Hi!

Im new to this forum and i got a question.

Im turning 17 this summer. I play the guitar and sing. My problem is that when i sing, i dont sound like 16-17, i sound a lot younger, almost childish. Im working with Brett Mannings Singingsuccsess for about an half and over to an hour each time, 3 times a week. Will my vocals be more mature when my voice is done maturing or is this something i have to work for etc through Singingsuccsess?

Thanks for answers!

What do you think a 16/17 should sound like? All voices are different and develop at different times. I teach a girl of 9 who has quite a mature sounding voice and a girl of 13 who has a really 'sweet' voice. I think these days, girls especially, are expecting to have a massive voice too early and sing stuff that is maybe beyond their years. I'm sure that your voice will mature in time just don't force it.

Thanks for answer!

So you suggest that i should stick with my ruitines and just practise and take time and things will come naturally?

The Brett Manning programme is as good as any other where self teaching is concerned (not as good as getting a teacher, though)

Just keep at it, work gently and regularly (remember a little every day is better than three hours every Saturday) and don't move too quickly through his CD's.

If you're looking for more strength, look a little more at the Nay Nay exercises and remember to temper them with some extra mum mum stuff too to keep the balance.

Just keep at it - the changes will come. Whatever you do, don't push your voice!

Allan

Thank you so much:)

I think that you should consider getting at least a half a dozen lessons from a good teacher to set you on your singing journey.

In my opinion self teaching is a bad idea and though others will disagree it is possible to damage voices, especially young and developing ones.

The exercises that you have learnt will be useful later but are best done under the guidence of a teacher.

I don't agree with self teaching of any instrument. There is too much to go wrong and correcting poor technique is not easy.

Thanks for answer and your honest opinion. To be honest, i dont have time for lessons, cause im to much of an activist. I really feel im getting better each week tough. A little. A little easier to sing each week. What are your suggestions. Brett mannings program is by far the best from my guided information. If you take your time:)

This is starting to remind me of another incident when someone joined the forums in an attempt to gather approval for the Brett Mannings system...

Apologies to the OP if that is not the case here

Hear, hear!

If you don't have time for lessons - as you claim - then I doubt you'll have time to practise either. Take it up again when you've got time to go to a decent teacher.

I have the same problem... i'm 17, nearly 18, and i sound like a little kid half the time But i've improved a lot over the last few months, me and my teacher have realised what's causing it and it's just the way i pronounce my words and the way i shape my mouth. All she has to say is 'think mature' in the middle of a song and i'll automatically click and start singing properly and sound mature I do classical singing but i'm sure it's the same case. I always sound kiddy at the beginning of my lessons/practise and always the first page of any song i sing, but then my voice opens up as i warm up/get into the song and sounds much fuller and richer. I'm no teacher/expert/anything and i'm always wary about giving advice cause i'm bound to be wrong... but dont pull your cheeks back in an 'ee' way, even on ee sounds! think of your jaw being more forwards... and think of a really open throat and mouth and just think of everything freely travelling forwards... well, that's what helps me anyway!

Good advice from Ffliwt - one thing, though, be careful with the jaw forward analogy - ideally you want your lower jaw slightly back from your upper jaw (same position you would have if you fell asleep on a bus!)

As for self-teaching - I think everyone agrees that having a (good) teacher is the best way forward - however if someone wants to use a self-teaching programme and doesn't want to take lessons, that's their business. As long as they're aware of the potential risks of self-teaching (bad habits will easily creep in) and as long as they stop if anything hurts or feels 'wrong' - then that's better than them not singing at all, I feel.

The OP has made it clear that there will be no teacher for now, so I'd say, fair enough - if you want to self teach, the Brett Manning programme is a good one to use - but take care and stop if anything hurts you. Always bear in mind that you will progress much more quickly with a real teacher though.

As I said before, for more resonance and strength, work more on Nay - really making the witchy sound as offensive as possible, with the voice as light as possible behind it.

Thank you so much guys!

I know self-teaching is a bit risky, but as soon as im hurting i will stop. I take my time and trying not to strain my voice at all...just improving little by little.

Even though i dont have the time to go to a teacher, it doesnt mean that i havent got an half an hour during my days. I usually practice 3 times a week for about 30-60 minutes each session. I know that a teacher is much better as with almost everything:)

Tank you guys:)

That sounds great, just one little thing - you say you'll stop as soon as you're hurting - it shouldn't ever get that far. Take it easy and, especially as this is tempting with the scales on the cd's, don't push your voice higher or lower than it will go on its own - the range will increase on its own. Don't let there ever be any pain at all - always err on the side of caution.

Enjoy yourself!

You have been very helpfull:)

Thank you!

I too have a very young sounding voice but Im just thinking it will change after a few years. I know that you voice matures and is at it's best when you thirty-well apparently anyway.