do I need a vibrator?

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: GUEST,wanna warble
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 09:05 PM

The "vibrator" referrence was just an aknowledgement that a little humor usually illicits a better response to real questions on this forum.

ww

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:50 PM

Matt, LOL!

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: sophocleese
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:48 PM

All right hesperis.

A vibrator will not likely do anything useful for you as far as voice production is concerned except possibly leave you feeling a little less inhibited about expressing yourself. You may however feel a lot happier about other 'aspects' of yourself. I have no knowledge of the possible sound effects if you use the vibrator with a guitar effects pedal. Try it out and see what you think.

PS, thanks to those who fixed my link.

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: Matt_R
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:38 PM

I use vibrato all the time. And I folk songs. So sue me.

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: hesperis
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:35 PM

(Ok. 11 posts in this thread, and no-one has even hinted at the obvious... HELLO!)

This person asked if they need a vibrator!

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: GUEST,wanna warble
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:34 PM

short list of folk-oriented singers with vibtaro;

Gordon Lightfoot
Gordon Bok
John McCutcheon
James Taylor
Kate Wolf
Tim O'Brien
John Gorka
Kristina Olsen

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: hesperis
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:30 PM

here

Was this it, soph?

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: sophocleese
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:22 PM

Oops! I need remedial lessons in blue clickys.

Go to the Mudcat FAQ - Newcomer's Guide in the Table of Contents you'll find Memorable Mudcat Threads, click on that and you'll see another link to Threads on the Singing voice.

---

Fixed it (above). --JoeClone

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: ddw
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:22 PM

I'm with McGrath on this one — can't imagine why anyone would want vibrato if it's folk music you're interested in. Sorry, but when I hear it, all I can think of is "lounge lizzard music." Turns me right off, with one exception — early Johnny Mathis. Only person, IMHO, who ever did it well.

I do wonder, however, if what we're dealing with here is maybe a misunderstood term. With all the emphasis WW put on the "thinness" if his/her voice, I wonder if what is being sought is just more "body" or "richer tone."

If that's the case, WW, you're gonna be limited somewhat by your hereditary voice, but with a little coaching and a lot of practice ALMOST ANYBODY can improve greatly. I think Sophocleese gave you some pretty sound advice above.

cheers,

david

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: sophocleese
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:19 PM

Okay if you click here you should get a list of threads that have been written before on the singing voice.

Vibrato is one technique of voice production and can be effective but don't rely on it to fix all problems.

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:13 PM

Yeah. Who needs vibrato? I consider it an optional addition to a good voice, but no necessity. On the other hand, good depth, tone, and staying on pitch are pretty essential.

Voice lessons can definitely help.

Also, remember that most people do NOT like the sound of their own voice on tape, while others may like it just fine.

Being able to hear yourself well when you practice can also help a lot. Good luck.

- LH

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:08 PM

Too much vibrato is far far worse than too little. In fcat I can't think of any (folk)singers I really admire where I've ever been aware of any vibrato at all.

I know that doesn't answer the question. But the only reason I'd want to know where the vibrato was coming from was if I'd developed it, and wanted to stop it - like an unwanted noise in an engine.

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: sophocleese
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:08 PM

Umm, I want to help you, I'm trying to think how I can just by writing from a distance. First suggestion is that you invest, for a brief time if funds are short, in singing lessons with a teacher who can hear you and give you immediate advice on what to do to head in the direction you want your voice to go. Singing lessons can show you how to get more fullness in your voice. I don't know how old you are but most singers don't get their best voice until they are in their thirties, if you're younger than this take advantage of some of the flexibility and higher range which can/may be lost as you get older.

Check out earlier threads in the Mudcat on singing. Alice in particular has given us many links to useful pages about voice production. I'll try and find you some links to them.

Above all know that you have a voice it just needs to get out a little more. If you think its boring add a lot of expression just as you would if you were telling a joke or story to a friend. Ham it up a lot, exaggerate it and make it silly and then come back to a place which is between the expressionless and the overblown.

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:04 PM

Click here for some possible help.

Subject: RE: do I need a vibrator?
From: GUEST,re: Singing...
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 08:00 PM

I too have a horrid voice but this is what I did to get better. Listened to good Folk Singers, spent a lot of time around Fiddle/Viola playing and practiced humming to a Vacuum Cleaner. Please do not laugh! This worked for me so well that I can ape a good mid range Voice despite the fact that in reality I am still horrid.

Hope that helps

Subject: do I need a vibrator?
From: GUEST,wanna warble
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 07:55 PM

This must be the most "insider info" since Milken was jailed.

I've read
I've inquired
I've experimented
I've embarrassed myself

From whence hails vibrato--what body part is producing it? When you "have it" where do you "feel it".

If it's not a "natural" thing then why does it manifest itself at differing "rates" in different singers?

If it's breath control then how can people have it at varying volume levels?

I recently have been doing a recording project (guitar related), and in so doing was 2X4'ed in the face again with the painful reality that my voice...


..........sucks


.......ever so badly


It is boring beyond words

It is thinner than toilet paper (the word "used" comes to mind in this context)

and it sounds as though I've acquired a lisp not present in my thpeaking voice.


I'm laughing to keep from crying...if you knew how important music is to me...


any help?