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Post by cassie on Jun 16, 2013 17:45:47 GMT -5
Cassie... I was just listening to the AI duet again, and thought I give my opinion of Titanium duet w Angie. I think for the first time, in a long, long time. I hear the soft sweet quality of tone in Adam's voice starting .19 sec into the duet. The quality that I loved in his Brigadoon, CBTM...I think that's one of my favorite vocal quality from Adam. For some reason, Angie's voice irritates me, it too hard, too sharp and sounding very "Steely". Even when she attempts to soften the vocals, I don't like the clarity of her vocals. Lastly, her last of vibrato around 2.03 is non existent. What made this duet, was Adam's incredible ability to soften and harmonize w Angie. Then mid way thru, to bring the intensity and power of the vocals. Again, I guess it's a matter of preference of sound, but Angie's voice is not to my liking. I hope I'm not too harsh on her. Even, Adam's latest rendition of China's MW, which I absolutely loved, in particular, the ending, did not give me that pure softness from CBTM that I heard from the beginning of titanium. I thought that quality was lost but happy to hear that pure tone again. oh well, just giving my opinion, but I really feel Adam's quality vocals are truly lost on pop music. I've been using this quieter time to catch up on this thread, and I want to thank you Cassie especially, but also everyone contributing, for the wealth of information here. I'm learning a lot. Had some very basic music knowledge from my youth, but certainly not the in depth information about vocal and production, and all that is discussed here. Thank you so much for creating this thread! I'm quoting crazyoldgal's post because I had much the same reaction to Angie's voice. Have not followed AI so have not hear her sing otherwise, but my reaction to hearing her was also that I found her voice "hard", that was kind of the only description I could come up with,when she sings full out. Is it the resonance in Adam's voice that makes the difference, that gives me the goosebumps? While I really do love the duet, it is such a stark contrast to my ear, and it only makes me appreciate Adam's voice even more. I am glad you are enjoying catching up and indulging in our enjoyment of talking about vocal production etc. Yeah, we are kinda geeks that way. I understand what you are saying about Angie's voice. "Hard", "brittle", "sharp" (not in pitch but in tone), "cold" come to mind. We probably wouldn't notice it as much if Adam's voice didn't provide such an extreme contrast. I think it does have to do with the body's resonance. We are hearing more of the very high frequency overtones in Angie's voice while Adam's has a fuller range of overtones from low to high. I am not an acoustic engineer, but it probably also has to do with how complimentary the overtones are. Logrhythmically, you get a pure, full sounding tone when the overtones are multiples of the base frequency, i.e. 220, 440, 880, 1760, etc. If the overtones are partial multiples, i.e. 220, 330, 440, 630, it sounds more strident. Think of a metal bell ringing and you hear the basic note, but on top of that you hear a secondary note that does not match it. It sounds piercing rather than smooth. (Sorry, I cannot explain it better.) It is partly due to natural physiology and bone structure, partly training and technique. Adam is blessed with an abundance of riches in both factors. |
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Post by fiercelier on Jun 17, 2013 14:53:24 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply Cassie! Time after time we see more examples of what an exceptional singer and performer Adam is in all ways. Obviously his training is a major part of it, but, as you say, he is also blessed with a physique that along with his training makes him so world class. What a happy day it was when he auditioned for AI. We've had 4 years of stellar performances, great moments, and the creation of this great community that has certainly enhanced my life, as well as many others'!
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Post by bridgeymah on Jun 17, 2013 19:47:44 GMT -5
Not quite masterclass but not half bad - here is the young kid from The Voice Oz doing unchained melody... I final this week and looks like he's going to win youtu.be/9-3lpscXPrwUPDATE (not that anyone really cares LOL)... He won (but shouldn't have the classically trained tenor Luke should have, but never underestimate the power of tween girls with good phone plans!) As an aside Ricky Martin did a duet with his artist last night of a Tango version of Roxanne that was pretty cool, will bring over when it lands on you tube as you won't be able to watch the clip on the voice web site. Ricky actually has a pretty good voice, who knew! |
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Post by cassie on Jun 17, 2013 20:32:41 GMT -5
Not quite masterclass but not half bad - here is the young kid from The Voice Oz doing unchained melody... I final this week and looks like he's going to win youtu.be/9-3lpscXPrwUPDATE (not that anyone really cares LOL)... He won (but shouldn't have the classically trained tenor Luke should have, but never underestimate the power of tween girls with good phone plans!) As an aside Ricky Martin did a duet with his artist last night of a Tango version of Roxanne that was pretty cool, will bring over when it lands on you tube as you won't be able to watch the clip on the voice web site. Ricky actually has a pretty good voice, who knew! Interesting. This kid has a very nice voice, to be sure. No complaints from me. What I hear is a kid with lots of potential. He still needs more work on his technique and control, but he connects with the songs emotionally in a way that reads with the audience. On the other hand, Luke has the better technique and polish. The better developed voice. But, the few YTs I have watched leave me unmoved. Beautiful voice, beautiful technique (tho' I don't like the strain and tension I hear on his very highest notes) but no emotional connection. That, combined with the kid's back story are probably why the kid won, don't you think? |
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Post by bridgeymah on Jun 18, 2013 0:34:05 GMT -5
UPDATE (not that anyone really cares LOL)... He won (but shouldn't have the classically trained tenor Luke should have, but never underestimate the power of tween girls with good phone plans!) As an aside Ricky Martin did a duet with his artist last night of a Tango version of Roxanne that was pretty cool, will bring over when it lands on you tube as you won't be able to watch the clip on the voice web site. Ricky actually has a pretty good voice, who knew! Interesting. This kid has a very nice voice, to be sure. No complaints from me. What I hear is a kid with lots of potential. He still needs more work on his technique and control, but he connects with the songs emotionally in a way that reads with the audience. On the other hand, Luke has the better technique and polish. The better developed voice. But, the few YTs I have watched leave me unmoved. Beautiful voice, beautiful technique (tho' I don't like the strain and tension I hear on his very highest notes) but no emotional connection. That, combined with the kid's back story are probably why the kid won, don't you think? Without a doubt. From day one people just liked Harrison and yes he has heaps of potential. Working with Ricky (Mr Likeable) Luke was really starting to come into his own at the end of the show but the early lack of ability to connect certainly cost him. |
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Post by cassie on Jul 17, 2013 11:47:32 GMT -5
I was talking to a friend who was curious about my fascination with Adam. I was trying to explain to this non-singer why his voice is so extraordinary. I came up with an analogy that might help make sense of what Adam is doing.
Have you ever tried waterskiing? The first time, you’re in the water, holding on to the rope, trying to keep it in between the skis, and keep the skis parallel to each other, tips pointed up out of the water and steady. The boat starts to pull you and you struggle to keep the skis aligned, hold on to the rope without it jerking out of your hand, keep your body aligned, not too far forward or back. After multiple disastrous attempts you are finally up! And then down. The skis plowed under the water, you leaned too far forward, you pulled on the rope and created slack, you went over a wave, and smack! Gasp!
Eventually, with lots of coaching and practice, you get so that you can easily get up and ski behind the boat. Your skis glide across the surface of the water and it feels almost effortless. It is exhilarating.
That sensation of gliding across the water is what a trained singer does with his voice. He finds the sweet spot in his body where the sound resonates naturally without strain or push. His voice just floats on the top of the notes. He supports the sound with proper breathing, just as your muscles support your body in the proper position to keep the skis and the rope correctly aligned.
Now consider. Have you ever tried to ski behind a boat that did not have enough power? You cannot get enough speed to get up and keep the skis skimming on top of the water. You have to use brute force to pull yourself up, and even then, you have to work very hard to keep the skis from sinking, and you with it. That is the equivalent to untrained singers trying to belt out big, high notes. It takes a tremendous amount of breath to produce a note that can sound rough, gravelly, strained, and dull. It may be flat or sharp. It sounds brittle. There is no warmth or ring. The notes get cut off because the singer cannot maintain enough power and breath. Nuance, sensitivity, and subtle interpretations are impossible.
With Adam’s many years of training and experience, and with the right “equipment” of his physiology, Adam can do the vocal equivalent of popping right out of the water in two seconds, and effortlessly skiing around any lake, be it smooth and glossy, or choppy with waves. Then, Adam takes it to the next level. Not for him to just ski in circles around the lake, within the wake of the boat. Having long ago mastered the basics, he has learned all kinds of tricks to make his performance more exciting, more difficult, more emotional, more amazing. Like the skier who drops one ski and continues with only one. Or who flies up the jumping ramp and soars into the air for an incredible distance. Or who does turns and flips, or skis holding the rope by his toes or his teeth. Who even shucks both skis and is propelled through the water on his bare feet, with a plume of water jetting high behind him.
That’s what Adam does vocally. That’s what no one else in pop music today can even attempt (tho’ Danny Gokey sure tried on “Dream On”—tee hee). Adamazing!
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yippie
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Post by yippie on Jul 17, 2013 12:07:24 GMT -5
Very nice explanation!
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Post by andi4sure on Jul 17, 2013 13:08:19 GMT -5
This analogy is so apt! Thank you. I am new to the forum and I love reading about Adam's singing skills from those who are trained in this art.
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Post by cassie on Jul 17, 2013 13:31:23 GMT -5
This analogy is so apt! Thank you. I am new to the forum and I love reading about Adam's singing skills from those who are trained in this art. Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. So glad you have joined us! Welcome. It's an exciting time to be an Adam fan, and Adamtopia has some of the best fans in the world. |
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Post by jesslala on Jul 17, 2013 13:43:04 GMT -5
I was talking to a friend who was curious about my fascination with Adam. I was trying to explain to this non-singer why his voice is so extraordinary. I came up with an analogy that might help make sense of what Adam is doing. Have you ever tried waterskiing? The first time, you’re in the water, holding on to the rope, trying to keep it in between the skis, and keep the skis parallel to each other, tips pointed up out of the water and steady. The boat starts to pull you and you struggle to keep the skis aligned, hold on to the rope without it jerking out of your hand, keep your body aligned, not too far forward or back. After multiple disastrous attempts you are finally up! And then down. The skis plowed under the water, you leaned too far forward, you pulled on the rope and created slack, you went over a wave, and smack! Gasp! Eventually, with lots of coaching and practice, you get so that you can easily get up and ski behind the boat. Your skis glide across the surface of the water and it feels almost effortless. It is exhilarating. That sensation of gliding across the water is what a trained singer does with his voice. He finds the sweet spot in his body where the sound resonates naturally without strain or push. His voice just floats on the top of the notes. He supports the sound with proper breathing, just as your muscles support your body in the proper position to keep the skis and the rope correctly aligned. Now consider. Have you ever tried to ski behind a boat that did not have enough power? You cannot get enough speed to get up and keep the skis skimming on top of the water. You have to use brute force to pull yourself up, and even then, you have to work very hard to keep the skis from sinking, and you with it. That is the equivalent to untrained singers trying to belt out big, high notes. It takes a tremendous amount of breath to produce a note that can sound rough, gravelly, strained, and dull. It may be flat or sharp. It sounds brittle. There is no warmth or ring. The notes get cut off because the singer cannot maintain enough power and breath. Nuance, sensitivity, and subtle interpretations are impossible. With Adam’s many years of training and experience, and with the right “equipment” of his physiology, Adam can do the vocal equivalent of popping right out of the water in two seconds, and effortlessly skiing around any lake, be it smooth and glossy, or choppy with waves. Then, Adam takes it to the next level. Not for him to just ski in circles around the lake, within the wake of the boat. Having long ago mastered the basics, he has learned all kinds of tricks to make his performance more exciting, more difficult, more emotional, more amazing. Like the skier who drops one ski and continues with only one. Or who flies up the jumping ramp and soars into the air for an incredible distance. Or who does turns and flips, or skis holding the rope by his toes or his teeth. Who even shucks both skis and is propelled through the water on his bare feet, with a plume of water jetting high behind him. That’s what Adam does vocally. That’s what no one else in pop music today can even attempt (tho’ Danny Gokey sure tried on “Dream On”—tee hee). Adamazing! I am not a singer or a musician, just a music lover with a pretty good ear. I have learned so much from your posts. This waterskiing analogy was terrific. I could picture it in my mind through the whole process. Thank you.  |
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