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Sheena B. Mackie

How to Sing Covers - 8 Lesson Mini Course for Singers

Posted Tuesday, October 27, 2009 (27 days 4 hours ago.) Viewed 8 times.

Introduction to "How To Sing Covers..."

For those of you who don't know what I'm referring to... the term covers' simply means a song which has already been made popular by someone else (i.e. not your own original song).

After 20 years of singing in covers bands and interpreting songs for both life and studio performance, there is a lot of I can share with you about the art of covers singing.

First I'll discuss the usual scenario of singing the songs as they are' and then I'll move on to personal interpretation. Discuss the appropriateness of either in various situations. You will also learn about how singing covers can affect your voice and what you can do to protect it.

Bands, Duos, Solo Acts, Covers Singers...

If you work doing gigs' in venues, then unless you already have a name as an original artist, you will most likely be expected to sing some cover versions. The exception to this is if you have been employed on the basis of your original material which is then called an originals gig. However, we are discussing the covers gig'.

When you work in a venue and play famous songs or crowd favorites, the audience will want to hear the songs as they know them. There are several reasons for this, but one of the main ones is so that they can sing, dance or tap along with their favorite tunes. Very few acts can get away with radically changing a classic song and ever being asked back for another gig.

Lesson 1: Respect Your Audience

You need to be aware of the element of sentimentality that you are dealing with. How would you like it if your favorite song came on and then into the first few bars, became the unrecognizable? You would probably feel somewhat disappointed, confused, disgruntled and perhaps, quite angry about it. Some of you would feel that you had been duped.

So are you with me here? Always respect your audience, above all else. I can guarantee that if you get booed off, you will never work in the place again. You might also get a bad reputation in the industry, and agents or managers do talk.

If you're just hanging out to tear apart a song and do it your way from scratch fine...do it in the studio but keep it out of your covers gig, unless it is something you know with 100% certainty, that your audience will love.

Again, there are a few exceptions to the rule. They are these:

1) If you do most of your gig with good replicas of the original/classic songs, then as long as you tell the audience that you have changed the song and been creative with it one or two of your own versions won't hurt. But it is essential that you inform your audience, so that you do not unwittingly set them up for disappointment. Put them into a state of expectation instead.

2) If you inform the audience that you are a road testing a song, then it should be okay to go ahead with your own version of one song. Make it later in the night rather than earlier. Once the audience warm up to your act, you will get away with more in general.

Consider it good manners' to inform your audience of your intentions.

If you have tried out your version on several audiences and received a similar reaction, then you can gauge whether your version is popular or not. If not, you'll need to reconsider your approach.

Lesson 2: Learn the Song Properly

Unless you are at a jam night, always learn the tune that you are playing. Familiarity will lead to a better performance. Lack of it will lead to flat singing, insecure sound, and an unconvincing performance.

Make the song your own by learning it as it was originally intended. Understand the timing and chords. Get the phrasing and meaning. Do not sing it if you don't know what you're talking about.

As a lead singer, you must sell the lyrics and melody convincingly to the audience. If the audience knows that song better than you do, then that puts them in control not a good thing. As the lead singer and entertainer, you need to remain in control and hold your audience's attention. If you don't know the song properly, audience members will wonder how on earth you got your job. Your ability and integrity will be questioned. Learn and know what you are singing.

Lesson 3: Sing It in Your Own Voice

Sure, you will need to sound like the original as much as possible. However, imitating and other singers sound will put undue strain upon your vocal cords and will lead to vocal damage. Always use your own natural sound.

The way to make the song sounds like the original, is to sing the melody as it was written and to learn it that way. Use the same phrasing for the first half of the song. You can have a creative license ones you have established the melody and lyric as recognizable to your audience. Keep the important parts of the song the same in structure, phrasing, timing and melody. If you can't sing it don't sing it.

Avoid pushing your voice into registers and places that it does not want to go or you will run the risk of damaging it permanently. Sing what you can do well. Find material that is popular and suits your range or sound.

Lesson 4: Choose an Appropriate Repertoire

Should you include a song which has just been released onto the charts? If you are a cutting edge top 40 band playing trendy venues, then the answer is most likely yes'. After all, you do need an up-to-date repertoire. But for other acts the opposite is often true.

When a song is playing on the radio daily, and is climbing the charts, it is normally wise to leave it well alone. Once it has gone back down and has faded a little in the minds of the general public, then you will not be judged so harshly in playing it. Of course, if you do a near-perfect rendition of the song then it could be great to include in your set-list. BUT, if you don't do it extremely well, avoid it. Try including another song by the same artist instead, if you really want to sing their stuff.

Fight it all you like but this is the reality. Keep in mind, that whilst a song is receiving a great deal of airplay, many people will be tiring of it, dislike it with a vengeance, or will only want to hear the real deal. Really, it is completely understandable. There is also a certain respect between artists, which is let the artist shine' don't 'steal their thunder' or any other way that you'd like to say it. Bottom line Every dog has its day'.

Lesson 5: Acoustic Versions

Let's say that you are a soloist just guitar and vocal. What you will discover is that some songs transfer well to that medium, whereas others do not.

No matter how great you are as a guitarist, sometimes a song needs the keys, drums or some other instrument, or else it sounds lackluster or as if something is missing. This means that the vocal is relatively unsupported by the backing music.

It is generally better to try and add something with your instrumental playing, rather than heighten awareness of something lacking. If a song is not carrying across well to the acoustic setting you may need to consider more instruments or choose a different song.

Even better, if it doesn't cut it get rid of it be ruthless. Replace it with something that sounds better and quit wasting time.

Lesson 6: Use Harmonies to Support Your Performance

I've worked in situations where no one in the band was able to support my singing with harmonies. This makes your job as a singer, much harder. You need to have a strong voice and a convincing performance in order to make up for the empty space where those harmonies would have been.

Pre-recorded harmonies are usually tacky and really bring up images of miming' or karaoke nights'. This is a paid, professional performance we are discussing You are being paid to play live and to do it well. Give music and musicians a GOOD name.

If your voice is not a strong one, you'll need harmony singers to help out and add color, texture and strength to your performance. Not all front singers have huge voices. Work with what you have.

Most of all, practice your harmonies within the band or vocal group. Arrange to get together and figure out what is going on in the original version of the song. Then see if you can duplicate it with your own voices. Pay attention to the dynamics, vowel sounds and the actual notes sung by each part. If it doesn't sound right try switching parts with each other until you get the right combination of vocal tones. You may also find that adding one harmony above or below, works better for live performance.

Record your harmony practice and play it back being constructive in your criticism.

Lesson 7: Sing with the Most Appropriate Accent

This is a tricky one too, even if it is rather obvious. If you have a strong accent, then you'll need to pay special attention to your vowel sounds, phrasing and emphasis just listen top the original and sing it as it is sound-wise (without attempting to change your vocal texture). Just change your vowels and the places in which you put an accent or emphasis on each sound.

Singing a classic song such as "Yesterday" or "Unchained Melody" with a strong accent for example Indian, Chinese, Texan, etc, could result in the song becoming comical. Be aware of your accent and how it is transferring to your singing. Likewise, don't sing a Jamaican song with an Oxford British accent. The exception to the rule is of course, if you are a comedian ;D

Being true to the origins of the song, is one of the ways in which you can ensure that you do a great version.

Lesson 8: Express the Meaning of the Song Convincingly

Another important factor in selling a song is in your expression. Feel it. Allow a scenario, story or theme to play out in your voice and your performance. Hold a thought in your mind, or imagine something relevant to the meaning of the song. You could think for example: "I'm angry and seeking justice" or perhaps "My heart aches as my love is not returned" anything which helps you to give greater personal expression to the words and melody of the song.

A single thought is a great idea too happy, sad, lonely, mad and so on

Being emotive is one sure way to sell a song! If you have trouble expressing your emotions then it may help to take an acting class. Acting classes encourage and nurture personal creative expression. It couldn't hurt your career as a performer, to have some skills in acting.

In Conclusion:

Singing Covers is something that 99.9% of singers will do at some time in their career. There are singers who have made careers of it. Even great songwriters often delve into the world of other people's creations.

Developing your own style and vocal sound is essential in setting you apart from the rest of the crowd. This is why I have emphasized the importance of using your own voice to cover a song.

For an example of this listen to the many versions of When I fall in love'. Celine Dion does one Linda Ronstandt performs quite a different version again, and then there is the wonderful Nat King Cole Or more recently, there have been many versions of At Last'; Etta James, Christina Aquilera, Celine Dion, Cyndi Lauper and probably many, many more.

To be a good covers singer you need to study how others have used their unique qualities to sell a song made famous by another.

Musicals contain many songs which are popular. How many versions of the songs from Jesus Christ Superstar or Cats, have there been around the globe for instance? So, it follows suit that if you are performing a lead role in a musical at any point you also will have to sing a rendition of a song made famous by another.

Learn all that you can from the great singers and performers. Study your local scene, find out which acts are getting the most work and why

And a few last words...

Finally, try your hand at covers singing and decide whether you are primarily a singer of other peoples' songs or a songwriter/singer of your own creations.

Both avenues take a great deal of practice and hard work in order to achieve success. Neither singer is better than the other, simply different and there are no rules. A covers singer can write and perform their own songs and an originals artist can perform cover songs.

Get to know your strengths and weaknesses as a singer and performer. Use your strengths to propel your career. Don't be afraid of who you are accept it either way.

If you are a shocker at singing covers then write your own material and perhaps you'll shine more brightly. On the other hand, be honest if you are trying to write your own songs and really are better at singing covers.

There is no right' or wrong' When you recognize and emphasize your strengths, then your star will shine much brighter in the competitive world of popular music.

Article written by Sheena B. Mackie. Copyright 2005 All rights reserved.

Originally submitted for Vocal Lifestyle Newsletter - VLS - Issue 13, February 2005. Revised for Searchwarp Oct 2009.

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