A chorus of singing

[garybaldy]

I’ve been working on singing to try and make my band more marketable. There are plenty of blues based jazz songs so I’m starting there.

I’m recording myself singing these songs to hear back. Might as well post them here for feedback or constructive criticism.

Hi Allan.
Please forgive me if I'm wrong!
So, with you playing GBAIGTY in Eb and thus starting on a C7, the melody should start with a C note.
I believe you are pitching an F for that first note on your video. If you are comfortable with that, you need to be playing the song in Ab and thus starting on an F7.
Thanks

[kris]

Somebody who can sing just sings. Singing lessons won't make someone who can't sing, sing. What lessons will do is make someone who can't sing sound like someone who can't sing who's been taking lessons. Stiff, awkward and awful.

You might benefit from lessons if you're singing opera or appearing on Broadway. But someone singing jazz songs at a local gig just needs to get up and sing. If they can, they can. If they can't they probably never will.

And I really mean it.

Of course, anyone who can play just play.
Amateurs play and sing or seem to them play and sing.
Only after confrontation with professionism do they come to the conclusion that it is not that simple.
I think that helped you understand what I meant.

[Ukena]

It all depends on what you hope to accomplish with your singing.

If you're just making the occasional YouTube video, it really doesn't matter if you can't even hold a pitch. You can always take multiple takes until you have one that satisfies you. If you have an occasional gig, and you sing one or a few songs during the evening, it also doesn't matter much about your ability – the audience might also appreciate a kazoo solo.

But if you're going to perform several times over the course of a 4-hour gig, more than a couple of times a week, you're going to benefit from lessons. And yes, if you can't sing a tune at all, you're probably out of luck. But most of us who play instruments, who are at all musical, can at least approximate a tune vocally. If you want to be able to phrase properly, you need to learn to breathe proplerly to support your voice – every bit as much as a trumpet player or trombone player needs to learn how to breathe properly. Everyone can breathe, but not everyone can support a proper phrase without running out of breath.

You also will want to have the vocal stamina to survive an evening, which means you'll need to know how to warm up properly.

Almost every vocalist you've ever admired has had lessons, from Nat King Cole to Bob Dylan. In Dylan's case, it didn't improve the quality that much, but it increased his vocal range.

Again, if you're only singing a few songs a week, and especially if you're your own best fan (I'm not pointing the finger at you, Allen, truly), then just winging it will work; you'll probably even get a few audience members who come up and show their approval.

There is singing, and then there is singing.

[AllanAllen]

I’ll try again in C and Ab.

Ukena, no offense taken by your post you summarize my goal pretty well. Just singing a few songs to change up the night.

[Al Haig]

Then take the handful of songs that you plan to sing, find the best key if necessary, and just practice them until you can build a lil chops on them and sound good. The goal is to be able to mix head and chest voice. Don't want to be talking on pitch with your head the whole time, and you don't want to be all boisterous with chest voice either, just a sensible mix. It's not like he's trying to work up solo chops, just has to sing a few heads. Improvements can be made.

[ragman1]

Of course, if you really want to increase the audience, get a girl singer. That means splitting the take but if the audience increases you can ask for a raise. Expenses, you know :-)

[rpjazzguitar]

A couple of years ago I went to hear Howard Alden.

For most of the show the music was entirely instrumental.

Then, after more than an hour iirc, he sang a swing tune.

I think it would be fair to say that he was no threat to Sinatra's legacy.

But, the audience loved it. Maybe everybody needed a break from purely instrumental music. Maybe it was affection for Howard. Hard to say.

I knew already that people relate well to singers. What I hadn't realized is that the singer doesn't even have to be pro quality for a couple of songs to work.

So, my view is, go for it.

[Lionelsax]

Anyone else is welcome to post clips of them singing too.

[Al Haig]

Exactly rp. I think singers break down 3 ways by how good their voice is and there's no changing your group of natural aptitude, but improvements can be made within it.

1. Legit singer. Can front a group, sound good all the time, have command of their voice and a range of emotions, and styles.
2. Can hold down some vox. Has some artistry in their voice but not enough to be a legit singer. Sounds pretty nice to where it will be redeeming for some vox. Some of the poor command translates into a tad of awkward emotion, but overall the performance is redeeming.
3. Can't sing, don't ever attempt in public. Voice just sounds bad regardless of what you try so don't even try or it will be a cringe fest.

Like Joey here is a 2 at 25:48. Singing a couple in a set. And I think Allan is a 2. Ask me which group I am. :P

[AllanAllen]

I think 2 is a style in its own right and for what it’s worth, it’s the style I’m going for. I’m pleased to hear everyone’s replies here.

Lionel, I liked your video too, cool and easy.

[Lionelsax]

I think 2 is a style in its own right and for what it’s worth, it’s the style I’m going for. I’m pleased to hear everyone’s replies here.

Lionel, I liked your video too, cool and easy.

Thanks, I'm used to singing even if I don't sing so well. In fact, singing is part of my regular job.
I was taught to sing in choirs or ensembles but I'm not so good in that.

[Mick-7]

Anyone else is welcome to post clips of them singing too.

Mick vs Duke (Take 3) - Box.com

From this thread -- Aug 2025 - Solitude

[Bob_Ross]

Anyone else is welcome to post clips of them singing too.

[AllanAllen]

Mick vs Duke (Take 3) - Box.com

From this thread -- Aug 2025 - Solitude

Very nice! I haven’t been singing like I thought I would.

[Mick-7]

Very nice!

Thanks.... I recorded a version with me taking a whistling solo, discovered my whistling skill is nowhere near as good as my vocal ability, and since it's not exactly a marketable skill, I don't plan to work on it.

I haven’t been singing like I thought I would

Is that good or bad?

[AllanAllen]

Is that good or bad?

Both I think. I thought singing would be a little fun and might get more interest in the band. Then the trumpet player wanted to sing and he's better at it. So the group gets vocals without 6 months of me figuring out at gigs.

[rpjazzguitar]

I heard Howard Alden. Long show, lots of fine guitar. And then he sang one. Not a singer, but the crowd ate it up. Not long after, I decided to sing now and then on gigs.

Here's one of the early recordings I made to critique it.

[Mick-7]

Both I think. I thought singing would be a little fun and might get more interest in the band. Then the trumpet player wanted to sing and he's better at it. So the group gets vocals without 6 months of me figuring out at gigs.

I like your voice more than your partners, Allan, I think I'd get tired of his after a tune or two, but as you said, singing would be one more thing to practice, which is probably one more than you want. I've never had to practice singing, I wish I could say the same about playing guitar.

[AllanAllen]

If I had any interest in rehearsing the group, I could sort out my vocals there.

I’m probably making mountains of molehills to use as an excuse.

[digger]

I heard Howard Alden. Long show, lots of fine guitar. And then he sang one. Not a singer, but the crowd ate it up. Not long after, I decided to sing now and then on gigs.

Here's one of the early recordings I made to critique it.

That was great! Really nice tone and wonderful laid back groove. Beautifully accompanied, too. I'd be more than happy to hear more of that.

Derek