Singer advice for my songs? How do I find one, or try singing myself?

[musicblind]

I've been writing songs for a long time, and I get very good feedback. Most of them are based on political/cultural/social issues (Here are some of the song titles: "The Balls To Say It" "Kill Them While They Are Still Young" "No Child Left Behind" "This Song Plays Backwards" "Fight For Change" if you're able to get an idea of a music style via song titles ???). I guess my style is kinda like "kid who got beat up a lot in high school discovers guitar and decides to take revenge via his music???" IDK. The songs are very outspoken. The songs specialize in clever and straightforward lyrics. I play guitar, and keyboard, and have a home recording studio set up. I DO NOT, however, have the ability to SING because I was born severely hearing impaired and am unable to receive the feedback on my own voice that is needed to sing properly. I have been looking for a singer for years. I have had a few friends who tried it a couple of times and then got bored.

Bottom line is, I really really want to get my music out there. I have put up flyers for a singer, and no luck. Do you have any advice for me? Where could I find a singer, someone who is dedicated and passionate about the messages in my music? If I cannot find a singer. Do you have any advice to help myself sing given my hearing difficulties.

I have tried amplifying the sound of my voice via headphones into my ears. The problem is I link my mixer straight into my computer and when I do this the mic picks up the sound coming out of the headphones. (because I need the sound to be very very sonically loud for me to hear it.) or sometimes when I try and get the music to play via my mixer... the mixer will act insane and will not record. I am, however, a very motivated person. If there is any way you know of for me to sing that I have not tried, I am not afraid to work for it. I have written nearly 140 songs, but no one to ever sing them, and therefore no one to ever hear them besides myself, my friends, and my family. If there is any way you know of to find a dedicated, hard working, singer with a unique voice then let me know, I am not afraid to do what I have to find that person.

[calimary]

1. Hell, I'd help you out if I was there instead of here - and if I had the nerve.

If nothing else, I wanted to keep this kicked for you.

I just discovered the Musicians Group here - never scrolled down that far to notice. D'OH!

Just for fun - check out my kid's band - and his singing. Two of his songs are up on their Myspace:

www.myspace.com/acidicband

Good luck to you!

I know of people who've had success posting ads on Craig's List AND also Myspace. Perhaps you want to try that?

Also - any music schools in your area? Could you email the director or voice coach? What age are you looking for? I'd check the local colleges, and maybe music teachers and voice coaches? Surely one or more of them might have a good student, or want in themselves.

OR: How about one of the churches near you? The Presbyterian church my husband belonged to and in which he was active for many years had quite a vigorous fine arts department - LOTS of "type-A" artist types, frustrated singers, actors, writers, musicians - people in the choir who were always cutting CDs etc. I'd look there if you have a lively church community in your area. There's bound to be a good soloist in there somewhere.

I hope you'll keep us all posted.

[musicblind]

2. Hey :) Thank you so much for the kind message!

I went to your son's myspace, and listened all the way through both of his songs. Did he record these in his house? I love the hook in the guitar riffs on Lost The Will (To Live) and on Black Box, especially as the hook right at the opening of the song. I am a big fan of using the music as a hook in the song. One thing you might mention to him that he can post the lyrics to his songs in the lyrics option. It is the button labeled lyrics right under the song in the media player. I enjoy reading lyrics because I think they are one of the most important ingredients. My hearing aid does not decipher words away from music like normal hearing does. (Normal hearing lets you pick out what things you want to hear, to an extent.) So I love reading lyrics as I listen to music.

I would love it if you would go over and check out my music myspace as well :). www.myspace.com/davidbryantthemusicblind

(Musicblind comes from one of my songs as a reference to being hearing impaired but writing songs anyway lol)

I think you might really like the songs on there. I just posted my newest (last weekend) finished work "Why Your Kids Are Afraid" (Though I have been debating the title, and thinking of changing it to "When My Mom Was A Kid"). Check it out, and read the lyrics if you want. Since I am often hard to understand. Let me know what you think. The version I have up there is a live recording with just myself and my guitar. I set it up and did it in one take to remember where the inflections and everything goes in the song. I haven't written drums or anything else for it yet. My own mother wants me to leave it acoustic. IDK. I have a few other songs up there you might like. "Enemies Accumulate", "Vote For Me" and "Run With It".

I found something called Auto Tune 5? Do you know anything about this program? I downloaded a demo version and it doesn't seem to work well with Acid as a plug in. It seems to be meant more for Pro Tools. (I'll have to save up if I want to get Pro Tools. The Auto Tune plug in costs 400 as well.

What programs does your son use for his music?

I think it is wonderful that you are so supportive of your son's music. Many people's parents simply are not. I know of people who have been kicked out of their houses over it.

I don't know if you'll come back and check this, and it's been a couple of days since we posted. So I'll send this to your inbox as well.

I hope you get it! :)

[musiclawyer]

3. Go on craiglist or myspace musicians

section and place an add. Lots of inexperienced singers want to get a start. Offer them songs for their catalogue. Makes sure you have a dedicated track for the vocal melody and harmonies, so that you can have them hear exactly how you want the vocal melody to sound. Once you find someone you like, record it, formalize the copyright, and give them persmission in writing to use the song as long as they acknlowledge you as the songwriter and/or publisher. My stuff is at www.johntitorensemble.com. Most of my stuff is also recorded at my home studio and I use contract singers at times.