A great vocal performance on a record does not happen by accident. Many factors contribute to making a recording session successful. After thirty years of coaching singers and fifteen years of recording them, I’ve gathered some tips that should help your next recording session go smoothly, giving you the result you are looking for—a killer record!
Before Scheduling the Session
Memorize the song
It’s true that you can hold lyrics in front of you while recording and no one would know, but after all these years of working with singers and being a professional vocalist myself, I know something magical can happen once you cross over from the “on-book” to “off-book” phase. You can focus more on the emotion, the subtle use of air and vibrato, scoops, straight tone, falls, attacks and releases, articulation, riffs, runs, and so much more. If you have the time, get off-book so the song is really inside you.
Practice
Maybe this should be an obvious one, but I’ve definitely had vocal sessions where the singer was still figuring things out—timing, phrasing, notes, etc. If you have the time, putting in the same effort as if you were going to be performing the song live without lyrics in front of you will elevate your performance dramatically.
Verify key and tempo
Before putting in the time to rehearse the song, make sure that you are singing in a good, healthy key for your voice and a tempo that feels right. If you are using a karaoke/instrumental track, then obviously you are tied to the key and tempo of the track. While a karaoke track can be altered, the quality of the track will diminish ever so slightly the farther away from the original recording you go. If you are creating your own instrumental with a producer, take the time to find the right key and tempo before the producer starts working on it, if possible.
That being said, it’s really easy to change the key and tempo of programmed instruments before anything is recorded. Don’t just sing through it once and call it good. Sing through it a few times in a row to make sure your voice doesn’t tire after a few run-throughs. Double-check that you aren’t rushing or dragging as you sing along, which could be a sign that the tempo isn’t quite right or that you need to work on your timing.
If you are rehearsing the song and feel like the tempo or key needs to change, let the producer know right away so they have enough time to make a new track and you have enough time to rehearse with it before the session.
Record yourself and listen critically
The benefits of listening to yourself are enormous. Simulate the actual recording session at home, even if you are just recording into your phone using an app. Going through the process of actually recording should highlight spots that need a bit more work or help you plan your session better. Do you need to record the low, soft verses first before the big, belty choruses? Or vice versa? Do you struggle with phlegm because you ate a cheese sandwich an hour before? Did you notice the overall emotional delivery falls a little flat and could use more thought? Invite a music buddy to listen back and provide feedback on this “scratch track” version.
Work with a coach
Even if it’s just one session with a coach prior to the recording session, this is a much safer, efficient, and cost-effective way to record a song. Getting feedback after the recording session can be very discouraging. Forking out more money to re-record vocals was most likely not figured into your budget. Be sure to include funds in your budget for at least one coaching session prior and if possible, during the session. It can relieve so much pressure to have a team member with you who is listening only to your vocal delivery, who knows your voice and your goal for the song. It’s totally worth the extra dough to have someone in your corner at the session.
Day Before/Day of the Session
Be well rested
Get a good night’s sleep the night before your session. Make sure it’s not scheduled for ten a.m. the day after a late-night gig or at the end of a long work day. Be as rested as you can.
Hydrate
Do your best to stay hydrated in the hours before the session in addition to drinking water during the session. Bring plenty of water with you.
Warm or room temperature will keep your vocal folds and all other tissues involved in singing nice and pliable.
Be mentally “right”
Arrange your schedule so you’re not running late or in a hurry to finish. Take some time before the session to unwind, meditate, calm down—whatever you need to do to get your mind focused and clear.
Know your body and your voice
There are hundreds of lists out there of what foods and beverages to avoid. For the majority of people, these lists are pretty accurate, but there are exceptions. Be sure to know your body and your voice and how they might react to certain foods, either positively or negatively. Keep a journal that connects what you eat, when you eat, and when you sing with how your voice feels. You will start to see correlations between certain foods and how your voice performs.
I hope this has given you some tips that will help you rock your next record!
Becky Willard
She’s coached, mentored, and developed a number of artists who’ve been featured on The Voice, American Idol, America’s Got Talent, The X-Factor, and more. You can learn about her here.
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