Singing different genres

[Hanalei]

What do you do when you want to sing one genre of music, but your voice isn't quite to where it sounds good? There's lots of artists who can sing rock songs, jazzy songs, pop songs, and country-ish songs and they all sound great. (just an example) Does that just come with experience? My main goal is just to be able to do rock/hard rock/soft rock songs, which are usually fine with my voice. But I really want to be able to do songs more like 80's hard rock (older Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Pat Benatar, etc) and styles like Huey Lewis and Southside Johnny, but those songs generally don't sound right for my voice. I can do them, they're not straining or anything like that, they just usually don't sound that good. So, with this and any other genres, what are the best steps to getting there? (My voice coach doesn't seem to have much idea about rock singing) Someone else suggested doing songs that are partway to the genre I want - so, in this case, being closer to the hard rock stuff than what I usually do and gradually work up to it. I just basically want to be able to sing whatever I'm in the mood to sing and have it sound fine. What are your thoughts?

Hopefully that made sense. :)

[Owen Korzec]

Get a new voice coach that does know rock singing. Seriously, how are you going to get that sound if your vocal coach can't show you how to do it?

I would recommend Ken Tamplin or Rob Lunte, both offer skype lessons and teach worldwide. They both are very well versed in rock and all subgenres of rock and how vocal technique applies to those styles. And they are both the kind of artists who can sing all those different styles great. It's worth mentioning Tamplin was actually a professional 80's hard rock singer back in the day.

But more importantly, do you research on both of them and see whose teaching style you like better. They can both definitely show you how to get that sound.

[gno]

Within each genre you'll find all kinds of voice types. I think anyone can adapt their voice to a specific genre. A lot of this will rely on your critical ear and your ability to identify the characteristics that are common within that genre. And your ability to pick up on the phrasing nuances and rhythms.

The 80's rock stuff requires a lot of heavier singing up high - this could take a considerable amount of time. The CVT programs have teachers that could help train you for specific genres - they are well versed in a variety of genres and techniques. Or try Robert Lunte - the owner of this forum - he is well versed in the rock vocal techniques as well as other techniques.

[Danielformica]

Singing different genres is just like anything else it takes practice. Pick songs you enjoy and go for it. Technique is technique, style is style you try to mimic your favorite artists. I sang clean for years until I finally sat down and said I'm not gonna be scared to make some different sound with my voice and bingo I'm singing Cornell jovi whitesnake and sounding decently close to them. Only because I practiced hard and didn't freak myself out and get scared. Give it a shot. Sing it from a place of good technique and then step on the gas and take some chances,