"Learning" to Sing...

[crimson hands]

Okay it's like this. I play bass in a band, and I guess I'm reasonably happy...I write all of the lyrics and virtually all of the music (guitar and bass parts). I occasionally do backing vocals but I'm not the singer. I've never sung live properly, my backing vocals are pretty simple stuff, hardly singing at all really.

The issue I've been facing lately is...just taking on the role of the bassist isn't fulfilling enough for me. I've started to feel lately that because i write the songs and their essentially mine, I should be singing them. So often these days when the singer (whos also the guitarist) is singing my stuff I get a horrible sense of redundancy. Because whilst I may be essential when it comes to writing the stuff, once it's written because he is the singer it feels as though the song becomes his and it irritates me because, for better or worse, I want my songs to be unmistakably my own.

I know it sounds ludicrous, I'm not explaining it well and I'm really not an egotistical person, but at the moment I'm considering leaving that band to form a new band which I can call my own and which will reflect me as an "artist". This band will probably comprise me on bass and vocals, and 2 others on guitar and drums. The only problem with this is...I've never sung in a band before, or even anywhere, except in the shower. And to be honest, I don't have a lot of vocal talent. I'm under no illusions.

So, my question is...with singing lessons and a lot of practice, would it be feasible for me to train my talentless voice to be sufficiently technically adequate to allow me to be a vocalist? If I took lessons and worked at it could I potentially be a singer? Or is it really just a case of natural talent? All I really want is a voice that'll sound passable singing in a punk rock band...I know I'll never be David Bowie and thats okay, I just need to get myself good enough to not be laughed at and be confident!

So yeah, any help would be useful. And if anyone knows any singing teachers in the West Midlands, UK area...

thanks

[pitchfork]

Why don't you split the songs to sing?
For a punk rock band you don't really need singing lessons, it doesn't require anything to streneous just like the music is fairly simple.

Learn the songs in your own home, sing them at practise and then on stage.
If you don't have enough bollocks to sing on stage your guitarist can take over but use that as a last resort.

[Aus_rock_god]

I know how you feel dude. I couldn't stand to have somone else sing my songs for me.

It's not out of ego at all. It's just because my music is very personal to me, particularly my lyrics.

I highly reccomend you get a vocal coach if you want to persue this seriously.

[Merkaba]

I was reading your post thinking...maybe you you should start your own thing....then you said you were pondering it. Its perfectly natural. Just like I had a problem singing the lyrics of someone else when I was in a band.

Anyone can learn to sing decently. 50% of the key is usually proper breath control with the diaphragm and learning how to vent enough air and not overblow. The other 50% is undue tension in the throat. If you took lessons no doubt you would see results but over here they are usually costly. The most important thing will still be practice. You need a place to practice where you can miss notes and crap out to learn your function. If you dont have a car, invest in one.
But for now, go here. http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219911

[Ziggy On Bass]

Why dont you just have your guitarist/singer give you quasi lessons to get you to an adequate level? Then not only do you get to sing, but you dont have to flunk over your band-mates.

[pitchfork]

You guys would recommend singing lessons, theres nothing to punk vocals, even I could sing them, punk is simple music its about enjoyment not complexity.
Well if you want singing lessons then fine get them anyone can sing decently.

[kidthatplaysguitar91]

anyone can learn to sing, but i definetly would feel the same way if i wrote a song and had them play it, you should stop writing some songs and have them write more to piss them off haha

[Mitch2oo6]

All I really want is a voice that'll sound passable singing in a punk rock band...

:lol:

Just listen to alot of music, see how people are singing, and then do what Merkaba says.

[Horatiu]

thats why i would never let someone else sing my songs or play them on guitar for that matter (unless they are parts i helped the person write), why don't you ask the guitarist to write his own songs/words

[ferretlad]

This is essentially the same for me, im one guitarist in a two guitarist band, the vocalist wants to play everything and i feel like im not needed, i wanna do vocals as well but i need some tips for emo-esque vocals, becasue im a complete beginner with vocals

[the_uber_penguin]

So, my question is...with singing lessons and a lot of practice, would it be feasible for me to train my talentless voice to be sufficiently technically adequate to allow me to be a vocalist? If I took lessons and worked at it could I potentially be a singer? Or is it really just a case of natural talent? All I really want is a voice that'll sound passable singing in a punk rock band...I know I'll never be David Bowie and thats okay, I just need to get myself good enough to not be laughed at and be confident!

Yes. I'd like to offer myself as proof of this.

So yeah, any help would be useful. And if anyone knows any singing teachers in the West Midlands, UK area...

thanks

Look here http://www.singing-teachers.co.uk/directory/Private-Teachers/2-0.html

[pitchfork]

This is essentially the same for me, im one guitarist in a two guitarist band, the vocalist wants to play everything and i feel like im not needed, i wanna do vocals as well but i need some tips for emo-esque vocals, becasue im a complete beginner with vocals
Emo lyrics are easy, just pump out any old gump about death and the emos will lap it up, nerd. :p

[ferretlad]

Emo lyrics are easy, just pump out any old gump about death and the emos will lap it up, nerd. :p
its not lyrics i need help with its features of the voices, without screaming.