Great
singers
have unique sounds, and that can make them difficult to copy. If you
want to sound exactly like the singers on your iPod but don't know how,
where do you start?
if you really want to be as realistic as the artist
you have selected to tribute as possible, then you must study all the
available material you can find to analyze this person. Not only the voice
but the mannerisms in the performances. In other words you have to BECOME
that artist(e)!
I train both amateur and professional singers, and I work with tribute
singers who need to sound like someone else. I use a combination of
imitation, listening and feel to help them find the vocal sound of their
chosen artist.
You can usually recognize a recording artist within a few notes because of
their 'signature sound'. It's what the artist does with their physical
structure (their body and throat) that makes the sound itself unique. Your
favourite recording artist probably uses a singing sound close to their
speaking voice.
Here's an exercise to help you feel what it's like to speak with your chosen
artist's vocal "setup", the shapes they make with their throat and mouth:
Imagine how your chosen artist would speak. You don't even need to hear them
speak (it's actually better if you don't know). Just listen to the way they
sing and imitate what you think their speaking voice would sound like if
they spoke like they sang. Listen to the way they pronounce words, the
volume of the sound (soft and breathy, loud and straight), and how direct or
gentle they are. Imagine them talking to you, telling you (for example) what
they had for breakfast that morning. Feel the way they talk, and then speak,
matching the sounds you think they would make.
With the same feeling in your sound, begin to talk on a higher pitch and
then a lower pitch. We normally sing above and below the pitches that we
speak on, so try speaking in a higher and lower voice than your normal one.
You might feel ridiculous, but it really helps to get into someone's vocal
habits.
When you feel comfortable with using their vocal setup in your speaking
voice, you can start to use it in singing. Sing the song you were humming
earlier and add the words, using the same shapes and sounds you've been
experimenting with.
You'll be surprised how close to your chosen artist you sound. When you
listen to the artist's recording again, you will notice how much more
understanding you have of the flavour and feel of their performance.
Capturing the essence of an artist's voice is simple when you know how!
But no matter what you think or your friends think, that
you sound or look like the artist you want to portray, go and get
professional opinion and advice. It will be invaluable in the pursuit of
your future career!
There are loads of teachers and Tribute Agencies around. Look on the Web
Ron Lomax
