Would like an opinion on my "performance" - Caro Mio Ben

**AlainB** · Nov-26-2011, 13:43

Hey,

Thought I'd record a little. My voice is far from perfect and so is my technique (except for breathing), and my vibrato has irregularities sometimes, unless it's just my hearing? I've started singing lessons roughly 3-4 weeks ago, and due to internship, I'm limited to an hour lesson per week. So, much, much to learn still!

I didn't sing Caro Mio Ben in key, it wasn't my intention to do so either.

I kind of hate the "colour"/sound of my voice, but ah well...

Any opinions - and ultimately of course, advice for a 19 year-old, still-mostly-ignorant man? =p

Here's my video:

P.S.: Pardon my rather bad appearance, I should've shaved and pulled back my hair..

P.P.S.: I might've killed the song with my voice, haha.

**Rasa** · Nov-26-2011, 20:24

You definitely have a talented voice.

**AlainB** · Nov-26-2011, 23:51

Thanks for the response.

Any advice though, perhaps? Think I should try to approach a different sound, or so; as in, is the sound actually attractive in a way, or is it too sharp or deep, etc.?

**Rasa** · Nov-27-2011, 01:17

I'm a horrible horrible singer. Infact, I'm not even a singer at all, so I can't really give tips.

The sound is good, but pitch and rythm and phrasing are matters best commented on by a pro.

**AnnaLia** · Dec-05-2011, 15:30

For 3-4 weeks of singing lessons, thats not bad! Is that near the bottom of your range? It is probably easier at least to practice with music turned up more, it will help with pitching and confidence. Also keep in mind that what you hear when you sing is very different to what everyone else hears when you sing. I'd perhaps work towards a slightly 'warmer' more mellow sound, if that makes sense, but I think that will develop as you go, and as you get better at supporting and control.
You have the makings of a beautiful rich tone, and that will improve as you learn your instrument

**AlainB** · Dec-06-2011, 21:47

Hey Anna. Thanks for your feedback and compliments, it's certainly appreciated.

It is near the bottom of my range, but not entirely. It is comfortable however. In my last lesson, which would be yesterday, I reached higher notes than the lesson before (two lessons ago, I could reach the G4 whereas I could sing the F4# cleanly but not the G4, and now I can reach the G4# whereas I can sing the G4 cleanly, but not G4#). It's certainly improving over time, but that doesn't mean I sound good in my higher reaches though.. I guess.

I've also decided to give 'Tre Sbirri... Una Carrozza'/Va Tosca - Te Deum a go. I misspoke myself a fair few times, so please forgive me. As you might notice, I have the tendency to make a weird sound when singing a tad higher.

I know the audio is rather crappy. Apologies for that. My iPhone wasn't recognized by my laptop, so I was forced to use its integrated microphone.

Also tried to watch if I sung in key. Did my best thus far. And lastly, I misspoke a few times, so apologies for that too.

So, what do you think? Quite an improvement, aye?

And as aforementioned, I had a few issues regarding reaching the tad higher notes at once. Probably pushing the air a bit too much when going higher, as seen in this video.

**CountessAdele** · Dec-08-2011, 04:21

You have a rich full sound and good vibrato! I'm so jealous! I'm the opposite, I can get phrasing, pitch, and high notes right but my breathing isn't right. I don't know why, it feels like I'm breathing deep but I still have no vibrato. And my voice is so light it almost sounds shallow or hollow. I'm 19 too so I'm hoping I'll develope some power or weight. Ah well, time will tell.

You definately need to keep singing though!

**kv466** · Dec-08-2011, 04:33

Great voice! Definitely need some working on the pitch; it's everywhere.

**AlainB** · Dec-09-2011, 12:24

Originally Posted by CountessAdele

You have a rich full sound and good vibrato! I'm so jealous! I'm the opposite, I can get phrasing, pitch, and high notes right but my breathing isn't right. I don't know why, it feels like I'm breathing deep but I still have no vibrato. And my voice is so light it almost sounds shallow or hollow. I'm 19 too so I'm hoping I'll develope some power or weight. Ah well, time will tell.

You definately need to keep singing though!

Thanks for the compliments.

Could you perhaps record yourself and post it? I'm curious as to hear what your voice is like.

Originally Posted by kv466

Great voice! Definitely need some working on the pitch; it's everywhere.

Thanks again.

Regarding the pitch, were you talking mainly about the first video, or both? Did it improve pitch-wise if compared, too (although the two shouldn't be compared I guess)?

**AnnaLia** · Dec-19-2011, 10:54

You are certainly making improvements, keep working at it

Don't worry about pitch or timing etc too much. They are important, but your job is to get the process and technique of singing solid. Once you get the hang of that, the rest becomes a lot easier (including high notes) and you can work on fine tuning your sound and delivery.
I think you're making amazing progress so far, considering how long you've been doing it, and its definitely improving. Take it steady and focus on the sensations of how the singing feels rather than how it sounds. This is the time you need to be really careful looking after your voice, and listening to your body.

No problems on the technical limitations. Its still enough to get an idea, and I've heard technology treating voices far worse than that.

Higher notes, is probably less a problem of too much air, probably more needing strength in support muscles, but that will come.

Definitely Definitely keep going! I wish I sounded that good after that many lessons lol.

**CountessAdele** · Dec-28-2011, 02:32

Thanks for the compliments.

Could you perhaps record yourself and post it? I'm curious as to hear what your voice is like.

Haha! No I'm not that brave! Besides I hate listening to my voice, it's pretty enough I suppose but I have no depth or warmth. You are very lucky because your vocal difficulties are things that can be fixed through training, mine are things only nature and time can fix. Definately keep us posted on your progress!

**AlainB** · May-15-2012, 17:51

Originally Posted by CountessAdele

You are very lucky because your vocal difficulties are things that can be fixed through training, mine are things only nature and time can fix. Definately keep us posted on your progress!

Thanks!

Alrighty, a few months have passed and I felt I learnt some more things in terms of technique and the likes. Wanted to try and sing Il Gladiatore (sung by Pavarotti in the background, as I really haven't searched for an instrumental piece, and this one happened to be in my favourites XD).

Feedback would certainly be appreciated.

As I wrote in the video description: Decided I'd upload another video for some people to show them whether I improved or not over the last month or two. My current range is from Eb2 (sometimes D2, but shouldn't count) to G4, but when I go higher than D4 I tend to make that very gooey, over-darkened, round sound which sounds incredibly ugly... so I find that quite frustrating.

**clavichorder** · May-19-2012, 16:47

You certainly have a deep and powerful voice. You have about the same range as me, a little more on the higher side, so I'd like to hear your higher range, it might be better than you think.

**AlainB** · Jun-07-2012, 21:54

Oh hey there, didn't notice the reply at all ever since... somehow the forum didn't list it this time. Sorry!

Thanks for the compliments, it is much appreciated.

I assume you're an established or beginning singer as well? I wouldn't mind hearing you either! ^^

When I go into my higher range, I tend to lose all my confidence for one reason or another

I suppose that's to be expected with every beginning singer?

In the meantime, my singing teacher organized a singing performance for all of her students on Sunday, 3rd of June. I had to sing Nel contrasto amor s'accende from Vaccai's Metodo Pratico, and Sebben Crudele. She advised me to keep it as "light" as possible, considering I tend to push when I go higher... which then in turn causes that gooey sound in the higher part.

So here's me singing a bit higher as you would like to hear (D4 in Sebben Crudele, so I suppose that'll do XD)

Nel contraso amor s'accende was an introduction song, not the primary one... to get rid of my nerves considering it was my first time in front of a real audience.

And Sebben Crudele (I made some notable timing mistakes here and some other minor ones, so my apologies), attempting to sing it "lighter":

Thanks again for the compliments and feedback.

**Bix** · Jun-18-2012, 20:41

You have a lovely voice and a lovely tone, there are still some pitch and tempo issues but that can be learnt, where tone not so muc, and as I said, you have it.

On a side note, I liked your longer hair

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Would like an opinion on my "performance" - Caro Mio Ben

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