Step-by-Step Guide: Be A Rock Singer

Question

How can I learn how to sing rock music?

Tanisha Hall is a Vocal Coach and the Founder and Executive Director of White Hall Arts Academy, Inc. an organization based in Los Angeles, California that offers a multi-level curriculum focused on fundamental skills, technique, composition, theory, artistry, and performance at a conservatory level. Ms. Hall's current and previous students include Galimatias, Sanai Victoria, Ant Clemons, and Paloma Ford. She earned a BA in Music from the Berklee College of Music in 1998 and was a recipient of the Music Business Management Achievement Award.

Tanisha Hall

Vocal Coach

Expert Answer

Be sure to schedule some time every day where you can practice singing and improve your technique. If you want to strengthen your voice even more, look for a vocal coach in your area.

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Question

How do I find my singing style?

Jonathan Stancato
Voice Coach

Jonathan Stancato is a Holistic Voice Coach and the Founder of Inside Voice, an approach to improving one's voice and singing abilities through a mind-body 5-octave approach developed while he was working at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He serves clients online and in-person in the New York City metro area and has taught students in theatre conservatories, music festivals, mindfulness organizations, TED Conferences, colleges, choirs, and corporations. Jonathan has extensive training in extended voice (Richard Armstrong/Roy Hart), Hindustani classical vocals (Michael Harrison), and trance singing (Thomas Richards/Grotowski Workcenter).

Jonathan Stancato

Voice Coach

Expert Answer

The simplest guide is to examine the songs that get stuck in your head when you're just going about your life. If those things add up to a genre or the work of a single artist, that's a good clue that might be a good place for you to explore. That unconscious thinking might be a good way to start exploring what types of genres you might like singing.

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Question

Does what I wear matter as a rock singer?

Community Answer

Initially, focus on developing your voice and stage presence; your wardrobe is a secondary consideration. You can wear what you want, but cultivating a unique visual style can help distinguish you from other rock singers.

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Question

I am a smoker. So, smoking can be bad or good for rock singer?

Community Answer

Smoking is a cheat way to get grit and a rough edge to your voice. While it may work for a while, think about your health, you need your lungs to breathe and conduct air to your diaphragm. You'll also find that in the long run, it will become harder for you to hold notes because the breath amount that you take in is escaping due to poor lung health. So, smoking for rock singing isn't good. Try to quit if you're serious about the career, and attend vocal lessons for extra support.

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Question

I have asthma and allergies and often have a hard time breathing with my nose, how will that effect my singing?

Community Answer

It is important that you have breath control when singing as holding and using your breath helps you sing. You could see your doctor who may have some tips for you as well. If you still have trouble breathing through your nose while singing, improvise and make your own style that allows you time to breath through your mouth.

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Question

Is it too late for me to become a rock singer at 35 years old?

Community Answer

No, age is not a barrier to becoming a rock singer if you are talented and dedicated. Seek out other musicians in your community or network to explore forming a band or collaborating on projects.

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Question

I have a low and somewhat soft voice. Does that mean I can't sing rock?

Community Answer

No. There have been rock singers who sang in a lower register, the most famous probably being Johnny Cash. As far as your voice being soft, you can learn to sing louder just by practicing. That's mostly a matter of confidence when it comes to singing.

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Question

Do I need to get skinny in order to have a good voice?

Community Answer

No, your size rarely effects your voice. Your voice comes from your vocal cords. Sometimes you need to hold a note for a long time, so you need the lung capacity to be able to push enough air out to finish the note. Being out of shape can make it difficult to sing because you can run out of breath.

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Question

I'm wondering if classical music is related to rock music.

Community Answer

Yes, as all musical genres are interconnected. Many artists blend multiple styles, such as pop/rock, country/rock, or notably, rap/rock, demonstrating this interrelationship.

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Question

I have a very raspy voice, is that good or bad?

Community Answer

It all depends on the style you are going for. Some great singers have raspy voices.

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Question

I want to start a rock band. What exactly is the right way to go about it?

Community Answer

Gather a bass player, a rhythm guitar player, a lead guitar player, and a drummer (you can place ads in record stores, Craigslist, Facebook, and the like). Start slow with some covers, then try and do your own stuff.

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Question

Is there any way I can learn to sing without a voice coach?

Community Answer

You can become a self-taught singer, it just might not be the same full quality as professionally trained singers. Study the voice and learn the sound of correct and incorrect notes. It's better to learn to sing with a coach, they can offer support and tell you where you're going wrong and where you need help. Otherwise, you're just going by your own belief. However, to begin with you could learn alone, provided you know which bad habits to avoid.

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Question

What kind of foods should I eat to become a better singer?

Community Answer

I would try to avoid dairy as it can make you burp a lot, which might affect your singing. I would also avoid anything that's particularly harsh on your throat, like acids (lemon juice) or alcohol.

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Question

How can I sing with rasp, grit, or distortion to achieve a rock vocal sound like "Welcome to the Jungle"?

Violet Angel

Community Answer

To sing with rasp and grit, try using more air than usual while relaxing your vocal folds, similar to how you produce your lowest vocal notes. This technique allows more air to pass through the cords than they can fully convert to sound, creating a naturally raspy, less loud, and relaxed tone. Be aware that this approach can dry out your vocal cords faster than clean singing, so keep water readily available.

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Question

How can I write a rock song?

Community Answer

To write a rock song, begin by expressing your emotions on paper and focusing on a specific subject for your lyrics. Next, arrange the verses in a way that flows well, then develop a melody that complements your song.

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Question

Do I have to be a girl or boy to be a rock star?

Community Answer

Your gender identity does not matter at all when it comes to being a rock star.

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Question

I can sing higher notes, but my voice breaks in between, how can I avoid this?

Community Answer

What is happening is a break as you transition from your middle register to your head or high register. This area is called the first bridge/passage, or primo passagio. This is fixable with training, and most singers have a tough time progressing smoothly through the first bridge without the help of a vocal teacher.

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Question

I can hit high notes, but I can't scream. Do I just make the notes louder?

Community Answer

Making the notes louder will only be like turning up the volume for a song (this called a crescendo). It won't give you that scream-like sound you're looking for.

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Question

How do I get the band players together in the first place?

Community Answer

Musicians are a pain in in terms of organization, and I speak from experience on that one. You really need to be extremely motivated and organized yourself if you want to start a band, but in terms of just finding the players, that shouldn't be too hard. Try going to local venues and just talking to people in the crowd, ask any friends or relatives who are musical if they know anyone, put up fliers in record and music stores, post an ad on Craigslist, etc. Your area may have a Facebook group dedicated to helping local musicians get together, too.

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