This isn't so much instruction for vocalists as it is for all of us who endeavor to bring our A game to the stage and studio each time we perform. Much as we practice and work towards honing our expressive qualities, intonation, and writing, there's no greater litmus test than a recorder, and I think it particularly shines when used in conjunction with a live performance.
As a voice instructor, I record every lesson so that my students can listen to what they're doing correctly, and hear what needs work. I encourage them to record their practices at home from time to time to get the unbiased feedback of a recording as well. Intonation tendencies, vowel enunciation and consonant usage all become much easier to evaluate when all one has to do is listen back.
The stage often gives insight into our greatest strengths, and it is truly gratifying to walk off, listen to your performance from a day ago, and hear that it sounded just as good (or better!) from what you remembered. Likewise, the areas that need work can be found, and worked out in practice so that when you do head back to the stage, you're even better prepared than before.
There are tons of recording devices out there which work wonderfully well in clubs, cafe's and at home. Some of the most notable ones would be made by Zoom and Edirol, but the market is getting wider with lower cost units. Most can also be expanded if you have your own mic's.
No matter how you go about it though, recording your performances will help you grow quickly. When two separate recordings of the same song sound drastically different, identify what changed from gig to gig. Were the monitors really out of whack? Bad dinner? Drummer too loud or too soft? Finding out the elements that give you your best performances and quantifying them gives you the control to create the best stage environment you can, or realize that you're working with what you've got and to trust your inner ear. This is all a part of developing the consistency which generates great performances every time.
Best Wishes, thanks for reading!
Jeff Rolka....
....a musician, songwriter, and vocalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. He teaches voice lessons privately downtown in SOMA, and can regularly be heard at clubs in the city. You can also hear him online at
www.jeffrolka.com www.myspace.com/jeffrolka or via his EPK at
www.sonicbids.com/jeffrolka. He is available for lessons, in studio consultations, vocal recording, and, of course, performances.