Research
Dear Lis
I can sing any cover song and sound just like the artist but I don’t know who I am. How do I find my own voice?
Kanesha
Hi Kanesha
All the time you’ve spent learning other people’s songs is going to pay off – that’s your research, your college degree. But you’re right, how do you break away from what everyone else has done and find your voice? You can’t copy; you have to create.
The best way is to sing songs that no one else has sung either by writing them yourself or finding a writer(s) with songs. Look for songwriter communities online. Offer your singing services to record demos for them. Tell everyone you know that you’re a singer looking for original material. You’d be amazed at how many people are secret musicians!
The lyrics of these songs should tell stories you relate to – you should mean what you’re saying. The melodies should suit your voice, not be out of your range or in uncomfortable parts of your voice. Experiment with phrasing: where are you taking breaths, is it choppy or smooth, does it build to a peak or stay the same? Try changing the tone of your voice to express emotion. Add runs, improvise or adlib toward the end. These are ways to make it your own.
Lis Lewis is a voice teacher and performance coach in Los Angeles, CA. She has been training recording artists for over 30 years. Learn more about her private voice lessons. She has also coached celebrities including: Miguel, Rihanna, Iggy Azalea, Bryson Tiller, Demi Lovato, and more. Lis is also the author of the books, “The Singers First Aid Kit” and “The Pop Singers Warm-Up Kit” both published by Hal Leonard.