https://app.box.com/file/396757295671

Several things wrong here. Number 1 the volume is to low on the playback.

#2. There are way to many mistakes in playing. This was one take.

#3 No resonence on my voice.

#4 Somehow I got an attempt at recording an instrumental stuck onto the end of the vocal recording.

I am looking for all the critical assistance I can get here. If this is what I sound like (and obviously it is) I need a LOT of practice before I try to book myself anywhere.

Hi Earl:

I "signed in" at Box and was unable to be taken to the link you provided. I'll check back later to listen. Not sure what needs changing in the "link" but hopefully, one of our experts will lead the way and explain it.

Back later, ----Dave

Need the BOX SHARED link to song to listen?

Earl ... Where the song is resident in BOX there is a square that says SHARE ... click on that and a screen will come up with a link and next to it will say COPY ... click on that and you will be able to post it here ...

ok. here's the copy link

https://app.box.com/s/hcvf4czy8etj7fzr9o9qz28b874iulaj

Thanks, Tony... now it works, Earl:

I listened and believe you have what I'd call "recording fright"... LOL! Don't be afraid to turn up the volume. Like me, you got a bit "pitchy" in a couple of places... but we've all been there. Practice, practice... practice! When you have time, tell us about your recording gear and any techniques you are using.

Great first post. I'm awarding you the Medal of Valor. You picked a song our Pal, Mason probably does when he performs down there in the Shreveport area. Maybe he will "chime in" with some advice.

Thanks for sharing. Keep grinding away at this... you are better than most!

Hi Earl, the country and western piano fills were pretty darn good!

Voice was "pitchy" at spots but over all your carried the tune.

For me (maybe because I'm drummer) the timing issues were the number one distraction. Somehow you got the beat turned around and was it very apparent when the drum fills were ending on beat 3 instead of beat 1. In my opinion the most important thing for a musician to know is where beat one is. Always know where is beat one! Most keyboards have some kind of indicator like a light that flashes on beat one.

Although I hated it at the time, I think high school marching band was one of the most important things that developed my playing. Having to mark time with the feet really helped me. I wish I could have gone to a Black gospel church growing up to learn to clap on 2 and 4... I seen some of those church folk be able hold it all down with their amazing tambourine playing and hand clapping, no need for a drummer!

Anyways, thanks for posting!

It's better than I was expecting...
You seem to have the ability to stay on pitch, although it wavered a time or two, but nothing that practice and experience won't take care of.
I think your voice has a pleasing quality to it, but as mentioned, don't hold back. Sing with confidence.
As far as the recording itself, I can't tell if you were using the mics on the recorder or the line-in inputs directly from keyboard or mixer. I highly recommend using the direct lines.
If I recall correctly you are using a Tascam DR-05. If so, you can increase the recording level by pressing the UP arrow portion of the wheel, while in Record Mode. Also I almost always use Audacity to get the final level right. It is free and easy to use. Copy and paste the song file to your computer. Then you just drag the song into it and it will open. The select Effects, then Normalize. Then File and Export file to MP3. You can name it if you like.
Keep at it, you are certainly on the right track. Let's hear some more.

First. don't be afraid. sing it strong. That will steady your voice.
second. I heard a little Roy Clark in your voice. Very pleasing. You'll catch on fast if you believe in yourself.
MEL

Sounds a nice song and I would take the key down a semitone to be
a bit more comfortable with the key, and also use the ending of the style you use, which will finish the song without recording anything after.

Yes , I,m using the dr05. I recorded it straight to mp3 using the built in mikes. I set the recorder on the music rest stand after arming it. I didn't really want to us audacity as I'm trying to hear exactly what my audience hears without any additional processing. A couple of you indicated that I get a little pitchy in places. Not sure what you mean by that. And yes, I know I need to work on the timing issues. BTW, 20 years in Army marching bands hasn't seemed to help all that much.

Thank you Don for your kind comments although {I do wonder what was it that you expected?

Pitchy refers to going slightly off key on some notes ... I think the suggestions of 'not being afraid to sing' are good ones - as the saying goes "sing as if no one is listening" ...
I also think lowering the key slightly would be a benefit, as it sounds like you are straining for some of the notes ...

I don't want to speak for Don, but perhaps the title of your first post "Boy Do I Suck!!" might have had him expecting less

Earl, I fixed the volume problem for you using Audacity, which is a free, downloadable, multi-track recording program for PC computers.

After doing the volume repair, I noticed that there were some weird sounds in the background of the style you used, and additionally, a fair amount of 60 cycle hum, which is likely the result of poor grounding or a bad input cable. Hard to determine the source without being there.

Overall, not bad for an old codger, a bit pitchy in some spots, and it sounds as if you were singing near the top end of your vocal range. This can all be fixed with practice and timing problems will quickly be overcome when you get more comfortable with the recording process.

I did a bit of digging and found Audacity for other computer formats as well. Check out https://www.audacityteam.org/download/mac/

Attached is the volume corrected version of your song. Today I Started

Good luck,

Gary

First, you picked a great song and that shows good taste! Pretty good job, I agree maybe a half step too high. I think with some practice will come more confidence and you'll be where you want to be. Thanks for posting.

You don't have to use app.box you can attach mp3 files to your post in this forum. Just need to click on File Manager before posting and browse to the mp3 file on your PC and it will attach to your post.

I must be sleepy, or just gettin' old. Where is File Manager?
Thanks

Switch to full reply screen. And the file manager is on the bottom.

Can I attach wave files to my post?
John C.

No, only files up to 10 megs.

Gary

No wav upload and remember 10 mb file size limit..

I usually copy a link from one of my websites, where I have uploaded a file.. Here is an example
.


http://seniors4u.homestead.com/Instrumental_medley.mp3

what a great medley Fran,
I am sure your audiences love it too ....
thanx for sharing.

Nigel, yes, I have done this in the past, and some members "suggested" that I use BOX or some other file service ... I have no idea as to why ...

box gives you so many more options and convenience to post what ever you want and share it etc..

True, but as the listener, I don't see an advantage of BOX over posting directly on S-Z.

Thank you DonM. Glad to see I'm not the only one that couldn't find the file manager.

Well, I'm new here.

Don must have been "sleepy" ... I'm sure he's used it many times ...