Hiya guys! Sorry about asking FAR too many questions on these forums, but I'm quite confused about something someone on my college course said. I thought that some kind person might be able to help me out... again... He said that I was "cheating" because I was using my head voice. I don't know if he meant I was using too much head voice or whatever, but I never knew that using your head voice could be classed as "cheating". I'd love to accept his constructive criticism, but I haven't the foggiest idea what he's talking about! He doesn't seem to want to elaborate either, apart from saying "don't use your head voice". Does anyone know what he might have meant?
Luv charl xx

Sorry, but I've had my run of so called 'advice' from college tutors these past few weeks!

Well, it depends on what he meant when he said it.

Were you using head voice (thin vocal folds) when you should have been using chest (thick) or belt? Did the song require a stronger vocal sound and you were lightening it?

If so then he has a point.

Even so, it's not very constructive to tell you you're doing something wrong without giving you the tools to fix it. If you should be using a heavier vocal quality, then rather than just criticising you, he should show you how to do what he wants. It's downright dangerous to say 'don't use headvoice' and then refuse to give further guidance - a student may try to comply by producing a belted sound incorrectly and hurting themselves.

If the song doesn't require a stronger vocal sound, then there's absolutely nothing wrong with using thin folds to sing it - it's your choice as an artist.

So if you can fill us in on what you were singing, maybe we can help more.

Wow - some quick responses! Thanks guys! He's not a tutor, just a first-year like me, and I was just messing around with some mates . He's said it more than once, but I've never sang properly in front of him or anything. I think today we were singing Tell Me It's Not True from Blood Brothers xx

I don't mean to be rude, but back in my first year in college, there were guys who tried to impress ladies by saying puzzling things.

My course was software programming, so there were guys who shared their programs, then looked at mine and said,"Now that is the not the best and shortest way you can write that", or "Don't think that is orthodox". And even worse, "Do you want to copy from my program? Mine's working!".

I was puzzled and defiant, worked hard together with my good girlfriend. We both achieved good grades, while those guys had to retake the subject. Turned out that they weren't any wiser than we were, and wasted their time boasting.

If he couldn't explain what he meant, he probably didn't know what it was. He could be watching too much "Britain's Got Talent". And to use the word "cheating" when you were only having fun singing together ... hmm... It'll be tiring to go karaoke with such a person.

I think you would learn much more if you talked to rosfrog, AnnC and other experienced forumites here. They are knowledgeable and precise.

Thanks guys! I spoke to my singing teacher and she says I don't need to worry. Shouldn't get so paranoid!! Thanks again people!! xx

And teoani, how horrible and childish of those boys to say that to you! I suppose that just shows that putting people down like that doesn't pay off! Good for you and your friend! xx

In as ladylike as manner as possible I would tell this gentlemen to go forth and procreate
and mind his business

I would not use any head voice in "Tell me its not True", the most I would use is a mixed voice mixing a bit of head in with the middle belt range. However this is on my voice, and the song may be placed differently on own voice.

If you feel it going into your head, try to mix it, as the Bigger sounds are all needed on the lower notes, and unless you just float the high notes you may loose dramatic impact. (and I don't really thing floating would work either)

Please note, I know how I teach this song, and how I sing it, its hard so say precisely what to do as You are not standing in front of me having a face-to-face lesson.

Well, the song requires a bigger, meatier sound than thin fold head voicey type sounds will allow - the key signature gives you the key to it, really.

That said, if you haven't learned how to belt yet, and it wasn't for an exam or anything - do what you like and certainly don't listen to someone who is just a fellow student (and a man, I may add - many men think that it's easy for women to get a thicker sound higher, but the laryngeal set up has to be different for a female voice so what seems easy to him is not so for you).

Listen to your teacher rather than your fellow students !

Have fun.

Allan