Don’t Like the Sound of Your Singing Voice?

Don’t Like the Sound of Your Singing Voice?
It’s time to fall in love with your voice! Here are some powerful tips from MarkJopeHope that will help you build a positive and healthy relationship with your singing voice.
It’s completely normal to not be fond of the sound of your own voice. In fact, many students come to lessons expressing how they dislike how they sound when they sing. The truth is, you’re not alone in feeling this way. Many people struggle with the way their voice sounds, especially when listening to it recorded.
But why does this happen? Why are we often critical of our own voice? A big reason is that we’re hearing ourselves differently than others do. When you hear your voice played back in a recording, it can sound unfamiliar or even uncomfortable. This is because we usually hear our voices through the vibrations in our skull and ears, which makes them sound different from how they sound to others. Additionally, when we’re unsure about our singing or self-conscious, our brains tend to seek out any evidence that supports our doubts. In other words, we tend to focus on the imperfections or flaws that we perceive, even though they might not be as prominent to others. But here’s the good news—if you follow the right steps, you can develop a more positive relationship with your voice and learn to appreciate its unique qualities.
So, how do you move past your self-doubt and embrace your singing voice? Let’s dive into some effective strategies!
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
It’s so easy to become fixated on the things we don’t like about our voice that we forget to notice the improvements we’ve made. Singing can sometimes feel like a long journey, and it’s tough to see the changes happening in real time. However, others (including your teacher) can often hear those improvements, even if you don’t. That’s why tracking your progress is crucial.
A great way to do this is by recording yourself regularly. It might feel awkward at first, but listening back to these recordings can help you track how your voice is developing. You’ll be able to notice small improvements that you may not have caught in the moment. For instance, if you’re working on pitch accuracy or breathing control, recordings will give you tangible evidence of how you’ve grown.
You can also ask your vocal coach to record a session for you, so you can compare it with recordings taken later on in your vocal journey. This can help you hear the progress you’ve made over weeks or months of practice.
When you do listen to your recordings, try to be as impartial as possible. It’s natural to focus on the things you don’t like about your voice, but I recommend setting a goal for each recording: Find at least three things you did really well and three things you’d like to work on. This approach will help you stay motivated and focused on improvement instead of getting discouraged by your perceived flaws.
CHOOSE YOUR TONE
Your vocal tone is like the fingerprint of your voice—it’s the overall quality or color of sound that comes from your vocal cords. The tone of your voice plays a huge role in shaping how your singing sounds and which styles of music suit you best. You can think of vocal tone as the different shades of paint on an artist’s palette. There are many variations, from bright tones that are more forward and shiny, to darker tones that are richer and more resonant.
The great thing about vocal tone is that it’s malleable. You don’t have to be stuck with just one tone forever. Your voice can adapt to different styles, and you can switch between bright and dark tones depending on the music you’re performing. For example, classical singers often use darker tones, while jazz singers might lean towards a more middle-to-dark tone. Bright tones are more commonly used in contemporary pop and rock music.
In fact, you can think of your tone like an artist with a blank canvas—each song or style you sing is a chance to choose the “colors” that suit the mood and genre you’re working in. If you’re a beginner, it might feel awkward to shift between tones, but with practice, you can control your voice more effectively and achieve the tonal colors you desire.
VOWEL PLACEMENT AND SOUND QUALITY
The way you place your vowels is another powerful tool in shaping your sound and tone. Vowel placement refers to how you form and position the sounds of vowels as you sing. This is essential because it directly affects your tone quality, resonance, and even the clarity of your words.
In classical and traditional musical theater, singers often use wide-open vowel placements to create a more rounded, resonant sound. For these styles, it’s common to pronounce vowels in a way that opens the mouth more, allowing the voice to project powerfully and clearly. On the other hand, contemporary genres like pop, rock, and jazz tend to use more closed vowel placements. This creates a smoother, more focused sound that is suited to modern styles.
Another aspect of vowel placement to consider is diphthongs. Diphthongs occur when two vowel sounds are placed together in a single syllable. For example, the word “fly” includes a diphthong where the “i” and “y” sounds blend. Contemporary singers often use diphthongs to achieve a more contemporary feel, creating a smoother, more dynamic sound that feels less formal than the rounded vowels often used in classical singing. By experimenting with different vowel placements and diphthongs, you can better match the style you want to sing and give your voice a unique quality.
FIND YOUR STYLE
A big reason we might not enjoy the sound of our voice is because we’re singing in a style that doesn’t match what we truly love. For example, I’ve spent years training in jazz and musical theater, but my heart lies in pop and rock music. Initially, I found it frustrating to sing in a genre that felt foreign to me, but over time, I learned how to adapt my voice and employ the stylistic elements of pop and rock. This journey of learning the vocal techniques specific to a genre opened up a whole new world for me.
If you feel the same way, don’t worry—it’s totally possible to develop the vocal skills needed for the style you love. Every genre has its own unique vocal characteristics. Pop singers tend to use a bright, clear tone with lots of flexibility, while rock singers might use more grit and power. Jazz often involves a rich, relaxed tone with more improvisation. Listen to artists who inspire you and study their vocal techniques. With the help of your vocal coach, you can learn how to incorporate the stylistic elements of the genre you’re passionate about into your voice.
KEEP PUSHING FORWARD
At the end of the day, your voice is a journey, not a destination. It’s perfectly normal to struggle with self-doubt at times, but remember that progress is always happening, even when you don’t hear it immediately. Every practice session, every lesson, and every recording is another step forward. With time, your voice will evolve, and you’ll become more confident in its unique sound.
By being open to change and embracing the process, you can alter your style to suit your musical goals. Whether you want to sing pop, jazz, opera, or rock, you can develop the versatility needed to navigate any style you desire. And remember: never let self-doubt hold you back. Embrace your voice for what it is today, and let it grow into the voice you dream of having.
Wrapping Up:
Give these tips a try next time you sing, and notice how much more freedom and power you can achieve in your voice! Happy singing!
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