Yet another #41 cover. (Please critique).

[Dan5290]

It seems like #41 is the popular song to cover around here. I'll add to the fray. Ok, couple of things here:

1. I haven't been playing for all that long.
2. This is the first song I've recorded all the way through with vocals, and certainly the first time I've posted a recording.
3. This isn't necessarily intended to be reviewed on the quality of the cover as a whole, I'm more looking for feedback on specifically my voice. (I don't know why I picked this song, 'cause it's a tough one for me to sing.)
4. PLEASE listen to the whole song (or most of it) before critiqueing....I could tell while I was singing it that I was off during that first verse.
5. I have SHITTY recording equipment. My guitar is plugged directy into my computer and through a bunch of splitters and stuff, and my vocal mic is a cheap POS headset mic.

With that said....here goes nothing:
http://s40.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=26RC ... 8X57HJM2N7

EDIT: See my 7th post in the thread for a working link.

Again, I'm aware that I suck at guitar, this is more for feedback on my voice. And I have no intention of trying to "make it" or anything.... I'm just wondering for like, when we're hanging out around a campfire with friends, etc., and I'm playing, and some girl will inevitably ask "can you sing?"....do I say no, and just keep playing, or do I say "a little" and bust something out?

Thanks, I appreciate it.

-Dan

[breyean]

your voice is fine. untrained, but you have something to work with. if you slowed the tempo of the guitar , it would be a big plus. keep practicing, overall your voice quality is good.

[Dan5290]

...untrained...

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. Could you elaborate on the "untrained" thing though? What exactly does that mean, how can you tell, and how can I "train" my voice (aside from getting voice lessons, 'cause I don't have the time nor the money), etc.

[jared]

seems really sped up.. try recording wearing headphones listening to the song. Its confusing to listen to because of the fast guitar and slow singing, but voice is good man.

[crandog74]

the vocals sound really good i think. as you noted, the guitar parts need some work, but obviously time and practice can help you out there. there are some parts where you lose your timing a bit...

you really hit all the notes well vocally though. it sounds good.

[Dan5290]

there are some parts where you lose your timing a bit...

Yeah, and forgot the words on some parts too.

[Dan5290]

seems really sped up.. try recording wearing headphones listening to the song. Its confusing to listen to because of the fast guitar and slow singing, but voice is good man.

Yeah, I think you're right. I'll work on that.

[Dan5290]

Thanks for the feedback though guys, I really appreciate it. :thumbsup

[little ants734]

expired..

[Dan5290]

expired..

Here's #41 again:
http://s51.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0F2U ... EZAGSYEXCY
http://s51.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=27BC ... Y880VE07FS

And Daughters:

http://s51.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=32EW ... Z8CPRFB5JV

[c_tietze]

Guitar isn't bad at all.

The pauses in between are expectable.

Your voice ain't bad. It's VERY VERY VERY difficult to "do" DMB songs when it's Dave that makes DMB so original.

I noticed your timing on the guitar got a little quicker while you were singing. This can be remedied by practice.

Keep playing homey, good job!!!!

Peace,

C

[Dan5290]

Alright, I had access to some decent recording equipment today, so I gave it another go. Just one take again. I still struggle with the speed/pace and the timing. The second verse is kind of a mess: my fingers wouldn't cooperate, my voice was off, and I forgot the lyrics to one part (and ended up skipping a line or two). And my strings were buzzing a little bit during the course. Ok, enough with the disclaimer. I'd appreciate if you guys could just take a quick listen for me:

http://s43.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0VRM ... BMTJMUSJQY

Thanks again.

[GreedylilPig]

Nice work on the guitar, particularly impressed with the intro even with somewhat of an awkward pause around :24-25. I think the vocals are a little rushed. I do have to commend you for not trying to emulate Dave on vocals. Personally, I think you could benefit quite a bit if you slowed it down a bit. It'll let you focus on your voice more, which is good and has a lot of potential.

[Dan5290]

Nice work on the guitar, particularly impressed with the intro even with somewhat of an awkward pause around :24-25. I think the vocals are a little rushed. I do have to commend you for not trying to emulate Dave on vocals. Personally, I think you could benefit quite a bit if you slowed it down a bit. It'll let you focus on your voice more, which is good and has a lot of potential.

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I have a lot of awkward pauses.... aka "fuck-ups." But yea, that was less of a timing issue and more of a "my fingers didn't do what I wanted them to do" issue. Other than that though, I agree, it is way too fast. Unfortunately this is one of the things I struggle with the most, especially when playing in front of people. #41 for me is like speaking English to a foreigner....it feels like you're talking at a normal or even slow speed, but to the person trying to listen it's way too fast. And when I slow the song down, it feels like I'm going reeeeaaaaalllly sllooooooooowwwwww. But yeah, it's something I need to work on, definitely.

I used to try to be Dave, and realized I couldn't. So I spent several weeks "finding my voice", and now I just sing naturally. I read a post on here a while ago that said something like "once you stop trying to emulate Dave's singing, you're singing will get a lot better" and that's the truth.

One problem I run into when I slow my stuff down, is breathing.... when it's slower, I have to hold the notes for longer, and I run out of breath. Will that get easier with practice, or is there some technique I've yet to learn, or what?

Thanks so much for the reply, means a lot to me.

EDIT: By the way, I loved your Sorry So Sorry cover, great job.

-Dan