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I think I hit the pitch fairly well. But for some reason, it just sounds weird and off-putting for me. Is there an underlining problem that I can't see here? I don't have any vocal training but I do sing a lot when listening to music.

This one sounds terrible

https://vocaroo.com/i/s1FDkak8Cfpl

This one for some reason sounds a little better I think

https://vocaroo.com/i/s1CZzIdowedZ

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  • I don't think you sound terrible - as you say, you can basically hit the notes. If you really want to be a singer, you probably need to look to improve the tone/timbre, power, and stability of your notes, and start to work on your own style of singing and finding your own voice, rather than being someone who "sings along". These are probably some of the things that a vocal coach could help you with - is it possible that you could have some lessons?
    – Нет войне
    Commented May 12, 2019 at 8:42
  • Could you elaborate a bit more? I hear these buzz words before but I was wondering if you could explain them to me a bit more and maybe how a vocal coach could help me improve them.
    – Tienanh Nguyen
    Commented May 12, 2019 at 9:05
  • Hitting the "pitch" is not as simple as it seems. There are a few parameters which you should keep an eye on: consistency (i.e. being able to go back to the first note without external reference), quality of your voice (you can train this, but I don't mean general quality, but whether you're struggling to hit the notes or not), external detrimental factors impacting your voice (smoking, etc.). In essence, "pitch" is an elusive thing, and depends on context, i.e. orchestration, tonal consistency and tunings used for accompaniment.
    – Ate Somebits
    Commented May 12, 2019 at 9:09
  • To be honest I am not a singer or a singing teacher, so I don't think I would give you a good explanation. But I think you basic question here is good - I hope you get some good answers.
    – Нет войне
    Commented May 12, 2019 at 11:11
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    If you don't have any training then get some. Hitting notes does not mean you will sound good. The quality of your voice comes from support and having the proper resonance in your head. If you have no idea what these are you will not be able to really sing. Eventually you will hurt your vocal cords.
    – user50691
    Commented May 12, 2019 at 11:14

3 Answers 3

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(Pre-note: this sounds very critical but constructive criticism is the best way to improve, I actually think you sound quite good!)

Your pitch is generally good however there are definitely times where it goes off (particularly ends of phrases). The main problem, is that you're singing very nasally (lots of airflow through your nose cavity).

When singing, imagine the sound is coming from a bit lower down in your throat rather than it coming through a "hole between your eyes". This sounds weird but is a common analogy amongst singing teachers.

Also, you are singing quite quietly which can contribute to the more raspy/nasally tone, so simply by singing louder you will improve your tone quality. However, by singing louder your pitch may suffer a bit, so you need to find a balance and focus on singing slightly louder whilst maintaining pitch.

The song you are singing sounds fairly high up in your range, which is a likely reason for the slightly strained sound, so perhaps try picking a slightly lower song (or transpose that song down a tone).

Finally, use vocal exercises. I highly recommend this channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/EricArceneaux, watch his videos on "opening up the voice" and extending range.

Hope I helped.

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  • Hi, Thank for the great answer. This explains a lot. Also, How do I know whether I'm straining or not since prior to you telling me I'm straining, I thought this song was within my range?
    – Tienanh Nguyen
    Commented May 14, 2019 at 0:50
  • Well only you can actually tell if it feels like you are straining. It sounds to me like you are (although I could be wrong) because of the slightly raspy sound. Watch this vocal coach on YT called Tristan Parades (I think I spelt the surname wrong); he does analysis of others singing so it might help you identify some of your own faults :). If you think it’s in your range then it may well be, in which case you need to focus on bringing the sound more into you mouth and chest rather than your throat - try it and you’ll see what I mean :). If you need more help then just say!
    – Ben Hughes
    Commented May 15, 2019 at 9:06
  • Then I don’t think I am straining and this is also kind of the reason I asked this question. When singing all of this it feel pretty easy and natural which is a good sign I think, but when I recorded it just sound bad to me and that why it kind of confuse me since I dont feel any discomfort when singing it.
    – Tienanh Nguyen
    Commented May 15, 2019 at 9:18
  • @TienanhNguyen okay that’s good that you know what straining feels like! So you need to focus on bringing the sound down. Do this exercise: sing a note and try and get the sound vibrating in various places (high up at the back of the throat; purse your lips and near the front of your mouth; sing with lots of breathiness; sing with not much breathiness). And notice how you make different timbres (like the quality of the sound which is what you want to improve). From what I can hear, you’re singing incredibly breathy (breathy is a good pop technique but I think you’re using a bit too much)...
    – Ben Hughes
    Commented May 15, 2019 at 9:31
  • is there like an example you can point me to for like bringing the sound down and the differences between breathiness?
    – Tienanh Nguyen
    Commented May 15, 2019 at 9:34
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No-one likes the sound of their own voice!

It's a lightweight style of singing. You're not 'filling' the notes or supporting them properly. But it's an acceptable style for some types of pop music.

Who are you imitating? Try imitating a stronger singer! Or you could always take some lessons.

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I don't know what you used as pitch reference, but when autotuned to A=440Hz F minor, it sounds perfectly fine to me. Reminds me of Pet Shop Boys (and Espen Kraft) https://vocaroo.com/i/s0gj0LpXtEIL

Nowadays people use effects and auto-correction for vocals, just like they use all sorts of faking gadgets for guitars, keyboards, drums and other instruments. Even live on stage. Sure it isn't the best situation imaginable, but if you just want to make modern pop songs, I don't think your singing is a show-stopping problem.

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  • Auto-correction equipment may be in use. But this doesn't answer Tienanh Nguyen's question.
    – harper
    Commented Sep 15, 2019 at 5:27
  • @harper it answers the question. OP thinks he's in tune, I'm saying, pitch correction makes it better, so maybe it wasn't in tune. "Is there an underlining problem that I can't see here" Yes there is at least one problem - you are not in tune. I can see I wasn't clear on this. Another problem is the voice strength seems to be a bit shaky, being a sign of bad breathing technique. Compression together with pitch correction helped that too.
    – piiperi Reinstate Monica
    Commented Sep 15, 2019 at 7:42
  • "pitch correction makes it better, so maybe it wasn't in tune" I get what you're saying, but effective pitch correction makes almost everything better, so then is nobody really ever in tune?
    – user45266
    Commented Mar 10, 2020 at 18:02

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