Karaoke Forums

With me, every song I do is new to me cause as you all know I'm a complete amatuer singer. Even songs I thought I knew to a certain degree, I really didn't know... in the past when I was singing to the radio just for fun, I would only sing the chorus of a song or the most recognizable parts & never really analyzed the lyrics or phrasing or anything of that nature... I would pay more attention to the music/instruments cause being a dancer, that's what I was more focused On.
When learning a new song, I usually do what Connie does & rip the song apart word for word, line by line & take notes, as well as listening to the original over & over... then of course I have Steven as my personal coach. After I feel I know the song well enough, I call Steven in & sing the whole song for him acapella & then he gives me his opinions & suggestions... he gives me advice to make me understand more of how to sing a certain phrase or bend a certain note so it sounds right... it's Amazing too cause with his help it just makes something that seems so difficult to get at 1st, so much easier & understandable. I've learned, just doin' 1 note the wrong way can ruin the whole feel of what u r trying to achieve. I always aim for the closest I can get to the original. As far as Steven goes, that boy is a master with songs, he listens once to the original if he even listens at all & has it down... although he knows most songs, he does come across some he doesn't know but it's a piece of cake for him & he does have an incredible memory & that's I think is the most important when learning a song. Have a good night everybody!

Generally, do any of you find certain genres easier to learn?

Genre: The farther back in time you go, the easier it gets. Back then, times were simpler, so was the music.

As for learning a song...,
First: I have to like the song.
Second: Determine if it fits my vocal range (It's not what it used to be)
Third: If my voice doesn't fit, can I make it fit?
Fourth: I download the song and upload to my iPod.
Fifth: I listen to the song while driving to work
usually I can pick up 60-70% just by listening.
Sixth: Download the lyrics (more than one version) because I've found that not all internet posters are Engineers like me.
Seventh: Work out the kinks in the song. Words, pronunciation, etc...
Start singing the song. If you flub up anywhere along the way,
stop and start from the beginning.

_________________
"Anything worth doing, is worth OVERDOING"... - Steven Tyler of Aerosmith

I will listen to the original over and over again, then I will find a vocal cdg version and play that and sing along until I feel like I have it right, then I record it.

I use the same approach that Connie uses- recordings (and now YouTube) make wonderful resources to find source material in order to learn new music. Additionally, I usually use sheet music to aid in the learning process. As a last resort, I play the vocal line along with the accompniment (either with clarinet or oboe) to get the entire work into my ear- especially if time is critical.

Repetition and writing the words down. Repetition alone dosen't work for me.

_________________
Singing just for you

jackson where the hell ya been???

_________________
"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

How do I learn a song that is new to me?

Well...I like to listen a maximum of five times. (and that is pushing it). I get the lyrics and sing along with the original. Then I sing it a few times without the original..and then I record it while it is still fresh on my mind. I never try to sing like the original and I have been known to botch a few lyrics by changing them...to fit my own style. Sometimes, after I have heard it more often...I'm like..was that the same song haha! But still tend to do it my own way and maybe add a few things as I go. Hope that doesnt make the original people mad!

Depends if I have heard the song many times before. If I have, or if the song is easy to pitch I just print out the words and start doing it after listening a few times.

If the song is hard to pitch, I like to listen to it over and over again. The best way for me is by putting a collection of songs I want to learn on a CD in shuffle mode and listening over and over again while driving.

I find that I can pitch a difficult song better if I listen to it many times before engraining habits that will be difficult to break.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I also go to bed with the song... by that I mean it's on my cd player next to my bed and I listen to it drifting to sleep then if I awake in the middle of the night, I play it again, till I fall asleep. I wake up knowing it a little better... Hopefully, it will only be a 1 night stand...

That made me laugh from deep down, Joycey. I wish all songs were that easy.

Joyce.

_________________
♥ Laugh your heart out, dance in the rain. Cherish the memories, ignore the pain. Love and learn, forget and forgive. Because you only have one life to live. ♥

Joycey does have a deeply intimate relationship with her songs!

I gotta admit it; I jump in to bed with one song and out of bed with another I've never been loyal to one genre....

Oh you tramp Joyce! ha, ha Hey, try singing "The Lady Is A Tramp"! That could be a good one.

Just do it..

I have recorded it as This Lady Is a Tramp.. That was #1421....

I can sing a song five hundred time and not really learn it until I write it down.

_________________
Singing just for you

Geeezzz, you guys wore me out just reading this thread!

TexasGal

I basically have to listen to a song about three or four times and I can pull it off. Somehow I have a knack of remembering melodies so singing comes easy for me.

_________________
The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.