Thanks for this, John. I have struggled with confidence doing my own vocals, even on my own record, for years. My worst grade in music school was aural skills (the singing part) as well. I'm going to follow your guidance on this and see where it takes me.
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist It's ironic that your video is about you learning to sing and harmonize, as you brought a whole new depth to the Porcupine Tree songs where your harmonies with Steven Wilson were so ethereal and the harmonies themselves were perfectly performed.
Couple of thoughts, you are so relaxed and such a natural teacher. It’s really great to see. Very proud of my childhood friend. Also, I can remember distinctly many years ago after having watched you perform saying I had no idea that Wes could sing. Now I know how it all happened.
Great stuff here! I too have had to sing when members have left the band or can’t make practice. Now I really enjoy singing and playing and want to get better. Good lesson!
Fantastic ideas and direction....and like you said, actionable ideas. As a lifelong Marillion fan, I'd not seen them have an opener before, and the first time I did....YOU opened for them in Grand Rapids, Michigan. And the crowd, myself included, were like...WOW! This is great music, and for Marillion to have you as an opener, they must have vetted you/your music pretty well we thought! I've seen you on other tours with Marillion as well, and so when Vertical Horizon came to Grand Rapids this summer(2024) and you walked on stage(I saw you walk out and said to my wife, HOLY S__T!, that's John!), I was pleasantly surprised to see you touring as I did not know you were playing with VH! Super glad to see you playing, sharing videos of tour life and rig setups.... and ideas of how to become a better musician/singer for the rest of us! Thank you for doing....what you DO!
That is amazing! I love reconnecting with people that were there in the earlier part of the career, great to make the connection and more music and tips to come!
John, thank you, thank you, thank you. ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will come.’ Found you today, needed this lesson, I’ll bookmark and repeat it, repeat it.
Thank you, happy it provided some insight, a few people asked for a more in-depth video, coming this week, keep an eye out, all the best... and keep at it!
@matthewmcdermit8744 I'm in West Tennessee so we didn't get much on this side of the state. I appreciate it. I'm working with a vocal coach that's really a big help. He's local to Jackson Tennessee but has actually worked with Dolly and Billy Dean in the past. Really helping me find my range.
Remember to always add the simple scale exercise in... that is an every gig day and anytime have to sing thing for me... and the church and Father Lara forcing me to play is how I learned to play in front of people!
Yeah man... it truly is a path, "no one arrives fully formed" as Steve Wilson said to me once... I hope these tools can open up the path for some people...
Wow - So stoked to learn that John Wesley is publishing this type of content. I absolutely love the work you did with Porcupine Tree and I saw you on many PT gigs. You and Steven are largely responsible for me asking my wife for a Babicz as my first guitar back in 2012 - a 30th anniversary gift! I can’t wait to dive in and see some more of your posts.
Like many here, I know you from PT but, man, these YT vids are just great. You're meant to me a journeyman teacher. Interesting, natural, and of course supremely talented. Subbed!
I will soon, I'm in a touring cycle now so it's tough to get home with enough time to create them, but soon. To get you started with harmony, listen to the eagles, pick a tune that you can really hear the parts, pick one harmony line... out of the harmony stack, start singing it with the track and start expanding... more to come...
I was a singer first prior to be an instrumentalist. I can tell you that being an instrumentalist that has vocal capabilities does in fact make you far more marketable. This is a great service you are providing here. I look forward to the approaches you'll show in your future videos.
More to come soon, but to be fair, the lessons are simple. It's really about the application, putting in the time and the reps, but yes ...more soon... and thank you
Really needed this. Singing is something that scares me and not doing it has severely limited my musicianship and gigs. I have also written songs for bands.. Please do a few more videos to guide us.
8:56 I've been working my singing chops as a drummer and I made a commitment this year that I would put my hand up sing harmonies for every gig I could. My work as a drummer has at least doubled. I still have a long way to go with my voice, and I definitely don't feel like lead singer material, but it is definitely worth it.
One exercise I do that I will demo in a future harmony video, is to practice finding the harmonies in songs I love... then singing them along with the track. Also I create harmonies where there are none... as an exercise... I hope this helps and good luck!
Steve... thanks man.. that means a lot. Going to be hitting near Boston in November with Vertical Horizon, check out the dates on their website and come to the gig. Would be great to see you.
@@billhaupt1 pick a song that you are comfortable with and start singing it without an instrument. When it feels good and you are not straining and it feels natural, find the key of the song or as close to it as you can get on your instrument. Then start at a low root note of that key and start humming the major scale. As you improve, the key may change, go up or down... but singing a major scale typically will get you there... Good luck!
@@billhaupt1 It'll depend on the song and your particular vocal range (your age, gender, etc.) You'll have to find a good key for yourself for each song you want to sing. Listen to a song you want to sing - who"s singing it? Male or Female? Younger or Older? Find out what key the song is in. Are you able to sing along comfortably? Try taking it down a whole step (two frets). Is there a specific song you're interested in?
Well I saw John sing Shackled in NYC this week (my favorite VH song) and I can verify that he can most certainly SING. He killed it. Best song of the night and we all know that live music exposes voices. Shackled “exposed” John’s great voice
I'll add a video on this in the future, but the short answer, is pick the first tune you struggle with, take a chorus or something you have to sing on, a four line section... play the guitar part over and over, then, imagine the line you have to sing over that part, until you can hear it in your head and play the part without making a mistake. Then one like at a time, sing the part and compare where the guitar parts fall within the line. When you have that line, move on to the next one. Some parts are to hard to play and sing for mere mortals, so then you adapt the guitar part to flow with the rhythm of the vocal part, actually play the guitar part if possible in the same pattern as the vocal, if that doesn't work, simplify the guitar part until you can sing the vocal line with you. On most gigs the vocal is the most important, so is simplifying the guitar line, in deference to the vocal is a great way to go... good luck!
Really awesome advice! I’ve played the violin for years and finally, I’m teaching myself the guitar, and realizing that I can’t sing. This is a huge eye-opener that you’ve shared with us! Thanks again.😮
Yeah man... if you have played violin for years... your ear is dialed in. Connect it to your voice with the humming and vowel exercises, then intervals and then tone, and then cop your heroes and imitate their expressive leanings... and rinse and repeat... record yourself and fix what you don't like... good luck!
Thank you, it really is simple in method, but difficult in application, it's all about taking the simple excercises and repping them out until it works...and then maintaining what you have gained.
Hi John, I have a few of your guitars pre 2005 and have come to notice over time that you have made quite a variety of them. Would I be right in thinking that some of these were very short runs? Thanks for this video.
Just great, simple, practical ideas and suggestions, Wes. Very timely for me as I’m just getting acquainted with my vocal ability. The often overlooked backstory as to the route of your evolution is hugely important here too. Thanks very much! 🙏🏻🎶
Good Practical Advice ❤ i love singing practice with sound vibrations of acoustic guitar and keyboard single notes and various scales😊 including the blues scales
The "course" is there, those instructions at the end, that is how you do it. When I finally, in my 40's took some singing lessons, it was exactly what I had learned to do, the hard way. The techniques are simple, the problem is, people don't want to repeat those simple techniques...10 thousand times, for hours and hours...
Hey Man Very cool and helpful video for all of us that feel comfortable on the axe but have been told “you can’t sing”. Everyone has a voice and I believe can sing and probably sing reasonably well with some practice and confidence. Very much appreciated Bro!
Yeah man...get your pitch sorted out, connect your ear to the guitar and then your voice... then pick a singer... cop their thing, sing with them over and over and always work the scales, I work the scale exercises every gig to this day... good luck!
Great post. I first saw you supporting Marillion on the Brave Tour in 1994. I think it was at Aylesbury Civic Centre. You were brilliant, we we bowled over by your song writing, playing and vocals. We bought Under the Red and White Sky at the gig and have followed you ever since.
That is amazing, I remember that gig clearly, I met some friends that night that are still close to me to this day. Great to reconnect here, so amazing to have a connection that far back in the career... I will keep adding more and more content in my quest to keep making art... thank you!
Fantastic advice John! This is exactly the way a fellow guitar player taught me to have confidence as a guitar player first singer. I still use my guitar to work out harmonies, for warm ups etc.
I literally stumbled across this video today. Right after the ‘leader’ of the band I recently joined sent me a text asking me to NOT sing with our newest singer. And I have never been told that. I always thought that being able to sing and play made me more valuable as a band mate. He said “it just doesn’t mix well with her powerhouse voice”. So not sure how to take that. Too make this coincidence even weirder. I was listening to “Now it’s my turn “ by Berlin on my way home from work! Those two things, then this video fell into my feed. Thank you
Allen... I get it man... been there. "Now it's My Turn". deep cut! Love it! So... there are many reasons that you may have been asked not to sing with the newest singer. Number one is... sometimes "powerhouse" singers... can be all over the place, or "Free Range" melodically ...which means trying to sing along with someone who is going to be "close" every night just simply may not work. One of the secrets of being a good BV vocalist, is to have a lead singer that sings the lines in a manner that take the harmonies well. You don't have to be exact with the melody as a lead singer, but you have to be close enough to the harmony line to make it work. So it may not be you at all, which doesn't make her a bad singer, just different. More off the cuff. Which is fine. The second thing, is to offer to alter your "tambre" to blend with hers, and pick some lines that you know she will make work and sit with her one on one and work the parts. Line by line, ask her, if there are some lines she would like supported, and go from there.... but to me...it sounds like it's not you... hope this helps!
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist thanks for responding. I did try your exercise after I put my phone down, lol. Seems B was a good starting place for me. Thank you again
The leader of your band needs to work on communication skills and not send a text, but have a face to face conversation about this. Perhaps let them know how you feel and continue to be a good band mate.
I really love your stories Wes, I could hear you talk about your life for hours. I always did love your singing voice very much. Love to see how the quality if the videos has gone up in such a short time too!
Greetings from your old stomping grounds Wes(Tampa area) i lastsaw you playing acoustic in Brandon many years ago. My voice was always more suited to acoustic music. My mother would sing harmony with me when i was a child( i was a choir boy also) lead singer on acoustic and Harmony singer with my bands. You and i have both worked in music stores, been guitar teachers, studio work, networked and made friends with other musicians and business people and developed songwriting skills. Doing all these things will keep you working.
Yeah Butch... great to hear from you! You were always in it, we always did what we could to keep in it and keep working. You are a super pro that always crushed it. Great to reconnect!
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist I need to catch up with your music acoustic and prog Stuff. I really liked Autodrive. I was teaching at Roydon when they closed(they forgot to tell me)
I had reconnected with Ralph Santola before he died. I had some new pentatonic ideas that I wanted to share with him. I never stop learning. I had been playing with Mercy (love can make you happy). We recorded a new album (got shelved) I want to record my originals before I kick the bucket.
Great tips friend, played lead guitar for about 55 years or more now , could sing in G and A and D and E . Just to fill in sometimes with the bands through the years. Then got into karaoke and could do a few songs by George strait, etc. a bues rocker by choice but liked a little country. Found out if I stepped out a bit I could do better. You have to have confidence. I’d always felt a little inferior, but after a few years you get experience. Thanks for the great advice , to me and I’m sure it will help many more. Subscribed, look forward to your other videos.
Simple advice, there’s so many singing videos that it’s hard to know where to start. This popped into my feed and I’ve started doing it already. Checked out some of your singing videos and if it gets me half as good as you I’ll be happy 😂
Thanks Alex... it is a simple process, but...complex in that the reps and time have to be put in. Singing along with other singers on established songs is crucial, I was in a position that I had to sing 40 songs a night to survive, so I developed quickly... you can do the same by singing with your fav artists... good luck!
Thank you! I'll eventually do a video on singing and playing at the same time. The basic premise, is to first look at the part you are playing, is it too complex for you to play and sing the lyrics at the same time? First thing is to take one verse at a time, play the part over and over and try to imagine the lyric against the guitar, then one line at a time, sing it against the part. If that doesn't flow right, simplify the part on the guitar while you sing the lines... then if it still is not working, let your right hand imitate the rhythm of the vocal line over the chords, sometimes my right had just has to play a similar figure. This should be some good starting points.
Excellent advice and engaging background story, as always, Wes. As a drummer, I'm okay with backups, but I wish I could actually sing well. I just don't have a strong voice or good tone. Thankfully, my livelihood is not dependent upon my singing abilities (or lack thereof). 😆 Hope you guys fared well in the recent storm. Ed A.
I hope you fared well too Ed, the interesting thing is, you cold sing lead if you felt the drive and the need, look at Todd... when we were hanging our years ago he would never sing. Ever. Then he felt the need to sing on his own songs...and look at him now. He creates entire albums with him as the lead singer and does it well. It's all about finding that need...!
That is exactly how they teach you to sing in choir. I sang in choir and it made a huge impact. I was a bass, there are few lead melodies in that range so I learned harmony right from the get go. BTW, you are a pretty darn good singer. I saw you with PT and opening for Marillion. Your vocals were excellent.
Your voice seems perfectly OK. Its you and unique. I feel your best lesson would be to have confidence... there are brusque managers everywhere and critics of your voice everywhere..including yourself. The task is to ignore them all and just do it. Not punish them but sing. Well done
Thank you... and more than confidence... resilience... you will have down nights, down sessions, climb out..rise above.....do the reps, get better... get there... thank you...
IT is really gig dependent... I try to get humming 15 minutes before at least... If I am the lead vocalist and it is a full set, I will try and do more... fingers again, gig dependent but sometimes a half an hour before and during the day for sure. Sometimes with scheduling of the shows there is not enough time or enough quiet space in a dressing room so it can be tough. So I always do the most that I am able, aiming for at least 15.
I will tell you a story...In 3rd grade my teacher had us around the piano singing songs. I was too shy and when she saw me not participating, she made me sing the song by myself in front of the whole class. It was traumatic to say the least. At 53 I've struggled to push myself over the years. This exercise might be the key to breaking that barrier. "Under The Red And White Sky" was a HUGE album for me I played it back to back everywhere, I'm not a singer, but I would sing along by myself driving in my car. I can surely tell you it was pivotal in me learning to play guitar. Thankyou sir for sharing this and I will be trying this and following along and looking forward to more of this!!!
Keep pushing, every time you pick up the instrument... play a few notes and sing them one at a time... and more than anything sing along with the songs you love, then record yourself doing it on your phone and see how close you can get, over time... it will happen. Good luck!
As the only harmonic element in my group, guitar/bass/drums/vocalist, I find it hard to comp well and sing (even just background vocals) at the same time. Do you have any tips for developing that coordination?
I do... first off... pick the lines you are struggling with... and sit there and play the part and hear the vocal line in your head... a lot... then pick the smallest parts of the line, a sentence or a few words and see where the vocal falls agains the guitar part... if it's really off the line, then try to alter your right hand pattern to fall in line rhythmically to math the vocal... it will will usually sit with the groove, then...if that doesn't work, alter the part, make a decision...is the vocal line or the guitar line more critical to the section? Simplify the part to make it work, 90 percent of time, the vocal is more important. If both parts are set in stone for the live thing, then its a matter of reps... some lines require so much interdependence, that you have to be almostt gifted with that skill, think Geddy Lee or Sting... Dave Matthews... he is in human with his ability to separate the parts... I hope this helps...
On the record, yes: "Don't give up" is a duet with KB. On tour, Paula Cole sang with PG. She sang "Blood of eden" too, on that "Secret World" tour too (a duet that PG recorded with the late Sinead O'Connor).
If you (the viewer) think you can't play and sing at same time, you are wrong . Practice singing as you move your right hand up and down in time on your chest or thigh . Just keep it moving . Don't worry about the left hand it will do what it does anyhow . When you are ready to add the guitar don't try to do both perfectly at same time. When it's time to play , play. When it's time to sing , sing and let the guitar take a back seat . Just keep that right hand moving . If things get simpler and quieter that's ok . If you put everything into the vocal, focus on the story you are telling , that will carry the song until it's time to play again. This also adds dynamics . The only job of the guitar during vocal passages is pitch and chords changes . Everything else can fall apart and nobody will notice or care .
Very well spotted! a 1961. My first electric guitar was the same model, not sure which year that one was, but I walked into a store for a pack of strings and... well. It followed me home!
Thanks so much for this. I just started learning guitar five years ago at the ripe age of 50 but I’ve played every day and it’s going well but I also want to be able to sing some. I have okay pitch but I’m having trouble connecting to whatever my actual range is. Look forward to more. Also thanks for being so kind and gracious with your time. I never forgot you chatting up a line to see PT when I saw you in Cincy once. You helped make those PT shows so good! ✌️❤️
Amazing, keep playing... every time you pick up the guitar, play a few notes one at a time. Play a note, hum it...change the pitch him that one... after a while the pitch gets better. All these years and shows later, I still use these ideas to warm up. Cincy PT show? wow...so fun!
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist Yeah saw you guys in Cincy and the Radio Music Hall show! Traveled from D.C. for them. Thanks again for the tips. Can’t wait to see more. Best to you and yours. ✌️
WOW! Thank you amazong video I have tried, with a decent wounding voice that needs work i could nevr get it together with the guitfiddle but THIS makes absolute sense. Gid bless youb for you time amazing. All subscribe and like now.
Wonderful video, always great to get a new perspective on those things. I'd like to add that singing along to the notes played on the guitar (be it a scale or a melody) is a great way to improve your soloing skills too, at least for me it helped me improve to play more melodically and follow the ear rather than the fingers, if that makes any sense. Btw, the first time I ever saw you was during the souncheck with Fish at the courtyerd in the Castle in Poznan in May 2001. The big guy wasn't there yet and you guys were doing In The Flesh? and Superstition with you singing. So you have always been a singer/guitarist in my mind. And another btw, the farewell Fish gig is tonight, it's going to be so emotional! I've seen him quite a bit over the years but never with the legendary Mickey Simmons, Robin Boult and the force of nature that is Liz Antwi! Wish you were there on stage with them too Wes, but that's one hell of a line-up anyway.
Wow...Poznan 01, hell of a gig! I think we did the "tribal" vodka chant on stage that night and most of us nearly passed out after the show! Have fun at the Fish gig, that is an amazing lineup, I bet the show will be great!
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist There were actually two shows in Poznan in 2001 - May and November and it was the second one that had the "tribal" chant, if I'm not mistaken. I know for a fact that Steve Barnacle fell and knock out a tooth after the show. Now that's rock and roll! The show was fantastic. Fish was on good form and looked very happy on stage. A lot of the keys were dropped significantly but that's ok, he didn't have to struggle even if some of the energy of the songs wasn't quite the same. His charisma is still undeniable. The band were fantastic, Liz sounded and looked absolutely stunning! It was Fish's wife's birthday and he did Cliche especially for her (only performance this tour so far) and Robin really outdid himself with the solo. And last but not least - they did the whole of Plague of Ghosts, including the band introduction trick at the end of Make It Happen. Not gonna lie, I did shed a tear during Raingods Dancing. End of an era. But what a way to go out!
Well, that is a huge head start... start copping Billy Joe, imitate him, try to emulate his inflections to the T, exact imitation... then branch out, do your own thing once it starts to happen... do a ton of reps... it will come...
It’s not a question of whether you can sing. I can hit and hold pitch; I can sing spontaneous harmonies in a live setting that work. But I do not have a voice that works to be a lead singer. It’s just the way it is. A man’s got to know his limitations.
If I can help, the singer on PG's "Secret World" tour was Paula Cole (on one of the best live video I've ever watched)... I must say I'm glad you're not a shredder, but a very sensitive guitar player and a fantastic singer. Anyone can hear that , if they watch and listen to the "Anesthetize" tour... (and as it seems, you're also a great music teacher!). Keep on posting these videos! 🙂
Thank you... I followed her career for years after. Yes that is one of the most amazing live videos I have ever watched. Over and over... and thank you for kind words, still out here writing and playing and trying to ...make art. Thank you...
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist Thank you for your nice answer, it means a lot. I first saw you on tour with Marillion, on their Brave tour, in 1994. I'll never forget these shows in Paris, at La Cigale. Then I saw you the next year at L' Arapaho, in Paris again: I was there with friends, and we had such a great time... I remember this special evening so well! I was so moved when I realized very recently that the show had been recorded... ( "Waiting For The Sun To Shine In Paris") it was absolutely fantastic to hear this performance again.
Great advice. There's no substitute for practice. I'm not a natural singer, and if I don't sing at all for a couple of months, I can't sing worth a damn. If I sing an hour a day, I sing a heck of a lot better.
I always thought the same that anybody could sing if they put enough practice in, but some just can't hear what they are singing properly, something to do with the way the skull resonates. The term Tone deaf seems to have some relevance in my experience. Not many but a few people can't sing :-)
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist thanks for your reply, I was talking about other people I can sing fine and have 3 albums out and about. I have worked with a lot of singers over the years. I do know a few people that are un trainable though.
Thank you for the advice from the experience you bring! My first-FIRST-guitar was the Gibson ES-123TCD, the spitting image of the one you have there!!
Wow. Great advice.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this, John. I have struggled with confidence doing my own vocals, even on my own record, for years. My worst grade in music school was aural skills (the singing part) as well. I'm going to follow your guidance on this and see where it takes me.
Good luck!! It's all about the reps, sing with other songs and artists as much as you can!
John’s vocals in Porcupine Tree’s live performances were sublime and added so much to each song. Tremendous.
Thank you...
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist It's ironic that your video is about you learning to sing and harmonize, as you brought a whole new depth to the Porcupine Tree songs where your harmonies with Steven Wilson were so ethereal and the harmonies themselves were perfectly performed.
Great ideas and I’ll watch more of your videos on the journeyman singing journey/ tips.
Thank you John, more to come...
Thank you my brother in music. This is the video I needed to see.
Awesome... I hope it helps, I did a second one that goes much deeper check it out if you need more... thank you!
Couple of thoughts, you are so relaxed and such a natural teacher. It’s really great to see. Very proud of my childhood friend. Also, I can remember distinctly many years ago after having watched you perform saying I had no idea that Wes could sing. Now I know how it all happened.
You were there always there Dave!!!!!
Great stuff here! I too have had to sing when members have left the band or can’t make practice. Now I really enjoy singing and playing and want to get better. Good lesson!
Saw you in Mexico with Fish! Amazing!
Wow, those were amazing shows... Mexico City... what a time!
Fantastic ideas and direction....and like you said, actionable ideas. As a lifelong Marillion fan, I'd not seen them have an opener before, and the first time I did....YOU opened for them in Grand Rapids, Michigan. And the crowd, myself included, were like...WOW! This is great music, and for Marillion to have you as an opener, they must have vetted you/your music pretty well we thought! I've seen you on other tours with Marillion as well, and so when Vertical Horizon came to Grand Rapids this summer(2024) and you walked on stage(I saw you walk out and said to my wife, HOLY S__T!, that's John!), I was pleasantly surprised to see you touring as I did not know you were playing with VH! Super glad to see you playing, sharing videos of tour life and rig setups.... and ideas of how to become a better musician/singer for the rest of us! Thank you for doing....what you DO!
That is amazing! I love reconnecting with people that were there in the earlier part of the career, great to make the connection and more music and tips to come!
John, thank you, thank you, thank you. ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will come.’ Found you today, needed this lesson, I’ll bookmark and repeat it, repeat it.
Thank you, happy it provided some insight, a few people asked for a more in-depth video, coming this week, keep an eye out, all the best... and keep at it!
Thanks John, loving these videos. Your stories are really interesting and the way you explain things is super clear. Thank you!
Thank you Tom!
At 52 I've started writing music with lyrics.. somebody's gotta sing it.. so I'm learning how.
@matthewmcdermit8744 I'm in West Tennessee so we didn't get much on this side of the state. I appreciate it. I'm working with a vocal coach that's really a big help. He's local to Jackson Tennessee but has actually worked with Dolly and Billy Dean in the past. Really helping me find my range.
go man go... that is exactly what drove me....
We were very lucky with the hurricanes, messy...but nothing life changing... thank you...
That is amazing... work it... vocal coaches will help get you there!
Remember to always add the simple scale exercise in... that is an every gig day and anytime have to sing thing for me... and the church and Father Lara forcing me to play is how I learned to play in front of people!
Great stories! The one about the night club manager "bluntly" telling you not to sing in his club brought back memories!
Yeah man... it truly is a path, "no one arrives fully formed" as Steve Wilson said to me once... I hope these tools can open up the path for some people...
A very good and inspiring video, thank you. :)
Thank you very much and good luck!
Thanks John. Subscribed for the next videos on singing with guitar…can’t wait.
thank you... more to come soon....
Wow - So stoked to learn that John Wesley is publishing this type of content. I absolutely love the work you did with Porcupine Tree and I saw you on many PT gigs. You and Steven are largely responsible for me asking my wife for a Babicz as my first guitar back in 2012 - a 30th anniversary gift! I can’t wait to dive in and see some more of your posts.
Thank you! SO great to be reconnected... more to come!
Like many here, I know you from PT but, man, these YT vids are just great. You're meant to me a journeyman teacher. Interesting, natural, and of course supremely talented. Subbed!
Thank you, it's a great way to get back in touch with people I have played for through the years and share some of the experience. Thank you!
Thanks for the Great Video!! Hey do you have a video for learning to sing harmony??
I will soon, I'm in a touring cycle now so it's tough to get home with enough time to create them, but soon. To get you started with harmony, listen to the eagles, pick a tune that you can really hear the parts, pick one harmony line... out of the harmony stack, start singing it with the track and start expanding... more to come...
Incredible elementary and perfect. Just what I needed. Thanks.
Thank you Steve, new video today on going deeper... ua-cam.com/video/pWwGJdEQ4Y0/v-deo.htmlsi=1FP0yGYcOaYtqN7G
Great presentation! Fun to listen too. Thx!
Thank you Jeff....
Thank you for the lesson. I found it very helpful.
Thank you!
I was a singer first prior to be an instrumentalist. I can tell you that being an instrumentalist that has vocal capabilities does in fact make you far more marketable. This is a great service you are providing here. I look forward to the approaches you'll show in your future videos.
More to come soon, but to be fair, the lessons are simple. It's really about the application, putting in the time and the reps, but yes ...more soon... and thank you
A band called Marillion? They're awesome. Good info.
Yeah man, the Marillion guys are incredible. It was always so much fun to tour with them.
Really needed this. Singing is something that scares me and not doing it has severely limited my musicianship and gigs. I have also written songs for bands..
Please do a few more videos to guide us.
I get it... it helps to be a solid singer...new video on the subject here: ua-cam.com/video/pWwGJdEQ4Y0/v-deo.htmlsi=1FP0yGYcOaYtqN7G
Your story explaining the why made me subscribe. Peace
Thanks man... the "why" provides the drive... more to come on the singing subject soon...
8:56 I've been working my singing chops as a drummer and I made a commitment this year that I would put my hand up sing harmonies for every gig I could. My work as a drummer has at least doubled. I still have a long way to go with my voice, and I definitely don't feel like lead singer material, but it is definitely worth it.
One exercise I do that I will demo in a future harmony video, is to practice finding the harmonies in songs I love... then singing them along with the track. Also I create harmonies where there are none... as an exercise... I hope this helps and good luck!
Just came across your video. This is really practical and super useful, adding to my practice routine - thanks
I still use routines based off of these ideas every show... good luck!
My mom who passed recently loved your voice Wes.... especially on Rome is Burning and Silence in Coffee. Keep going man we love you in Boston 👍
Sorry for your loss ❤
Steve... thanks man.. that means a lot. Going to be hitting near Boston in November with Vertical Horizon, check out the dates on their website and come to the gig. Would be great to see you.
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist 👍👍👍
One of the biggest mistakes that a lot of singers make is not changing the key of the song to suit their own vocal range.
Play to your strengths... Capo, Capo, Capo....
How would you know what key you sing in?
@@billhaupt1 pick a song that you are comfortable with and start singing it without an instrument. When it feels good and you are not straining and it feels natural, find the key of the song or as close to it as you can get on your instrument. Then start at a low root note of that key and start humming the major scale. As you improve, the key may change, go up or down... but singing a major scale typically will get you there... Good luck!
@@billhaupt1 It'll depend on the song and your particular vocal range (your age, gender, etc.) You'll have to find a good key for yourself for each song you want to sing. Listen to a song you want to sing - who"s singing it? Male or Female? Younger or Older? Find out what key the song is in. Are you able to sing along comfortably? Try taking it down a whole step (two frets). Is there a specific song you're interested in?
@@TheJourneymanGuitaristit's a useful tool. Not a cheater.
Well I saw John sing Shackled in NYC this week (my favorite VH song) and I can verify that he can most certainly SING. He killed it. Best song of the night and we all know that live music exposes voices. Shackled “exposed” John’s great voice
Thank you! It's an amazing track and a blast to sing every night!
Great voice, love your vocals on “ My Ashes “ Anesthetize (live)
Thank you Marc! Amazing shows...so happy they were captured...
Great advice John.I can play,just can't sing and play at the same time.Any tips on that.Thanks.
I'll add a video on this in the future, but the short answer, is pick the first tune you struggle with, take a chorus or something you have to sing on, a four line section... play the guitar part over and over, then, imagine the line you have to sing over that part, until you can hear it in your head and play the part without making a mistake. Then one like at a time, sing the part and compare where the guitar parts fall within the line. When you have that line, move on to the next one. Some parts are to hard to play and sing for mere mortals, so then you adapt the guitar part to flow with the rhythm of the vocal part, actually play the guitar part if possible in the same pattern as the vocal, if that doesn't work, simplify the guitar part until you can sing the vocal line with you. On most gigs the vocal is the most important, so is simplifying the guitar line, in deference to the vocal is a great way to go... good luck!
Really awesome advice! I’ve played the violin for years and finally, I’m teaching myself the guitar, and realizing that I can’t sing. This is a huge eye-opener that you’ve shared with us! Thanks again.😮
Yeah man... if you have played violin for years... your ear is dialed in. Connect it to your voice with the humming and vowel exercises, then intervals and then tone, and then cop your heroes and imitate their expressive leanings... and rinse and repeat... record yourself and fix what you don't like... good luck!
First vocal vid I found succinct and followed, thanks.
Thank you, it really is simple in method, but difficult in application, it's all about taking the simple excercises and repping them out until it works...and then maintaining what you have gained.
Thank you. I'm on the way to rediscover my voice. Hopefully.
IT really is all about reps, get the reps in, sings the songs, nail the pitch and the intervals, listen to your timbre... good luck!
Hi John, I have a few of your guitars pre 2005 and have come to notice over time that you have made quite a variety of them. Would I be right in
thinking that some of these were very short runs? Thanks for this video.
You may have someone else in mind? I don't actually make guitars...
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist
ua-cam.com/video/HXiydmTrrck/v-deo.html Sorry to trouble you John.
Just great, simple, practical ideas and suggestions, Wes. Very timely for me as I’m just getting acquainted with my vocal ability.
The often overlooked backstory as to the route of your evolution is hugely important here too.
Thanks very much! 🙏🏻🎶
Thank you... yes... that backstory is really the framework for any of us trying to get a start and build a voice... take the steps and go!
Very inspiring Video. Thank You John 🎸
Thank you... I hope that this helps...
Good Practical Advice ❤ i love singing practice with sound vibrations of acoustic guitar and keyboard single notes and various scales😊 including the blues scales
"this is the way..." you nailed it. Start there and then find the tunes.... and sing.
This is really incredible advice
Thanks man... I hope you can put the ideas to good use...
great video !
Thank you!
I was waiting for a course to follow. Was that simply inspiration shining through the clouds?
The "course" is there, those instructions at the end, that is how you do it. When I finally, in my 40's took some singing lessons, it was exactly what I had learned to do, the hard way. The techniques are simple, the problem is, people don't want to repeat those simple techniques...10 thousand times, for hours and hours...
10:55 is where the advice starts
The story section provides the reason one should start on the journey to learn to sing, shows that it can be done.
Very useful John, thank you.🙏
thank you Marco, these are the methods I still use today...
Heeey, I THOUGHT you looked familiar! Porcupine Tree touring band. I really enjoyed the DVD, I think it was Anesthetize. Great vocal tips!
That was an amazing show... and good times!
Hey Man
Very cool and helpful video for all of us that feel comfortable on the axe but have been told “you can’t sing”. Everyone has a voice and I believe can sing and probably sing reasonably well with some practice and confidence.
Very much appreciated Bro!
Yeah man...get your pitch sorted out, connect your ear to the guitar and then your voice... then pick a singer... cop their thing, sing with them over and over and always work the scales, I work the scale exercises every gig to this day... good luck!
Awesome. Thank you
You're welcome!
Great post. I first saw you supporting Marillion on the Brave Tour in 1994. I think it was at Aylesbury Civic Centre. You were brilliant, we we bowled over by your song writing, playing and vocals. We bought Under the Red and White Sky at the gig and have followed you ever since.
I first saw Wes on stage on that same tour! Great memories!😊
That is amazing, I remember that gig clearly, I met some friends that night that are still close to me to this day. Great to reconnect here, so amazing to have a connection that far back in the career... I will keep adding more and more content in my quest to keep making art... thank you!
What a tour... !
Fantastic advice John! This is exactly the way a fellow guitar player taught me to have confidence as a guitar player first singer.
I still use my guitar to work out harmonies, for warm ups etc.
Awesome... it is the way!
I literally stumbled across this video today. Right after the ‘leader’ of the band I recently joined sent me a text asking me to NOT sing with our newest singer. And I have never been told that. I always thought that being able to sing and play made me more valuable as a band mate. He said “it just doesn’t mix well with her powerhouse voice”. So not sure how to take that. Too make this coincidence even weirder. I was listening to “Now it’s my turn “ by Berlin on my way home from work! Those two things, then this video fell into my feed. Thank you
Allen... I get it man... been there. "Now it's My Turn". deep cut! Love it! So... there are many reasons that you may have been asked not to sing with the newest singer. Number one is... sometimes "powerhouse" singers... can be all over the place, or "Free Range" melodically ...which means trying to sing along with someone who is going to be "close" every night just simply may not work. One of the secrets of being a good BV vocalist, is to have a lead singer that sings the lines in a manner that take the harmonies well. You don't have to be exact with the melody as a lead singer, but you have to be close enough to the harmony line to make it work. So it may not be you at all, which doesn't make her a bad singer, just different. More off the cuff. Which is fine. The second thing, is to offer to alter your "tambre" to blend with hers, and pick some lines that you know she will make work and sit with her one on one and work the parts. Line by line, ask her, if there are some lines she would like supported, and go from there.... but to me...it sounds like it's not you... hope this helps!
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist thanks for responding. I did try your exercise after I put my phone down, lol. Seems B was a good starting place for me. Thank you again
The leader of your band needs to work on communication skills and not send a text, but have a face to face conversation about this. Perhaps let them know how you feel and continue to be a good band mate.
I really love your stories Wes, I could hear you talk about your life for hours. I always did love your singing voice very much. Love to see how the quality if the videos has gone up in such a short time too!
that is amazing, thank you... more stories to come, watch this space!
Your thumbnail title caught my eye. I've been wanting to sing with guitar...forever. I will give this a try. Thanks.
It's a great start... main thing...reps...sing with the songs you love, record yourself... over and over... you can get there...
Greetings from your old stomping grounds Wes(Tampa area) i lastsaw you playing acoustic in Brandon many years ago. My voice was always more suited to acoustic music. My mother would sing harmony with me when i was a child( i was a choir boy also) lead singer on acoustic and Harmony singer with my bands. You and i have both worked in music stores, been guitar teachers, studio work, networked and made friends with other musicians and business people and developed songwriting skills. Doing all these things will keep you working.
This is Butch Darby.
Yeah Butch... great to hear from you! You were always in it, we always did what we could to keep in it and keep working. You are a super pro that always crushed it. Great to reconnect!
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist I need to catch up with your music acoustic and prog Stuff. I really liked Autodrive. I was teaching at Roydon when they closed(they forgot to tell me)
I had reconnected with Ralph Santola before he died. I had some new pentatonic ideas that I wanted to share with him. I never stop learning. I had been playing with Mercy (love can make you happy). We recorded a new album (got shelved) I want to record my originals before I kick the bucket.
@@doyledarby9020 Yeah man... get in there and record those tunes, get them up into the digital space... creating is our legacy!
Go and see John porcupine-tree-ing !!! ... 2012 this was my initiation to John Wesley's work
Good times!
Great tips friend, played lead guitar for about 55 years or more now , could sing in G and A and D and E . Just to fill in sometimes with the bands through the years. Then got into karaoke and could do a few songs by George strait, etc. a bues rocker by choice but liked a little country. Found out if I stepped out a bit I could do better. You have to have confidence. I’d always felt a little inferior, but after a few years you get experience. Thanks for the great advice , to me and I’m sure it will help many more. Subscribed, look forward to your other videos.
Thank you, it is a journey... I have a new video coming out next week that goes more in depth as people asked for a deeper version... all the best!
I moved to a Baritone guitar to fix my vocals lol. Btw: Female sing with Peter would have been Paula Cole.
Baritone! Whatever it takes to get the job done... and yes... Paula Cole, love her!
Simple advice, there’s so many singing videos that it’s hard to know where to start. This popped into my feed and I’ve started doing it already. Checked out some of your singing videos and if it gets me half as good as you I’ll be happy 😂
Thanks Alex... it is a simple process, but...complex in that the reps and time have to be put in. Singing along with other singers on established songs is crucial, I was in a position that I had to sing 40 songs a night to survive, so I developed quickly... you can do the same by singing with your fav artists... good luck!
Great video John. Could you give some pointers on singing and playing guitar at the same time??
Thank you! I'll eventually do a video on singing and playing at the same time. The basic premise, is to first look at the part you are playing, is it too complex for you to play and sing the lyrics at the same time? First thing is to take one verse at a time, play the part over and over and try to imagine the lyric against the guitar, then one line at a time, sing it against the part. If that doesn't flow right, simplify the part on the guitar while you sing the lines... then if it still is not working, let your right hand imitate the rhythm of the vocal line over the chords, sometimes my right had just has to play a similar figure. This should be some good starting points.
@TheJourneymanGuitarist thanks for a good detailed response.
Excellent advice and engaging background story, as always, Wes. As a drummer, I'm okay with backups, but I wish I could actually sing well. I just don't have a strong voice or good tone. Thankfully, my livelihood is not dependent upon my singing abilities (or lack thereof). 😆 Hope you guys fared well in the recent storm. Ed A.
I hope you fared well too Ed, the interesting thing is, you cold sing lead if you felt the drive and the need, look at Todd... when we were hanging our years ago he would never sing. Ever. Then he felt the need to sing on his own songs...and look at him now. He creates entire albums with him as the lead singer and does it well. It's all about finding that need...!
Thanks for sharing the wisdom of your life's experience. So helpful....thank you John!!
and thank you for listening...more to come...
Great video! Love what you're doing!
Thanks so much!
Great video. Cheers from Brazil.
Obrigado!
I went to PJs a lot in early 80’s!
What a time! What a place! The band used to stay upstairs, it was chaos!!! Love it!
That is exactly how they teach you to sing in choir. I sang in choir and it made a huge impact. I was a bass, there are few lead melodies in that range so I learned harmony right from the get go. BTW, you are a pretty darn good singer. I saw you with PT and opening for Marillion. Your vocals were excellent.
Thank you... those were amazing shows back in those days!
Timely video for me. Love the channel.
I hope this helps...
Nice story John
Thanks Ron!
Thank you, l shall try to overcome my mental brackes and sing.
La, la, la
...
It just takes time and reps... good luck!
Your voice seems perfectly OK. Its you and unique. I feel your best lesson would be to have confidence... there are brusque managers everywhere and critics of your voice everywhere..including yourself. The task is to ignore them all and just do it.
Not punish them but sing.
Well done
Thank you... and more than confidence... resilience... you will have down nights, down sessions, climb out..rise above.....do the reps, get better... get there... thank you...
I still love your vocals on Fadeaway (Porcupine Tree - XM2).
Thank you...a. beautiful track...was very fortunate to sing on that one...
How long is your warmup routine? How many minutes for your voice and how many for your fingers? Thanks for sharing your journey to journeyman!
IT is really gig dependent... I try to get humming 15 minutes before at least... If I am the lead vocalist and it is a full set, I will try and do more... fingers again, gig dependent but sometimes a half an hour before and during the day for sure. Sometimes with scheduling of the shows there is not enough time or enough quiet space in a dressing room so it can be tough. So I always do the most that I am able, aiming for at least 15.
"casset player "Berlin" alone dating back in the eighties " ... glad, we are privileged having been young then
What a time right???!
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist absolutely
I will tell you a story...In 3rd grade my teacher had us around the piano singing songs. I was too shy and when she saw me not participating, she made me sing the song by myself in front of the whole class. It was traumatic to say the least. At 53 I've struggled to push myself over the years. This exercise might be the key to breaking that barrier.
"Under The Red And White Sky" was a HUGE album for me I played it back to back everywhere, I'm not a singer, but I would sing along by myself driving in my car. I can surely tell you it was pivotal in me learning to play guitar. Thankyou sir for sharing this and I will be trying this and following along and looking forward to more of this!!!
Keep pushing, every time you pick up the instrument... play a few notes and sing them one at a time... and more than anything sing along with the songs you love, then record yourself doing it on your phone and see how close you can get, over time... it will happen. Good luck!
Good video m8. I'll take that on board
It's the way to start and make it happen... good luck!
As the only harmonic element in my group, guitar/bass/drums/vocalist, I find it hard to comp well and sing (even just background vocals) at the same time. Do you have any tips for developing that coordination?
I do... first off... pick the lines you are struggling with... and sit there and play the part and hear the vocal line in your head... a lot... then pick the smallest parts of the line, a sentence or a few words and see where the vocal falls agains the guitar part... if it's really off the line, then try to alter your right hand pattern to fall in line rhythmically to math the vocal... it will will usually sit with the groove, then...if that doesn't work, alter the part, make a decision...is the vocal line or the guitar line more critical to the section? Simplify the part to make it work, 90 percent of time, the vocal is more important. If both parts are set in stone for the live thing, then its a matter of reps... some lines require so much interdependence, that you have to be almostt gifted with that skill, think Geddy Lee or Sting... Dave Matthews... he is in human with his ability to separate the parts... I hope this helps...
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist Right on, brother. I appreciate your time and the detailed response!! I will try to put this into practice.
I love the Sparks for their vocal melodies, apparently they were worked out on piano.
Ps great video, thanks man.
thank you...and yes...Sparks created beautiful melodies...
Hello John was it Kate Bush with Peter Gabriel Listen to her singing Wuthering Heights ?.Thanks !
On the record, yes: "Don't give up" is a duet with KB. On tour, Paula Cole sang with PG. She sang "Blood of eden" too, on that "Secret World" tour too (a duet that PG recorded with the late Sinead O'Connor).
The live version that Tracy was singing along to with me was Paula Cole... love that show!
Thank you.
And thank you for checking it out.. I hope it helps...
Excellent advice, John! Love your vids and the helpful, simple steps you give. ⭐🎤
Thank you, sharing what I have learned over the years... and more to come!
Great tips, thanks John!
THANK YOU !!! 💡🎸
An thank you...good luck!
Takes me back to The Garden days Wes, beautiful voice then, beautiful voice now!
Awe, thank you Kat, those were good times...great shows!
If you (the viewer) think you can't play and sing at same time, you are wrong . Practice singing as you move your right hand up and down in time on your chest or thigh . Just keep it moving . Don't worry about the left hand it will do what it does anyhow . When you are ready to add the guitar don't try to do both perfectly at same time. When it's time to play , play. When it's time to sing , sing and let the guitar take a back seat . Just keep that right hand moving . If things get simpler and quieter that's ok . If you put everything into the vocal, focus on the story you are telling , that will carry the song until it's time to play again. This also adds dynamics . The only job of the guitar during vocal passages is pitch and chords changes . Everything else can fall apart and nobody will notice or care .
And there it is...
Thanks. 👌
an Es125TDC -Nice
Very well spotted! a 1961. My first electric guitar was the same model, not sure which year that one was, but I walked into a store for a pack of strings and... well. It followed me home!
Thanks so much for this. I just started learning guitar five years ago at the ripe age of 50 but I’ve played every day and it’s going well but I also want to be able to sing some. I have okay pitch but I’m having trouble connecting to whatever my actual range is. Look forward to more. Also thanks for being so kind and gracious with your time. I never forgot you chatting up a line to see PT when I saw you in Cincy once. You helped make those PT shows so good! ✌️❤️
Amazing, keep playing... every time you pick up the guitar, play a few notes one at a time. Play a note, hum it...change the pitch him that one... after a while the pitch gets better. All these years and shows later, I still use these ideas to warm up. Cincy PT show? wow...so fun!
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist Yeah saw you guys in Cincy and the Radio Music Hall show! Traveled from D.C. for them. Thanks again for the tips. Can’t wait to see more. Best to you and yours. ✌️
WOW! Thank you amazong video I have tried, with a decent wounding voice that needs work i could nevr get it together with the guitfiddle but THIS makes absolute sense. Gid bless youb for you time amazing. All subscribe and like now.
Thanks man... pitch first, intervals second, develop your tone while copping your heroes. Repeat over and over... good luck!
Wonderful video, always great to get a new perspective on those things. I'd like to add that singing along to the notes played on the guitar (be it a scale or a melody) is a great way to improve your soloing skills too, at least for me it helped me improve to play more melodically and follow the ear rather than the fingers, if that makes any sense.
Btw, the first time I ever saw you was during the souncheck with Fish at the courtyerd in the Castle in Poznan in May 2001. The big guy wasn't there yet and you guys were doing In The Flesh? and Superstition with you singing. So you have always been a singer/guitarist in my mind.
And another btw, the farewell Fish gig is tonight, it's going to be so emotional! I've seen him quite a bit over the years but never with the legendary Mickey Simmons, Robin Boult and the force of nature that is Liz Antwi! Wish you were there on stage with them too Wes, but that's one hell of a line-up anyway.
Wow...Poznan 01, hell of a gig! I think we did the "tribal" vodka chant on stage that night and most of us nearly passed out after the show! Have fun at the Fish gig, that is an amazing lineup, I bet the show will be great!
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist There were actually two shows in Poznan in 2001 - May and November and it was the second one that had the "tribal" chant, if I'm not mistaken. I know for a fact that Steve Barnacle fell and knock out a tooth after the show. Now that's rock and roll!
The show was fantastic. Fish was on good form and looked very happy on stage. A lot of the keys were dropped significantly but that's ok, he didn't have to struggle even if some of the energy of the songs wasn't quite the same. His charisma is still undeniable. The band were fantastic, Liz sounded and looked absolutely stunning! It was Fish's wife's birthday and he did Cliche especially for her (only performance this tour so far) and Robin really outdid himself with the solo. And last but not least - they did the whole of Plague of Ghosts, including the band introduction trick at the end of Make It Happen. Not gonna lie, I did shed a tear during Raingods Dancing. End of an era. But what a way to go out!
@@4ctmam The Tribal... yeah... vodka death night!!!
My favorite band is Green Day. And I kinda have a voice like Billie Joe when I try to sing naturally. It sort of just worked out for me.
Well, that is a huge head start... start copping Billy Joe, imitate him, try to emulate his inflections to the T, exact imitation... then branch out, do your own thing once it starts to happen... do a ton of reps... it will come...
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist Thanks for the tips, I’ll keep at it
Your voice is amazing :D
awe.... thank you...
"a singist I was not" lol, amazing
I most certainly wasn't...!
Interesting 🎤🎸
Thank you... more to come...
It’s not a question of whether you can sing. I can hit and hold pitch; I can sing spontaneous harmonies in a live setting that work. But I do not have a voice that works to be a lead singer.
It’s just the way it is. A man’s got to know his limitations.
Sorry, but you can. But if you believe you cannot, then you will not. Dont give up!
"A guitarist's got to know his limitations." FTFY
I get it man...
Love this video!
Thank you!
If I can help, the singer on PG's "Secret World" tour was Paula Cole (on one of the best live video I've ever watched)... I must say I'm glad you're not a shredder, but a very sensitive guitar player and a fantastic singer. Anyone can hear that , if they watch and listen to the "Anesthetize" tour... (and as it seems, you're also a great music teacher!). Keep on posting these videos! 🙂
Thank you... I followed her career for years after. Yes that is one of the most amazing live videos I have ever watched. Over and over... and thank you for kind words, still out here writing and playing and trying to ...make art. Thank you...
shredding is not music , no offense to the shredders intended
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist Thank you for your nice answer, it means a lot. I first saw you on tour with Marillion, on their Brave tour, in 1994. I'll never forget these shows in Paris, at La Cigale. Then I saw you the next year at L' Arapaho, in Paris again: I was there with friends, and we had such a great time... I remember this special evening so well! I was so moved when I realized very recently that the show had been recorded... ( "Waiting For The Sun To Shine In Paris") it was absolutely fantastic to hear this performance again.
Fast forward to the 10 minute mark … that’s when the lesson begins.
But...listen to the story, there is a reason I took ten minutes to get you there... because most people give up when others shit on them...
Thx !!
I‘m interested in the story, too.
Peter Gabriel, with Paula Cole.
Thanks Jim, had a brain fade there...I had her solo records after that... she is amazing.
Just off to my bedroom to practice 🇬🇧🙌🤣
and that my friend.... is the secret...
Great advice. There's no substitute for practice. I'm not a natural singer, and if I don't sing at all for a couple of months, I can't sing worth a damn. If I sing an hour a day, I sing a heck of a lot better.
Same here, if I don't sing for a while, I have to work myself back in... I start with car tunes!
I always thought the same that anybody could sing if they put enough practice in, but some just can't hear what they are singing properly, something to do with the way the skull resonates. The term Tone deaf seems to have some relevance in my experience. Not many but a few people can't sing :-)
That's a tough one.. try picking one note... humming it until you can crush it. Then a second, then a third... reps...time... good luck...
@@TheJourneymanGuitarist thanks for your reply, I was talking about other people I can sing fine and have 3 albums out and about. I have worked with a lot of singers over the years. I do know a few people that are un trainable though.
In the top league of singing guitar players!
Thank you!