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darkmutton

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Hi Guys, I'm after some help on this one

Melissa (my eldest) has just recorded some Cover versions of some popular songs and is trying to get them out to a wider audience on youtube etc. She is hopeing to get some form of a career in the future from singing but requires her voice to be heard.

Please bare in mind she is only 13 but any comments received seem to be giving her confidence a big boost and are helping to get her out of her shell a bit

Could I just ask you all to have a listen and if you like them could you please post links onto other forums, facebook etc to get her viewings up and maybe leave your ratings and comments.

Thank you so much fellas.

Heres the links

http://youtu.be/QrQ5Gfegnk8

http://youtu.be/pi4AoCeqUxI

http://youtu.be/3zF8pMmGZCc

http://youtu.be/Wu-BVqKQJCY

http://youtu.be/haaMf47QZrg
 
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Well the futures bright for this little girl.


Roberta Flacks, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, is too big a song for a 13 year old TBH, although listening to Melissa it did bring a tear to my eye


Good Luck Melissa and I hope all your dreams come true.
 
Forgot to say ..................... Its a Yes from me :)
 
Thank you, her hit rate is starting to creap up and she is very pleased that people like her, she is very shy and and modest and it's helping her to realise that she is a good little singer.

she now also has a little website that we have set up and will be adding content to, On Monday she has another recording session so hopefully will be a few more on there and she also has a few songs to sing in the pubs in the north east through her vocal coach so hopefully her confidence will continue to grow.

Her website is www.melissaspouse.co.uk
 
She needs some decent backing tracks with adjustable pitch control. A good start though :) Maybe work on the backgrounds so it doesn't look so much like she's singing in her bedroom. Is she in a local stage school or similar? How long has she been with her current vocal coach?
My students get alot of gigs in their early days of singing, in old folks homes. It sounds tough, but it's good experience.
 
very nice voice, with a little training it will make a big difference.
does she have any coaching lessons?
 
just seen she has a vocal coach, sorry. who does she get the voice from?
 
Tori said:
She needs some decent backing tracks with adjustable pitch control. A good start though :) Maybe work on the backgrounds so it doesn't look so much like she's singing in her bedroom. Is she in a local stage school or similar? How long has she been with her current vocal coach?
My students get alot of gigs in their early days of singing, in old folks homes. It sounds tough, but it's good experience.
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She has been going to a local stagecoach group for about 3 years but we have just pulled her out of there so that she can concentrate on just her singing with 1 to 1 lessons. She has had about 5 singing lessons with her new coach and has come on leaps and bounds since. Her coach puts on 3 shows a year in the clubs etc for the kids, Melissa's first one is in Sept with a 20 piece backing band to provide the music but the coach has also got her doing some smaller acoustic nights and she is starting to do open mic nights in some other local pubs for experience.
Seems funny you mention the backing tracks, those 5 links were done in a studio who do some very big names. Most of the songs were also done straight off, no having to go back to redo dodgy notes.
This is her new coach www.linzihunter.co.uk/linzihunter/About_Me.html
 
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Tori said:
She needs some decent backing tracks with adjustable pitch control. A good start though :) Maybe work on the backgrounds so it doesn't look so much like she's singing in her bedroom. Is she in a local stage school or similar? How long has she been with her current vocal coach?
My students get alot of gigs in their early days of singing, in old folks homes. It sounds tough, but it's good experience.
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We are back down in the studio at the moment and the studio producer wants to know which tracks your on about. This is the equipment he is using and has more variable pitch's then you can imagine.

e4e9d480.jpg


Are you sure your not listening to it through a baked bean tin. On the recorded songs there is also no tuning taking place, it's all 100 percent her voice. Any more info would be great
 
I'll have to have another listen when I get home as I'm at work, but from what I remember, the vocals were drowning the backing.

No, I don't have a bean tin sorry. I just gave an opinion on something I do every day of my working life. I'm a pianist by trade. Sarky comments will not help your daughter. I'm not knocking his gear, just what I hear/see.
 
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Tori said:
She needs some decent backing tracks with adjustable pitch control. A good start though :) Maybe work on the backgrounds so it doesn't look so much like she's singing in her bedroom. Is she in a local stage school or similar? How long has she been with her current vocal coach?
My students get alot of gigs in their early days of singing, in old folks homes. It sounds tough, but it's good experience.
Click to expand...

We are back down in the studio at the moment and the studio producer wants to know which tracks your on about. This is the equipment he is using and has more variable pitch's then you can imagine. The microphone alone was 4 grand.

e4e9d480.jpg


Are you sure your not listening to it through a baked bean tin. On the recorded songs there is also no tuning taking place, it's all 100 percent her voice. Any more info would be great
 
I had a listen, she's got a lovely voice but her pronounciation of some of the words here and there were a bit...not slurred.... but whats the term where you don't pronounce the words properly or say your t's properly. That anyways :)

Good luck to her
 
I think this clears quite alot up. On youtube there are clearly studio sets, and some er, bedroom songs? I listened to the Leona Lewis cover (Actually a Snow Patrol cover, but that's splitting hairs) and it's very unbalanced and cut off abrubtly at the end.

I think if she wants to portray a professional image, in regards to attracting work, then she needs to delete the bedroom songs?

I won't comment on your daughters voice, as I don't want cause a pie fight. I know you want everyone to say...your daughter is fabulous!! Which is understandable, she is your daughter. But she also has alot to learn. Being sarky with anyone giving a bit of constructive critisism is not going to help her.

With more training I'm sure she'll do fine.
 
Tori said:
I think this clears quite alot up.
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Yes it does. I only posted links to the new recordings so thought that was what you were commenting on. I apologise for the comment if thats the case but we thought that there must be something wrong somewhere. Regarding adjustable pitch backing tracks we still dont know what your talking about, maybe you could enlighten us some more. The tracks we now use are studio quality and can be obtained in any key but there is no point as the pitch, speed etc can all be adjusted in the studio to suit any ones voice. We obviously know she has a long road to travel but we all think she has some very good skills to get her started, those recorded tracks are 100% her voice, there is no autotune etc being used.

Melissa was at stagecoach and had been there for about 3-4years but nobody made any comments on her singing etc. About 3 months ago the wife had some girls round and Melissa sang and we were shocked at what we heard. We offered her the singing lessons, which she has taken up and dropped out of stagecoach. Only now have they started making comments and want to do the coaching but it's a bit late. Those bedroom recordings were taken before her lessons started, in her bedroom on an iphone with the backing tracks coming via youtube in the background on a netbook, you gotta start somewhere. Her voice has improved loads since the lessons began and her coach organises proper gigs for the kids in the local clubs etc, her next one is with a 20 piece backing band in Sept so Melissa is doing some open Mic nights etc to practice for it. Shes also got a big part in her school play, a wedding to sing at and another gig with her coach at Christmas so hopefully her confidence will grow and grow.

Squizza:- Yes I know what you mean and we have picked up on it already. There is a line in one of those tracks where she sings the word "battle" but there are no 'T's in it. I think she need to do some rain in Spain lessons aswell lol.
 
With all that equipment at your disposal I'm surprised you're touting in photo forums just to raise her facebook/youtube ranking.
She has an 'alrighty' voice, but as I see dozens of skids shows every year with hundreds of singists who have 'alrighty' type voices too maybe you have her/your expectations set too high for the moment.
If you both have faith and she has professional training, maybe she will have a future as a singer, but . . . there's many, many skids with exceptional voices/personality/presentation who tick all the training boxes and still won't get a break.
Be realistic and neither of you will be disappointed. :)
 
mercedes said:
With all that equipment at your disposal I'm surprised you're touting in photo forums just to raise her facebook/youtube ranking.
She has an 'alrighty' voice, but as I see dozens of skids shows every year with hundreds of singists who have 'alrighty' type voices too maybe you have her/your expectations set too high for the moment.
If you both have faith and she has professional training, maybe she will have a future as a singer, but . . . there's many, many skids with exceptional voices/personality/presentation who tick all the training boxes and still won't get a break.
Be realistic and neither of you will be disappointed. :)
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The equipment is not mine, We have to pay for each recording session . We are being realistic and thats why we are trying to get her views up. We know she aint going to be famous but we do know that there could be a career in singing for her, with the correct guidance that she now has, be it pubs and clubs, backing vocals, cruise ships or whatever. Melissa is very shy and the views and comments left are boosting her confidence as she realise's that she is not a bad singer
 
mercedes said:
With all that equipment at your disposal I'm surprised you're touting in photo forums just to raise her facebook/youtube ranking.
She has an 'alrighty' voice, but as I see dozens of skids shows every year with hundreds of singists who have 'alrighty' type voices too maybe you have her/your expectations set too high for the moment.
If you both have faith and she has professional training, maybe she will have a future as a singer, but . . . there's many, many skids with exceptional voices/personality/presentation who tick all the training boxes and still won't get a break.
Be realistic and neither of you will be disappointed. :)
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Agree with this.
 
Oh the vote for me/ my child/ sibling/ next doors neighbours sons girlfriends cousins mate thread. How about, no I won't as don't know you / your child / sibling / next doors neighbour.
 
Lynton said:
Oh the vote for me/ my child/ sibling/ next doors neighbours sons girlfriends cousins mate thread. How about, no I won't as don't know you / your child / sibling / next doors neighbour.
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I must say that's an awful attitude to take :(
The OP has asked people to vote / like IF they are liked, not for the sake of it. With all the talk of the forums being a less friendly place of late, your kind of remark does nothing to dispel or redress the situation.

Quite a sad situation tbh.
 
Possibly,though I am in favour of votes being cast in a level playing field, not by posting anywhere, everywhere and saying "please vote for someone you don't know and have never met" for then it becomes a pop contest, not a true reflection on somebodies ability!
 
Would you vote in an election if nobody told you anything about the candidates or the location of the polling station?

Same ethos here, there are links to her work, if you like it say so, it's hardly rigging as you don't need to vote /like unless you like it.
 
:thinking: now either I am being particularly dim, or no one is asking for any kind of 'votes' that result in any kind of win/lose situation [which if they were btw, the thread would be long gone] - it is simply some asking you you to comment if you like what you see, as simple as that. If you don't, close the thread, walk away. Seemples.
 
As mentioned above I have not asked for votes on anything, I mearly asked if you would view the songs on YouTube and if you like them to leave a comment or tick the like box, there is no star prize.

The comments posted here have been greatly different then the other 2 forums that I use regularly and have me wondering if I'm better off taking my camera elsewhere before I dare ask anyone to review a picture for me. Heavens above they might start trawling through the rest of the album and comment on something totally different that I took 10 years ago or say sorry I don't you. Would be a shame, I may be new on here but have been taking photos, developing and printing since I was ten, some 32 years so do have a bit of experience to share.
 
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darkmutton said:
As mentioned above I have not asked for votes on anything, I mearly asked if you would view the songs on YouTube and if you like them to leave a comment or tick the like box, there is no star prize.

The comments posted here have been greatly different then the other 2 forums that I use regularly and have me wondering if I'm better off taking my camera elsewhere before I dare ask anyone to review a picture for me. Heavens above they might start trawling through the rest of the album and comment on something totally different that I took 10 years ago or say sorry I don't you. Would be a shame, I may be new on here but have been taking photos, developing and printing since I was ten, some 32 years so do have a bit of experience to share.
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Don't let the comments here put you off sharing photos. It's inevitable that a few egos feel they have something to say but you've largely had positive feedback and rightfully so :thumbs:
 
I'm not sure what's put you off? Other than one post which was maybe a little harsh. My post merely pointed out some of the utube stuff needed adjustments, which you've accepted now after getting a wee bit icy with me. I don't have an ego, I'm just confident im good at my job.
 
darkmutton said:
The comments posted here have been greatly different then the other 2 forums that I use regularly
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Part of that may well be because this is a photography forum and members are closer to "the arts".
We're more aware than anyone that just being a good photographer / good singer in itself isn't enough to guarantee success. Not that you're unaware of that, but as a group I think it makes us more likely to offer critique and suggestions rather than just commenting on how good she is.

As long as it's constructive and helpful I don't see an issue with it - and you really shouldn't let it put you off posting.

BTW I think she has a very mature voice. I would have thought she was a lot older if you hadn't told us her age. And if this is what she's like at 13, it can only get stronger from here.
 
SarahLee said:
Part of that may well be because this is a photography forum and members are closer to "the arts".
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That is a good point Sarah and not one that I'd thought about, the other forums I use are a camping one and one for my motor racing, they are probably all half deaf there anyway from the sound of revving engines, inc myself lol.
 
Constructive crit - I think she needs to focus on her pronounciation. I havn't listened to all the links but on "The Climb" there is quite a lot of words that sound somewhat slurred.

Overall I think she has a promising voice given her age. She obviously needs more coaching and confidence but it sounds like you are already working on that. The other issue is her age - she seems to be attempting pretty big songs and I'm not sure she has the emotional experience to put behind them?

As I said I didn't listen to them all but I'd be interested to hear her try something more upbeat and light hearted? It's all very serious for a 13 year old. Appreciate she probably wants to challenge herself but is she maybe overfacing herself at the moment with the likes of "Hero"?
 
Daysleeper40 said:
Constructive crit - I think she needs to focus on her pronounciation. I havn't listened to all the links but on "The Climb" there is quite a lot of words that sound somewhat slurred.

Overall I think she has a promising voice given her age. She obviously needs more coaching and confidence but it sounds like you are already working on that. The other issue is her age - she seems to be attempting pretty big songs and I'm not sure she has the emotional experience to put behind them?

As I said I didn't listen to them all but I'd be interested to hear her try something more upbeat and light hearted? It's all very serious for a 13 year old. Appreciate she probably wants to challenge herself but is she maybe overfacing herself at the moment with the likes of "Hero"?
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I dont think its as much her challenge herself, as it is her just singing the songs she likes. The songs have been her choice and with no input from us. The pronounciation is a problem as we know and is an area i'm sure her coach will be working on.
When she first turned up at the studio and gave them her song list you could see the cringes on the producers face but once she started singing he was amazed and recorded all the songs happily, confident that she could pull them off, which she has done, as well as you could expect a 13yr to do anyway I think. The producer commented on the number of people who go and try those type of songs and take hours to get one song done. Sure we know there is room for improvement but hopefully will come with time with the tuition. As you also mention it's a confidence issue too, I know you probably wont pick up on it because you don't know her but her nervousness comes across quite a lot in the studio recordings, again just experience I'm sure. Once she has a couple of shows under her belt i'm sure the improvements will start to show but thanks for the criticism, we do take on board what others are thinking
 
The Greek said:
Well the futures bright for this little girl.


Roberta Flacks, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, is too big a song for a 13 year old TBH, although listening to Melissa it did bring a tear to my eye


Good Luck Melissa and I hope all your dreams come true.
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She may have a future in karaoke but she needs to get her attributions right - melissa singing a cover version of leonna lewis's the first time?
 
The little girl has a nice voice. The only thing I'd say is that there are scores of talented kids out there in a very competitive field and telling the kid she's a supreme talent when she may not be that outstanding does her no favours and just causes hurt n the end when reality sets in. It happens all too often unfortunately. She needs to hear critical opinion and be prepared to put the work in.

Good luck to her I hope she does well. :)
 
Dont worry she is, she is working her little ar*e off. We have now put a PA system together and she is putting a little show together to start performing in some nursing homes etc this christmas, it's a mix of her cover songs and some xmas carols and she also has a guitarist on board who is accompanying her instead of just relying on backing tracks. She is also doing 2-3 open mic nights a week around the area and building her confidence. She knows the chances of anything big are a Billion to one but she knows a career in singing is possible, whatever it may be, or wherever it leads her, but she is only doing it for enjoyment, she actually wants to be a nurse like her mum.
Some of the videos really don't do her justice, especially with PA systems, iphones etc but she has read all the posts and takes on board what is being said, she says you are so critical of her but that it helps her to keep focused and to look for improvements.
Her website is www.melissaspouse.co.uk and she has asked just for you to have a listen, enjoy it and to leave feedback for her to work on.
 
Don't get me wrong - I think she's good - very good. I'm just reminded of the little girl who appeared on a talent show years ago and was introduced as a stunning new violin talent. She flounced on full of confidence and played a gypsy violin piece to thunderous applause.

One of the judges who happened to be a musician tore her to bits saying her phrasing and her timing was all over the place and that whilst he could see ability - whoever had been telling her she was especially gifted was doing her no favours - she needed to get back to basics and do some hard work if she wanted to get anywhere. She looked heartbroken but I'm sure the guy did her a big favour.
 
Totally agree, that's why she is not trying for the big x factor shows etc, she is just enjoying performing locally and entertaining people on an open mic level
 
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