Singing To Original Songs Can Do Your Voice Development A Disservice

All of us have done it. We hit play on our favourite new song and we sing along with the artist, mimicking and emulating their every note. This can be a great way to familiarise yourself with a new tune, but if you always practice with the original artist’s voice in the track you could be doing yourself and your vocal development a great disservice. So, today we’re going to talk about backing tracks (karaoke tracks) and their awesome benefits.

“Choosing the tracks For You.”

It’s a well known fact: a singer walks on stage, and belts a song and the judge’s chair doesn’t turn around. The singer, though talented, doesn't move on to the next round due to one thing, song choice.

Choosing a song that is specifically designed to your voice should to be taken lightly:

Your Favourite song doesn't mean automatic success.

Careful selection can make the difference between a successful rendition that highlights your abilities and one that magnifies your imperfections.

Here are some tips to contemplate when picking a song that’s right for your voice.

Consider the song’s composition

• Are the lyrics simple or complicated? Try singing to Song by Beyonce. Now try Kylie. Notice a difference?

Is the melody varied and arduous? Take the example of Beyonce's Love On Top. It is one of the most difficult songs due to its extensive vocal range and dynamics and insiders say thats why Beyonce does tracks like this to see if people can match her talent.

• Is there instrumental support? Will your voice be carried by one or many instruments? Are there parts of the song where you will need to sing a cappella? It's important to consider how often and when you will be singing accompanied by an instrument.

Know yourself

This may be the most important aspect in song selection. You likely w

ouldn’t set out to run a marathon without first having an idea of your capabilities. The same can be applied with song selection. Think about the following:

• What are your likes and dislikes? It isn't in liking something that we are naturally good at it. First, identify the songs that you like and that you feel may suit you. Don't hesitate to get the thoughts of those around before going solo.

• Identify your vocal tessiture. There’s only one Ariana Grande and Bruno Mars for a reason! Knowing your tessiture and being able to control your voice in any situation is imperative. Not sure where to begin? Find your voice type and learn to master it.

Constructive criticism is your friend

Optimism is a good thing, but blind optimism or plain ignorance can hurt you when choosing a song. Don’t be afraid to ask feedback from those around you and/or your audience. They may be hearing something that you’re not and their observations may help you to quickly identify necessary modifications.