Karaoke Forums

Thank for the compliment! Until about a year ago, the only time I ever sang was in my car, or at home, and very badly mind you. I can't remember what it was that inspired me to try to get better, but one night, I went to karaoke and got a lot of nice compliments, and from there, I did everything in my power to make myself a better singer. Bought a machine, got tracks, etc. etc.

A couple of months ago, I actually started taking lessons. There are so many things that I want to do with my voice, but do not have the technical knowledge of how. Taking lessons has broaded my range, my vibrato, I can do things I never thought I could I still think that people like Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey still take lessons.....just to keep in shape.



I remember, the first time I heard you, I got the chills. You have such a different voice. I like how you sings songs your way and do not care what others think (remember everytime??) I can't descibe it. You are just different and do your own thing. You do things for you. And of course, your ramblings

And naw, I did not disappear...I just moved !

Listen to some of Toby Keith's music if you wanna hear some serious vibrato... I think he over does it at times and it makes him sound horrible. Just gets on my nerves.... Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of his songs, but could do without all that. jmo...

First a quote from the LaRousse Encyclopedia of Music:
vibrato. An effect, once an ornament but now a standard part of tone production, whereby a singer or instrumentalist imparts a throbbing quality to a note by oscillating between it and a pitch slightly below. With singers, the louder the note, the more pronounced, usually, the vibrato—and the oscillation can become so wide that the hearer may be left in doubt as to just which note is being aimed for. If the technique is applied, as it often is, to a fairly rapid passage, the result is quite unnerving and totally unmusical (except, apparently, in the opera house).

1. Don't know. Not all singers I've heard have vibrato. I listened to some Louis Armstrong recently and he has some vibrato but only on longer notes which is the case with many of the 'better' singers. BTW, by better singers I mean those that stand the test of time - not 'popular' singers.

2. It is natural for some people (Hi, Luly!) and others fake it. Does it matter? Yes and no. It can be faked by moving the jaw slightly (or induced this way) or by moving the mic back and force to create a fluctuation in the pitch (sort of a mini doppler effect) and volume. Sometimes faked is near impossible to tell from the real thing and other times it's obvious they're faking or trying for an 'effect' which is unnerving.

3. If you 'want' vibratto I'd consider talking with a vocal coach first to improve overall (not that you sing poorly - just that a vocal coach can show areas to improve and specific exercises to work with). As I said before, some people can 'induce' vibrato by moving the jaw slightly when they're holding a long note. Remember, vibrato isn't normally noticed on short notes, only on notes that are held for longer periods of time.

BTW, with some singers you'll hear vibrato come in as they are nearing the end of their air supply and they'll use vibrato to lengthen the note.

Hope this helps! BTW, sorry I haven't subbed lately... I owe a certain person a requested sub (sweet home chicago!) but this hayfever is kicking my butt!

I have NO idea what you're referring to!!

Well Karaokemeister you took the word out of my mouth, so i don't need to say anymore other than even if you have a natural vibrato you can gain alot from vocal coaching to learn to control it as far as not using it or letting it flow at the end of longer notes. Vibrato is an effect that you can use to make your vocals more pleasant or as in the case of a person that seems to overdo it whether natural or learned can be hard to listen to for too long. Alot of old time singers that sang in the 40's and 50's were taught to use a form of vibrato that goes up and down more than Dolly Partons voice and at the time people concidered that to sound good, i find it annoying.
But as someone here said it would be boring if we all sounded a like and what sounds good to me may not be appealing to someone else.
I would like to find a good vocal coach where i live because no matter how good you think you sound there is usually room for improvement and isn't that why we seem to practice so much.
By the way this is my first post, but i have enjoyed reading and learning from you all.