Essential songs for the beginner

[JamieMillsBass]

Hi guys,

I am a complete beginner, like total newbie!

I'm wondering if you can recommend a few songs that are essential learning for the beginner to help get a feel for singing and breath control etc?

I'm looking to sing rock/metal eventually but I know these songs might not necessarily be rock/metal, it's more about getting the technique right!

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Jamie

[JamieMillsBass]

Thanks Owen,

Sounds like great advice, I'll have a think about a few songs that are easy and within my range, off the top of my head I'm thinking 'through the glass' by stone sour.

Can you give me an example of some of the pop/indie songs you were thinking of? Just out of interest.

[ronws]

Try "Plush" by Stone Temple Pilots.

Or, "Man in the Box" by Alice in Chains.

Both songs are in a managable part of the range where you can concentrate on tone.

And I know they were labeled as "grunge" but it is still heavy metal to me, even if they are not wearing spandex and have long hair.

[Felipe Carvalho]

I am not aware of really easy songs, such as Nirvana riffs for the guitar. Every comercial pop song has a top notch interpretation line and use notes outside what someone untrainned can do with comfort.

Id say decide that with your coach. Through the glas is a great song if you stay clear of the end section for now. A lot of interpretation details and a somewhat complex melody line. Not exactly easy but absolutely doable.

[chamcham]

I know it's not a rock song, but "Count On Me" by Bruno Mars is REALLY easy.

Key is C major and it only uses a few simple chords.

You can slow down the tempo if it's too fast.

[JamieMillsBass]

Try "Plush" by Stone Temple Pilots.

Or, "Man in the Box" by Alice in Chains.

Both songs are in a managable part of the range where you can concentrate on tone.

And I know they were labeled as "grunge" but it is still heavy metal to me, even if they are not wearing spandex and have long hair.

Haha, I'm not really interested in the spandex side of metal, more into my thrash stuff than that glam rock/metal shite. Sylosis from the UK are one of my favourite bands currently although they're not one for a singing forum! haha

I'll add both those songs to the list and give them a try after a while. My tone is the one thing I can't stand (and can't seem to get right either), my pitching is improving and was never really that bad as I've developed a fairly decent ear through bass and guitar, but I just hate the sound and tone of my voice!

Would love to be able to develop that kind of gravelly Chris Cornell tone, but as I said baby steps...........

[VideoHere]

i'm going to say something different to you.

just work on your voice daily, and just sing what you want to sing. i'll bet that you'll know instinctively what you can and cannot sing........yet, perhaps?

you may hear a singer and realize you're voice is similar and you can learn an awful lot by emulating your favorites.

[ronws]

Well, since you said you were into thrash, rather than glam/metal, which I find to be an odd description as both groups I mentioned are neither glam nor metal (to me, they are actually hard rock, though the music machine labeled them "grunge," which is a curse word to me, just as much as your scottish word is a curse) I could go further afield and suggest that you try "Simple Man" by Lynrd Skynrd.

See, I don't particularly care for thrash and don't know any songs in that genre that I could suggest to you. You asked for beginner songs for a voice newly into organized training, you did not specify wanting thrash. In fact, you said that you realized that not all of our suggestions might be rock/metal. Now, you want thrash.

So, how about "Love is Like Oxygen" by 10 cc? Pop song in a tenor range? "Live Like You were Dying" by Tim McGraw. That one is kind of medium low range. Yeah, it's country.

I guess I'm not helping much.

Oh well.

How about hardcore metal, like "Click, Click, Boom" by Saliva?

I really like that last song. We would sing it at work, especially that wordy refrain.

[JamieMillsBass]

Well, since you said you were into thrash, rather than glam/metal, which I find to be an odd description as both groups I mentioned are neither glam nor metal (to me, they are actually hard rock, though the music machine labeled them "grunge," which is a curse word to me, just as much as your scottish word is a curse) I could go further afield and suggest that you try "Simple Man" by Lynrd Skynrd.

See, I don't particularly care for thrash and don't know any songs in that genre that I could suggest to you. You asked for beginner songs for a voice newly into organized training, you did not specify wanting thrash. In fact, you said that you realized that not all of our suggestions might be rock/metal. Now, you want thrash.

So, how about "Love is Like Oxygen" by 10 cc? Pop song in a tenor range? "Live Like You were Dying" by Tim McGraw. That one is kind of medium low range. Yeah, it's country.

I guess I'm not helping much.

Oh well.

How about hardcore metal, like "Click, Click, Boom" by Saliva?

I really like that last song. We would sing it at work, especially that wordy refrain.

I think you've picked me up wrong.

I wasn't saying Alice In Chains or STP were glam metal, I was responding to this sentence.

And I know they were labeled as "grunge" but it is still heavy metal to me, even if they are not wearing spandex and have long hair.

I was mearly pointing out that the metal bands I am into do not wear spandex. Apologies for cursing, didn't realise that was frowned upon in here (I'm Irish, not scottish by the way).

I never mentioned that I wanted thrash and if you read the post again actually said that I was going to give the two songs you suggested a go (I know them and like them both). So I'm not sure there is any need for the condescending tone. Maybe try and actually read my post next time.

I'm going to ignore the Saliva reference because your obviously trying to take the piss (am I allowed to say that?)

[JamieMillsBass]

^ It seems I am actually not allowed to say that!! haha

[breakin]

Hi guys,

I am a complete beginner, like total newbie!

I'm wondering if you can recommend a few songs that are essential learning for the beginner to help get a feel for singing and breath control etc?

I'm looking to sing rock/metal eventually but I know these songs might not necessarily be rock/metal, it's more about getting the technique right!

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Jamie

I have a one tip for you. Don't be afraid to transpose songs up/down when being a beginner. Like other says you could then focus on tone etc, without having pesky too high/too low notes. I'm not sure how this advise work thrash/screamo, but for clean singing it is a great help for beginners. If you need a song with a high note, make sure it is high but not unrealistically high; lower the song a few steps. Many programs can change the pitch of songs, not sure if they can maintain speed or not but at least that can be huge help.

Think of it as a training tool.

[JamieMillsBass]

I have a one tip for you. Don't be afraid to transpose songs up/down when being a beginner. Like other says you could then focus on tone etc, without having pesky too high/too low notes. I'm not sure how this advise work thrash/screamo, but for clean singing it is a great help for beginners. If you need a song with a high note, make sure it is high but not unrealistically high; lower the song a few steps. Many programs can change the pitch of songs, not sure if they can maintain speed or not but at least that can be huge help.

Think of it as a training tool.

Yeh that sounds like a good idea, I've got logic and can do it with that.

[breakin]

Yeh that sounds like a good idea, I've got logic and can do it with that.

Some avoid this due to pride, but I think it is fair during training Good luck!

[ronws]

I guess I just misunderstood you, Jaime.

And I happened to notice the curse word because I know of that word. And I have been cautioned about my profanity. So, since I am not allowed to use profanity, I notice when others use it and get away with it. (That's because there are two sets of rules, one for me, and one for everyone else. Which is cool, as long as I know what the rules are, I can "play the game.")

Anyway, peace, have fun, good luck.