I believe this to be a very valuable service, so I asked 3 clients to let me share their results on my website. Now you get to see what the feedback part of my vocal assessments looks like. What is NOT included here are the questionnaires they filled out, and the exercises and suggestions that they received from me.
NIKKI
Nikki – Audio 1 (original – written by Chip Martin and Jan Linville)
Nikki’s Vocal Assessment:
Question: I want to know if I should or could pursue a SINGING career.
YES. IF you can carry a tune a capella, then definitely. I think pursing singing for you is fine, however, I do not hear you as an artist. That does not mean that you cannot develop in that direction. It’s just not there at the moment. I do think that there are many other singing opportunities available to you.
A capella – N/A
Songs 1 & 2: Pitch – 9 , Rhythm/ timing – 10, Tone – 9
You actually sound better on the original song that you did not know. It’s a better song for you. Tone is good throughout your entire range. Overall your voice is very pleasant and very good. Right now, you are doing well with range, but of course you can increase it. I can totally hear your breath support issue, but you are using your voice well despite it. What comes across to me is that you are playing it safe and holding back. Playing it safe I understand since you are unsure of your support. Holding back is actually that you are holding your breath. You seem to be tightening your chest/ holding your breath in an attempt to control your singing and not run out of air. As a result, you sound nice, but I get nothing from you personally. As a result technically you have a tight fast vibrato that I am not sure you have any control over, and the first and last note of each phrase is awkward. You jump in and fall off.
KEN
Ken – a capella (original – written by Kenneth Cooper)
Ken – Audio 2 (original – written by Kenneth Cooper
Ken’s Vocal Assessment:
Ken says, “I’m a beginning singer.” AND “I’m a songwriter and want to know if I can sing my own demos.”
NO. You should not sing your own demos. Do your scratch vocals for someone else to listen and sing them for you.
From my Questionnaire: #4. Are you experiencing any signs of vocal fatigue such as hoarseness or a sore throat during or after you sing? “Maybe. When I do a 2-hour set I sometimes have to capo up a fret later in the night to hit the low notes.”
This is totally normal, however it would be better for you to warm up for 30 minutes to an hour before a gig and then capo up for both sets. Until you can handle singing for 3 hours without any discomfort or fatigue, continue doing what you are doing. If your voice is sore or hoarse, DO NOT SING.
Song 1 (A capella):
I will jokingly say, “You’re a cheater”. It sounds to me like your a capella piece was sung along with the music, you just soloed the vocal track for me. So you really DIDN’T sing without music. I apologize if I’m wrong. Also, thank you for this because I know now to specify for other clients. (Please Note: Ken emailed me to say that in fact, he did not actually sing without music. Thanks Ken.)
Songs 1 & 2: Pitch – 7 (autotuned?), Rhythm/ Timing – 9, Phrasing – 6.5, Tone – 6
The one comment I would make about your original songs is that the hook line for “Turning Out the Spotlight” needs some tweaking. Since this is a Vocal Assessment I’m moving on.
In a live setting I think you are enjoyable. If you’ve got a smile on your face and are personable it’s probably even better. You’re musical and are doing quite well as a beginner. I mean, you ARE singing, playing And writing your own tunes.
Your vocal performance is average, though. You have very little breath support and it’s throwing off everything. Lack of support is throwing off your pitch. It has you singing with hot air, which is forcing your sound through your nose ONLY, so your tone is always very nasal.
Basically it sounds like you are fumbling down the field instead of picking up the ball and carrying it all the way. (I cannot believe I just made a football analogy. If you knew me you wouldn’t believe it either.)
Honestly Ken, 3 months of lessons with me and daily practice time will totally change your life. One or 2 lessons of body mechanics will seriously help you, too. Think about it.
ASHLEY
Ashley’s Vocal Assessment:
Question: I want to know if I should or could pursue a SINGING career.
Absolutely! You’ve got a lot of potential and talent. Honing your skills enough to have a singing career takes years of training, practice and experience. Your age and talent put you at a great advantage for a successful singing career.
Song 1 (A capella):Pitch – 10, Pitch reference – 10, Rhythm/ timing – 10, Tone – 7.5
Song 2: Pitch – 8.5, Rhythm/ Timing – 10, Tone – 7
This is a really good song for you. Changing the low notes to suit your range was excellent.
The tone of your voice is accurate most of the time and sounds fine. As you go higher, you are straining and going flat. Both of which do not sound fine. I believe that you are squeezing or compressing somewhat throughout the entire song, which is tightening your throat or chest or both. This is why you have trouble with your “break”. You’re getting tighter as you go higher. However, you can hear in the first song that when you switch to breathy, the tension is released. The breathier, higher notes in the first song work with the style too. Yes, in the second song those higher notes would not work stylistically if they were breathy, but flat doesn’t work either.
When you need to, use the breathier higher notes as default because the tension and strain are worse. What you should do is work to make the breathier notes clearer and stronger.
