Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF
Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Lessons, Recordings, How Tos, Repair, Accessories => Topic started by: Old Poseur on June 15, 2017, 01:09:46 PM
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Facing my first open mic night in the near future, in addition to playing my acoustic amplified at home, I purchased a microphone and practiced singing amplified. I always thought my singing voice was pretty awful and weak but, amplified, it's not too bad. At least my dogs aren't barking or the neighbors suing. It's really helped me with my confidence. Do you all do this at home?
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I usually only do this when I'm going to be performing somewhere so I can get used to how the guitar will sustain and possible feedback issues I might encounter.
Wade
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You need to know your equipment. You voice and guitar sound and react differently when using an amp/microphone.
You need to know how to adjust the amp and distance from microphone on the fly
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I was playing and singing just now, feeling good about myself, when both of my Labs started howling. OMG, everybody's a freakin' critic! 😡
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Yes, my dog barks and my neighbor is suing.
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I generally don't amp up at home....but I will tell you something I heard a long time ago about microphone discipline ....."If it aint wet, you aint close enough"
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I generally don't amp up at home....but I will tell you something I heard a long time ago about microphone discipline ....."If it aint wet, you aint close enough"
You can never ever use one of my microphones....... :o
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I was invited to a regular Friday evening jam session a few months ago. When I went to the first one there was about 10 others there. I freaked when it was made known to me their rules of engagement were that the mic is passed down the line and EVERYBODY plays and sings a song. I always thought I was in the same boat with Leo Kottke when he said "my singing voice is like a duck fart in November". I hated my singing voice. The jam went on so long I ended up singing 3 or 4 songs and was absolutely mortified. Imagine my surprise when I got several pats on the back at the end and was told they hoped I'd come back. Either my estimation of my ability is flawed or those people were nuts. The odds are against me being the only one right and everybody else wrong. I hated the first night and was reluctant to attend again, but I did and have done so regularly for weeks on end. I've gotten to where I can't wait for my turn to sing and play and actually am kinda proud of my progress. In fact, we had a pro videographer there a few weeks back and everyone told him to be sure and get my performance in its entirety. I still think they're a bit nuts but have said before on a few forums everyone should put themselves in the position of singing before others. You might be surprised at the end result.
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I'm not fond of my singing voice either; but I think it's improved some as time has gone on. My biggest problem seems to be that -- despite knowing the words quite well -- I just can't seem to recall them while I'm playing... I can chew gum and walk, but can't sing and play guitar at the same time... :-\
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I'm not fond of my singing voice either; but I think it's improved some as time has gone on. My biggest problem seems to be that -- despite knowing the words quite well -- I just can't seem to recall them while I'm playing... I can chew gum and walk, but can't sing and play guitar at the same time... :-\
I too have this problemo. I try to learn a few new songs each week to play at the jam and I have a guitar hanging out in my shop where I spend most of my time. 2 songs is max I can commit to memory a week and even that sometimes get off the rails. Usually I also can't remember how many songs I actually know. I have to list them on a piece of paper in my shirt pocket I have to keep looking at. I can remember stuff from decades ago like it happened in last 5 minutes, but last 5 minutes... where was I going with this comment?
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Dakell, what kind of songs do you sing ?
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It is so encouraging to know that I'm not alone in all this. I've become addicted to local jams - the real test is singing and playing solo in front of strangers. The good news is that they'll be drinking and not paying attention to me. Practicing amplified at home is helping, aside from the occasional dog howl.
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Dakell, what kind of songs do you sing ?
This is Texas and most of the other participants are much older than me, like in their 70's and 80's. So ancient country is what rules the day. I've thrown out some stuff like The Weight by the Band and even an original. The reception is extremely muted compared to my versions of 3 or 4 old Johnny Cash songs. If I had my way we'd be doing a lot of classic rock.
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Dakell, what kind of songs do you sing ?
This is Texas and most of the other participants are much older than me, like in their 70's and 80's. So ancient country is what rules the day. I've thrown out some stuff like The Weight by the Band and even an original. The reception is extremely muted compared to my versions of 3 or 4 old Johnny Cash songs. If I had my way we'd be doing a lot of classic rock.
If I ever get to spend more time in my house [in Texas] than a hotel room somewhere else in the country, we should probably put together our own jam club. I'm all about classic rock too, but at this stage I'm basically a one-man ELO cover band... In fairness, I have taught myself a few other songs from that era. Most I can play recognizably; a few I haven't yet put all of the pieces together.
Trouble is: If you're in the Dallas area we're still 100+ miles apart... Not very convenient for, "Hey, c'mon over tonight and jam..."