2 years on the course, no lessons. Has KTVA been working for me?
Wigs
Moderator, 2.0 PRO, 3.0 Streaming Posts: 5,042
Hi everyone, I joined the course on the 13th of September 2018. Now its just over 2 years later and time for my 2nd year anniversary song. Ive averaged 5 days a week with my scales at an hour a day and anywhere from 0-5 hours a week on top of that singing karaoke and practicing songs. I spent 6 months with volume 1, 6 months with volume 2 and am currently just over a year with volume 3. 2 years is a long time and as far as Ive come, I know I have even farther to go. I have got a lesson booked with Ken, but I wanted to put this up before that, so if anyone is wondering if its possible to get results with the course AND the forum alone, they can make a decision based on what they hear here.
There are 2 videos, the first is my recent one and the other is from around 2 years ago. Both are a single take, no auto tune and ive left my mistakes in. There is a bit of production in the vocals for the recent one, Im slowly learning a bit about EQing and all the rest.
Enjoy!
EDIT : I had been singing for about 6 months before the course, just karaoke at home with no idea about technique or anything. Then I started with KTVA. While everyone progresses at a different rate and with different levels of understanding, I found that volume 1 had an immediate effect on my singing and my friends started to notice the difference within a month or so. It showed me how to properly use what range I already had. My initial problem before was having to constantly switch octaves within a song, I could go high or low but not join up the middle. To get the most out of this course without having to take lessons, use the forum! It is a safe space to get feed back and discuss course content.
https://youtu.be/DjY_KPjowMY
https://youtu.be/RkcuhcLl_Uo
@highmtn @jaclynser @doc_ramadani @Elara @bentk @Gaston_Jauregui @Furious_Phil
There are 2 videos, the first is my recent one and the other is from around 2 years ago. Both are a single take, no auto tune and ive left my mistakes in. There is a bit of production in the vocals for the recent one, Im slowly learning a bit about EQing and all the rest.
Enjoy!
EDIT : I had been singing for about 6 months before the course, just karaoke at home with no idea about technique or anything. Then I started with KTVA. While everyone progresses at a different rate and with different levels of understanding, I found that volume 1 had an immediate effect on my singing and my friends started to notice the difference within a month or so. It showed me how to properly use what range I already had. My initial problem before was having to constantly switch octaves within a song, I could go high or low but not join up the middle. To get the most out of this course without having to take lessons, use the forum! It is a safe space to get feed back and discuss course content.
https://youtu.be/DjY_KPjowMYhttps://youtu.be/RkcuhcLl_Uo@highmtn @jaclynser @doc_ramadani @Elara @bentk @Gaston_Jauregui @Furious_Phil
Comments
Sorry if I have missed anyone
Your early rendition was not bad, but your current rendition is brilliant, you have gained that warm open throat sound Ken talks about. Your range at the top of this song is much stronger and with plenty of grit.
I had a lesson with Ken a few months ago, have learned a few things was doing wrong, like to review the video just to check and I know have progressed alot since then. I may do a follow up 1/2 hour later on with Ken
Brilliant work Chris you've indeed came a long way in your singing journey, we both started about the same time and it's nice to see how much you have progressed!!!
George
You actually started off pretty decent in pitch and range, and it only got better
What an amazing improvement, Chris. Not just your tone and range, but I could feel your emotions in the new version.
Your latest version is awesome! And its also amazing that not only your singing is like a pro.. you even look like a pro now
I like your honesty and enthusiasm!
Thanks man!
Its a joy to share this with you all.
I really got inspired to do something like this to. Hmm... Wonder if I have some old takes somewhere. Nice way to keep the motivation going 👍
When you make the voice with distortion after singing for a while like that, does it cause you any pain? or scrape? and another thing, something that occurred to me while watching the video, have you tried singing the song as if you were practicing the scales? I mean singing without emotions in the face (of course it goes against the feeling of a song, I mean it in a practical sense)
is it possible or advisable to do that? I don't know if any of this is explained in the following volumes, I am still in volume I.
You have a giant vein in your neck, that's normal, do you use a lot of force? I have noticed in the exercises, that sometimes it appears to me.
I think its in volume 2 Ken starts to discuss more how to apply all this stuff to songs. I did actually practice as you described. I start the whole song with just the ah vowel, then I sing all the vowels, then I add in consonants to make the words understandable.
As for the vein in my neck, that seems to become prominent when I get higher in my chest or if Im using alot of compression. Ken has a video (I cant remember if its in the course or on Youtube) where he discusses Pavarotti and what he describes as a bulldog neck, where the whole thing is flexed and seems big and veiny. From memory its not a bad thing as long as you are applying all the relevant correct technique. If this video is on YouTube and someone knows what it is, please pop a link for me.
As for how long Ive been singing for, Ive edited the first post
It's clear that i like it, but i am honestly interested to hear what you think about? Are you happy with your progress? I really should get to posting some stuff sooner than later. I really appreciate these uploads.
The neck thing is not an issue as far as i can tell. You don't sound like you are straining.
You already sounded nice in the second video (the older one) but your improvement in the first video is absolutely incredible.
You are an inspiration to me! Thanks a lot for sharing! (and for all your comments and feedback in these months)
Emanuele
Your new video you have SO MUCH MORE POWER!!! Not to even mention your distortion yet, your overall tone and support is such an incredible change. Your video has such a round powerful tone and you are not straining at all for those higher notes. Pitch as well is much much better in your new video.
Thank you for posting this @Wigs this is truly inspirational!! I can't wait to hear how your lesson goes with Ken!!
Dear Chris,
we have now been walking side by side for more than 2 years. And we've had so many interesting discussions about singing during this time.
It is so impressive to see how much you have improved during this time. Even your beard styling has also become much more tasteful.
Dear Chris, I thank you so much for this great trip and all the positive experiences that I was able to make with you. You're a really great guy and you've helped so much in making this forum a better place.
I'm looking forward to finally being able to relax and chat on Skype again after we've all left this demanding pandemic behind us.
Your friend, Marco
PS.: I agree with @bentk and could recommend https://www.tonegym.co/ to you. But man, this will be tough. But as a stupid mountain climber you might like challenges. :-)
I'm extremely pleased with what I've achieved so far! Another 6 or 12 months I might start putting things like this on my YouTube channel. The constant exercises day in day out, week to week really gives me confidence in myself. It's something I never thought I could do. Thanks for your encouragement, you helped me with your feed back in my early days and I'm glad to share my journey.
Pitch is a journey. I think it helps if you play an instrument and do at least some pitch training. Pitch training can be just that, or combine it with training musical intervals for instance. Do you play an instrument? I don't remember if you do or don't.
Pitch training is done best regularly. I know that's true for many things, but even 10 minutes everyday could help you. However, the way you approach pitch training is up to you. I'm not an expert on what the best methods are. However, just checking your pitch every time might not be the only thing that will help you. It's important to check, and listen back (record!) to. However, pitch etc. comes from other practice as well i think. Singing along with an instrument, singing melodies from your head etc. is all training. Paying attention to it is the key, and a recording or pitch meter can help you with that whenever you so please.
Just an example: If i am singing an interval (i'm not even good at singing most intervals on command) like a major second, i have to be very aware of pitch. To me, that is also pitch training. Using my voice whilst playing or practicing the piano or guitar can also help. It's the sum of all these things. I just kept making music, learning about music, becoming more 'musical' and keep on singing. Slowly my pitch just got better. I didn't use a pitch meter and didn't even often record myself. I should have recorded more actually.
This got a bit out of hand and might be a little incoherent, my apologies. Hope it helps a little though!
I just saw your lesson with Ken here: https://forum.kentamplinvocalacademy.com/discussion/14917/reviewing-the-vowels-with-chris#
Thank you so much for sharing this with us all
You are awesome and its inspiring to see that a lot of work is paying off !!!
https://forum.kentamplinvocalacademy.com/discussion/16108/my-distortion-after-nearly-3-years-of-ktva-heart-shaped-box-by-nirvana#latest
The second take is much better and the course has worked. And both are old takes and you are much further now from what I have heard.
I would like to ask you if you are satisfied with your voice in any song or do you have tried some material within your range that is challenging you in any way.
https://forum.kentamplinvocalacademy.com/discussion/16926/you-are-the-reason-by-calum-scott-over-3-years-with-ktva-its-still-a-tough-song-for-me#latest