2016/03/20 13:45:50
Johnbee58
I wonder if anybody here can relate or has the same quirk as I do.
 
I write original music-Words and music, which many here do as well.  Most "normal" people get better the more they practice or rehearse something.  Not me.  If I don't capture it in the first 5 takes it starts to fall apart.  I don't write the song first and then record it, like many do.  For me, the DAW is my "canvas".  I work up the ideas, try out the arrangement and then record it right then and there.  Very frequently my lyric are written and recorded literally line by line.  I'll work out a melody, write a lyric for it, then, having the audio track set to "Overwrite" I'll rehearse the line over and over until I feel as if I'm ready to lay it down.  And here's where it gets interesting.  As I said above, I find that once I reach that point where I feel I'm ready to record it permanent I have about 5 takes to get it right because starting on about take 6 or 7 my ability to perform it starts to go downhill.  Then, I start hitting weak and bad notes or off key.  It seems the more familiar I am with the line and how I want it, the worse I sing it.  Most people get better doing this by "polishing up" and refining the melody and performance.  With me it's just the opposite.
 
Another quirk I have.  Sometimes I'll rehearse a line and really be able to sing it great.  Easy.  No problem, so long as I'm rehearsing.  When I hit the "record" button it all falls apart.   Then I'll go back to rehearse mode and it will sound great again and again, but when I hit the damned record button and I know this take is "for the money" I can't nail it for the life of me.  It's like stage fright.  It's some kind of psychological thing, I guess.  Even though I'm in my own studio and on my own time it still happens.  I could never survive a professional studio session.  It would cost me a thousand buck just to get one line right.  I seem to have a problem relaxing when I'm making music.  Even though, as I said, I'm in my own environment and my own free time where there's no hurry, I still I get so tense that singing is very difficult for recording.  Then, I get frustrated and all sorts of "blue smoke" starts to fly.  I wonder if there is anybody here who can relate or could give me some advise to make my vocal sessions go easier.  Oh, don't bother to suggest vocal warm-ups before recording.  Been there-Done that.  Doesn't work for Jack-S**t.
 
Thanks
 
John B
2016/03/20 14:10:29
AT
I dont' sing because no one can stand it - not even me. So I can't comment on the performance aspect.  On VO stuff I just grind it into shape, so again I can't comment on the mental part of it.
 
But this is a common problem according to a lot of evidence, esp. if you have never been a "live" performer and learned to just get on w/ it.  A good vocal coach might help - refine your technique so you aren't thinking about it.  Or maybe give you the confidence in your technique. 
 
I don't know the answer other than many people have a problem w/ performance - like the old advice when you address a crowd to imagine they are nekid.  Maybe a nekid mic?
 
Good luck.
 
@
2016/03/20 19:41:56
bapu
Then I will probably NEVER listen to you sing along with records that you've known (and sang along with) for years.
 
By now they probably sound like the "wrong" song.
2016/03/20 20:37:50
dwardzala
Two things - record all your "rehearsals."  
 
Second, I often experience the same thing where after 4 or 5 takes, my performance (usually guitar) goes downhill.  For me, i think its because I am thinking too much about the part, playing it and avoiding the mistakes I make the first 5 times.  I have to step back and take a 5 minute break.
2016/03/20 21:19:51
John
When it starts to fall apart take a break. Have some tea. Relax and go back when you feel less tense. This means leave the area and don't push it. 
2016/03/21 13:58:08
jude77
A friend of mine, who is a professional sound engineer, told me once that the energy is in the first few takes.  He said after those even the pros start to lose steam.  Sounds like you're in good company to me.
2016/03/21 16:31:40
sven450
I like to sing along full voice to a song I know well before recording.  A real rocker.  Crank it and sing along into your mic. Just wail.  Lets me get it out there, shake off the scary "I'm singing into a mic and this recording is precious" thing.   Then I record the first 3-5 takes of my own song.  seems to help me.
2016/03/21 17:08:04
Voda La Void
Like previous posters have mentioned, I too tend to 'over-think' the notes and cadence and screw up the entire feel of the vocal melody after a few takes.  In my case, it's because I know that my weakness is transition notes - I usually hit the first and last notes of a line fine, but get pitchy on the notes in between.  So...I start concentrating on the transitions to sing them right which causes too much focus, in my opinion, on each little movement of the line and the feel is lost.  
 
In your case though, you talk about fright and the record button head game.  That reminds me of people who don't test well, despite knowing the material extremely well.  I honestly have no idea how you overcome that.  
2016/03/21 19:24:19
Johnbee58
Thanks for all the tips, guys.  I'm glad to know I'm not alone in this struggle.  I have the tutorial series by Alan Parsons called "The Art & Science of Sound Recording".  In the vocal section, Michael McDonald talks of his experiences and even he admits that getting to a point where he feels comfortable recording his voice can take a long and difficult time.  I guess we all have our "quirks".  In my case, being an asthmatic doesn't help.  My voice doesn't have the strength & timbre now that it had just two years ago.  Getting old sucks, especially for a musician.  Thanks again.
 
JB
2016/03/21 20:05:26
John
We're not old we're vintage and I hear now vintage is in. 
12
© 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1

Use My Existing Forum Account

Use My Social Media Account