Singing In The Studio – It’s Not Like Singing In The Shower

…or on stage!

One of the reasons I started this blog was to begin a dialog with other singers and musicians about our techniques in the recording studio, and on stage. Since I am in the middle of recording my third jazz CD, I thought I’d keep a log of issues as they come up, and maybe some singers out there will respond and add their wisdom and experiences, too.

You know how when you’re in the shower, and you start singing, and it sounds so GREAT because of the acoustics in the bathroom, and how it feels SO great and you’re all happy and stuff?? No?? Oh yes, you do, come on, admit it! Anyway, that’s one of the times that I am feeling really good about my singing and I don’t doubt my abilities or my musicianship or have any fears about what, or WHY, I continue putting myself out there as a singer.

Well, that great feeling in the shower SHOULD be how you feel when you’re in the studio, singing your heart out, for all the world to hear (you hope). Problem is, you’re not always feeling 100% when you’re in the studio. For whatever reason, you’re tired, you’re stressed, etc., you just can’t seem to make it click. And the harder you try, the worse it sounds, and the worse you feel.

I recently had an experience like that in the studio, and I was so frustrated that I felt I wasn’t singing well. What to do when every minute is costing you money?

I decided to hang in there, and record three more tracks, of the same song, and then force myself to walk away and listen to what I had just recorded, in a few days.

To my surprise, when I went back to listen to what I had done, I discovered a GREAT track, full of emotion, right on pitch, everything was there. I used that track as the final vocal, and i LOVE it!

So: sometimes you may lose your perspective on what you sound like, based on how you’re feeling. But, unlike singing in the shower, singing in the studio may not always sound so great to YOU, but it may sound great to the many others who will be listening to your project. You NEVER KNOW…you may be recording a GREAT track. BELIEVE in your abilities….you may sound better than YOU think you do!!!

So hang in there!!! Know when to keep going, but don’t force yourself. Know WHEN to GET OUT OF THE SHOWER if it’s just not working for ya!!!