Author: Steve Ngai

Forum

Today, during work, type out “singing forum vocal” and from then realize that I can learn much from here. And just now, went to the forum again. But, seems a lot of forum and much to read. But, I settle down in this forum called, http://singing.eblah.com

I spend quite a long time in this “Rate my singing” category. Wow, learnt much from the comment. Great tips from the experts there. Also feel a little comforted because hearing some less better than me when I got a hang of myself. But, I shouldn’t be proud and laugh at her which I did in my heart. No good. Repent.

Some really sing very well there like law77. Hope to hear more great singing from there to get inspired. I think hearing normal people singing inspire me more than the real singer. I think this inspiration insight began when I went to S.H.E singing competition yesterday. Indeed, I got inspired. And gotta bear in mind not to chase after to be a singer nor popularity but rather a better motivation, to sing better for my church and to inspires others because I’m not very talented. I think I give myself 2 out of 5 talent (Parable of the talent).

I think I will do the same, record myself down and post it for feedback. It is a good way. Actually, just by hearing myself I can give comment to myself but some I can see/hear it, blind spot.

I think I will also add some good website and forum link to my http://music.findingsteve.net for the help and benefits of others who go to my website.

Notes

Gotta record down the things I learnt from there.

• Use nose instead of mouth. Reason is because using mouth will dry out the vocal cord. But, mouth is used for quick breath taking.
• Remember resonance. It is like wood and guitar. Keyword is relax. To create voice of a fuller voice and ‘ringing quality’. Allow air in your wind pipe, lungs, facial sinus, nose and mouth (vibrate in the same wave cycle) more.
• the need of accompanient or vocal teacher.
• sing right types and range of songs. It is pop or others?
• there is something called raw material which is the voice. Is there any talent? How much?
• Use vibrato during warm up and straight during performance, to protect vocal cord.

Question to find ask about myself

• What kind of voice I have? Rich deep? Normal?
• How much is my voice talent? 1 to 5. [ self-awareness. honesty from others can really hurts here. ]

Realize that today Vivian and Nicole will participate S.H.E singing content. After I finish my PA meeting, when I am about to leave and watch the clock. It’s 3pm and then thought about their singing contest which is at 3pm. So, just go for it.

When I reached there, the place is so crowded, with mostly teens and young people. Their turn is 43 and at time when I reached there is only around 10 plus. Listening to those contestant, I am actually blown away. They really sing in accurate pitch. Some, not only sing in pitch but can hear the maturity of the voice and they also dance. Wow. How can they dance and sing at the same time? Sing already not easy. Another scene is just so cute to see little girl sang and she can sing in pitch! One very funny one is a girl duet with a boy. I think he is the only boy contestant. I think they are siblings. Hehe.. Back to great singing, one group sang so harmoniously, create the kind of Boyz 2 Men effect. Amazing! And I love it. Some sang with risk level, high and loud, making their singing powerful in my opinion. Awesome. That should be the way. All the way and not holding back. And they are also very confident, shouting, communicating with the crowd.

And at the end, is Vivian and Nicole’s turn. I actually feel nervous. At the end, I feel that their singing is normal compare to their many strong competitor. I always like Vivian’s voice and singing. She has the talent (voice). But, not powerful. I believe due to not yet use diaphram to output the voice. When she managed to get a hang of this diaphram breathing, she can sing more powerfully and more beautiful tone. Same goes with Nicole.

Also, I thought that in order to win this kind or any kind of singing competition, we need not only can sing well but many other things all needed like motivation or mental strength which leads to confidence and not to be nervous or afraid. They also need to record their singing many times to listen to themselves back. And many more things like strategy, selection of songs.

But, I believe this is a great experience and need to compliment them for taking out the courage to try. Many try also too afraid. These are the one who will regret much at the end.

Other than that, I think I begin to like this group of singers. Nice songs. 🙂

I realize that my singing has gotten so one kind. I can’t even sing normal. When I sing certain way or normal, I short of breath. I need to think about breathing. Yes, it’s true that I get it more and more the diaphram breathing but I need to strongly focus on the basic and need a lot of practice, with the help of good wall. So, that I can hear back myself and thus keep me aware where am I. And those echo from them helps a lot.

What in the world … one week later … I’m going to sing in front of many people for Kuantan service with this one kind singing?

What in the world … a ‘song leader’ for my church in this worse-than-normal people level?

Gotta really hardwork to practice and practice and practice.

I feel discouraged few days ago of my singing. I haven’t been practicing much singing, nor vocal lately, for about 2-3 weeks time. But, because I asked someone to sing a song for me, I plan to sing back a song for her, my favorite Josh Gorban. At the end, I feel that I did so lousy. Someone indirectly let me know. The one I sang to also the same.

I went back and record myself and it is really one kind. The breathing is one kind. Even though, I managed to grasp more about using diaphram but I am so lacking to practice it and to really sing a lot and to make it really consistent. I can use diaphram to project my voice but just intentionally and I have trouble to control to sing it softer and when I need to look at the song book to sing due to not remembering lyric, I bomb myself in singing.

The next day, got a new group to sing parts. And coming soon, I will singing on the stage in front of many. I need to have intensive practice and I feel discouraged. During my journey to home today after work, I thought about my singing. One of the thing I thought about it is to have a place to practice and some tool or way that I can hear myself. Something like a studio way, so that when I can hear myself, I can hear the real sound how other’s hear. So, I can improve from there. I thought of going to studio. I hope to have a place, where there is a mic for me and a speaker (monitor) for me to hear myself.

Then, as usual, I reached home, have my dinner. And my parent is going out and I thought about singing. After they left, I began to sing. Don’t feel good about it as I sang sat down. So, tried to find some area perhaps, can hear back myself. Then I went to the empty area, the area which I need to pass by if I want to go to my parent’s room. Then, I thought of singing there. I feel a little good when I can hear myself. Then, I closed all the 3 doors and also the living room one, so won’t disturb others.

As I sang more and more, I feel good about myself. I gain back my confidence. I sang my favorite song. Though some parts are out, some I feel good about it. I breath and sing comfortably. I can hit high notes more comfortably. For the song I am more familiar with, I can control my singing more like if I can louder, I can, if I want rough type, I can and so on. I can’t believe I can sing like this. So long time didn’t feel this.

I want to thank God for giving me this ‘studio’ to answer my prayer. I also prayed not to be motivated my pride, not good motivation. Beside that, I also need to tell myself to have self-control as once I got it, I will really into. Hope able to differenciate self-control and focus.

Back to singing, I think I need to get a mp3 to record myself by putting it inside this studio and think of the best thing to cover that open area. I also need to pray that the home is available for practice too because if my parents are here, I will be insecure to sing all out. Just now, I really sing all out and I feel that that should be the way. All out even though out of tune it’s ok. Just gotta practice more.

I can also practice by singing a lot of my favorite song because I’m more familar with it. Another thing is consistency of my breathing. Just these 2 things first I guess.

“Keep the focus of practice since it is not easy to get it, to get back your confidence. Use all you have, all what God has given you. How will He feel is He gave you much but you timid to use them all. Yet, as you use them all, you can still keep your humility (to think it is from God and for Him) and that can be done with much focus in Him. Also remember is self-control.

Also be discipline for and during practice. Be serious. There are times to be serious, though not all the time but need some seriousness just like people practices for any sports. Focus in breathing. not really focusing but evaluate from time to time by breathing comfortably and not short of breath and consistent volume.”