Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: IanC
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 12:38 PM

Er ...

What's all this "a capella" stuff? is it posh for "unaccompanied" (in which case why not just say so?) ... I know it means "in the mode of the chapel" in Italian and I thought that was probably part-harmony or polyphonic singing.

Anyone help?

;-)

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 12:42 PM

Just to support the emphasis that the words receive when singing without an instrument, there are some songs my gospel quartet does where the words of the verses are sung with just a guitar backing, with harmonies coming in just on the chorus. The reason is the same as it is for singing a capella... the focus is on the words, and adding harmonies... even with wordless humming or "ooh"s is a distraction.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: JudeL
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 12:42 PM

yes it's another way of saying unaccompanied

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: IanC
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 12:45 PM

Well ... why use 2 word we don't understand in a foreign language to mean 1 word in English that we do? I don't get it.

;-)

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Genie
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 01:00 PM

I sing unaccompanied (no guitar) when:

- I don't know the chords well enough to accompany myself competently and for one reason or another I want to do the song. (E., g., in retirement homes, I get a lot of requests for "It Had To Be You," and "My Funny Valentine" and the chords are not obvious to me, so I do them a capella. I've gotten such a good response that way that I keep doing them sans guitar. Gives my fingers a rest.)

- The song seems to 'want' a very lyrical interpretation and the guitar does not seem to enhance it. (On or near St. Patrick's I do a really schmaltzy "A Little Bit Of Heaven Fell" and it just doesn't seem to be enhanced by back up guitar. And it gives my fingers a rest on a day of long hours of playing.)
   (And, David I., your rendition of "The Sick Note" is a perfect example of a song working better without accompaniment than with one! An instrument would, I think, distract from the story.)

_ I like to use my guitar as a rhythm instrument on some songs. I know that's not really "unaccompanied," but it does mean having no help staying on pitch. If I had a bodhran, I'd use it as the sole instrumental background for some songs, because the rhythm back up is more important than the tune back up. (I do "It's A Long Way To Tipperary" and "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head" and "Tea For Two" with my guitar as a rhythm instrument only.)

As for talking over instrumentals and not over vocals, it's simple. You can hear and appreciate music without focusing on it with your left brain. But you won't process lyrics while you're chatting or otherwise distracted.

Genie

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: MMario
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 01:02 PM

it's actually easier to say.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 01:48 PM

I think it's more Americans who seem to say "a cappella" (or "alla cappella"). I've never heard anyone in England or Ireland say it, not in a folk song context. It must have been taken from people with an art song orientation. I think it might have come into use in the pop context at first, and sidled across.

Properly speaking it means "in the chapel style" and is really more appropriate for choral singing, or for the type of solo you get in a cathedral choir; and it can also mean the same as "alla breve" which is a musical instruction meaning "take the minim as your beat unit", which would I suppose imply singing rather slowly.

When the term is used to mean a bunch of folkies in a pub roaring out a chorus, it seems a very strange term to use. Or even of a singer giving forth in a singaround. I think it's a usage that might be better pensioned off, but if people like to use it, fair enough.

But perhaps in a setting where unaccompanied singing is liable to be looked down on, there's a case for it, as a way of making the point that singing without an instrument shouldn't be thought of as an impoverished type of singing, or as make-do with what you've got, but rather as a positive choice, as a way of helping put over a song more effectively, as well as a way of broadening the available range of songs, and bringing in more singers.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 02:14 PM

We say a capella as part of our mutual desire to grow in knowledge and improve our vocabulary. :-)

Jerry

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 02:32 PM

I don't think anyone has addressed GerMan's original question, "Why do people at sessions shut up & listen to a singer but when someone with, for example, a guitar does something everybody starts/carries on talking?"

I have a theory that's based on modern music technology versus general human interaction. In our world we run a radio or have the TV on and manage to talk while it blares in the background. However, we generally shut up and listen when someone is talking to us. When a musician or group of musicians are playing instruments and singing the mental picture is similar to running that radio. How many people shut up and listen to the rock band playing in the bar? What they do is either dance or try to yell into each other's ears.

But when a person stands alone on stage, singing unaccompanied, then the mental picture is similar to someone talking directly to you. And you cannot talk without interrupting them.

At least that's my theory.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Naemanson
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 02:39 PM

The other thing that surfaced is the relative value of accompanied versus unaccompanied.

I think Jerry said it best. Some songs are just better without the additional notes. I mostly sing unaccompanied, often with my eyes closed, feeling the song within and bringing out to place it into the hands and hearts of my audience. I seem to be fairly successful with it to judge from the comments I've received.

I do Sally Free And Easy, Grey Funnel Line, Polly Von, Griesley Bride, The Sick Note, and all my shanties unaccompanied.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: JohnnyBeezer
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 03:02 PM

That's a good theory Naemanson m' boy.
However, I think that these days(as opposed to the 60's) the etiquette in folk clubs has been eroded somewhat.
Time was when you paid the same attention and good manners to any artist by keeping quiet between songs, unaccompanied, six piece jigs and reels whatever.
I can't help but think that we've lost something important here in the passage of time. If someone is putting him or herself on the line, the least you could do is give a fair and well-mannered hearing.
I'm not advocating this, but there was a time in 1967 at the Fitters Arms club in Walsall when the late great Alex Campbell- never the most patient of men- threatened to come among the audience and clip the ears of the people chattering away while he was singing.
Bring back the birch!!

Shalom
Johnny N

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Schantieman
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 03:31 PM

I agree with lots of the above comments. I used to play the guitar, and less often the melodeon & anglo-concertina, sometimes to accompany songs. I found I used them less and less and now haven't played my guitar for years. You do get closer to the audience, you can communicate with them better and it does place all the emphasis on the words - which are crucial. (I still play the squeeze boxes, but usually on their own. I can't do two things at once!)

Manners! It is SO rude to talk when someone is singing but people do. (Including me, sometimes, I fear). And walking into the room in the middle of a song. And even walking OUT during a song! And yes, why should tunes get treated worse?

Harumph.

Also, of course, if you sing accompanied it's a bit hard to practise while you're driving!

Steve

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: GUEST,Diva
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 04:04 PM

Because its the best way to sing???? I have tried both but much prefer unaccompanied.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Stewart
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 05:00 PM

I'm afraid I used the terms "a capella" and "unaccompanied" interchangeably. That's probably not correct, since the Harvard Dictonary of Music defines "a capella" as "choral music without instrumental accompaniment," and I was using the term to refer to solo singing. The dictonary goes on to say - "Historians of the 19th century held the idea that all 'early music' - i.e. music before 1600 - was 'a capella'. Such a statement is correct, however, only with respect to strictly liturgical music, such as masses and motets. Secular music, whether for a soloist or a choral group, was frequently accompanied or duplicated by instruments, particularly in the period 1300 - 1450."

S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Art Thieme
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 05:19 PM

Those who once only said unaccompanied but now have learned to say a capella also, are like the Oakies who moved to California in the dust bowl days of the 1930s ; they have raised the I.Q.s of both groups.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 05:22 PM

How can they possibly know something like that? I'd imagine they'd be thinking about posh people's music, John Dowland and that - great stuff in its way, but posh people were always a minority, and you can bet that the rest of us weren't silent.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Don Firth
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 06:34 PM

Unaccompanied is five syllables. A capalla is only four.

Less effort.

Don Firth   

;-}

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: BUTTERFLY
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 07:02 PM

I generally sing accompanied - as soon as I open my mouth the audience gets up and leaves!

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: toadfrog
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 07:15 PM

No. I don't know of anyone who became commercially successful by singing a capella. (Except do-wop groups, which is not a tradition I much follow.) But I personally would never go back to playing a guitar; there are so many more rythmic subtleties without an instrument.

The best unaccompanied folk singers I know of are Scots; Jeannie Robertson, Ewan McColl, and Jean Redpath, in that order. Anyone who doubts the possibilities of this style should listen to some of Ms. Robertson's songs.

Shay Black is a magnificent a capella singer. And a very capable guitar player. But I cringe, and want to leave the room, everytime he cranks up one of his smooth, technically perfect guitar accompanyments and ruins another fine old traditional Irish song.

The most beautiful and exciting operatic aria I ever heard was on My Music. It was sung by Maria Callas, and Frank Muir was called on to explain why there was no orchestra for that particular performance. I forget the explanation, but for sure, she was better off without it.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 07:29 PM

Alla cappella of course is five syllables. And most people who I hear seem to pronounce "unaccompanied" as four syllables - "un-a-cump-need".

"Rugby songs and sea shanties are normally sung a cappella" - no, it just doesn't sound plausable: "'Twas on the Good Ship Venus..."

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Alice
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 07:43 PM

A capella is what generally Americans call unaccompanied, but folk music is pretty much accompanied in the USA. A capella is usually do-wop groups, but anyone singing unaccompanied is generally called a capella. There are not that many of us who sing trad music unaccompanied, usually connected with Irish sessions, shanty groups, folk song circles, or authentic old time songs/Mountain music. I was the only person at our session who sang unaccompanied and now there are others picking it up.

Alice

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 08:05 PM

Unaccompanied- gets a bit confusing if you're talking of more than one singer, doing the same song at the same time. Say, a group of singers, perhaps doing harmonies but with no instruments. Each is "accompanied" by the others, but their singing is a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment).

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Marion
Date: 13 Mar 03 - 11:34 PM

Perhaps the Nylons have been the most commercially successful a capella act.

Marion

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 01:04 AM

We have a couple of regulars at our session who sing unaccompanied. Everybody else in the session loves it when they take their turn. The drinkers love it 'cause they get a restroom break. The smokers love it 'cause they get a smoke break. I love it 'cause I can go out back and get my guitar back in tune. Not really sure if anybody ever listens, but we love it just the same.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 05:21 AM

I appreciate listening to good accompaniaments, but I also very much enjoy listening to unaccompanied singing.

I can get annoyed when the music overwhelms the song and the words are not clear, when the voice just functions as another instrument in the mix.

I usually prefer to sing unaccompanied, to concentrate on the singing and not to have to keep a strict rhythm.

Yes, some people who sing unaccompanied do so because they haven't learned to play an instrument, but there are also many people who lack the confidence to sing solo without backing.

I participate in a monthly 'folk club' or singing circle, where there does seem to be a preference for accompanied singing. A goodly variety of music is presented, from the Carter Family to the Eagles, from very old songs in Irish to contemporary singer-songwriter songs.Good order prevails no matter who is singing. But I do have a strong impression that most of the people at the club prefer to listen to songs with guitar backing, or to a capella harmony singing, as opposed to solo singing.

I agree with those who have made a distinction between solo and group singing. These two forms have different roles in the tradition/different traditions, and to my mind group singing is a form of accompanied singing. Lullabies are usually solo - it is not desired that the baby cry along! Sea shanties and other worksongs normally involve group participation; 'Haul away Joe' doesn't come across well with no one else to sing the chorus.

Solo singing plays a large part in the Irish tradition, and often the tunes are not the sort you would clap along to. Generally speaking, I think both tunes and lyrics tend to be more complex in songs that are traditionally sung solo/unaccompanied.

There are other societies in which solo singing isn't the norm. I have a neighbour from Indonesia who plays guitar and sings Elvis Presley songs. When I asked him to sing a song from his own culture, he said that he couldn't sing Indonesian songs without a group (to sing the other parts of the song).

I believe that often accompaniment has been developed to take the place of other voices. In blues music the guitar is played in-between lines of the song, in a call and response pattern. It is hard to put blues songs across solo unaccompanied.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 05:28 AM

Unaccompanied singing has always been common as far back as my folk-club life goes (to about 1968). Although I learned the guitar before I got the hang of singing properly, singing without it never really seemed a strange thing to do, and Mom often sang around the house (still does). Some songs just seem to be naturally unaccompanied, especially if they call for a rubato style; some are just too tricky for my poor fingers! I sometimes find that even a simple accompaniment takes my mind off a song I know very well and makes me pause at awkward moments to grasp for the next line.

Funny story ... back around 1976 (on the occasion I met the woman who was to become my wife -- a romantic story too!) I dropped in on the folk club at the local college; it was purely on impulse, and I hadn't got my guitar. I volunteered to do a floor spot (so I wouldn't have to pay!) and got up to do my bit. I dried in the last verse of a comic song, but I laughed it off and immediately went into another song. Later on, I was accosted in the gents' (eek!) by a student, who sang my praises very highly: "if you've got a guitar, man, you just keep playing till you get to the next verse, but if you ain't, you're naked! But you talked your way out of it -- I was reallly impressed, man!" (You can see it made a deep impression on me! I never talk to strange men in public lavatories now!) Cheerful confidence is a great asset when singing "naked", and I've seen some awful singers who were great entertainers. I think I come out better than "awful", but probably lower than "great".

Steve

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 05:44 AM

The sessions which I've enjoed the most have all been primarily unaccompanied singing ones. I have memories of the first singarounds which we held in the cellar at South Hill Park, Bracknell during one of the "Handsome Mouldiwarp" festivals. I can also remember an incredible evening at "Capital Folk" when the guest was Roy Harris and the "audience" contained Johnny Collins, Jim Magean, Tom & Barbara Brown, Charley Yarwood - and many other fine singers. Roy agreed that it was one of his most memorable sessions in a previous thread. There are many other occasions which I have really enjoyed, but they always seem to have been times when the singing was mainly unaccompanied. Even when an instrument was used in these sessions, it tended to be used to enhance the song, not to overpower it.

For many songs I hear in clubs these days, accompaniments are misnamed because the performer obviously thinks that the instrumental playing is much more important than the actual song itself. Some singers in this category even give the impression that they are ashamed of the fact that they are singing at all and try and offset this by making the words completely unintelligable. I think that in these cases it is really the song which is accompanying the playing !

I sing with or without accompaniment depending on both the song and where and to whom I'm singing it. For many comic Music Hall songs, I need to be able to move around and act, which is much easier (and effective) without a guitar. Other songs sound so much better on their own - or in harmony with Linda. Several other people have mentioned the freedom in the timing and phrasing of songs that singing unaccompanied makes possible. On the other hand when I'm working to a primarily "non-folk" audience, the guitar can form a useful bridge - in these circumstances when I suddenly throw in an unaccompanied song it has a much greater impact. I also find that many of the above audiences find it easier to join in choruses if there is an accompaniment.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From:
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 11:03 AM

Thanks for this thread. Answers some great basic questions.

I agree with Johnny N. unaccompanied vocal singing is the original instrument humans learned. It's been said that ALL instruments are attempts to attempt to duplicate the human voice.

Not sure I necessarily agree with that one.

We've had lots of unaccompanied singing here in the Maritimes from Gaelic songs, through to sea shanties and other work songs. They are all enjoyable.

Ref: query about a whole concert of unaccompanied singing.
It CAN be quite enjoyable, IF the participants vary the style, tempo and range of the singing. If it's all of one type, for 2 or 3 hours it can be a problem even for the most enthusiastic.

Last year, Betty Lord organized a concert of Gaelic songs in Pictou Nova Scotia, and it was excellent. It went way over time, but no one was complaining. We had single singers, group singing, waulking songs, as well as chorale singing over 3 hours. There was a piper at the end and one band who played with instruments for 2 numbers but the other material was totally unaccompanied.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: JudeL
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 11:49 AM

It does depend upon the quality and variety of the performance(s), but this is true when instruments are used as well. There are any number of "tune" sessions that I would not bother going to because while the quality of playing may be good, there seems to be very little variety in what is played. This may be enjoyable for the musicians themselves who are playing very minor variations on a basic tune but not necessarily something that holds the interest of those listening. (Another possible reason why people often talk over tunes but shut up for songs).

Back on the unaccompanied theme, there is a trio called Artisan who are excellent who do not use instruments in their concerts. When they perform tickets are frequently sold out. Using an instrument would diminish their perfomance by obscuring the subtleties of nuance, tone and timing.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Genie
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 12:27 PM

Naeamonson, you said "I don't think anyone has addressed GerMan's original question, "Why do people at sessions shut up & listen to a singer but when someone with, for example, a guitar does something everybody starts/carries on talking?"
(A-hem!) I did address that question a couple of posts above yours. Not a definitive answer, of course, but one plausible one, I think.
"As for talking over instrumentals and not over vocals, it's simple. You can hear and appreciate music without focusing on it with your left brain. But you won't process lyrics while you're chatting or otherwise distracted."

Genie

PS,
I usually call it "Acapulco" singing, instead of "any comp kneed."

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 14 Mar 03 - 12:43 PM

I have played around with the guitar on and off for the last 35 or so years. OK so I should have practised more and had some lessons. I seldom use an instrument though in performance. I have had two a cappella groups in the last 10 years one with 8 of us and now one with just three. At song cicles in pubs etc. the three of us not only get listened to. I have noticed on several occasions that if people were not applauding the efforts of others, we seem to be able to draw a large round of applause as well. It is sometimes a little embarrassing when this happens after somebody else has flogged their guts out doing something instrumental or accompanied, that nobody really either noticed, or acknowledged. Young Tradition would be another group that made some sort of money through their voices.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From:
Date: 15 Mar 03 - 07:42 AM

Don Firth.

That's beautiful. Wonderful story.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 15 Mar 03 - 10:02 AM

Favorite a capella groups of mine are the Fairfield Four for black gospel, and Stormy Weather, for wonderful doo wop. The Fairfield Four have started adding instruments now, after 70 years of a capella singing. In their case, too bad... I consider it a loss, not a gain.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Mar 03 - 10:36 AM

I sing solo, because I a) can't play the guitar, b) couldn't be arsed to hump the thing around if I did and c) I have trouble enough remembering to take the words with me, Heaven only knows how I'd go if I had to bring dots as well....

When I started singing regularly in clubs, it was a rare thing to see a woman singing sans guitar, and singing rude songs, which is what I did. Most people shut up because they wanted to hear the words. Those that didn't were put upon by their more discriminating neighbours until they did.

The addition of the 'talk while they sing, buy them a pint' rule in one club did wonders for the chatterers (and my beer intake!). The reasoning was they'd paid to come into the club so obviously wanted to hear the music.. anyone who only wanted to drink was welcome to use the bar across the yard.

We're all so innured to background noise and 'muzak' now that when it stops, we wonder where it went. If you can, check out certain programmes on UK and US TV. Star Trek is a prime example.... Whilst in Canada I watched an episode. The background music on the US showings was almost enough to drown out the dialogue. When I saw the same episode a few weeks later in the UK, I couldn't work out why the words were strange but the pictures hauntingly familiar (any comments about them using the same plot every week will not be answered). I realised then, that the US showing was inaudible because of the loud, intrusive music. When a room goes quiet for a singer, it's because of the change in background noise.

One thing that infuriates me is when a singer is introduced in a club or singaround and people don't shut up.

LTS

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: boglion
Date: 15 Mar 03 - 04:55 PM

I spend a lot of time in County Kerry where my mother was born. I started singing in pubs there some 20 years ago. Nearly every singer in the area sings unaccompanied.

A CD was produced just before Christmas of local performers both living and dead. My grandmother is on it with two concertina tunes and a recitation. This thread has led me to analyse the content and I was not surprised to find that not one of the 52 tracks is an accompanied singer.

The breakdown is:
Solo Instrumental         17
Unacompanied Singer

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: GUEST,Santa
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 08:33 AM

I wouldn't dream of walking out or talking during a song or a tune - though I might yawn during a tune. (Though not deliberately, honest.)

I find unaccompanied folk music - without words - pretty limiting. It really does have very little to communicate unless you have a technical interest in the playing - which I don't. And why play dance music if you're not going to dance?

OK, a good example can make a nice break in an evening's entertainment. I recall being enthralled by Martin Carthy's guitar rendition of The 51st Highland Division's Retreat from St. Valery - I guess a good performer with a good tune will win through everything!

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 11:20 AM

There are many wonderful unaccompanied singers and groups on the UK scene and I would definitely endorse Judel's choice of Artisan. They not only sing wonderful harmonies but much of their material is written by member Brian Bedford (the other two are his wife Jacey and Hilary Spencer) who has produced such wonderful songs as "What's the use of wings". If you have any preconceptions that unaccompanied singing is boring and all terribly serious do go and hear them, I'm sure they'll change your mind !

Other groups which I've liked in the past included The Young Tradition and English Tapestry.

The Waterson's seem to have gone from being an institution ta a dynasty.

More recently there's Coote, Boyes, and Simpson, Salt of the Earth, and of course, there's always the shapely Dangerous Curves.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Mar 03 - 01:40 PM

I agree on Artisan. What a great group! And Brian's songs are pure magic. Great stuff.

In reading through this thread I can see that I have been very lucky indeed. Since I started singing in clubs and coffeehouses I have been listened to by my audiences. I cannot think of a single instance where I sang something and wondered if anyone was paying attention. There have been gigs with Roll & Go where that was the case but those were exclusively gigs where we were hired to be background music and atmosphere.

If I am going to do any traveling I guess I'd better get ready for rudeness and rejection.

Subject: RE: Unaccompanied Singing - How & Why!
From: GUEST,mac
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 05:19 PM

Hey, i'm only 17 , and i've been singing for just a little over a year. mostly simple things, but then the band i was in started getting me into screaming and now i know why i should never do that lol i can't hit the high notes or hold mid notes steady anymore, it always feels like its slipping just a little bit out of tune when i'm singing... (i quit the band) , and so now i play and sing lots of my own acoustic stuff agian my dad made me a webpage www.hammac.com/mac listen to my voice and you'll probably hear what i'm talking about! i just want to know what i can do to make my voice more powerfull and how to hit the right notes more often, i dont know how good i'm doing for how long i've been singing or anything of that sort so anyone that listens to it leave me a message on my email if you have any advice.... thanks -Mac