not reaching high notes and being unable to sing the songs of my idols (all tenors). That led me to not sing for a long time. Until one day I began to accept me as I thought I was and started listening to singers within the vocal range I assumed to have by that time such as Josh Groban, Michael Buble. Then I started to develop a way of singing with which I am very happy for songs not very sharp. Then, a year and a half or so, I discovered, thanks to the internet, there are modern methods of singing, discovered SLS and started singing lessons via Skype. My vocal coach told me not to listen to josh groban or michael buble cause they were not good references for me; He told I could sing songs of them but he suggested that I listened to Stevie Wonder, Freddy Mercuri and other tenors. I found it very crazy because I feel that my voice is much heavier than theirs; however with vocalizations I began to reach incredibly high notes (maybe I can record them and upload for you to listen); But, as nothing is free in this life, now I can reach those notes but I can not put much of them into my singing so far, can´t find the same balance as when I vocalize. Plus, it seems that I have to get rid of some bad habits that, paradoxically, sound good but they are incoherent with the way I want to develop my voice.      Sorry , guys , hope not dizzy or bore you with this long story

Killer, I believe that the analysis and returns on the emotional aspect is just as important as technical analysis, because ultimately you sing to convey something to your audience not only to impress; at least that's my view. In that sense I am very pleased that, beyond my technical difficulties, you guys consider nice my singing   Sexy (I always feel weird calling you as well: D), yes, I've tried to study songs the way you suggest. The thing is that I don´t have many references of singers at this time. It happens that before starting to study vocal technique with a modern method I thought I was a baritone, not a tenor. As often happens, I was frustrated because not reaching high notes and being unable to sing the songs of my idols (all tenors). That led me to not sing for a long time. Until one day I began to accept me as I thought I was and started listening to singers within the vocal range I assumed to have by that time such as Josh Groban, Michael Buble. Then I started to develop a way of singing with which I am very happy for songs not very sharp. Then, a year and a half or so, I discovered, thanks to the internet, there are modern methods of singing, discovered SLS and started singing lessons via Skype. My vocal coach told me not to listen to josh groban or michael buble cause they were not good references for me; He told I could sing songs of them but he suggested that I listened to Stevie Wonder, Freddy Mercuri and other tenors. I found it very crazy because I feel that my voice is much heavier than theirs; however with vocalizations I began to reach incredibly high notes (maybe I can record them and upload for you to listen); But, as nothing is free in this life, now I can reach those notes but I can not put much of them into my singing so far, can´t find the same balance as when I vocalize. Plus, it seems that I have to get rid of some bad habits that, paradoxically, sound good but they are incoherent with the way I want to develop my voice.      Sorry , guys , hope not dizzy or bore you with this long story

Loved it! you sound like a professional singer along almost the entire song. Then I 'll give you another turn and I will dwell on issues that you need to work ; but I would love to say I think you're on the right track !! congratulations

Hey guys, I keep out of my comfort zone. This song comes and goes again and again through out my first bridge. On the high notes I'm trying to narrow the open vowels, I notice sometimes I do it too much
  Please let me know what do you think!   Thanks in advance!  

Elvis,
 
Have you tried the same scale on semi occluded exercices like lip bubbles, tongue trills, 'v', 'z','ng', straw etc...? Those will be easier for you at first than open vowels like "ah". Also you don't need to go so high with this. A lot of people want powerfull high notes like C5+ and are unaware that they have problems in the C4-G4 area... They can hit the note but it doesn't mean they're doing it right.

'No' Is very chesty and that is very good advice for Bono. Just be prepared that it will be very loud. If you try to hold back too much of that volume, you'll likely end up squeezing. The way you described that is perfect, spontaneous, natural, and emotional. Like conviction. So yeah, don't be timid on that one.

Sometimes people get confused because they think that a stronger sound will result to more squeeze. This is not always the case. I don't teach much... but currently I have a student who tends to not engage enough of his voice (and sing too bright) and when he uses his voice like that it starts to get uncomfortable around D4 and he starts to squeeze a lot.
 
I'm getting him used to a strong/firm sound, you know the kind of voice you would use if you want people to really listen to you and pay attention to what you're saying? A good exercise for him is to say "no" like he means it. It has to be spontaneous/natural/emotional. Anyway with this sound he can vocalize and sing comfortably up to a Bb4. He even hit a C5 in a nice mix yesterday. The hard part for him is to engage his voice properly: if he gets into the proper setup for singing his mid's and high's open up. 

Thank you guys!!! 
 
Thank you Aravind for your kind words. Yes, I have to work on the loud parts to fit with the rest of the song
 
Sexy, yes maybe I should vocalize with a stronger sound in my chest voice. When I started singing I used to squeeze a lot, maybe now I´m placed in the opposite extreme? maybe I´m holding my voice too much? Is this what you mean, guys? Or am I still squeezing?
 
Moreover, I feel a kind of release after uploading this video because though not enough , I'm a little shy, so it took me quite take this step. I see this video with the hands on the eyes on most parts, and with the same weird feeling that I had when listening my voice on my first recordings 
 
Hope this strange feeling also pass ; and perhaps encourage me to have a channel on youtube

You look awesome on video so you don't need to worry about that. I think my basic my impression is you're holding back in a way that makes things harder than they need to be.
 
You don't need to squeeze or push, but if you embrace a bit more hmm... Your first language isn't English, but you know the short u vowel like in 'up?' Try taking that up and chesty a bit. Not really dopey or low larynx, but just a bit of that vowel. I find that vowel works good for engaging some chestiness into this kind of singing (Stevie Wonder kind of thing).
 
You could try this sound:
 
Nyum
 
https://app.box.com/s/egigtwu8ffl8kxvpx7lkj7er8yf5z0vi

Hey fellows, this is my first video... 
 
I recorded the video with an iphone and the audio with garageband, then edited with imovie; one take, though the end is not sync, don`t know why! 
 
I know I pull a lot the high notes, maybe I was too nervous . Also the song is really hard for me so far... 
 
Please let me know what do you think and how can improve it!
 
Thank you in advance
 

Thank you guys!!! 
 
Thank you Aravind for your kind words. Yes, I have to work on the loud parts to fit with the rest of the song
 
Sexy, yes maybe I should vocalize with a stronger sound in my chest voice. When I started singing I used to squeeze a lot, maybe now I´m placed in the opposite extreme? maybe I´m holding my voice too much? Is this what you mean, guys? Or am I still squeezing?
 
Moreover, I feel a kind of release after uploading this video because though not enough , I'm a little shy, so it took me quite take this step. I see this video with the hands on the eyes on most parts, and with the same weird feeling that I had when listening my voice on my first recordings 
 
Hope this strange feeling also pass ; and perhaps encourage me to have a channel on youtube

There seems to be a lot of "How to sing like..." videos these days. Is the pursuit of "how to sing like" someone else really the main goal you should be focused on in your singing?  Every voice is unique and every voice has the ability to demonstrate its unique areas of power, tone, range and embellishments. To be inspired by other singers is inevitable and to learn from other singers is a worthy endeavor, up to a point. But if you are going to become a legitimate vocal artist, you have to present YOUR voice to the audience, not trying to sing like someone else. As a voice coach, I am interested in helping you to learn about training techniques, to enable you to find your voice and grow as an singing artist.    
Having made that point, here is a song I wrote years ago that has been played in many different ways through the years. A lot of people have enjoyed this song through the years. If it is new to you, I hope you enjoy it as well. It is one of those tunes that just comes together in about 5 minutes that song writers experience from time to time... Some songs just "flow" out... others have to be "built" and take more work.   
The less "romantic" explanation is... this is the result of new audio mastering skills for video production. I remastered the audio on this and then rendered a new, "fresh" file... repurposing old, but good content... Enjoy! 
 
"Blue Rain" - Robert Lunte

Yes Sir! really good job... my advice for you is to pick up a couple of song like this and perform them in public

I think he copied Ed Sheeran here cuz he says "fool" also kinda like "foul"

I think it sounds very good overall
 
Now for the critique:
 
Sometimes you will back off too much on a phrase approaching a high note and that will cause you to grab. "And darling I will be loving you till we're seventeen" You are basically singing unsupported and falsetto-like here and when you need energy for "seventeen" you grab from the throat because you are disconnected from your body to start with. Singing at low volumes but supported at the same time is a very difficult skill...
 
You are often loosing closure in the higher range like @ 1:20: "Take me into your loving night"
 
A little tip for 2:16 "it's evergreen" - It's a little chopped up. Don't pause but try to connect "it's" and "evergreen" like it's the same word I think that would help you hit the higher note better. In other words keep it legato, chico!
 
Sometimes you overly modify your vowels maybe due to your SLS training? Like @ 2:35: "People fall in love" becomes "People fool in love" not the same thing haha
 
@ 2:50 "same mistakes" - I hear you going into a whiny "nay nay nay" kind of sound. It's not bad it's just that you are losing the natural quality of your voice here... but it does help your closure. Maybe progressions like "nay nay nay" to "no no no" or "nuh nuh nuh" would help you keep the closure and bite but with a more neutral larynx position.
 
Hope this helps

I liked this one a lot. Very heartfelt. I agree with others on here that you have your own vocal sound, a very important thing as a singer. You definitely have an accent singing this, but it's not necessairily something bad.
 
Anyhow - very nice work! Keep it up!

 

I don't know if strained is the right word. But it sounds a bit more tensed when you say 'same' mistakes. It's a pretty loud vowel and you're on a G4 there, it sounds pretty held back. if I let that vowel go all the way, it can go pretty crazy in volume. I think there as a G#4 on 'pain' in a recent cover I did, where I didn't hold back volume.
 
It still sounds good to me, so if you're comfortable with it in your throat I wouldn't worry about. At best as I can describe it, it sounds like you cry a lot harder to hold back the volume.
 
Which is cool, but if it feels tight or uncomfortable you can keep working on it. Something you could try is experiment with modifying towards other vowels. CVT recommends uh (up), ih (in), and the weird one in 'woman' if you're plaintive/restrained which you are. I like the vowel in 'book, took, cook' too. Anyway if I try to make a pure 'ay' sound plaintive and high, it can feel a bit weird. The vowels don't all work the same. Finding the most comfortable positions that achieve a desired sound can help.
 
I think it's more about you than any methodology.

Not that I could hear. It might be your imagination or feeling. It is often said that a singer does not hear himself as others hear him. And I am not immune. Doing a note I thought surely must be weak and prepared myself for the eventual highlighting of just that, only to find that others thought it strong. 
 
Another time, singing so loud that I clipped the mic and others thought it was weak.
 
Anyway, sounded fine to me.

Thanks Bono.. I wouldn't try this out in an audition!  My approach to singing is always to try to sing the song out of my reach or "just" out of my reach/skill set.. I have nothing to lose in this forum and I always hear interesting feedback that takes me to newer areas/styles that I would't normally know.  

I Sung this with the new CAD U37 USB Condenser Microphone Bundle with Pop Filter ..recommended on this site my great friends here..My old mic was aweful...hope it sound ok!