So, why can't you cover (sing the songs made famous by) any singer you like? You can, if you don't force your voice to sound exactly like them. Most top singers do cover songs. But they do them their way. We already have one Elton, or Jerry Cantrell, or Maria Cary. We don't need another. We need a YOU! With that fact in mind, let's explore why you can damage your physical voice by trying to exactly cover other singers.
So, why can't you cover (sing the songs made famous by) any singer you like? You can, if you don't force your voice to sound exactly like them. Most top singers do cover songs. But they do them their way. We already have one Elton, or Jerry Cantrell, or Maria Cary. We don't need another. We need a YOU! With that fact in mind, let's explore why you can damage your physical voice by trying to exactly cover other singers.
The vocal chords are actually two very small bands of mucous membrane located in the "Adam's apple." They make sound by vibrating against each other, much like the lips do when we make a "brrrrrrrrrr" sound. (Like the lips of the trumpet player.) As air passes between them, coming from the lungs below, it is turned into sound by the vibration. Slow vibrations produce lower pitches and faster vibrations—higher pitches. (See the section in my FREE Ebook called "Let's Talk About The Vocal Cords).
So, what's the problem? If everybody has a set of vocal chords, they should be able to sound like any other singer. Right? Wrong. The problem lies in the fact that everyone's' vocal chords and singing muscles uniquely different, much like fingerprints. They come in different sizes. Guys' vocal cords are nearly twice the size of girls'. This means that the sound of the female voice is a lot higher in pitch. (Think about the size of a flute, as compared to a tuba.) Then, to further complicate matters, vocal chords come in at least two sizes for both girls and guys —large (low sounding) and small (high sounding). The quality and range of voices are governed by their size and the size and shapes of the neck, sinuses and other parts of the body. It's very difficult, if not dangerous, for guys to sing girl's song - or visa-versa in their original keys without pushing and straining. These songs usually need to be put in another key that is best for your voice. The most important thing to remember about changing keys is that you need to sound the best you can. Singing a song in the wrong key for you will not do that.
So it boils down to this: you'll never be able to sound exactly like another singer, so stop trying. You might consider emulating some of their unique style (the way they pronounce words or drop the ends of phrases, or growl, etc.) but that's as far as you should go unless your natural sound is very close to theirs. We have a "them" – We need a "YOU".
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As a singing teacher, I receive many questions concerning how to increase the high range. This seems to be on every singer's mind, and for good reason; a great number of songs are written to carry the listener through lower sections (usually the verses) into the climatic choruses, which usually contain one or two notes which tax many singers and cause them to sound strained and uncomfortable. This obviously takes a lot away from the overall power of the performance. What to do about this?
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You want to "freshen up" your song list, either at karaoke or with your show. I suggest you re-visit and re-learn the songs you are already doing. Take a new look at their melodies, lyrics and gooves. Chances are you'll find a whole new song lurking in there.
