I was having a discussion this week with a client, regarding changing the nature of one’s voice. It was a fairly nuanced topic, but it centred around:
1. Can we actually change the nature and structure of our voices?
2. How much say does a singer have in how they sound?
3. Why do some people sound better than others?
Each of these are quite complex discussions. Moreover, even if we can say ‘yes, you can go far with developing your voice’, that doesn’t tell us how far, or what the differences are likely to be. So instead of trying to give concrete answers, let me try and simply adjust your mindset on these topics.
Here’s an alternate framing of the first question in the world of exercise:
1. Can anyone gain muscle and lose weight by going to the gym and exercising?
The answer is obviously yes. We know this is effective and elicits change in people’s bodies and morphology (shape). Weight training increases muscle mass. Over prolonged periods, weight training actually changes our bone density and structure.
This only identifies weight training process is effective. It doesn’t tell us what the results will be. Some people start off with more muscle and better genetics. Others have less favourable genetics. Others are very disciplined or have more time to dedicate to training. Others struggle with routine and diet, which can impact the speed and magnitude of the results.
Moreover, even if we know muscle will be added and weight lost, we cannot predict someone’s exact shape in the future from undertaking the process. Instead, the body reveals it’s new form through the training.
Voice training is the same.
We can improve and radically alter someone’s voice. Each step along the way will be an improvement, but the exact shape of the final result cannot be precisely predicted at the very beginning.
2. How much say does a singer have in how they sound
Singers actually have a lot of options available to them in how they sound. Both on song and as they install their new vocal facility into song. It’s much like someone going to the gym focusing on more squats – it will result in bigger legs.
The difficulty is that while singers have a lot of options, they do not have infinite choices. Often singers try to change things that cannot be changed or tremendously altered. It’s much like someone’s height or limb length affecting (but not determining) how much they can ultimately lift at the gym.
Beginner or amateur singers have under-developed tone and range, but often they here this weakness and think this is “just their voice” and they are doomed to not sound great. Instead, vocal training begets range, tone, power, stamina, and suddenly you can hear a quality voice in there. Vocal training brings out the innate uniqueness in every voice, and allows people to sing beautifully on many songs that work for their instrument.
3. Why do some singers sound better than others
There are both genetic and personality factors at play. There are some physiological traits that make singing easier, and some things that make it harder. This is to do with vocal tract shape/dimensions, and vocal fold thickness. Some people are lucky enough genetically to be born with such traits, others start off further from that ideal.
On top of this, some people have a performer’s mindset, and cover up for lack of vocal facility by “styling it out” when performing a song. I’ve taught many singers who think they are amazing, but really they just start singing more aggressively at the hardest parts of the song.
Here’s where the analogy between lifting weights and singing breaks down: singing is not an Olympic sport. It’s not about how high you can go, or whether you sound good on every song. We have Pavarotti, and we have Bob Dylan. We have Adele, and we have Tom Waits. All of these artists are valid in their own right.
It’s about sounding good on songs that work for YOUR voice. Would any of the above artists sound good singing songs by the other singers? Of course not. It would sound like they are butchering them.
Don’t judge yourself based on how you measure up to another singer.
It’s your own race to run. They will do some things better than you, and you will do some things better than them. Seek out songs that flatter your voice, and that you can install yourself deeper into each time you sing.
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