OK I'll start - Who sings and if you do..........?

[trag-o-caster]

.... is it lead, background, or both?

I do both, but I never really thought that the tonality of my voice blended well for harmonizing. I can find everybody's part and show it to them. I can hit my own part with no problem. I'm just not happy with the tone of my voice when it comes to harmonies.

97% of my vocalizing is singing lead.

[Crunchyriff]

I do both- have been singing as long as I can remember; probably for about 38+ of the 43 years that I've been on this orb, now...

[stephen]

I used to sing harmonies all the time, but I cant stand the sound of my voice! My wife says I sound fine, better than some, but to me, its just :shock: !

Even my normal speaking voice, I hate to say it, but it sounds like I'm straining, while settin on the comode :oops: .

So basically, my confidence is in the basement, when it comes to my vocals. So I have given up trying to sing (lead, back-up, harmonies), cause I have zero confidence in my singing abilities.

I have expressed to my P&W leader, I'd like to try singing some back up, but thankfully, he seems to have forgotten (either that, or he has heard me sing :shock: and.... ), but my luck, he'll read this, and go, "Time to put a mic in front of Stephen!" oh joy.

[Pearly Gator]

I sing both, but have been shifting to doing more of the lead stuff with my band of brothers in the men's ministry worship team. In the church's main worship team, I have not been asked to sing. (Material for a whole new thread.) :|

All who sing loathe their own voices untill they learn to use it properly. Jimi Hendrix, BB King & SRV hated their own voices. However they learned to use their own unique tonalities. Singing is like weight lifting. We must develop and use our voices properly.

Tape recorders don't lie. A recording will reveal what your voice really sounds like. So will plugging one ear while singing. Know your key and and what your range is. My range is the same as is recommended for congregational worship - Bb below the staff to D on the staff. If it's in there, I can hit it.

Chocolate, caffeine, hot beverages and cold beverages are bad for your voice. Room temperature liquids only. I once heard an interview with the group First Call. They were asked how they prepared for singing. They replied that they eat potato chips. (!) The salt soothes the larnyx, the oil lubricates it and the potassium gives it a nice tonal quality. Guess what? It works. It only takes a hand full of chips. (Plain potato chips only.) I carried a sack of chips with me when I sang with my work holiday choir. I was able to sing all day long without any vocal fatigue.

Sometimes I struggle with high notes. By accident, I learned that if I turn my head on high notes, it constricts my larnyx slightly, helping me hit the high notes. BB King turns his head when singing high notes too. Watch him sometime.

Sorry this is getting long. I hope I'm not hijacking this thread from your intent, Stephen. I just want to encourage everyone to sing and share some stuff I've learned.

Okay, last one: Our bodies are designed for worship.

When we hold our hands raised up, it frees our chest cavity for better airflow for singing. With our chin slightly raised, our mouth and throat muscles are better formed for singing naturally. You got it: Raise your hands and face towards The One who is worthy of all praise. It's your best position.

In Christ,

Gary

[Crunchyriff]

FirstCall isn't the only one that does that trick- Amy Grant has been doing that for years.

I KNEW "Kettle Chips" were medicinal!! :P

When doing gigs that require me singing 1.5 hrs, (or more) of material, warm tea and honey (and PRAYER!) tends to 'get me there' if I have had another gig within the previous 24-48 hrs.

I always hated the sound of my own voice (especially on initial playback)- hearing myself made me VERY uncomfortable; but over the years I have grown to deal with it. As a lead singer, it's something I had to force myself to cope with.

One thing that helped me was the ability to do 'other voices' pretty accurately; but what really gave me total release is where the apostle Paul speaks of 'avoiding emulations'- lets face it, no matter who you can emulate, there is already 'one of those' created. God created us to be unique- one of a kind.

To do anything less is a disservice to ourselves, and our Maker!

[Teleguy]

I sing as an excuse to play guitar!

My voice doesn't sound like much to me, but I'm available! :mrgreen:

[Crunchyriff]

Har!

[Crunchyriff]

I did an experiment- a sort of mutated "potato chips test".

This was the perfect time, with imperfect chips (Lay's Kettle Cooked Mesquite BBQ); and the result was stunning. It was early in the AM; obviously the voice is NOT in top form at this time of day, let alone "warmed-up"; so I ate some of these rogue BBQ chips and let it rip as I drove from one town to another at 7:30 am.

It works. I had my full range, power, control and nice tone too. Incredible. poof, just like that. However, this is not to say that warm-ups aren't in order.

Can't wait to try the 'proper' specimens! (regular "Kettle Chips" which are my favorite- not Lay's..)

That said, I am converted- chips before every gig from now on....

[TheViking]

.... is it lead, background, or both?

I do both. Does it sound beautiful? nooooo. Does it sound pretty? noooooo It sounds like what it is, a totall natural raw voice that never was subjected to warming up or learning the tricks. I grew up with a sister who did everything right when it comes to vocals. She had proper training, she warmed up properly and she is blessed with an angelic voice (yeah she works as a musician too). Me, I was always more of a rock & roll rebel kinda guy. played by ear and never took any lessons at all. Do i like my own voice? Nah, not really, I think it works ok and as long as people enjoy it and are willing to buy concert tickets and cd's I'll probably keep on singing. Not because I have to, but because I feel people used to listening to rock and blues can assosiate with my voice, and hey, if my growling can lead people to Christ, who am I to shut up lol

[kewlpack]

Been singin' since '86.

Back in those days it was as Lead Singer for a heavy metal band. Doing all kinds of 80's cover tunes (from Nazareth to Poison to Iron Maiden to Def Leppard to Metallica to Queensryche-style originals... etc. all kinds of stuff).

After my conversion in '91 and going to Bible College, I sang with a quartet/quintet as lead/backup doing all sorts of gospel, contemporary, and acapella stuff. Mostly tenor and then whatever was needed when one of the other guys took lead. I loved singing with those guys...it was a sweet time! Later, I sang countless "specials" solo when I did revival and rally circuit preaching.

Hmm, since 2000 I really haven't done much singing at all - many "difficult" circumstances prevented it. Now, I just sing in the pew with my brothers and sisters when I am not playing in the kid's church praise sessions. I guess I could sing with our main P/W singers, but they normally have plenty of folks when I'm there and I don't know many of their songs (yet).

I hope to get back to singing a lot someday. I keep looking for the opportunity... we'll see.

Grace and peace.
~A~

[ptrallan01]

when I have too. Leading praise and worship out of necessity caused me to develop a singing voice. In the cultural context in which i minister people expect the pastor to sing. However, my singing style is "operatic" as that is how I was trained so it doesn't work with bluesy or gospel songs! Because of asthma and allergies I try not to sing when I have to preach and because I don't sing much these days my "chops" need work, but when I can get my voice to work right it is somewhat more pleasant than a car horn, flock of geese or dental drill.

Peter

[Webservant]

I do mostly playing. Just now started to play and sing at the same time.. Quite the task. But it's getting better. My voice is good IMO. everyoe tels me my has a great tone. I also just became worship leader of one of the bands at our church. I'm a bit nervious but I know God's hand will be in this new begining.

GB

[Drewfus]

I sing back up mostly. On the rare occassion I fill in for the Worship Leader, I'm singin lead.

I was always an instrumentalist only untill a couple of years ago, so any singing is a bit of a stretch for me. :shock:

[Micter]

I sing mostly back up but I do sing lead on a few songs!

[Teleguy]

I was alternating between song leading, and backline guitar duties, every other week.
It became clear that my "talents" were more important to the back line rhythm section! 8)

I enjoy playing guitar and hittin' the grooves with the bass and drums more than singin' anyway. :mrgreen:

[MrMike]

God has blessed me with the gift of mercy. Therefore, I do not sing much. :mrgreen:

[stephen]

God has blessed me with the gift of mercy. Therefore, I do not sing much. :mrgreen:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :!:

Gotta remember that one!

[Teleguy]

LOL!

:lol: