At a certain level of singing, there will be a lot of good people auditioning for your role/band, or trying to get that same record contract.  When everyone is talented, prepared, professional, and looking good what can make some singers pop from the pool of others?

Your sound.  Your unique sound.  Your vocal timbre. No imitations allowed.

Can you force a unique sound?  Not in my opinion.  To me it is the difference between the great choral soprano as opposed to the Diva soloist.  You are born with a unique sound which you hope not many other people have.  I am not saying this is your only route in , so if you are a great singer with a more “common” voice don’t fret, there is still much to be done and conquered for you. such as vocal styling, image, good song writing, personality, stage presence etc…

But, if you are someone who possesses that unique timbre you are a lucky one.  If you are unclear as to what I mean by Vocal Timbre, please refer to a past blog I wrote:   Vocal Timbre Blog

When you posses a truly unique sound, the minute you open your mouth to sing people know its you without looking.  Think of Tom Waits, Frank Sinatra, Bjork, Maria Callas, Barbara Streisand, Edith Piaf, Maria Carey, Pavarotti, Paul Simon, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen- just to name a few.  They are all identifiable by the first note they sing.  That is something truly great to posses.  If you have it, congratulations.

You can’t force it though, it never sounds genuine when you do.  Singing is not about impersonating a sound that you like, rather freeing your own unique sound.  Make sure when you sing that you are being true to yourself, not following Brittany Spears or Miley Sirus on the radio.  Take song, sound, and tone, and make it your own. Let your voice out.

This can be more complicated then it sounds.  I often spend a lot of time peeling back layers of “impersonating sound” off of my students till we found their own true voice.  I can understand how it happens, you receive so much audio input over time that you may not even know you are imitating someone.

So think about it the next time you warm up and sing.  Go bare of other influences and let your own natural tone release.  You may just find that you have your own unique one of a kind gem in your own larynx!

written by: Ariella Vaccarino creator of Voice Lessons TO GO (singing lessons on CD), and author of Vocalize!

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What is “vocal timbre“?

Vocal timbre is the color and quality of your voice. Everyone has their own natural sound that is distinct to themselves. Some people’s voices are more distinctive then others. For example Amy Winehouse. The minute she opens her mouth you know that can only be her voice- dark, bluesy, thick sound. Having a distinctive vocal timbre sets you apart from the crowd. It is what can take a soprano out of a choir and into a solo.

It is important to be true to your own sound.

Often we find ourselves imitating our influences. So whether it is Brittany Spears nasel grovel, Maria Callas’s dark maturity or Frank Sinatra’s bright speak, watch that you learn from your favorites rather than imitate them. Those voices all ready exist, are recognizable, and face it- we probably can’t top them. So find your own sound unless you are looking for a future in impersonations.

How do I find my own sound and timbre?

Well of course a great teacher would be optimal to help you this. On your own, it is important to sing to accompaniment without singing along with other voices. For example on my Voice Lessons CDs- Voice Lessons TO GO- The second part of both volume 3 and volume 4 are just piano accompaniment so that you can sing alone to them- hearing and developing just your sound.

If you do karaoke, turn down the sample voices and sing just to the music. Sing alone to your guitar or work with a piano coach who will play for you. You need to practice singing through pieces without any other vocal influences. Find what feels natural, don’t make any fake voices.

Can I effect or change my vocal timbre?

The answer is yes, and there is room for effect and influence to a point. As long as you keep it natural. For example- renaissance music requires a straighter lighter tone which you can evolve through practice. That same voice, can thicken up of opera or brighten for musical theater. You will find often though that our voices seem to be better suited for specific sounds and timbres. For example you may have the ability to sing ingenue classical soprano music but yet when you open your mouth and sing a Disney balled you bring chills to those who hear you.

Find your sound through trial error, and of course a lot of practice!

Sing well!

Ariella Vaccarino

http://voicelessonstogo.com/ volumes 1-4 and author of Vocalize!