One great thing about the holidays is all of the great holiday music that you get to listen to and all of the different interpretations of these holiday classics. Hey, I’m a vocalist and I love the holiday season–this was bound to be brought up at one point or another. Lately, I’ve found myself trying to actively listen to the music that I’ve been exposed to in regards to the musical taste of the musician or musicians performing.
What is taste?
The term isn’t normally something that is referred to when you talk about your favorite vocalist or band with others, though it is something that you talk about, unknowingly. Many musicians take about this on a daily basis, but coming up with an actual definition can be tricky since it is so hard to define. For the purpose of this post, though, here is a basic definition. Taste is each individual’s musical instinct–when to add vocal affectations, dynamics, inflections on certain words, how you interact with different members of your band or audience, etc–that gives that musician their own unique sound or quality. This can differ slightly from song to song, set, or performance, but that underlying quality is always present. So, in other words, taste is choosing what and what isn’t appropriate for each musical situation.
I believe that the most successful singers out there know just when and how to add the right amount of affectation, dynamics, or vocal riffs to their performance. Some of the most successful performers have made their career on exaggerating certain elements of their singing or performance–Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Madonna. However, there are also some very successful singers who stuck to their guns when it came to developing their own taste and sound: James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Prince.
Too Little or Too Much?
Knowing when to add that extra note, hold a note longer than expected, or even add inflection on a word that normally wouldn’t have any in a phrase is tricky.
1. Does it feel forced? If it doesn’t feel comfortable, then it’s probably too much. That being said, if you’ve never really performed, or even sung before, everything you try might feel weird. Which leads me to my next point.
2. Listen & Experiment. Find multiple versions of the song you’re working on and take what you like from the singers you admire. Everyone copies or emulates others. After practicing the affectations or riffs that you’ve heard, try adding (or subtracting) your own ideas. Eventually, you’ll find your own unique sound.
3. Remember that you’re trying to connect and convey a message. First, try speaking the words before you sing them. What words do you put more emphasis on? Where do you naturally pause while speaking the words? Remember that, ultimately, you are trying to connect to others; to convey a message.
What musicians or groups do you think have great musical taste? Leave a comment below!