I'm scared of my own voice

[suburban grilla]

Ok, ok I'm gonna sound like a wierdo but, I stand in my backroom studio, nobody else home, cans on, mic ready, clutching an old phone bill with hastily scrawled lyrics on the back, hit record and... nothing!

Ijust clam up with solitary stage fright, pulse racing, butterflies in the stomach...

And when I do manage to mumble something onto disc I just delete it after the first listen.

Now I'm no shrinking violet. I have played on stage(flute) , in bars and have busked on the street corners of some of the worlds more challenging cities. I will happily introduce myself to total strangers in the pub and have no fear of speaking up if something pisses me off.

Has/does anyone else experience this?
Or am I just a nutcase?

[Big Karma]

Exactly the same here hun - don't think it is all that uncommon but I do find it limits me some what!

Am quite happy humming along to something quite loudly even in company but if I try to solo something or if someone puts a mic infront of me that's it - I'm a clam!

When I had an answermachine where you have to record a message, it took me hours a repeated tries to get it sounding anything like someone with tonsilitus/no vocal chords/stutterville/etc. Now get me chatting on a phone and bobs your mother's brother!!

It's all very odd

[Spe3D]

I am absolutely fine with my voice – sing like an angel I do – until



EEEEEEK!

I hear myself be played back – it has got to be one of the most nauseating things on the planet – my voice actually sucks real bad – It make auto tune sound wonderful in comparison

Best regards,

Spe3d

:O)

[suburban grilla]

thanks for reading, Ifeel better for getting that off my chest.

"a problem shared is worth two in the bush" or sumthin'

[bluedad]

it's a strange experience, hearing your own voice like that..
I find a beer or two (or a couple of quick shots of whiskey) help loosen me up a bit

[suburban grilla]

I find a beer or two (or a couple of quick shots of whiskey) help loosen me up a bit

True, true. And it never did Shane McGowan (the pogues) any harm...

[Wopelka]

we all have to get used to our own voice.
i start to feel good hearing mine when singing, i still hate my voice when speaking...

as for the problem of being tense in front of the mic, try everything that can help you to relax... regular practice helps, too...

[Big Karma]

I find a beer or two (or a couple of quick shots of whiskey) help loosen me up a bit

True, true. And it never did Shane McGowan (the pogues) any harm...

Errrrmm........

[kara]

Ok, ok I'm gonna sound like a wierdo but, I stand in my backroom studio, nobody else home, cans on, mic ready, clutching an old phone bill with hastily scrawled lyrics on the back, hit record and... nothing!

Ijust clam up with solitary stage fright, pulse racing, butterflies in the stomach...

And when I do manage to mumble something onto disc I just delete it after the first listen.

Now I'm no shrinking violet. I have played on stage(flute) , in bars and have busked on the street corners of some of the worlds more challenging cities. I will happily introduce myself to total strangers in the pub and have no fear of speaking up if something pisses me off.

Has/does anyone else experience this?
Or am I just a nutcase?

Post something and I will honnestly comment it.

Rony

[Caleb]

God I won't touch alcohol before singing publicly and certainly not before recording. To easy to sing off tune because you become slack.

I too suffer from record-my-voice-itis.

In my case, I'll perform effortlessly live in front of how every many people you want to throw at me. Doesn't concern me in the slightest.

However, as soon as I hit the record button.

CRAP!

It's the same with my playing of the piano. While I'm not recording I can get the part right 80% of the time. However, as soon as I hit the record button.

CRAP!

I start making mistakes that I can't even fathom later on.

Caleb

[Spe3D]

I just decided to try and accept I am crap at singing, and my voice is crap.

It’s a horrid ‘fact’ to face too. I try not to think about it

I electronic music is the best way in my case, and forget the singing aspect for me.

Beyond help

Best regards,

Spe3d

:O)

[[absurd]]

I find that I can only sing in the nude

[suburban grilla]

I know I would probably get used to the sound of my recorded voice, but Ican,t seem to get it out in the first place.

It's the fact that I get stage fright when nobody is listening or watching that Ifind a little disconcerting.

have even resorted to using text to speech in my electronic pieces!

thanks for replying guys I will practice every day and will one day amaze myself with the confidence of my lusty balladeering

[bluedad]

well, I wouldn't suggest getting drunk.and might not be the best for controlled singing, but to loosen the nerves..
one time, after mowing the lawn - I came in and drank a couple of pints and decided to do a vocal cut for a tune I was working on with vurt lyrics.
I was, shall we say, loose enough to attempt to sing
what out of the norm for me..especially by the third verse. got it just the way I wanted it.
radioplays

[Donut]

When I started recording stuff at home recently I found I was unwilling to really belt out the vocals. I was a bit self-concious even though I was on my own in my own house. I realised I didn't feel comfortable in the room I was using as my studio (typical box room) so I stuck up some of my old posters, dug out my bean bag etc. Worked wonders. I just relaxed into it. Might be worth a go
cheers