My voice on Tape versus how I HEAR it live, Why the Difference?

Question

When I sing in the Car or at home, I hear myself sounding Good, as well I hear myself matching the TONES. and I love to sing and pretend I am on stage, just dreaming of that day. I sat down in my room to record me singing, I put on head phones and turned on my recorder, when I was done and played back myself......well wouldn't you just know it sounded SICK!!!!!!! The most horrific realization happened, I can't sing!!! Why do I hear myself hitting the notes and sounding good when I am singing if it's not true????

Answer 1

It's because of the way sound reaches your ears. When you are actually singing, the resonation you hear in the bones of your ears and skull block out some of the tonal quality of your voice, making you less perceptive of slight variations such as flatness or sharpness (although you should still be able to tell when you hit the wrong note altogether).

When you listen to a recording, those internal vibrations are not there to cloud your hearing, and any problems with hitting notes (i.e. too flat, too sharp, etc.) will stand out to you as they are in contrast to what you expect to hear.

Answer 2

If you want to become a better singer and you can't afford expensive lessons with vocal coaches you should really try online programs. This one:

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Answer 3

lol yep it's to do with the ear thing. But hows this for an even crueler realisation I thought I couldn't sing for 20 year and when I got Cubase I started to lay down guide vocals for a guy I have been playing on and off with for 20 year and It turns out I have a much better voice than him!! I just never thought I could so was to embarrassed to try! lol

Answer 4

You hear differently. When you are talking or singing the sound makes its way to your ear through both your bone and the air. When you are listening to a recording you hear only through sound waves through the air. The difference may account for hitting notes and tones when listening to yourself but not when listening to the recording.

Answer 5

Singing along with someone who can sing really well gives you confidence and security. Goin' solo = nerves, which can affect your vocal chords, and once you know youve hit a bum note, you get more uptight etc etc etc.
Depending on how good your tape deck is it might also distort your voice a bit, but that's probably best reserved as an excuse!

Answer 6

When you sing along to the radio, it sounds better because the music and other vocalist partially cover up your own vocals. As a result, you focus on the overall sound, not the sound of your own voice alone. Keep practicing; it's the only way to improve!

Answer 7

Any singer will tell you that you sound different in your head than you do to the outside world. You can be a singer if you work on doing the things necessary. Taping and playing back your voice is one of the steps.

Answer 8

Practice in the car - every so often while you're singing along, hit mute, continue the song for a few bars, then see if you've really managed to stay in tune and carry the timing!

Answer 9

It's just a weird thing. I sound okay when I talk. but I listen to my voice on a tape - the way other people hear it - and they are right: I do squeak!

Answer 10

I think it's to do with your ears being on the side of your head so when you sing you hear yourself differently to when you listen to yourself on a tape etc