musicallyyours

Although performing and recording both require you to sing to your best ability, they are two very different things. Recording is extremely technical and usually requires numerous takes so that you can get the song, if not perfect, as close to perfect as possible. The key is to not let your producer’s direction and instructions inhibit your emotional connection with the song.

It is extremely important that you don’t just tell a story, you sell the story. From the moment that you begin the song a story is unfolding. Just like with a good movie, each verse is a scene, meant to build up to the climatic finish. As the vocalist, it is imperative that you do just that, build the song through vocal quality and the emotion that you convey in your voice.

Be aware of how you annunciate, yes everyone has their own individual styles, but how will your audience know what the song is about if they can’t understand you. Sometimes you might even have to over annunciate in order for the audience to clearly get what you are saying. In addition to that be conscious of how you round your tones and how you end your phrases. This adds to the style of the song because these things add to the inflection in your voice. For example, if you are singing about being wronged in a love affair, ending your phrases crisply shows your anger.

It is also key, when recording, that you test the microphone and establish a professional relationship with the engineer. As you get further into recording, this person will become like your best friend. Don’t be afraid to communicate with them what’s going on with your headphones, microphone, etc.

Recording can be a rewarding experience, resulting in a platinum album. Just like with everything in life, practice makes perfect. Let the professionals guide you on your journey through the recording process. Bring your vocal skills, willingness to learn, and ambition to the table and recording your first song will a cinch.