(by 43 people)
Everyone can sing and everyone should sing!!
Not everyone wants to sing in public (and not everyone should!!) but the fact remains that singing is FREE, fun and good for your health. So here is my resource to help those of you who are good at singing get better, and those of you who are bad at singing to get good! (and to encourage and inspire those of you who never sing to 'have a go')
VOTE FOR ME!This Lens was voted Lens of the day for January 2007 - Now in the running for Lens of the Year! WOOHOO!
If you are inspired to sing or have enjoyed my journey - why not vote for me for lens of the year
If singing makes you happy
Don't let others dissuade you
I first started singing when I was 6, I remember loving the sound of my own voice, singing to old ladies in the garden and thinking I was brilliant! But then I went to school and auditioned for a part in the school musical, my teacher told me that I had a horrible voice in front of the whole class! It upset me so much that I stopped singing because I was far too embarassed to sing in front of people. A little further on you can hear my songs and decide whether she was right! Try and Try again
vocal improvement comes quickly with practice
Determined to get better, I started singing in secret in my bedroom, to old Jazz records in the hope that I would one day sing like them.I chose the most difficult songs to practice because the vocal range and tone was way beyond anything I had ever heard
I only had one tape, and Sarah Vaughan was it
These are the first songs to inspire me and made me love Jazz and Sarah Vaughan forever
So why am I telling you all of this?
Well...
I didn't think for a minute that maybe it was not the voice that was at fault, or that maybe I was picking the wrong songs - you know, the ones you think that other people want to hear!I didn't know how to play an instrument, or how to find people that did so I just stopped singing in public, and just sang in the car
...then a few months ago, I discovered something online, almost as addictive as squidoo...
I had a go, and found that the old nerves had gone, and the fun and enjoyment had come back, and all because no one is watching...
After over a decade of not singing, I was sent a link by my very good friend Steve M Nash - he has a lens on here too! textmefree - he helped me discover
Online Karaoke! and http://www.singshot.com
Now I can sing my heart out from my office or bedroom, without anyone knowing who I am! Perfect :-)
I dedicated my first ever singshot recording to him 'cry me a river' you can hear it below:
I am discoving loads of online resources to help me get better at singing, so I thought I'd share them with you, and share with you my 'journey' as I pluck up the courage to get back on stage and do it properly this time!
Online Karaoke - My Favourite Site... SINGSHOT!
It's a whole lot of fun for the whole family
Singshot was my first online karaoke experience, and I am amazed that since joining in august I have had several thousand plays, and am still #1 in the all time most played songs. I have three songs in the all time most played top 10 so I thought I would share them with you - listen to me singing then tell me which you think is the best! If you have any cool karaoke singers then add them to the list! (SINGERS PLEASE not karaoke songs, that list is further down!)
Cry me a River
The all time most played song at Singshot.com by J more...2 points
Don't know Why
My Norah Jones impression at Singshot.com0 points
You don't even know who I am
My first attempt at country performing a patty lov more...0 points
10 Steps to Better Singing!
My top tips to improve your voice and your confidence to use it!
- Learn to Breathe properly - use breathing
exercises - or you could even take some professional lessons - Stand up straight - proper
posture can help your delivery and confidence - Warm up with some easy scales - you wouldn't run a marathon without a little warm up so why should the muscles in your throat be any different than the muscles in your legs? Try Humming every day for an hour or so - it keeps your voice 'supple' without damaging it (try straining for a high note with your mouth shut - it's impossible!)
- Practice!!! - if you dont use it you will lose it!
- Record yourself - Hearing an improvement is going to give you confidence, and getting used to how you sound is only going to help your future as a superstar! - (see my section on online recording)
- Join a group - singing with other singers helps you sing louder and stronger and helps you confidence - you will also make great friends!
- Learn to Express yourself - singing in different styles and keys can only help improve your range and character - but don't strain.
- Learn to use what you have - if you can't sing like Whitney Houston, don't try! It doesn''t mean you can't sing her songs - if every cover version sounded the same where would we be?
It doesn't matter if you can't hit the high notes, there are plenty of great songs where you don't have to - sing songs that make the best of your voice (if you're not sure ask your friends!)
For an example of the worst voice in the world making a song perfect and even moving - listen to 'Fairytale of New York' by the pogues! - Do Karaoke - Karaoke is an excellent way to practise real songs in front of real people. Online Karaoke makes it possible to practice online, share songs and make singing friends all over the world
- ENJOY YOURSELF - You perform at your best when you are confident and having fun so try not to get nervous and remember, you are the one brave enough to give it a go - everyone else is just watching and wishing they had the nerve!
What do you think?
Was my teacher wrong or right?
Life After Karaoke
Professional work can come your way...
I have been invited to Karaoke parties, and also recieved some professional work for Radio Jingles from LaDeDa Productions
Listen to the jingles now!
Great Huh?
So what are you waiting for???
GET SINGING NOW!!!
My Top 5 Online Karaoke Sites
http://www.singshot.com
- play recdord yourself, rate your favourites, and you can even embed your song
on your utube or myspace
http://www.ksolo.com
- Great funky looking karaokesite - record yourself online - huge selection
of songs
http://www.ronansonlinekaraoke.com
- Online Karaoke sing-a-long list
http://www.karaokebar.com
- Sing along to free music downloads
http://www.xfactorchallenge.co.uk
- UK online X Factor challenge
Singing Resources, books and cd's
Books that have helped me learn
Top 5 Books on How to Sing
How to record yourself
Tips on recording equipment
You can record anything anywhere, but if you want a decent rating, think about how it is going to sound to the listener. If you are in a wooden room, it may echo, if you are holding your microphone, you may be adding unwanted shuffling sounds to your recording.Here are my top tips on getting a good sound online.
Top Tips to recording yourself online
- Get a Good Mic! - although you can get some great results from headsets and cheap microphones, I really would recommend a high end USB Mic or audio interface if you want to add reverb etc. If you want to get professional it really is worth the investment (see my Mic shop)
- Don't hold the microphone while you sing! - wherever possible get a headset or a mic stand so that you can see the screen as you sing, can operate your mouse, and you don't get annoying squeaky sounds on your recording!
- Find the original version on itunes! - singing along to the original not only helps you get familiar with the song, it also helps you to warm up for your prize winning recording
- Practice your song - you don't have to save the first recording, play it back and take notes on where you think it could be improved before making it live to millions of viewers!
- Make sure you have a quiet room recording by a busy road or when your sister is shouting outside your bedroom is not going to make your recording any better! Pick a quiet time when everyone is out or just ask for 10 minutes silence! It doesn't matter if your family want to listen - it will help you get used to your audience! (tip: you can always make them record one in front of you!)
- Clear your cache - make sure your recording is in synch by clearing all temp files and browser cache before you hit record! It makes a big difference to the delay sometimes experienced as you record live.
I can sing T's
Feel a Song Coming on??
Musical films to inspire you...
- 001- Dreamgirls
Twenty-five years after its Broadway debut, the definitive girl-group musical, earning the most Osca...- 002- Hairspray
Set in 1962, this colorful adaptation of the Tony-winning musical (spawned by director John Waters'...- 003- Sweeney Todd
Johnny Depp (in an Oscar-nominated role) reteams with director Tim Burton for this adaptation of the...- 004- The Phantom of the Opera: Special Edition
Andrew Lloyd Webber's stunning musical comes alive on-screen in this Joel Schumacher rendition. A ta...- 005- Across the Universe
An American girl (Evan Rachel Wood) and a British lad (Jim Sturgess) fall in love amid the upheaval...- Try Netflix free for 14 days
Tell me what you think!
If you have any comments or suggestions on how to make this better, or maybe even other lenses for me to link to - tell me here:
hey I'm on singshot too I'm also on singsnap but right now I don't feel like singing on there too many people on there right now thinking they're judges from american idol sheesh , anyways I have a system for people like that , the more they insult you and mess with you just keep on singing ;)
Posted December 21, 2007
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Aika
I can sing but not that good. ^_^ But I keep on trying and trying. :) Posted September 23, 2007 |
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jencos17
Have you heard of the portable karaoke player called i-Sing? You can take ANY mp3 song and drastically reduce the lead vocals and record your own song. http://www.i-sing.com Posted September 18, 2007 |
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SteveMNash
Stevie thinks that this lens, languishing at 10,000 could do with some Promote Your Site magic to get it back into the top 1000!!! ;-) Posted September 03, 2007 |
What a great source of very useful information! Now, if I can get my audience participants to visit your site before they "have a go" while I'm playing, we'll really have something! If you ever stop by "Touch of Italy" in West Covina, CA your first glass of vino is on me. Deal?
Posted July 28, 2007
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giddygabby
Oh, and I see you take requests! I'd love to hear you do Aretha's "Respect". Btw, I've added you to my lensroll on Giddy Gabby's Random Facts and Daily Tips. Posted January 29, 2007 |
Fun lens! Loved Cry Me a River. Keep on warblin'!
Posted January 29, 2007
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Ladymaggic
You are simply amazing... There is no way I could ever develop my voice...have tried far too many times...but you have led me to a very exciting journey and I say Thank you... Posted January 28, 2007 |
Amazing lens buddy. One of the most useful I ever found on squidoo.
DO check out my digital filmmaking lens if u get the time and advice me on how to improve it
http://squidoo.com/digital-filmmaking
Posted January 26, 2007
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SteveMNash
Stevie thinks that this lens is fab (though he's not a singer) and that your version of Cry Me A River is incredibly moving. Bravo! :-) Posted January 25, 2007 |
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Lisa_Kelsey
I am so glad you made this lens! I had a similar experience to yours in the church choir when I was young; my friends suggested I maybe shouldn't sing so loud! Ever since I've kept my singing bottled up inside, but not anymore--thanks to this lens I'm going to give a shot again. Posted January 25, 2007 |
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Lilly
Jackie- I just loved discovering singshot and listening to your songs. I so enjoyed them and am excited to maybe do some of my own. (So far I've just sung as a cartoon hamster disguised with the pitch raised)- but maybe now I'll practice as me and get better?! Thanks for an inspiring lens-Lilly Posted January 25, 2007 |
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JackieHole
Hey thanks everyone! I just did this for fun - I didn't submit it or anything so I'm amazed it's lens of the day! - Keep singing! JJ Posted January 24, 2007 |
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Robbin
Hey Congrats on being Lens of the Day! I enjoyed all your songs and I'm glad you didn't give it up on that person's comments! Keep on singin'. Posted January 24, 2007 |
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MonkeyGroupie
You have a FABULOUS voice! Because of your lens, I went to singshot.com, signed up (username Monkeychi), and now I have 5 recordings there. It is a blast! I loved singing and karaoke before, and your lens brought online karaoke to my attention. I love it - thank you! :) Posted December 31, 2006 |
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tmdblogger
Love it - my little girl got a Karaoke machine for xmas and has not stopped singing! Posted December 30, 2006 |
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Britishcyclingtraining
Can you sing 'all I want for christmas' by Mariah Carey please?? My sister would love to hear it Posted December 23, 2006 |
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tmdblogger
I'm hoping Santas bringing a karaoke machine this year :-) Posted December 22, 2006 |
