Your Voice Is Your Instrument | Wanna Play Music

I admit I can't sing. Should I give up now?
Rob Zombie, Bob Dylan, and Marilyn Manson have not got what you'd call great voices -- and it didn't stop them. It's all about expressing yourself. Actually, you can learn to sing on pitch, and that matters a lot more than the actual quality of your voice. If your vocal efforts aren't pretty, use this line in your press release: "(your name) possesses a pain-tinged voice that is perfect for the band's tortured lyrics."

I can't find the right note with a map, how can I become a singer?
Vocal lessons (and more important, practice) will get you to the right pitch. It's not as hard as it initially seems.

I love Billy Joe Armstrong's voice. Can I sing like him?
Start in the shower. Sing along with the record--a lot. Sing loud (you may wanna be alone for this). Your voice needs exercise and you'll have to give it a workout. Try to copy all the phrasing and pronunciation, just like the singer on record. Most pop music singers learned by copying their faves. When you become a big star, it's not called copying anymore, you call it "my influences."

Your Voice Is Your Instrument
Before you can even read or write a single word, you learn how to sing. Most people don't think of themselves as singers, though, assuming that singing isn't a particular talent that they have. You have to work at it if you want to get good. But how do you know if you have the talent to sing? Who do you ask? Where do you go for advice or to learn? Let's take a look at some of the things that can put you on the path from a "sing along for fun" singer to someone who uses their voice like an instrument and makes everyone want to listen.

How do you learn to sing?
You know a few of the basics even before kindergarten. You know a high note from a low note. You know that you have to breathe every so often, or you'll turn red and run out of air. And you know that there's a connection to the words and the notes, which is what makes you want to listen to, and even sing along with, the songs you hear on the radio, CDs, or MP3s.

Where do you learn to sing?
If you love to sing, at some point you'll think about getting serious. Having someone teach you to sing well can make a big difference in your singing skills. There are many places to learn to sing, and they can be inexpensive or even free. For example, if your school or church has a choir, you might want to check into what it would take to be in that choir. The choirmaster often either teaches singing or knows someone who does, and can refer you. Check with your local music store, too, since many stores have instrumental teachers, and it's not uncommon for them to also have voice teachers. If they don't have a voice teacher, then they might be able to point you in the right direction to one they know.

What can I do to get better at singing?
First realize that your voice is an instrument--your own personal instrument. If you were playing piano, you'd take lessons, so finding a teacher is a good start. It doesn't matter what kind of music you like, since vocal techniques apply to all styles of singing. In fact, the more you learn about singing and using your voice as an instrument, the better you will be at singing in tune, hitting the right notes, and keeping your voice from becoming hoarse through abuse. A lot of otherwise good singers abuse their voices, mostly because they don't have proper voice technique, and sometimes have to cancel shows or go onstage and not hit all the notes they normally should.

Also, learning how to read music is a big plus (this goes along with the "your voice is your instrument" line of thought). This will help you in many ways, whether you sing in a band, with a choir, or as a soloist. Sometimes you don't hear as well as you think you do, especially if it's a song that moves very quickly. Being able to read the notes will save you a lot of trouble and make learning songs that much easier.

Does playing an instrument help?
Oh yeah. Learning to play an instrument usually involves learning to read music, and this can be a big plus for a singer, especially if you don't have a voice teacher. It's good ear training to be able to play melodies or chords as accompaniment while you sing, because it gives you a reference to match your singing to.

Also, if you're trying to get into a band, the fact that you play an instrument in addition to singing can make you a more attractive catch than someone who sings but doesn't play a musical instrument. And even if you aren't great at the instrument, there's always room for improvement, plus it gives you something to do (besides banging a tambourine) if your band sometimes does instrumentals.

How do I keep my voice in shape?
Among the best things you can do is practice your voice lessons daily. Proper technique keeps you from pushing too hard and getting hoarse. It helps to drink plenty of water to keep your throat and mouth moist. Shouting isn't good for your voice, especially just before singing, and having a cold can have a bad effect on your voice. You don't need expensive sprays or to gargle with special things, either. And ask your voice teacher what's a good way to keep your voice in shape. There's nothing like the experience of someone who's been doing it for a long time.

Singing and playing at the same time
In a band, the singers usually play instruments as well. It seems pretty natural to play and sing, but to do it well takes practice. Lots of practice. Every singer/instrumentalist has to develop their own technique for playing and singing at the same time. Most learn the vocal part separately from the instrumental part, and then slowly try to do them both at once. This is usually the best way, since you can get good at both parts before tackling the big job of doing it all together. Eventually, you may find yourself writing your own songs, and you might start singing as you work out the instrumental part, and the whole thing will come together as one part, at least as far as your brain is concerned.