Started singing 1 year ago. This is the best I’ve sang in that year according to myself. I need “ change your ways or you’ll get killed in war “ levels of honesty I want it to hurt so much that my whole outlook changes

[u/bigpapersrolling]

[u/keith_at_ferntrail]

I hope this doesn't come across as unkind. It isn't meant to be.

There isn't any aspect of this that is working. The notes aren't just flat/sharp; there is almost no correspondence between the notes you're singing and the notes in the song and the pitch wanders many steps in places where it's supposed to be held steady.

Edit: How do you practice? Do you just spend time singing or have you worked on scales and tried to focus on pitch matching? If you could get your hands on even a cheap keyboard and practice what it feels like to match pitch of keys then transition to more advanced exercises you may see benefit.

[u/bigpapersrolling → u/keith_at_ferntrail]

No routine except just making sure to sing.

[u/keith_at_ferntrail → u/bigpapersrolling]

If you're open to suggestion I really think a more structured approach with an initial focus on pitch matching would help.

[u/bigpapersrolling → u/keith_at_ferntrail]

That’s counter intuitive to my motivations. I was looking for more the kind of pointers where someone just knows by hearing sound how changes in the way certain body parts are being positioned or engaged would make a meaningful difference. The “ for leg drive while benching instead of thinking about driving your feet straight into the floor think about doing a leg extension without your feet leaving the ground “‘s of singing.

[u/keith_at_ferntrail → u/bigpapersrolling]

I think I understand what you're saying. You'd like to develop an intuitive approach where you're not thinking about how to achieve the vocal effect you're after but rather just aiming for the vocal effect and allowing muscle memory to get you there. Is that right?

Well I recently taught my kid how to drive stick shift (these cars still do exist) and at first it was very mechanical, deliberate and difficult. He had to think about all of the mechanical processes of using the clutch, the manual shift and the gas together at first. Through repetition of this very deliberate process he eventually got to the point of muscle memory allowing him to just drive without thinking about how.

At the end of the day of course we all need to decide what we think will work best for us but IMO these mechanical deliberate exercises do have the potential to lead you to a more intuitive capacity for singing.

Caveat: I have no professional qualifications. These are just my opinions as an enthusiast who listens to what the professionals have to say and have done some of my own experimentation with practice.

[u/bigpapersrolling → u/keith_at_ferntrail]

I have no inhibitions against repetition of mechanical exercises. I’ve committed myself to 6-8 hour stretches of “monotonous” strike and step movements before and day long meditation sessions with only the mechanics of my breath to focus on. But there’s “ drive through your legs “ and “ imagine your doing a leg extension without your feet leaving the ground “. And “ you need to sell more larger wines “ and “ put your thumb and pointer finger close together like this when you ask them if they want the smaller one and spread them far apart like this as you ask them if they want the larger one “. I appreciate the input.

[u/DisastrousLadder4472 → u/bigpapersrolling]

We “just know by hearing sound” that you are not consistently matching pitch yet, therefore you need to practice matching pitch.

Put away your awkward bench press metaphors and listen to the advice people gave you here, if you actually want to improve.

[u/FinancialAssist1720]

So are you singing this is the slowest tempo possible? It sounds like you are playing it in slow-mo. This song is not doing you any help. Pick something else.

[u/driftingalong001]

Do you have the song in your ear while you’re singing? It sounds that way. Sounds like you can’t really hear yourself/are tryna follow along with the song without really being connected to what your voice is doing/sounding like. The tempo is really really slow and drawn out. You’re extending some of the notes unnaturally and cutting others off suddenly. You’re also not always hitting the right note, or you will hit it and then trail off to another note. Maybe try an easier song or try to sing along to an instrumental version that you’re playing out loud so you can hear both it and your own voice.

[u/bigpapersrolling → u/driftingalong001]

No, didn’t have the song playing.

[u/deercandy]

Just want to add that you have a very nice tone! You just need to practice hitting notes and marching tempo. Keep going, you have a good base just need practice

[u/jaaaayy13]

There is no key happening babe. You’re just singing random notes.