How to Sing Better When Singing Covers - it’s hard!

A discussion about the pitfalls of trying to improve your singing whilst singing a wide range of covers. It's hard! This is an unedited and unscripted discussion style video.

[@SpacestationWilly]

My teacher has me write out a bit of a “character story” when singing covers. Who, what, where, when and why im singing it. Definitely helps me feel like I’m really expressing & connected to it somehow rather than just covering it. You can also write out an “emotional map” to help figure out what you’re expressing throughout the songs progression. Also, removing the words and learning the notes on vowel sounds or just speaking the text dramatically. Taking it apart and putting it back together instead of learning it all together by ear helps me find my own take on it

[@singingmatterscalder]

This is a brilliant idea! Love it . Fantastic method .

[@singingmatterscalder]

Some great comments here guys! You get what I mean! I'm going to get back to you on some of these topics with a video answering people's questions and comments soon! Thanks 😄❤

[@tonyosborne1720]

I appreciate what you're saying here but in my experience actually trying to mimic the artist you're covering can actually help with your vocal if you actually listen to the words, vowel placements etc and how the original artist sings them. I'm doing 2 -3 hour solo gigs covering everything from the 60's and 70's so you'll appreciate that's a massive spectrum of songs. I don't really want to sound like myself, after all I'm doing covers. Thoughts?

[@CaldersMusic]

I also agree that mimicking can be helpful,.. mimicking can also be a hindrance to technique and finding you . Yeah I agree with what you say, it can help you find things you are looking for, but also people try to recreate a sound and generally misinterpret the intensity , often over do it or use poor technique to create a sound. … you’re right tho, as long as it’s balanced and healthy, in my experience. I still enjoy the mimicking , now; but back when I wasn’t as good it probably caused more problems than I realised

[@rikoburrowsmuso]

Really great advice. I'm in a police tribute so finding your advice a big help!

[@singingmatterscalder]

Excellent. Chris Liepe - vocal coach here on youtube of you've not seen him, does a great video assessing Sting's live performance of Roxanne. really insightful. Check it outl,! and a massive thanks too !

[@rikoburrowsmuso]

@singingmatterscalder yes I see that thanks! Your technique sticks in my mind!

[@sebastianbisurgi9970]

The music I love is my singing worst enemy. I love Chris Cornell, Mike Patton, Maynard James Keenan, Freddy Mercury...

[@singingmatterscalder]

Well that's definitely going to test anyone! Very good singers.

[@samtorrmusic]

Such a good conversation dude. The organic approach is golden 👌🏼

[@Blencs]

Great video 👍 starting a full covers band for the first time so this video was very informative on mistakes I will probably make 👍

[@SpacestationWilly]

Great topic. Stoked to hear more from you

[@singingmatterscalder]

Thanks so much! Yeah I'm glad you think so.. It's a thing that caused more issues than I ever realised.

[@nevermindthebull0cks]

I sing it very quiet, almost mouthing it but with pitch and a style that works. Trying to stay connected all the way down with small air. If I can manage that, I can sing a lot of stuff. If not I'm almost stuck in speaking range.

[@ARTEMIYNIK]

Where I can find your another chanell

[@CalvinLimSH-ld5le]

Learn good vocal techniques / Singing covers in the right key and within your vocal range sometime helps to preserve the vocal cords. For relaxation, I try blowing straw into water or sing into the cup [back pressure] to relieve vocal tensions in the vocal cords. Stop singing immediately and rest for the day when vocal cord hurts and can't sing properly. Hope this helps for everyone. Sometimes I sing more than 5 to 7 songs in one day and the voice began to feel fatigue the next day.

[@singingmatterscalder]

There might be something causing the fatigue. Or maybe it’s a case of needing to build stamina but ideally you’d be able to sing for a good two hour set without major fatigue or it hurting . So there may be some excessive force or air going on or gripping of extrinsic muscles. But it’s hard to say from text! Straw techniques are great. And yeah! Good technique for covers instead of trying to sound like someone. Changing key can sometimes be just because a singer struggles to sing through the break. So they lower things to avoid sections, but it’s not always the best idea. Anyway, I’m just trying to respond to each thing!!!! Thanks for the commeny

[@marinemomma62]

Oh yeah. bEST OF LUCK TONIGHT. This Momma will say a prayer for you. 🙏🙏🙏

[@singingmatterscalder]

Actually this video didn't upload yesterday so I've done that gig, with my band, tonight is back to the solo gig. It went well last night thanks! ☺ I definitely was conscious of trying to be myself after discussing it on here. My voice feels good today after a 2 hour show and years ago, it just would be in a state ! cheers!

[@marinemomma62]

@@singingmatterscalder Glad it went well. 🙏

[@StratsRUs]

Great finding your channel. I've been singing fairly recently yet have written songs for a while.After a couple of years of doing the breathing exercises and warm ups , it's finally helped me be centred. Well done, you communicate so naturally.

[@singingmatterscalder]

Thanks so much, I’m really glad it’s helping you work stuff out ! Good luck with your singing

[@marinemomma62]

You are authentic!!!! I love how you put it 😃. It’s schizophrenic singing 25 covers and trying to sound like the artist. I’m working on Alter Bridge, Myles Kennedy.. “ Watch Over You”. First, learning how to play it. Then will see how I sound. I do believe you got to make that song your own ( hard to do). When you’re playing that song on the guitar… it becomes your song. Change the key the song is in. I wish I did this 30 years ago. Everyone wanted me to sing like Linda Ronstadt. I did a good job mimicking her. I paid the price. 😩. Then gave it all up to raise a family. I’m bbbaaaccckkk. 🙏. Trying to find my voice. I’m just having fun now, but god I wish I had access to people like you back then. I did train in opera. That helped. I mostly used it to scream at my kids without hurting my voice 🤣🤣🤣. Thank you for these videos. I never heard of the straw technique till recently. Some of these other singing coaches on here are soooo full of themselves. You’re refreshing to listen to. 🙏❤️🎸🎹🎵

[@singingmatterscalder]

Thanks so much, I'm really glad that is coming across. Really appreciate it.

[@sebastianpoe3934]

Would you ever do singer/song reactions and breakdowns?

[@singingmatterscalder]

Yes eventually !

[@a.n.a.k.i.n.8113]

Last year I stumbled upon the band "Sleep Token" by accident. I've been singing since I was a child, but only in the comfort of my own room. I couldn't bring myself to sing even in front of friends. However, I felt incredible inspiration when I heard what "Vessel," the frontman of Sleep Token, was doing. I made the decision to approach the subject seriously and professionally, so I started attending classes with a great voice emission teacher. Just 2 weeks ago, the topic came up that my biggest problem was imitating other artists. It turned out that I actually do well, but because I don't sing authentically using my true voice, it comes out much worse. I sound artificial when I try to be someone else. This doesn't happen when I perform my own songs; I can then be myself, and it sounds much better. I can't help but laugh that I stumbled upon this episode. It must be fate. Great video, thank you for your work. I'll follow your work with great joy. Warm regards!

[@singingmatterscalder]

Fantastic!! Great timing then! Maybe Google was listening 😉 Yeah it’s such a tricky thing. And sneaky! I think I could write a better vid looking at ways to avoid it , but yeah working with your own pure voice. Trying different approaches that take you away from the impression of the artist. Just hitting the vowel, and the note . Working on that detail. Thanks for your comment! And I hope the lessons go well, this idea could open up some doors perhaps, 😊

[@a.n.a.k.i.n.8113]

@@singingmatterscalder Exactly, in my case, it turned out to be a crucial aspect for making progress. It's not obvious at all, I wasn't even able to realize it myself. I'm very glad that you're sharing this knowledge with the world. I'm sure many people who truly want to approach the subject thoroughly and understand how to use this powerful instrument in a healthy way, which every healthy human possesses from birth, will extract a lot of useful things from this information.

[@_uncredited]

Good video. I'd add that some songs are kind to many different voice styles (usually ones with catchy melodies and simple lyrics). But other songs I find too tightly coupled to the original artist to ever get right. I love me some C W Stoneking, but covering his songs are a nightmare because unless you attempt 'that thing' for a vintage vibe, it sounds rubbish. Yet, to mimic his voice is bordering on impossible. Ah well. Bad covers are fun if nothing else!

[@singingmatterscalder]

This is really true yeah, I totally agree! Some songs do lend themselves better , whereas other artists you just feel like an idiot trying to do their voice! and somehow it doesn't sound great without their unique sound.