Newbie singer asks for a honest opinion

[RFlaxfield]

I recently started taking singing lessons, because I want to be a (jazz) singer... (at 51, so you can not call me an early starter, hehehe).

Question is simple: Is it something you think I could be gaad at, or is it a fantasy I should forget about for a lack of talent?

http://soundcloud.com/richard-flaxfield/stars-fell-on-alabama

http://soundcloud.com/richard-flaxfield/sets/volume-107/

I don't have to be the best singer there is, I just don't want to sound ridiculous ;)

[Seth]

I like it. The phrasing is very tasteful, the pitch is good. What else do you want? You have a nice tone for this sort of music. Also, I listened to all of the first track, which is a lot considering my usual attention span.

Nice job.

[joshuakeel]

You have loads of talent, sir. Definitely makes me think of Sinatra or someone like that. There are definitely things you can work on, but wow, I'm seriously impressed.

The main thing I hear that I would change about the way you approach singing is that I would want you to become a lot more connected to your body, to sing with more energy, with more support. I think that would instantly open your voice a lot.

[RFlaxfield]

Thank you guys... I almost blushed

Seth, I sometimes hear the pitch is not 100%.

Sp what else do I want?

I think Joshuakeel nailed it: I need that little more energy and support. I think I know exactly what you mean... Working on it......

Is it ok if I post some improvements over the week?

Ciao

Richard

[joshuakeel]

Hey Richard,

Absolutely, post improvements as you like.

I think a lot of the issue with pitch will go away as you sing with more energy. As I hear it, that's your primary challenge. There are other things I hear, like your larynx rising a bit, especially towards the ends of the phrases, but I'm very inclined to think that is a result of not singing with the necessary energy (by which I mean full body engagement), and not a problem on its own.

If you're looking for an excellent teacher who can give you more information on these things, I would check out Dante, who runs Vocal Liberation. You can check it out at http://www.vocalliberation.com/. Dante is my teacher and he's freaking amazing.

[RFlaxfield]

Hey Richard,

If you're looking for an excellent teacher who can give you more information on these things, I would check out Dante, who runs Vocal Liberation. You can check it out at http://www.vocalliberation.com/. Dante is my teacher and he's freaking amazing.

I do have a teacher already, and she recognizes more or less the same as you do. But the time between recognition and improvement takes a lot of practice and frustration on my part :P

[ronws]

Your voice is mostly in the right place. Think of the tone floating on air and that will keep you centered.

But mostly, I couldn't hear anything wrong.

[RFlaxfield]

Your voice is mostly in the right place. Think of the tone floating on air and that will keep you centered.

But mostly, I couldn't hear anything wrong.

Well Ron ...thanx for the compliment... I'm inspired to continue to learn to be a better singer.:)

[gno]

Sounds good to me. You've got a nice handle on the phrasing and dynamics needed for that genre. The thing that is tricky especially for this style is constant breath energy to the very end of every note. With this style the phrases end quitely with a fast light vibrato. Its like going into what CVT calls "neutral" at the end of every phrase. The natural tendancy is to decrease the breath support as you decrease the volume. The larynx and throat try to make up for lack of breath and you get a little tight and the pitch is dragged down just slightly (example: "last night" 2:57). If you learn to keep that breath constant while you decrease in volume, you'll stay loose with a free vibrato, and you'll be able to stay on pitch easier.

[ronws]

Well Ron ...thanx for the compliment... I'm inspired to continue to learn to be a better singer.

You will "improve" as you learn to get out of the way of your own voice. That is harder than it sounds. For you have a psychological viewpoint of your voice. And others have a psychological viewpoint of their voice, and yours. The trick is to ignore that and sing and allow yourself to sing. And that is harder than it sounds. It's harder than doing scales.

[RFlaxfield]

New effort....

http://soundcloud.com/richard-flaxfield/september-in-the-rain

Is it good enough to perform before a live audience?

Richard.

[shanehooker]

Most definitely your voice is ready for a live audience. Just sing with a smile & have fun with it and I'm sure you'll be a big hit.

[RFlaxfield]

Most definitely your voice is ready for a live audience. Just sing with a smile & have fun with it and I'm sure you'll be a big hit.

I'll have your backstage passes ready :cool::D

[ronws]

Flawless. Harry Conick, Jr. has a successor. So, what are you doing here? Showing off?

Good singing. Makes me want a scotch neat, with a Diet Coke chaser.

[RFlaxfield]

Flawless. Harry Conick, Jr. has a successor. So, what are you doing here? Showing off?

Good singing. Makes me want a scotch neat, with a Diet Coke chaser.

Hahahaha...thanx. And yet, it was insecurity that brought me here. But that has dimmed slightly after your comments

However, I'm still not 100% sure. Only if Harry himself invited me to sing in his show, only THEN would I be 100% sure, lol.

And why ruin a Scotch with a Diet Coke???? :cool:

[g0dvollie]

You're awesome. Nuff said. We all want to be better at what we do, and it's the drive that's fun! Remember, people don't know what you know, so have some confidence in yourself and go perform. If anything, performing will make you better also. Seems like your only hang up Good luck man.

[ronws]

And why ruin a Scotch with a Diet Coke???? :cool:

The caramel flavor in Diet Coke compliments the sweet, nutty flavor of scotch.

[BrunoFortes]

I recently started taking singing lessons, because I want to be a (jazz) singer... (at 51, so you can not call me an early starter, hehehe).

Question is simple: Is it something you think I could be gaad at, or is it a fantasy I should forget about for a lack of talent?

http://soundcloud.com/richard-flaxfield/stars-fell-on-alabama

http://soundcloud.com/richard-flaxfield/sets/volume-107/

I don't have to be the best singer there is, I just don't want to sound ridiculous

Wow! I don't really care when you started... I almost fell off my chair listening to your rendition of summertime! And Stars Fell on Alabama sounds even better. Keep up with the lessons and start performing already!

[RFlaxfield]

Wow! I don't really care when you started... I almost fell off my chair listening to your rendition of summertime! And Stars Fell on Alabama sounds even better. Keep up with the lessons and start performing already!

Hey Bruno, thanks for the compliment. Yes, I think I'm ready to perform after all the comments I got here, I just need musicians now, lol....

Anyway, everybody who replied, thank you very much. You really helped me a lot to feel confident enough.