Question

I threw together this cover of "Stay" by Rihanna late last night X'D https://soundcloud.com/alyssasingsbadlol/stay

Feedback appreciated ^o^

Answer 1

This is gorgeous! Although, I do have some constructive criticism for you.

1. The plucking strings made me feel like this was a choppy ballet or something. Next time, use something more melodic so that the song can be properly emulated.
2. The harmonizing could use some improvement. I heard you attempting to do minor thirds, but they sounded major. This clashed with the rest of the music.

Hope this helps <3

Answer 2

@jamierox4ev3r
Thanks! I appreciate your advice!!! :D

Answer 3

it wuz good just real gud

Answer 4

Learn how to sing without a microphone. Project and produce sound. Don't rely on your electronics to do all the work.

Answer 5

@tkhunny
I have two points to make if I may :)

1). She has recordings on her Soundcloud that are acapella's without zero affect at all. For example, if you heard her mini recording of Semi-Automatic, it's obvious that its a simple recording and she's just singing.
2). The song Stay originally is sung a certain way. It's like saying that Rihanna herself cannot produce sound because of the way she sings that song.
Stay is meant to be a slow ballad and is meant to be sung that way. I think Alyssa did a beautiful job.
3). "learn how to sing without a microphone" ..... what is she supposed to sing with?? A microphone's job is to make louder or receive what is sung or spoken into it so that it ambiances in either a recording or a huge huge room (if and when you are recording).
Maybe all the big artists should stop using microphones as well.....because that's of course a huge problem xD
(I'm getting a microphone soon myself......oh my goodness, cancel that order! :O )
4). Alyssa has been taking singing lessons and she has improved IMMENSELY over the past year. I cannot stress that enough, because I have been blessed to watch her get better and better and watch her become more and more passionate about what she wants to pursue. She has inspired me and she will inspire others, microphone or not.

(okay, 4 points xD I have a disease called "I talk to much" ) ;P

Answer 6

Okay, several points, not necessarily in any order:
1) It's okay to provide constructive criticism and advice. Isn't this what was asked?
2) No one said to review the entire body of work. We had one sound bite and we were asked to offer advice.
3) Yes, that song "Stay" is sung in a certain style. I would NEVER suggest using it for an audition. People who are ALREADY SUCCESSFUL can get away with some pretty horrible things and still manage to have them be popular. Listen to some of the Beatles later offerings. This popularity does NOT mean it's good. If you are going to learn, these are not good examples. One needs to get popular first, this usually requires actual talent - not always.
4) I said nothing of throwing out the microphone. Just learn to sing without it. If the ONLY sound you can produce is inaudible, that's no good.
5) Lessons and improvement. GREAT! This should continue. Again, however, this was not part of the assignment. We were given a single sample and told to offer advice.
6) Inspiring. SURE!! I have no argument against that and I made none. This doesn't make the sound bite that was offered any better or any worse.
7) Passion. Awesome!! I have no argument against that and I made none. This doesn't make the sound bite that was offered any better or any worse.
8) What we had here, was a sound bite that presented a voice that was TOTALLY dependent on the microphone - and not just to make the recording. In my opinion, that is not a good place to start and judges of a singing competition would not look favorably on it.
9) No one is being mean and there is no need to be defensive. If you ask for advice, you may actually get some. If all you ever get is pats on the back, what will you ever learn? Eventually, you will need someone willing to give actual advice.

Answer 7

I like what I hear, but I think your voice is definitely a bit too quiet - the instruments are sort of drowning out your vocals

Answer 8

Ahhh, slayin' them points ay?

1). Of course constructive criticism is what was asked and what SHOULD be asked, but you worded things a bit ineffectively I believe and made it sound as though a microphone wasn't a thing that should be used in the first place.
2). Repetition much....? You kinda already said that about the advice thing and I totally understand your point. But in all reality you can't base much of everything off of just one recording. xD
3). I agree that a popular song does not make it good. As a matter of fact I agree with that a 110%. Look at Anaconda. That's probably the worst song on the entire planet. But what I disagree with is the fact that sometimes you have to sing smaller less underrated songs when you are TRYING to sing in the first place. When a singer is beginning, they cannot expect to sing a Jennifer Hudson song right off the bat or a Led Zepplin song ..... (it took me three years before I was FINALLY able to sing my first Led Zepplin song) You NEED to sing a basic low key/low tone/fitting song for YOUR voice. Everyone's voice is different and everyone's voice can do different things. Sometimes starting off small profits one for ending big. I think Stay is actually an alright song personally. I think Alyssa did it justice and made it beautiful.
4). You may have meant the fact that of course you don't throw out the microphone, but rather then telling someone to not use a microphone at all till they learn to sing louder, you should advise someone tips and actual advice on HOW they can sing louder. Throwing out the microphone (or not using it as you meant) won't solve a thing. A microphone still has to be used by a singer in ORDER to get feedback on how the singing through that microphone sounds and what needs to be improved. Etc, etc.
5). Knowing whether there would be singing lessons or not doesn't really solve much. Whether you know that or not about someone, it doesn't matter. They are still asking for any feedback you may have, and they are asking for it in detail most likely.
6). You're right, being inspiring doesn't make a person sound better or worse. But that was simply a side point that I was making with the intention that if anyone else read it, they'd understand "Oh, wow. Someone can STILL be inspiring JUST by the fact that they are trying to get better at something. Maybe I can do that in my own life. I'm not good at drawing, but I still can get better and do the same thing that a singer is trying to do"
7). Agreed as well, but passion drives other people's passion whether good or not. ;)
8). How can one specifically think that a voice is dependent entirely on a microphone? Once again, the detail is lacking here. There is the USE of a microphone and then there is the EFFECT that can be PUT on a microphone such as reverb, autotune, etc, etc. Specifying would provide a better understanding for the person in need of learning.
9). I understand no one is being mean. This is a very mature and well-rounded debate in which I was simply making the point that you specify in advice giving.
I have been quite cruel you could say on Alyssa as far as advice giving. I understand a person does not improve by back pats every two seconds. It may in fact make them worse. Its happened to me. It happens. It's just important that when we give advice, we are thorough and we know that others understand us. It sets a better example not only as a leader but also as a teacher. (\^o^/)
10). Number 10 isn't a point, but I put it there just cuz ;)

Answer 9

3. I'm clearly not the target audience for Rihanna. Just don't like it at all. Haven't heard a single things that I find interesting. Personal opinion, of course.
8. Experience. I can hear it.

Answer 10

11. Many vowel attacks start with gravel, rather than something musical. No mater how popular this style gets, I'm not going to like it.

Answer 11

3). There aren't many people who like Rihanna either. I understand that. I'm not a fan of ALL of her songs, but she can definitely do a ballad or something musical (such as Love On The Brain) Personal opinion aside though, we shouldn't judge someone for the song choice they choose because that kinda goes against the grain of giving advice persa.
8). An outsider can definitely HEAR that a voice may or may not be lacking in certain area's or variables or it may be dependent on how that microphone pick's up the sound, but once again this has to be a bit more specified. Someone's gonna get the wrong idea usually if one isn't careful in the way that they teach.



11). If someone sings a song you hate, that's how you'll help them out?
If that song happens to be less musical then other songs for YOUR preferences, then that's how you judge someone's singing abilities?
Heaven help me, but I think us humans can do better than that. ;)
12). As a sidenote, I love the Beatles and actually agree with your assessment of their later music. It's tough to be a critic, but it's a must. We must criticize properly ^.^

Answer 12

11) If it's a song I hate, there is usually a good reason other than personal preference. Generally, it's just a horrible song. I can't argue with commercial viability, though.

Answer 13

Wow its like a debate going on here. X'D
@tkhunny I understand where your coming from when you say I was dependent on the microphone for sound. This may be do to the fact I was recording in my closet at 3 in the morning trying not to wake people up, so I probably relied on the mic for a better sound more than I shouldve... I'll take your advice into consideration though :)

Answer 14

Haha!! You are right. I did not take into account the closet or the sleeping people! :-)