Should You Sing It? Victoria's Practical Advice

Just because you can, SHOULD YOU SING IT? Here is my practical advice so that you don't waste your time or your voice! Learn how to sing like a pro, even if you aren't one! For more healthy vocal technique and fun with your singing, follow Victoria's Victorious Vocal Tips (serious technique made fun)!

0:00 Should You Sing It? - intro
0:24 High Notes - advice
1:11 What Key? - advice
2:05 The Song - advice
3:12 Story Time
4:41 Riffs & Runs - advice
5:48 Victoria's Wisdom

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Stop straining on high notes!

I have taught thousands of singers in all styles for 34 years, and have studied voice for 46 years! I always explain everything in everyday language, besides being entertaining! My videos give you quick fixes as well as long term solutions. SING BETTER NOW! Follow Victoria’s Victorious Vocal Tips!

[whatthewowgrah]

I’m learning how to play guitar and sing! This is really helpful!❤

[stevieG.]

I used to have a thing about always singing in the 'original key' but in the end I got over myself and now I'll drop down as many steps as is necessary to make it pleasant affair.

[danielito]

Im self taught, so i had to learn this on my own throughout the years.
Basically, when i was like, 13, i used to sing songs in a Soprano key (back then i didn't even know what a Soprano was lol), a couple of years later my voice changed to Contralto (Countertenor Contraltino), but I still kept singing Soprano bcuz I was used to that key, but it wasn't comfortable anymore, and I had no idea i could now sing lower (as low as a E3 back then)... Im still a Contralto, but now I can sing lower notes with a rich androgynous timber that is also sweet, so I don't miss my Boy Soprano voice anymore, I embrace my own voice.
So when Im singing a Soprano or a Mezzo song I just lower the key automatically bcuz that way I can make my voice sound the best. Altho I can sing in a Mezzo range just fine, my voice sounds better in a Contralto range, which is imho, and even better range, and a rare one at that, especially on a male.
Also, if you try to adapt a certain song to your own key, it helps a lot bcuz that way it doesnt sound like youre trying to copy the original singer.

[albertnicolai]

I really love watching your video even thou by any chance i won't be able to sing but still im doing some of the exercises that you upload not for me to be able to sing but instead to have some fun, to try something new

[Lovis]

So much (Victoria's) wisdom in this video! I agree on every single word. Thank you for putting together so many important concepts in a 6-minute clip! 👏👏👏

[misskj]

One of your best videos yet, Victoria. I see this in so many female singers, who wrongly believe that a higher range falsetto voice is more appealing than using their deep and rich contralto. So glad to hear you support that.

[VIDEOHEREBOB]

I can't agree more about the riffs and runs, and there's this wiggle some singers have that sends them off pitch. I am always hoping for another lousy half step of range....lol!

[lostconnectiongaming]

thank you Victoria for the advice. I had a similar experience with a song, I'm a baritone and i was at a party with karaoke so there was no pressure, but i tried to sing Take Me to Church by Hozier and ended up sounding like a dying cat because it was far too high for me. However when it was my turn next i went back to what I'm comfortable with and sang Sway by Dean Martin and i was complimented all night for how well i sang. That was when i knew song choice is so important and to alter the key if i have the option :D

[deedieducati]

Oh boy! This video hit the nail on the head. The conversation about "just because you can, doesn't mean you should" happens in my band a lot. There are many songs that we want to do, but since I am the only lead vocalist, the songs need to sound like they're "mine." I have to be able to sell it. I can sing a lot of different kinds of songs, but it's my experience that the songs that "fit me" best, I get the most compliments on. Also, sometimes it drives the guitarist nuts when I have to lower the key to fit me. Oftentimes, lowering the key will change the position he plays a solo on the guitar and sometimes that eliminates a low note on a hook. We're very careful about song choices and the key we perform them in. Also, personally, I don't like all those runs that people add to songs. I would rather hear a clear, we'll rounded note held out for a length of time with a slight vibrato at the end of it, than all those "vocal calisthenics" that today's singers like to do. It's as though they're screaming "LOOK AT ME" instead of selling the song.
I believe you should sing the song as though it's a true story and it happened to YOU. If it was painful, sound that way. If it was happy, sound that way. Anybody who can sing a steady note can sing a song...but if they cannot sell it, forget it.
If I can bring tears to the audience, then I did my job. Pass the tissue...😊

[s.v]

😅 as you spoke this was applicable to many areas in life 🫶🏽 thank you Victoria!

[acousticarchivefortwayne]

Great video Victoria! One tool I've found is to record myself singing a song and see whether I like it when I listen back. Sometimes I don't, even though I really want to do the song. Another is to ask the band I'm playing with to tell me whether they like it. This can be a delicate situation at first but I tell them I need their opinion in rehearsal to keep from embarrassing myself in public. And, I need their candor and won't take it personally. I WANT their opinion. Once they understand where I'm coming from sometimes I get a positive response sometimes a negative one and that's ok. In the end I know I'll only be singing songs that really work well for me and will let the song shine through. Thanks for all your expert advice. When I hear you say something I've learned through experience you make me feel like I'm on the right path.

[vishy_]

Useful advice. Thank you teacher, now I can save alot of time and effort, concentrate on what I should rather than what I want

[Activation]

I have been saying the same thing about riffs and runs for decades. R&B singers, especially in the mid 80s and 90s used to over riff and run in their songs. To the point where, , I would forget what the damn song was about. Don’t get me wrong. To have that level of focal flexibility, and tricks up your sleeve, , is nice. But too much of it destroys the song. Luther Vandross was excellent. He used his riffs and runs, , like a fine chef with season food. But other artist around his time, , overdid it. I have the same complaint about some guitar players as well.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[julietillinghast]

Good advice. Now I’m dying to know which aria it was that you worked so hard on?

[ouyazoussama]

I have a question does biginner singers need to worry much about pith while doing vocal warmup and exercises

[lavapirate]

then there's the songs you'd like to sing but you know you can't no matter the key... As primarily a pianist none of my teachers taught how to easily transpose keys so besides knowing a song would sound 'off' to me if played/sung in a different key, it was also very hard to play the piece in a different key than written being one who learned to read music at a very early age almost felt like a handicap later when i would have friends who couldn't read music but could bang out a pop tune without trying.

[MadMusician]

I said the same exact thing you said about riffs and runs on my O Holy Night reaction video to Gabriel Henrique, though much better explained by you than I could. SERIOUSLY, it's disturbing, disruptive, and disgusting when a singer does it right from the start instead of trying to expand from the melody later on.

[eyesnightmare]

Is it possible for song just to not suit my voice?