Karaoke Forums

I'm having the damnedest time with the word "heart", particularly in slow tempo ballads.  My voice teacher has given me some ideas to try but so far no luck.  Is there any tricks to this particular word or what? And of course, it comes up in nearly every ballad or song somewhere along the way....thanks!

funny you should say that, I have probs with all my "h" words. I just cant seem to get them to come out powerfully. I have a theory wanna hear it? too bad you're gonna...some letters of the alphabet are more descriptive than others there are no swear-words beginning with h therefore all h words are passive.
for instance its not nearly so satisfying saying Huck cos it doesnt have the same satisfying force needed.
anyway that is my theory, total bullchit I know but hope it brought a smile

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You have a point there because I have noticed listening to myself that those, ho, and h-long a combinations in particular come out too softly at times.

You may want to try and make sure that you are not closing to the "r" sound of heart too soon.   Closing the vowel down takes a LOT away from that word in my opinion unless you are doing it on purpose for effect.  If you are doing a ballad where you are holding out the the word heart, focus on the Ah sound keeping it forward with a slight bit of  a as in apple in the sound. This should help it be more focused and driving of a sound.. at least that's what works for me

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My last name starts with an H so I might have a different way of looking at it. I see what you guys mean about the H sound. I think I put extra stress on the first vowel after  the H in my name.

I don't know if this will help but I'd like to recomend thinking of H words that have a stronger meaning ot them, such as "hard" or " hate". These words strike an emotion in me so hopefully it could provide a Pavlovian response that will help in extending the feeling of other H words.

You know Jazzy, you are right on it! That is one thing my instructor gets on my case about from time to time...closing up to quickly!  You know, when you come from New Jersey, these things happen to a guy.  Thanks to you and Morgan for your feedback on this vital issue!

 If you are singing ur cheatin heart it goes like this


urer cheaeetin harrrrrrrt

Elisha.. you should help ME then... I can't do songs where the emphasis is on a word in the chorus with a big "R"... My fave ever submissions was "I kissed a Girl"... but, it sounds more like.. I kissed a guurerulll".... I hate the word World, too:) But, i think the girl sounding funny is cute in that song, even if it annoys me.

A word that throws me is in Zorba The Greek  (greek version) ie greek pronunciation...

Hathekamesta
      Matia Soo
   Ke Ste Dekesoo  Mera

Hey Gil.. as for the word "Girl" that's another bugger.  I guess a lot of words with "r" sounds in them can throw one for a loop.  It's hard not to sound too country with the grrrr sound.  In styles of music other than country, I tend to use more of a "uh" sound that is kinda open and mixed with an "ah"  that flips to the "erl" right at the end of the note.  Helps open that one up and not sound so twangy when you don't mean it to.

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Jazzy, you keep this up and you'll either have to charge for lessons or become a regular paid columnist here! We are most thankful for your great advice here!

Michael

Lol Thanks Jazzy, well, at least it is a bugger for people OTHER than me (Gilly has an elmer fudd speech problem)  You say.. I might work well in country? Sadly, I HATE country!:) So, i sound like a twangy elmer fudd for life:)  Great to see you back here for a bit, btw.... I just noticed this is your THIRD year here! And someone people who have been here for only a few months have like, a few thousand more posts than you!:) Nuts.

Hmm well this would be a shorter list if you asked me which words aren't hard to sing .  I have a strong southern draw and of course I don't sing country all that much so I have to be aware of it the whole time.  But what I really have a problem with is anything that ends in "ight" such as night and light it ends up soundsing like Naaa ite

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I just hate songs that hum in them - I can't mmm if my life depends
on it. Does anyone else have trouble hummimg?

Here's one for you - In the song Here's for the Party, Gretchen Wilson

The part the goes purple hooter shooters - Once in a while if I'm not concentrating
it comes out    "purple pooper shooter"  :O

Thank goodness most of the time no one notices  LMAO

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thanks Gilly..  Yeah.. it's kinda sad that i've been here so long and have probably fewer posts than most.  I kinda shy away from the boards, but I guess I should hang out here with y'all more often

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hah! don't I wish? hehe.. I could use the job for sure!

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[font=andalus]We Are the Music Makers, and We are the Dreamers of Dreams...
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! One thing that helps me with humming is the mic placement. Instead of placing it at my mouth, I place it slightly more up towards my nose area... that tends to pick up the humming better.  Also, I get the hum really far forward in the "mask" of my face in placement to give it more presence.  At times I will alter the hum just a bit to a kind of closed uhhh sound that resonates in the area around the bridge of my nose.

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[font=andalus]We Are the Music Makers, and We are the Dreamers of Dreams...
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Thank you for the help - I have just changed the mmm to oh before.
Part of the problem I think is I have bad sinuses. When I was in HS I
had a deviated septum fixed. (Not for appearance) I believe it has grown or
moved back. I don't sound nasaly, but have trouble with getting air through my
nasal cavity.

I notice the same problem with words that end in m or n. Only when it is the last word in the phrase. Like in the song "Picture". There are several times the last word is him. I can sing the word, but can't hold the m.

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We should have a section called "Dear Jazzybaggs".

Kind of like the Dear Abby of singing  LOL

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I agree, I hope she can spare the time.