Karaoke Forums

<An automated message from the road>

Kappy is back with the group Boston for the remainder of October. He will respond to all mail addressed to him in addition to fan mail as soon as possible, and time permitting when arrives back in the States.

Kappy's staff

In the Interim period his next of kin (brother, cousin, father, uncle) Cletus will Critique songs on his behalf.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

These real easy songs I have little problem with now. Still trying to figure out how to get a timbre with minimal FX, that'll probably be a longterm struggle... But stuff like this is easy for me now... So, it's been one year at this... Embarassed to say a full year because I hear subs I did January that to me sound better, but I still have a tough time honing into anything I do with any element of impartiality


http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchandli ... /c0102d719


http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchandli ... /c611e6449

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I'm attempting to reach singing puberty and pound on my chest like early neanderthal singing-man.. Year one was get over shyness and vocal self-contempt, and while I never got over it, I got used to it... This singing stuff is really abstract, but I'm trying to grow some balls (so-to-speak)

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchandli ... y/bbc140a7

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Hey Steven,
I've only just returned awhile back but I was keeping an eye on your singing journey a couple of years ago when I went by the name of golfmax13. I'm hoping you won't mind if I chime in on your progress and maybe share a couple of things that have worked for me over the years.

I haven't thought this completely through so I hope it won't be too rambling and maybe a lot of it has been discussed on this thread before today, but I'll just share what I can and you can sort it out if you like.

First off, I can actually hear a lot of progress in your singing from over a year ago until today's Lady Willpower. You seem to be gaining some confidence and your feel for this particular song is really pretty cool. I also know full well why you might think your voice is "yech" sometimes. We all feel that way and sometimes we're even right about it. Don't dwell on it - let it pass - your self talk will play a large part in your progress and emotional disposition.

One suggestion I might make to start would be to find out what your limitations in range might be and then choose performance songs accordingly. The easiest way to do that is to just sing along with the original and see where you start to strain, both high and low. Sometimes we get away with a few strains but sometimes it's gonna sound like "yech", and we can't afford too much of that.

I also believe you can still sing along with the original songs as you continue to find your own style. I certainly have a style of my own and I don't sound a bit like Paul McCartney, who I've sung with since '64, ha.

Sing along with everything you like and try to imitate their little twirls and hooks. Sing them over and over and keep tabs on your progress - like make sure you're actually going forward. Don't compare yourself to anyone elses talent or style - in the end it's all you bro.

But like I said, don't try to do too much - if you come to a high part you can't get just keep singing and do a lower harmony. The early Beatles harmonies were what got me hooked on singing and since were two years apart in age (if I remember) you must have some ties to those guys. If you study their harmonies and hooks and are able to replicate some of them you'll be surprised when you actually throw those things into your own style (and it will sound like you - which is what you're after).

I say learn from anyone you can - sing all you can and as many styles as you can - learn from all of it. But while you're doing that you will also be developing your own style. Set realistic time frame goals for your progress - don't try to conquer the world in short order. Start with a small town and work your way out!

That's just my couple of cents bro, I certainly admire you for your ambition and intestinal fortitude to do this - I know how difficult a task it can be!

All The Very Best My Friend,

Joe

I'm totally new to singing & recording as you all are well aware but the funny thing is, I know immediately when I think of a song to do if it's gonna work for me or not without even having to sing it... I just hear my voice in my head & I know my limitations. I like doin' cover songs that are highly recognizable too so it gives the audience something to compare to.
I don't mean to sound conceited either but I actually enjoy hearing myself sing... I kinda get a rush from it... you may not all agree with that but I'm Happy with my progress

Joe thank you. I know exactly what you are referring to regarding "too much time" and effort to the point of diminishing returns yielding a "dead" sounding song (that might be technically in tune at best) , this happened today with Neil Youngs "Old Man", I went to You Tube listened to Young perform it when he was in his teens, tried to work on covering what he did, after 3 attempts the upper register constricted, after about 10 my interest died as did any "life" I could add to the backing, (yet the upper register seemed to return even though it sounded as though I wasn't present). Somebody I know sort've got me feeling in a competitive "Neil Young" mood, a really good singer who's been brutally honest with me, so I feel safe losing to the guy It would be expected but I felt compelled to give it my all !!!!... Now when I hear it, It's somewhat in tune, it lacks dynamics, and sounds as though I was doing something elsewhere allowing my vocal chords just do their thing alone without an life or soul....

Yep, Remember SN Golfmax I responded to Billy thanking him for your comments...HAHA (I could've sworn "Golfmax" was OK What Now who also is a golfer.

Andygurl-

It's so very different for me. I have no reference point regarding "my voice" (when I assimilate an original song); The final product, (what I hear upon playback is weird sounding, nasally, and wimpy) trying to cover, and that is likely what the result IS thus-far.. I have spent many years hearing cover singers doing original quite well (and that is my expectation regarding what I hear when I sing with no slack allowed meaning,-nailing cover or sounding like somebody I want to, because it is what I hear in my head WHILE I am singing, I hear with my imagination only).

While I've stated this, it's hard for me to change, I am working on this self-contempt issue, it's likely a more psychological issue and might go beyond "common shyness".. Every musical instrument has "It's own characteristics" yet I can at least hear what they are and work with that aspect, meaning playing the instruments to get a specific sound. My voice to me, is quite different, and extremely abstract ( as the singer, with so many years hearing myself not being able to sing, no clue, yet insisting I NAIL the cover). I am not a creative musician, I am a musical technician (meaning I put together the song behind the lead singer but I do not innovate)... With my voice I am forced to "create" because it's original, and that needs to be understood, recognised, and there's a lot of junk in the way impeding the process... The inability to know what to do with my voice that I can't hear objectively at all, or maybe I can and it's just not suited for what I wish to have it do ?.. I envision and hear the best while singing in the rock genre, during playback I hear a wannabe that sucks ! In a classical or traditional setting, I think my voice is OK... I don't like that style music though.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I think that might be the struggle, I have a cleaner voice but I'm trying to sing in a different realm "Classic Rock Ballad/ R&B"- It's what I love, but likely not what I can sing as a soloist. So I am gearing towards "harmony" and if I can get a handle on that, I will be satisfied both as somebody accepting limitations, with the "backing musician" mindset I've lived my life having. I think OK What Now said it at the onset, Some of us have become comfortable within a designated niche we've settled into... It's the change aspect that is toughest ! The "frontman" mind-set as opposed to comfort being behind a "frontman". How does one make the shift ? Probably time... takes time, and forgetting what was and becoming something new. Given all the years I accepted "I will never be a singer, and was told this", it will likely take me more time since there's more dirt clogging the engine.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Hey Kappy,

I understand & appreciate what u r saying. As you may or may not be aware, my husband is Steven John who is prolly 1 of the most versatile singers On this site & is a master when it comes to doin' covers & I proposed your question to him & he says that the ability to do different vocal styles & artists 1st comes from your natural vocal tone which is God given, however everyone can somewhat sound like somebody so he suggests finding the artist vocal style that sounds as close to your voice & focus more On that artist. It's more important when trying to do a cover to capture the artists special intonations & signatures & overall delivery more so than actual vocal tone & if you really focus On expressing the story line behind the song using those features you will get better at covering that artist & sell the song.
Hope that hepls somewhat.

I suppose I'll start working on Daffy Duck. I stand a decent chance of covering certain nuances...

I suppse, as your husband mentioned there are a few tricks that can help individuals come closer to an original singer. Voice inflection, listening for how story is expressed etc

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Steven is that you singing--the guy with the baseball cap? You have nothing to worry about--you did fine!

baseball cap ?

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Yes you got that right Kappy... just keep doin' what u r doin'... practice makes perfect & you can have lotsa fun along the way!

Is that clown boy again talking bout baseball caps? I thought that person was gone for good... guess he still doesn't have a life

That's a really nice setup you have ! What are you using for a PA ? That isn't by chance Altec Lansing, is it ?

I enjoyed Limelight, Heaven and Hell seemed decent too but I'm not familiar enough with Sabbath anymore to offer much of an opinion. I think somebody who's more of a Black Sabbath fan these days would best offer their opinion on that. I'll listen to the Scorps tomorrow. You sound quite good to me.

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Thanks, Steven!

Since I like it nice and loud, I was using part of my live band PA, so I setup:
2 Peavey SP 4's
EV Eliminator monitor (on a stand)
EV Force I monitor (on a stand)
Peavey monitor (on the floor)
Peavey GPS 3500 Power Amp (1700 w / channel) to drive the FOH speakers
Peavey GPS 2600 Power Amp (1200 w / channel) for the monitors
Mackie 20 channel CFX20 mkII mixer

Effects rack with EQ, compressor/limiters, and Aphex 204.
Vocal mic is the Shure wireless pack (PGX4 with SM58 mic) which I take into a Digitech VX400 pedal. The pedal gives me stereo out to the board, and I use the pedal to get a little reverb/echo.

For recording, I'm using my JVC Everio HD 3ccd camera on a tripod, and I bring the audio directly off of the mixer board and into the camera (the camera has a stereo 1/8 inch input jack). This way, I get the full mix of the audio off of the board.

Then I brought out my full lighting array (LED fixtures, fogger, laser) but that's another story!

It all looks really cool when viewed in HD on an HD tv directly out of the camera. But when creating the mpeg for youtube, with the max file size being 1GB, I'm really limited to creating an mpeg 2 video with only DVD-HQ settings.

Glad you liked it! Hopefully, I'll create a couple more this coming weekend and upload them too.

FROM THE ROAD


Well, not really the road, (btw it's me Kappy), I got a gig singing in the NYC Waldorf third elevator to the right of the main entrance.. Also doing a few dental office gigs in Brooklyn next week ! I had to throw the towel in on the Arena rock gigs.. Yep, believe it or not, I'm getting a tad too old for covering these rockers that have been doing this wild-stuff most of their life.. Need the mellow environment.. So I'm sticking to "MUZAK"


http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchAndLi ... /bc101f31e


http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchandli ... /be10944a2

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

Singing aint quite so easy for me. Been abit over a year and I suppose if you like the kinks I sortuh was able to almost not totally hack this... Well, that's not exactly true... So without further introduction.. I'm still trying hard, at least an hour a day.. Perhaps in some ways I've progressed from a 3 to a 4 rank... Which is acceptable to me.... Here's an attempt at some raunch (A redo of a song I tried a year prior when I was very new to learning to howl). I'm still going for the cover, I'll probably always go for the cover rendition.. It's all I know how to try to do.


http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchandli ... /bc11cc754

Now regarding those that can sing... Listen to the vocal fry this guy is able to get singing "Love Hurts" in real voice -Amazing.. Very uncommon.. This is the best cover I've heard done of this terribly difficult song in years.

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchAndLi ... y/b6a7455c

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I enjoyed the spinners song, got nothing at all from the other message with links...the comments were there but the songs werent
Kappy good to see you and great to see you have improved so much... and of course nekkid vids always help

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

Wait a sec.. Kappy is singing nekkid in those links?

I better log in here more often so I can keep up with his posts.

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♥ 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. ♥

yeah he has always had a penchant for nekkid singing...btw you have trimmed up too kappy

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