[Ramshackles]

So, my band has an acoustic session coming up, and I am trying to put a new take on a trad. song, but Im a bit stuck, so I was wondering if you guys might have some ideas, here are my problems

1. I always seem to hit the first note wrong, and i get wobbles on some longer notes.
2. Having a hard time thinking of some good 2 or 3 part harmonies
3. Trying to think of an interesting guitar part rather than just typical strumming (or piano part).

I just recorded myself strumming and singing live so you could get an idea of the problem. No editing - just the pedals we would use at a gig
here it is:
http://soundcloud.com/ramshackles/wildmountainthyme2


PS I did it quickly so apologies for bad quality!

[massa]

Don't worry about it, hardly anyone sings as well live!

[spacedogg]

I don't know about the other two points but with the singing, I used to use a swimmer's earplug in one ear so that I could partly hear myself inside my head (self-monitoring - it really works!). The band were loud enough for me to keep a check on what they were doing and I could also confidently keep in time and in tune. It takes a little while to get used to, but once there, you might not go back!

[Ramshackles]

Thanks, I might try that tip! I just updated the link which wasnt working

[loipon]

It sounds good
I bought Musical ticketsthe other day and the performers where not that professional i would say.

[Good.Times.Studio.Lincoln]

Have you ever really just hammered out your starting notes and harmony notes by playing the piano part and mimicking it with your voice.  Your voice track sounds really good.  I'd recommend finding your "trouble" spots and zero-ing in on them with you and piano.  Repeat this exercise until you can confidently hear the note in your head (just as someone mentioned previously)!  Good luck!

[Ramshackles]

Yeah, generally I write most vocal melodies on the piano and play them over and over so I usually know them inside out. I just often seem to be a bit flat. Examining it in cubase shows that its often half a semitone or less, but obviously very noticeable! It's not something I often pick up when singing live, only after I hear it played back...

[The Corsair]

Before stuff where you'll need your voice sounding good have plenty of fresh pineapple and avoid dairy...

[Ramshackles]

Before stuff where you'll need your voice sounding good have plenty of fresh pineapple and avoid dairy...

!!?!?! Never heard that one before...