mchlclark

I'm attempting to lighten up my vocals whilst still maintaining a definitely connected sound with good color. This is not how I intend to always sing, just trying to find the lowest possible effort and lightness with good sound, then am going to go to the opposite extreme. My goal is to find my limits on both ends. Any comments on this effort will be appreciated.
 

Wow, thanks Robert. And yes the only reason I was able to sing this light and connected, was the sobbing you have me doing. So thanks again for that, it is changing my vocals on a daily basis.
And I will definitely get some more compression and balance the air better. I guess those two things are closely related anyways. I'm going to carefully go to the opposite extreme. Get really compressed/quaky, and more amplified. Then find some middle ground. Then practice it all, and apply it for dramatic effect in my singing.
So I really am aiming at Jeff Buckley style vocals. His ability to go from quiet whisper, to middle of the road compression, then full on attacking a lyric just below distortion levels, leaves me in awe. And is very inspiring. Which is why I chose this song actually. As he has a version of this song.
Yeah the guitar was half arsed, I can definitely do better. I was concentrating on the vocals so much, my strumming didn't get much of my attention. The volume was up and down, due to me just banging away on it. Saying it was bangy is apt, as I literally was banging on the guitar lol... My fingering wasn't great either. If you listen closely you can hear some strings aren't depressed enough, so are slightly muffled etc... I will focus on the guitar for a bit, and get it right, then go back to the vocals. 
Thank you for your help Robert. I'm still practicing, and studying etc... And will catch you for a lesson soon. I was planning on moving, but it didn't work out. So am stuck where I am for another couple of years. So just gonna stop making excuses and put out some ads, fliers etc... And get some clients. I took an honest look at my efforts to become a Vocal Coach, and I can do better. So as I'm not moving for a while yet, I can afford some lessons with you in a few months.
 
 

I'm attempting to lighten up my vocals whilst still maintaining a definitely connected sound with good color. This is not how I intend to always sing, just trying to find the lowest possible effort and lightness with good sound, then am going to go to the opposite extreme. My goal is to find my limits on both ends. Any comments on this effort will be appreciated.
 

2nd Vocal Diary.
 

I'm back!
 
Many things meant I couldn't really spend much time around these arts but now I plan to get my head back in the game. One of these things is the amount of gigging I've been doing as a solo singer.
I've been singing a lot but I haven't really been "training" my voice. I came back to my progress thread to watch a couple of my videos and it seems I was just on the brink of discovering and maintaining notes at F4 and beyond. I have another gig this Sunday so will be preparing for that but as soon as it's out of the way I will return to my vocal training!
 
In the meantime here's a montage clip of one of my gigs.
 
 

I am new here. So I know this post is last year, but wanted to know...Are you still with us Anthony? I would love to see more of this.
Michael.

Again, thanks so much for the comments!
 
Here are a couple of videos regarding the resonant tracking and siren tips from earlier.
 
I struggled quite a bit, but I will get better at them. Also, I still feel like I'm getting used to TFPOS. I've barely got my teeth into it all yet!
Video Three & Four
 
 
 
 

Wow what a response from you both. This thread was already well worth it! Thanks to you both for taking the time to respond.
 
Khassera, I will bear that in mind. It's just so hard to fight the natural response to push at higher notes! I will try from now on to remove ALL tension from notes. I will post a video of me trying it soon. And no, I'm not an Aussie! Just from the North of England hence my odd accent.
Robert first of all thanks for the encouragement your words meant a lot.
I thought recording videos was going to be the best way to illustrate my progress and it has already proven useful as you were able to point out my head tilt (something impossible to know from an audio recording).
I do have experience using recording software. Examples of this are in the June jazz and country competition thread, I recorded and mixed everything myself.
I will record a video right now of me practising the following:
- Resonant tracking without tension up to where it is comfortable before dropping an octave to navigate the bridge again.
- Slow 5th sirens focusing mainly on D - A and E - B using vowel modification eh to ae with uh-ishness. I'll use T&R on the way up then W&R and A&R for top down.
This video won't be up today, but soon. Probably tomorrow.
 
In the meantime here is another video of me documenting where I am now in terms of performance..
 
Video Two
*This was recorded yesterday before any input received so far so expect similar mistakes*
Yes, another Alice in Chains track. This is another case of me surprising myself with what I'm allowing myself to try out. Yes there are BIG notes in the chorus but it's worth pointing out that other, lower notes in this song are coming much easier to me and feel good to be able to try. (Namely the line "Won't you come and save me")
CAUTION - This video contains vocal breaks, straining and the occasional yodel!
 
 
 

Here's my progress thread as I work through TFPOS. It's going to be updated with videos at regular intervals.
Here are my long term goals:
 
- Full "chesty" head tones
- Bridging and connecting registers
- Singing without tension
- Giving decent attempts at "vocally athletic" songs (heavy metal, rock)
 
Update One:
 
I have watched most of the lecture videos and read a fair chunk of the book. Two days ago I finally took part in the resonant tracking exercise and a few of the other video exercises. I know it will sound unrealistic but things seem to be "clicking" for me already. I learned to "let go and pull back", the T&R onset is brilliant. But most of all I finally understand what falsetto is, how it isn't different to head voice - merely a mode of it. Manipulation of the head voice can make notes resonate with boomier frequencies.
Buzzing in the car, shower etc. has allowed me to access notes previously impossible without falsetto. I found myself able to sing along with songs on the radio that previously eluded me. I believe now to be singing in the mask, allowing sound to resonate behind the front of my face so I can sing higher notes without pushing M1. I am starting to try to employ twang to higher notes but either choke or sound quacky (but I feel like anything is better than falsetto). My previous comfortable note was D4. The song in the video below has regular F4 and I even attempt Ab4 and Bb4.
I used to truly believe my voice was different to other people's and thought it was unfair because I couldn't train it in the same way as them. Now I believe all it took was finding and using "the mask" to access head tones previously unattainable without pushing.  I feel like resonant tracking is giving me a solid foundation on which to build my range.
My next steps are to carry on with the resonant tracking exercise for now until I feel ready to get more serious with sirens/bridging.
 
 
 

Hi all I'm Anthony from the UK. As a massive music fan I've learned to play a number of instruments, but have always struggled with improving my vocals, more specifically increasing my range. I love most styles of music but the ultimate dream for me would be to be able sing the high octane, high range belty rock/metal stuff! Yes I could transpose these songs to my comfort zone, but it's just nowhere near as impressive (And I wouldn't be pushing myself to my potential).
 
After many, MANY months of trawling websites and YouTube instructional videos (including Robert's) I made the decision to follow the Four Pillars program. I have just purchased my own copy of TFPOS and am currently awaiting delivery. I am so excited and looking forward to finally demystifying the beast that is the singing voice!
 
I also really like that there is an active community of Robert's students and look forward to becoming an active member!