I haven't sang out loud since I was in Jr. High. I can hit the notes (mostly) but I just don't like my voice and don't like to sing. But I know it's something that I have to learn how to do eventually. Especially since I write songs. And people always ask me if I can sing at practically every gig I play.

I've been hanging around blues jams lately, and I probably learn more at those than anywhere else. I've made friends with some professional guys who are helping me out a lot. But I bring this up because they said that next time I show up they're going to make me sing. And I'm too young to drink so I'd have to do it fully and painfully aware of what I sound like.

So any and every tip and pointer you have about singing would be greatly appreciated! Especially when it comes to what songs to learn. I'd like to do blues, and someone's already suggested doing "The Thrill is Gone" but any other song suggestions would be good too.

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Hey Tex! My best tip would be relax. Hard to sing with a tight chest and throat. Easier said then done though. I've been singing in church choir over 20 years and still get nervous when asked to sing a solo(old enough to drink but they frown on it in church). As far as song selection - something you like and that you aren't likely to mix the words up on.

And don't forget to HAVE FUN!!!

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Stagemaster
Roadhouse Strat
Epi Traditional Pro Les Paul
Ovation Celeb
Esteban Celestial Night(nicely tweeked)
Blackheart tube amp

Texas, sing every song you can think of every song that is playing, all of the time, any parts that are difficult like half steps up or down sing them over and over and you will be able to do them, I mean so much that you get tired of singing and then keep singing. It won't be very long before you can sing anything and everything at the very least good and some songs great. It will take some weeks maybe months but it will be natural because you sing all of the time. I can't make you love me- Bonnie Raitt and Son of a preacher man- Dusty Springfield are a couple of good ones, happy singing!

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

I was thinking of the same Bonnie Raitt song!

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Stagemaster
Roadhouse Strat
Epi Traditional Pro Les Paul
Ovation Celeb
Esteban Celestial Night(nicely tweeked)
Blackheart tube amp

I can't sing to save my life but when I'm playing I belt it out, it's more fun that way!

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

Well, I would say just sing it loud and with heart, don't hold $@!& back. But the again I sing in hardcore and powerpop/punk bands so I can get away with it=\

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Know your range and your limitations. It so much easier to change a key and sound good than to sing off key.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Wish I could help but french being my first language, I'm screwed from the start...

I wonder about one's ability to improve one's voice. I was looking at a voice improvement book at the bookstore. On the back it was endorsed by
Dr. Laura!! If that's improvement, what was it like before her lessons?
And all those popular singers whose voices are marginal, they've got the time and money, why no improvement?

You must have start with some chops to begin with, I guess. Lennon had McCartney to get him over the top, as in 'Please Please Me'.

Still, one must carry on.......

You would be amazed at how often the major big time singers use tools like this in the studio :


http://www.antarestech.com/products/auto-tune-efx.shtml

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Hi Tex
As Miami Mike suggested there are some effect boxes available that you run your guitar and mike thru. The effect box will pitch correct your voice to the guitar so you can't hit any bad notes unless you're way off. I'm not a fan of these as I believe it makes some people think they can sing... but it will do in a pinch. Solid Body gave the best advice...practice...Run scales on your guitar and try to sing that note as you play it a la George Benson. Listen to some of the better known Blues singers like Bonnie Raitt (fellow redhead) or Etta James. Most Blues melodies are more about the soul and emotion in the voice not necessarily pitch perfect notes. Now you know we want a video posted after your debut...

Now go out there and do your best and tell the rest to get in line...

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I'm not slow... and I'm not fast... just sort of halffast...

I'm pretty sure they want me to learn to sing for real.

I've been working in the car, where no one can hear me. I think I've got Sweet Home Chicago down nearly good enough to sing it in public. The Thrill is Gone is harder than I thought, but it wasn't a total waste of time since I made up a cool funky guitar part for it. And I'm also working on Tell Me, the SRV version. I just need to print out the lyrics for it since I keep messing it up. And I've also been listening to Bonnie Raitt. I might give that a shot tomorrow.

I usually don't record video of myself, but maybe, maybe I'll put an audio recording up on my purevolume page. But don't count on it, since I'm still really uncomfortable with singing.

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Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird

Ummm, but aren't you 17 and still in high school? My point is that when many of us say that (like me, unfortunately), Junior High was lonnnnng time ago. It just sounds funny to think of someone so young saying that.

I mean no harm or insult ... I just thought it was funny. And feel free to correct me if I am incorrect...

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Sing from your diaphragm, not your throat. Open your mouth, especially for the vowels.

Just have fun with it. Be honest, some of the best performers are not the best of singers. They just have style. I don't think Bob Dylan can sing that well, but he's got a style that is unforgettable.

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"While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

My dad said, "I'm going to miss you."
I said, "Well, now that I broke that sight off your rifle..." (Emo Philips)

When you sing your body naturally uses the diaphragm, its the natural thing that happens and now that I think about it don't think about anything just sing and you will pick up stuff that will help along the way:The diaphragm is helpful for breathing and respiration. During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts, thus enlarging the thoracic cavity (the external intercostal muscles also participate in this enlargement). This reduces intra-thoracic pressure: In other words, enlarging the cavity creates suction that draws air into the lungs. When the diaphragm relaxes, air is exhaled by elastic recoil of the lung and the tissues lining the thoracic cavity in conjunction with the abdominal muscles, which act as an antagonist paired with the diaphragm's contraction.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.