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Here's a good question for the real experienced guys. How do you get a passable performance out of a tone-deaf singer... I know it can be done. I've heard it. But pitch correction can only get you so far and is not exactly the snappiest method of getting things done.

The reason I ask is I sold a backing track to an aspiring RnB singer not realizing how horrific her pitch and even worse, her EAR for pitch, was. And now, I'm baffled... I don't want her to accrue some huge studio bill. I'm not a greedy dude. However, I'm also not going to do a whole ton of work for free.

So, I'm trying to come up with a middle ground, some way of helping her prepare better or record her more efficiently to where I can keep the bill down and still deliver a decent product.

Any advice is appreciated guys (Lol, as long as it isn't "just slap some compression and pitch correction on her and hope for the best").

Comments

jammster Mon, 10/26/2009 - 11:22

MuayThaiKid wrote: The reason I ask is I sold a backing track to an aspiring RnB singer not realizing how horrific her pitch and even worse, her EAR for pitch, was. And now, I'm baffled... I don't want her to accrue some huge studio bill. I'm not a greedy dude. However, I'm also not going to do a whole ton of work for free.

So, I'm trying to come up with a middle ground, some way of helping her prepare better or record her more efficiently to where I can keep the bill down and still deliver a decent product.

Tell her that she needs to be trained if she wants to get over the issue with her ear for singing.

The local community colleges sometimes offer night classes in singing, they are the best place to start. I ought to know because I did it myself. Its a very affordable, comfortable and fun environment.

The only thing that gets me is its just hard to make someone want to do such a thing. :wink:

The only way to reach a goal is to define a path to it and start your journey.

anonymous Wed, 10/28/2009 - 00:48

excellent advice from both of you and much appreciated. i ended up following your suggestion kev... i had my sister sing the parts for a scratch vocal and provided the client with the mp3 for her to listen to and practice with over the next 2 wks before getting to actual tracking.

hopefully that does the trick and if not, i will take the 2nd suggestion :)