My 2nd attempt at singing

[squeally dan]

My band leader asked me to sing this song at a recent gig. I'm not a singer but trying to get decent enough at it to give the real singer a break when we play acoustic. Give me some constructive criticism. I can take it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gJIIB5j7u0

[Baminated]

First of all, great voice, & you put some awesome style/flavor on throughout.

ONE BEEF:
Coming out of the bridge, you strained/held back the last note on "Feelin" before the verse, &/or it just didn't sound like it was "free".
You're tensing up, rather than relaxing. Def practice singing dopey like a "duh" sound with a low larynx on that note FOR STARTERS just to get the feel.
The "eh" syllable you sang on "feelin" could be narrowed to "IHN" more so, and you'll be able to sing it free-er. The "eh" syllable is chesty, and you're probably sensing that you're about to splat on it, hence why you're holding back on it kinda

Man, I need to put up or shut up on my vocal takes. I'll have a few soon

[straightblues]

Yeah you can sing. Now you just need some practice and some gig time in public.

You need approach vocals practice like you practice guitar. Tape yourself and listen back. Work on each section of the song verse by verse until you get it right. Once you are happy with it, play it for someone else and see what they have to say. My wife or teenage daughter usually listen for me.

I usually spend the same amount of time learning to sing the parts as I would spend learning a guitar rhythm and lead parts. Which is a couple of hours. Once you do that, you will have it down and you will perform it better when you get nervous.

Go for it, you have what it takes.

[drgonzoguitar]

Originally Posted by straightblues

Yeah you can sing. Now you just need some practice and some gig time in public.

You need approach vocals practice like you practice guitar. Tape yourself and listen back. Work on each section of the song verse by verse until you get it right. Once you are happy with it, play it for someone else and see what they have to say. My wife or teenage daughter usually listen for me.

I usually spend the same amount of time learning to sing the parts as I would spend learning a guitar rhythm and lead parts. Which is a couple of hours. Once you do that, you will have it down and you will perform it better when you get nervous.

Go for it, you have what it takes.

[squeally dan]

Thanks for the feedback.

[GAT]

Sounds really nice. I would go for a little more edge/volume as in a live situation your voice may be somewhat quiet.

[newb3fan]

I totally agree with the above posts. You can sing. Now it's just some practice. I have saved my band's entire set list as a playlist on my iPhone and I sing in the car on the commute home. It's amazing what some practice will do to open up and strengthen your voice. A year ago I was barely singing to a level I would consider decent. Now I'm singing Gregg Allman stuff with fairly good power and control. It is doable. Commit yourself to it and go!

[crzyfngers]

Originally Posted by GAT

Sounds really nice. I would go for a little more edge/volume as in a live situation your voice may be somewhat quiet.

i agree. 'little' is the operative word. don't be a screamer, that's never good.

[khton]

You can sing good.
Sing this again for us...use a good Mic with some reverb and monitor. It will sound even better.

[squeally dan]

Originally Posted by khton

You can sing good.
Sing this again for us...use a good Mic with some reverb and monitor. It will sound even better.

I will when I get a spare minutes, hopefully this weekend.