Be a Good Live Heavy Metal Singer
So, you want to be an amazing front man or woman of a heavy metal band? Take the microphone in hand, and get ready to throw your body all around the stage as you learn how to become a good performer with your band.
Contents
Steps
- Get a microphone. This is obvious for a singer, but some people ignore the obvious. You'll need to have the crowd hear your voice. A wireless microphone is preferred, but if you can't afford that, get a long cord for your microphone. Twenty to thirty feet is plenty. A good professional microphone brand is Shure the SM58 is a great mic and also the Audix OM2 & OM5 also the OM7 these are best for vocals
- Workout. On stage, you will need to be crazy, interesting, and active. Be sure you don't cramp up on stage. Some things that you could work on are:
- Be a better jumper. People like it when the vocalist has interesting stage moves, and they love it even more when they can do them well. Strengthen your legs and practice jumping high. It shows that you are energetic and strong. If you can, incorporate kicking and punching into your jump. David Lee Roth of Van Halen is a perfect example of a "jumper".
- Strengthen your arms. It is surprising how tired your microphone arm can get after being on stage for more than half-an-hour. Also, if you like to throw and demolish things on stage, your arms will need to be not only strong but flexible.
- Increase your flexibility. Good jumps, kicks, and arm related movements are much easier when you have a flexible and lean body.
- Don't run out of breath on stage. A fit person has an easier time breathing therefore they will have an easier time singing and reaching extreme notes. Also, drink water before and after each song.
- Learn how to head bang without getting a headache quickly. Headaches will make you feel weak as you lose breath through singing, and you'll slow down on stage. People want to watch someone who can keep going throughout the whole show.
- Put your arm around a guitar or bass player while singing. Make sure they can play and are comfortable with you doing so (ask if you have to). (Note that in some circles, this will get you punched.)
- Interact with the audience by letting them sing some of the chorus, crowd walking, and jumping right into the crowd. This will get the crowd into your music.
- Costume or dress a little more extremely than you normally would, but remember that it all has been done before. Don't try to be the second coming of Kiss. Come up with your own stage makeup! Besides, Gene Simmons sued King Diamond for having similar makeup. Don't go down the same path as him!
- Give all members their time in the spotlight. It is respectful to stand back during the guitar solo, but by all means head bang and continue performing with your body. Also, during a guitar solo, try to think of creative ways you can occupy yourself until your next verse.
- Build charisma. Practice stage talk and singing expressions in front of a mirror. Become a confident performer and do everything with intent. Look like you mean what you're saying.
- Avoid rock n' roll cliches like "How's everyone doing tonight!". Make up more interesting things to say than that, try to plan what your going to say before the gig, and don't appear to nervous, be confident!
Tips
- Sing like you do in the recording studio. Being crazy on stage will only get you so far; people want you to sound amazing. Tone down some of your movements if they make you sound worse than usual. The vocals should always be your priority.
- Have fun. The audience is always more responsive to a vocalist that looks like they are enjoying themselves.
- Be confident!
- Try to make your act unique to you. If you are opening a set, if you're really good, the following acts may copy your techniques to try to match you.
- Don't copy people who performed before you!
- Remember that your primary goal is to entertain the audience.
- Warm up your voice before you go on stage.
- Try recording yourself singing to a song when you practice. That way, you can listen more closely and spot any flaws you need to work on.
- If you want to have something to occupy your hands, take up a guitar or bass. This way it won't be awkward during the guitar solo, cause you'll either be the one doing it or providing the back-up (Bass still plays on the solo). You can still jump and kick with an instrument (not drums, though), but it will limit some motions.
Warnings
- Watch out for equipment, like drum sets or other people. Don't trip over any cords.
- Similarly, sing into the microphone, not across it.
- NEVER cup your hands around the capsule of the microphone. This is bad technique for a number of reasons: Not only will your sound man hate you, but your voice will sound thin and weak, and you'll much more susceptible to feedback issues, and that's never a good thing. Other singers (including some professionals) may tell you to do it, but don't do it. Some singers say it helps focus the sound into the front of the mic (which, actually, the opposite is true. The microphone is already designed to pick up what's in front of it, and if you cover it, then sound will be picked up from all directions, instead of just the front. That's where the feedback issues come into play), some say it helps their screaming sound more aggressive (which is doesn't. Good vocal technique makes you sound aggressive, not bad microphone technique). The only thing that should determine the sound of your voice, is your voice. Not your hands.
- Practice, and ask your band mates to tell you if what you're doing looks good, and do the same for them, they need to perform too or the set won't look good no matter how hard you try!
- Do not, under any circumstances, point your microphone at your floor monitors. There are hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of watts between you and the PA system, and the last thing you want to do is ruin expensive equipment, or your band's and audience's eardrums. That's not fun for anyone.
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