In my book, "The Rock-N-Roll Singer's Survival Manual," I list the many advantages of developing foundational vocal skills. Even with all the gadgets out there to make singers sound better, I warn, there still is no magic button for singing on pitch. I should have known better then to put that in print. Technology never sleeps. About six months after my book was published, digital recording programs began to show up in some elite studios. These days, technology once reserved for expensive recording sessions is bundled into every home recording rig. Now there is a magic button to correct your pitch! It makes you wonder, though: With all of the amazing editing capabilities now possible in this digital age, why isn't there a flood of captivating vocal performances?
The same conundrum occurred when drum machines hit the market in the early 80's. Studios armed themselves with new toys that could produce absolutely perfect groves at the press of a button. Drummers panicked. The novelty quickly wore thin though, as track after track of inhuman rhythmic perfection numbed our brains. Producers quickly learned that if they programmed little flaws into the beats it would sound more life-like and produce a far more interesting groove. At the same time, drummers responded to the raised standard by practicing. The result is that drummers today have no problem playing along with a click track or a synthesized groove and the combo usually works very well. There's nothing like the threat of getting replaced by a machine to make one get their act together!
Hopefully, auto-tune will have the same positive effect on singers. I don't think there's any danger of singers being replaced by computers; although I'm sure some musicians would love to see that happen. The point is that, although it's nice to hear someone sing in tune, it takes more then perfect pitches to connect with a listener. Since the beginning of mankind music has been a medium for telling stories. What captivates a listener is the passion in which the story is told. Drums and singing are very similar in that everyone responds on a gut level to the human touch. We relate to the different emotional sounds a singer produces before we even know what the story is about. As we listen, we quickly assess whether the storyteller is believable. If the sound of your voice does not match the emotional content of your lyrics, you'll loose your audience.
At the risk of underestimating the advances of technology once again, I can't imagine there will ever be a time when we can make a so-so vocal more compelling by simply pushing a "believable" button. There are so many components that go into a moving performance that it will always come down to a singer's willingness to let his or her guard down. The problem with singing a story -- rather then speaking it -- is that there are musical standards to uphold. There is a rhythm to maintain and a melody to honor along with the producing of various appropriate emotional sounds. It's easy to get all tangled up in the mechanics of singing and place sentiment on auto pilot. I think that's a big mistake. Focusing all of your energy on getting the notes in tune is usually what makes a vocal sound sterile. Tone and dynamics are far better story tellers than pitch. Most times, a singer will be completely forgiven for an off note if the tone and the dynamics were right on the money.
There's a great parallel for this in acting. It's called staying in character. The audience has no idea when an actor has forgotten a line if the cast remains in character. With a professional crew, the tone of the play is maintained until the lines are back in sync. It's the sure sign of an amateur production when actors become flustered and advertise that a line has been botched. It's not that professionals never forget their lines. It's that they know the only thing the audience cares about is the story. It breaks the spell to call attention to a minute problem. As a performer, it's important to remember that the audience will pick up on whatever you're thinking about. If you let on that you've got problems with control, you'll lose their trust. Hence the saying, "Don't ever let them see you sweat." So keep your focus trained on the sentiment of the song.
Trust is also a necessary component for vocal skills. Even with the constant parade of wonderful vocal-enhancing programs, it still comes down to the singer trusting that his or her voice will behave. You can always hear when someone is managing their mechanics rather then their emotions. This is where vocalizing has always played an important role in a singer's development. Yes even in this digital age, it's still necessary to practice. Drills and vocal exercises are the best way to embed efficient behaviors into your reflexes. Practice enough and you'll get very predictable responses. The note you meant to sing is the note that came out of your mouth. What a concept! Developing trustworthy vocal reflexes will leave you free to dive into the interpretation of the song - which is what an audience in any age really wants to hear.
Like the drummers of the 80's, I am noticing more singers coming into my vocal studios aware of their pitch issues. From watching the meter on the auto-tune programs, they are discovering exactly how much pitch fluctuation goes on in their singing. Awareness is the first step to correction. It's important to remember that an off pitch is always a symptom of an underlying problem. This is why chasing pitches, by singing higher or lower, is never successful. Releasing as much muscle tension as you can is always a good place to start. Gaining control over your breath management would be suspect number two. The best thing to do would be to make these issues the target of your vocal practice sessions while singing into your recording programs. That way you can watch whether your adjustments are fruitful.
I don't think it's cheating to use whatever technology is available for presenting the best performance possible. I think it's a mistake, though, to think that all it takes is correct pitches to make you a singer. The digital age has also provided us with a great new way to get our music heard. World-wide distribution, once reserved for signed artists only, is now available through the web. What will make your song stand out amongst the millions of files out there is believability. Use the technology as a safety net and reach deep within yourself for a remarkable vocal performance. If you make mistakes you can always edit them out. Don't stop until your song speaks from your heart. The irony is that in this age of digital wonder, there is still nothing more wonderful than the human connection.
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