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What do they mean when they say that a singer 'oversings?" |
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#1 |
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Join Date: Aug 2013
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What do they mean when they say that a singer 'oversings?"
And why is this a negative? Wouldn't it mean that said singer is technically better?
Isn't it subjective? EG: I've never thought that Alicia Keys oversings, but they are those who do? Aren't there some types of voices that are more capable of runs and melisma than others? |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jul 2008
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To me, it means shoutin and bawling and mistaking that for soul and feel..
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#3 |
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 817
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Jessie J Is criminal to this!
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#4 |
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,240
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Quote:
And why is this a negative? Wouldn't it mean that said singer is technically better?
Isn't it subjective? EG: I've never thought that Alicia Keys oversings, but they are those who do? Aren't there some types of voices that are more capable of runs and melisma than others? |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: The rolling Green of Wales.
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I have great appreciation for tehnical singers anyone who trains or perfects their talent is to be commended. But that said sometimes less ismore and often singers like celine and Mariah tend to have more heart than voice and dhout through a song as opposed to singing it All By Myself a great example but i do love both
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#6 |
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Cambridgeshire
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Quote:
well the people who are repeat offenders of oversinging do have great voices and imho people who can really sing can do all that melisma stuff, but for me it sounds better when singers do it occassionally.
But to me, "over-singing" is far more than overuse of that "melisma stuff" anyway... It could be as simple as trying to sing too loudly and straining, better singers can sing loudly without straining and looking like they need to visit the loo. Even trying to overemphasis on emotional phrasing could be classed as over-singing. Or that awful modern trend toward overly "affected vocals" - Diane Vickers being a prime example. Great singers achieve all these effects without it being obvious, to all intents and purposes it should appear effortless... |
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#7 |
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Join Date: May 2013
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Jessie J is a prime example of this, she screeches at the top of her lungs over generic and cheap production.
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#8 |
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Join Date: Jul 2007
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I've always thought it's when they sing several notes instead of one, and when one will do really. I suspect it's harder to sing a nice sustained single note for a few seconds and thus some opt to warble up and down a few notes over those seconds instead. It's flipping annoying though!
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#9 |
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to me it is when you do your vocal gymnastics for the sake of it, rather than to compliment the song
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#10 |
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Join Date: Nov 2007
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It's when someone does this;
"Wooahh-oh-oh-woahhhhohoh-oh-woahhhhhhh" |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Nov 2012
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Quote:
It's when someone does this;
"Wooahh-oh-oh-woahhhhohoh-oh-woahhhhhhh" |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
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Beyoncé is the best example from back in the day.
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#13 |
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Join Date: Oct 2011
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Quote:
Beyoncé is the best example from back in the day.
Christina Aguilera and Mariah were/are far worse. |
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#14 |
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Location: Belfast
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You are all kind of missing the point. You know a singer is 'oversinging' when you are listening to the singer and not the song. Singing is both an expressive and a performance art. Melisma may have some meaning if it contributes to the interpretation of the song. If it is sung for showing off technique then for me it is just an exercise.
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#15 |
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Join Date: Aug 2013
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You have mentioned a few female singers who oversing. For some reason it's always certain female singers who get accused of oversinging, are there any male singers who oversing as well?
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#16 |
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Join Date: Oct 2011
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It comes in two forms.
Excessive shouting and melisma, where singers add "whoas" and "oh yeahs" onto every verse. |
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#17 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Quote:
to me it is when you do your vocal gymnastics for the sake of it, rather than to compliment the song
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#18 |
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Join Date: Oct 2013
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Quote:
It comes in two forms.
Excessive shouting and melisma, where singers add "whoas" and "oh yeahs" onto every verse. |
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#19 |
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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Over use of melisma, high register, growling and improper use of the larynx to force out notes to the point where it drowns out all subtlety and atmosphere. Jessica Simpson is absolutely the worst example of this. Other examples...
Beyonce does oversing a lot and uses the high screechy aspects of her voice too much, but Xtina is the worst offender. Compare how restrained and sultry her voice sounds on Genie compared to how she uses it now 24/7 and you'll see what I mean. I don't agree that it's necessarily about the singer 'being' the song though. Some songs are great just relying on vocals even from some of the 'oversinging' offenders - Bliss by Mariah for instance... |
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#20 |
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Quote:
Jessie J Is criminal to this!
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#21 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
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Xtina is by far the worst at this. Just awful.
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#22 |
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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Quote:
It's when someone does this;
"Wooahh-oh-oh-woahhhhohoh-oh-woahhhhhhh" |
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#23 |
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 819
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Quote:
And why is this a negative? Wouldn't it mean that said singer is technically better?
Isn't it subjective? EG: I've never thought that Alicia Keys oversings, but they are those who do? Aren't there some types of voices that are more capable of runs and melisma than others? |
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#24 |
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#25 |
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Quote:
whether it's oversinging or not, she's doing it deliberately for an effect i guess. I'd love to see her live!
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