OK. Do I seriously suck? Why am I not even placing in contests?

I listened to "True" and didn't hear anything wrong with it. Maybe I'm deaf? LOL

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I'm by no means an expert (couldn't tell one key from another... terrible, I know huh?) but you sound good to me.
Dunno what the deal is :(

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Just wanted to say I think you have a very lovely voice.

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Listened to a little bit of all 4 recordings you have put up here.

I think you have a very clear and beautiful voice. The first song (Let it Snow) you ended up making it more your own style instead of singing it the straight traditional way. I've done that with songs before and then would have someone comment or pm me saying that I sang out of tune.

When in fact I was just making it MY style! Which I loved the version you sang by the way :)

So don't let it get you down! You have a wonderful instrument there!

~Amanda~

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When i Comment on someone out of tune i got blocked and My nic been spread to give me the elbow now no one leaves comments . I was only saying what i thought.Peter

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People aren't expecting "jazz" level sophistication unless it's prefaced as such. I would ALWAYS tell them assuming the setting is mainly traditional that you are "making a song your own", or doing "Jazz improv" in a different genre contest !

Since you are trained in jazz you will understand what I am stating, most that have any knowledge of music will understand what I am saying... You sang an improvisational melodic structure on "Let it Snow" which was tastefully and creatively done, however NOT being the traditional melodic line sung -a particular listener was thrown off not realizing you were "jazz oriented" and doing a jazz improv rendition of the melody to the song..
As you know, A person expecting to hear the traditional rendition of "Let it Snow" would expect to hear the lead-in note which you do sing as Db (the word-Oh) but they would also anticipate hearing the following melodic string-
.
.
.
.
The(Db)Wea(Eb)ther(Eb)out(Db)side(C)is(Bb)Fright(Ab)dul(Eb)

The innovative melodic line thru them off.. I've never heard Lena Horne sing this song, does she use the traditional melody or does she do this same improv melody ?

If a person never listened to your other songs, assuming they weren't expecting a jazz improv rendition, if they DID NOT know you were jazz trained, they might assume you had a problem with pitch matching melodic structure however CLEARLY that is NOT the case.. You threw a listener off with improv.

I've listened to your other songs there is NO problem at all with your pitch matching or any aspects of your singing that at least *I* could notice.. You are versatile, and noticeably have considerable singing experience..

A listener expecting a cover rendition, not knowing a singer, will not expect to hear somebody making this type of a song "Their own" in a predominantly non-jazz genre venue, that's all this is about.

OK, Now I'm going to try to sing a gender-bender of Anita Baker...HAHAHAHAHAHA

(wish I had a good enough ear to do "Giving you the best that I've got") Love that song ! Had to accompany a few females that sang it. BRUTAL all around in terms of difficulty level.

Remember, these contests here on the site are contests ANY person at ANY age can host... I'd suggest given that factor you preface "jazz genre" as such in the body of your song, othewise it'll go over the listeners head.. Many don't understand certain aspects of sophistication in these settings... However of course MORE do !

(LOL- Perhaps I'll preface all my songs as being "jazz", because until I learn how to sing, A LOT is going to sound quite "creative") :(

I noticed the site has Anita Bakers song I mentioned. It doesn't suprise me that only the most daring have attempted it..HEHEHEHEHE. Jazzybags did a real nice rendition of the song in Karaokescene last year...

Edited on September 28, 2008 at 3:13 AM Permalink

Honestly, (from what I have seen and personally witnessed in SOME of these ridiculous contests), I would suggest an advanced vocalist only enter contests hosted by experienced singers that know how to host a contest.. I can't sing, and have noticed some of the weird stuff that's happened in a few contests such as kids arbitrarily changing theme every other day on whim, hosts disappearing off the face of the earth.. etc etc... NAH, no more contests here for me unless the hosts are adult musicians and have a clue what running a contest is about.

You are over qualified for certain contests, just keep that in mind.. If listeners don't recognise what you are doing, you are creating frustration for yourself entering certain contests.

Why not host a "Jazz" contest of your own ? It would be fun, and a means of the more experienced singers to enjoy themselves doing something advanced.

Edited on September 28, 2008 at 3:30 AM Permalink

I'll PM you

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Excellent and spot-on response, Steven_Kaplan! Bravo!

You sound great, redelle...don't let contests get you down. It doesn't mean much if you don't advance -- just that you were not to the taste of the particular decision makers in that contest. It's certainly not a reflection on your singing abilities.

My advice is to sing because you love it, not to impress anyone, and definitely don't let anyone's opinion stress you out.

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redelle wrote:I don't understand? I was told I was singing off key and I never even placed in a contest... I don't understand do I seriously suck?
What is wrong with my voice!!!???

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/b6ad4b25

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/b1a0e411

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/afceab83

http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/b4e22409

Is it that I'm an alto!? what is it!?????
I'm jazz trained for god sake!!!!! ARGHHHH!!!!
*shoots self in head*

By no stretch of the imagination do you suck, someone probably told you because they were jealous, or they are just dumb, the best advice I can give to you, is just keep singing, no matter what people say, if you love it, do it, and don't listen to any negative comments that people make, listening to them dosen't help at all

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Well, I'm not a good singer and I know zilch about singing, but I do listen here way more than I should, and know what sounds good to me. I listened to the 4 songs you listed, and think you have an exceptional voice and sing very well. You might not ever be my favorite singer, simply because I'm not personally into jazz, which has nothing to do with the talent and skill involved in singing it. "True", I like better than the original version. I hear nothing not to like in your singing, and can't comprehend that anyone would think that you sing badly, no matter what their own personal taste. Just keep on doin' what you love.

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You have a lovely voice.

But I feel that you lack vocal energy......but it's easy to get there.

Just put more energy into what you're singing. Altos sometimes have a problem with that b/c without energy their voice sounds like it's dragging.

More energy please, but keep up the lovely singing!

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sounds ace to me! but i agree with another comment up here, whoever told you that you were off key obviously does not understand jazz improv, and as this is the case, would you want somebody like that judging you anyway?

i didn't think so!

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You so don't suck Redelle, I think you have a great voice :)

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Your voice is really strong. And your pitch is right on the nose. Posh is correct about jazz improv. I improv all the time. Guess I would get told the same thing you did, lol.

I left a pm for ya girl.

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Well...I have never been voice trained and I'm just a good ole country girl that loves music...so what do I know??? Honey...belt out those songs the way you love to sing em...I sing cuz I love to sing...keep em coming!! Who cares what people think on this site?? This is my frustration release place..nothing else...and..have met many many very nice people here...so forget the bad...remember the good...and sing sing sing...great job is what I think!! hugs xoxo Maralys

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I think you are a great singer... don't let anybody tell you something else... I don't know what it is in here..but many really good singers are not recognized. Believe in yourself.
Hugs Anitta

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first song was slightly off key(let it snow) the rest were marvelous...and you do a great krall....

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redell,

I've been in the music business for 40+ years as a performer and composer. That doesnt necessarily make me an expert in everybody's eyes and ears. But I do have a pretty good ear for evaluating performances, both vocal and musical.

Steve Kaplan has said most of what I would have said. He probably said it more concisely than I would have, though. The only thing I'll reiterate from his comments (don't want to be too redundant) is his comments on Jazz Improv. Most people are anticipating and expect a traditional presentation of songs with which they are very familiar. Any other presentation sounds "off". As he suggested, prefacing your recordings with a liner that they are Jazz Improvs (when they are) might assauge those listeners' "concerns". And, many people simply do not like Jazz Improv and would not appreciate it regardless. And for me, that's okay. To each his own.

To use a couple of overused cliche's, I enjoy performers who are willing to "stepoutside the box" or "color outside the lines". Tastefull creativity is a treat!

The other thing on which I agree with Steve is the contests. I know I will make some people angry with this comment, but it is how I honestly feel...the contests are more popularity contests than talent contests. I haven't entered one in many, many months because of that. I have no problem with being elimenated by someone with an equall, near equall, or better performance. Those folks deserve to continue forward. But when folks move forward simply because they are popular or in a clique, that removes any integrity from the contest.

There are some folks here at SingSnap who are wonderful folks and always willing to give you support and kind words. But, unfortunately, some of them aren't particularly good singers. But they will always do well in the contests because they are very popular, not necessarily because they are the better singers. That's not true of all the contests. But, it is not uncommon.

I have noticed that very few people here, who are professional singers, ever enter the contests. Perhaps that is why, I don't know.

I enjoyed your songs and have no serious nits on them. I critique original music on a couple of other sites. Sometimes, the critiques are not kind, but they are respectful and constructive. Most folks say they want an honest critique but become very defensive when the critique isn't glowing. I can say, in all honesty, I enjoyed your songs and your creative approach. Best of luck!

If I made anyone angry because of my comments on the contests, I am sorry. But I say what I honestly believe, but try to do so in a polite way.

Alan

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OK. Do I seriously suck?
http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchAndListen/play/b6becf55

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Kelsaroo wrote:OK. Do I seriously suck?
http://www.singsnap.com/snap/watchAndListen/play/b6becf55

No, you do not seriously suck, not in my opinion :)

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