A logical explanation for Bernard's singing

Found this on the teen site myjellybean.com during the holidays. I'm going to post this for everyone to see. Afterwards, give Bernard credit for being the lead singer that he is. Trust me, when I first read this I instantly thought of Barney. So here goes.

Dear Jellybean,

Lately I've been thinking more and more about singing. I can sing alright, but I can't go really high (like the yell thing). When I'm singing along to a song I hear myself as a good singer, but I've recorded myself and it sounds--horrible! I know I can sing alright but when I listen to a recording it sounds like I'm trying really hard and that I'm really quiet. I've been wondering: what do vocal lessons do? If you aren't born an amazing singer, can you become one? Also, there's something that's been bugging me: When you listen to a CD or recorded song by a singer, it sounds amazing, but a lot of the time when they sing live they sound really bad. Why is this?! Do they altar their voices in the recording studio or something? My biggest dream is to somehow become this great famous singer, or to sing a solo at school, but I'm not even in choir and I get extreme stagefright. Can you help me? Thanks a HEAP!!! -Solo-somethin?

Dear Solo-somethin,

Unfortunately, vocal lessons can't turn just anyone into Christina Aguilera. Some people are born with natural singing talent, just like others are born with a natural talent for drawing or playing hockey or writing poetry. If you aren't a great singer before taking vocal instruction, chances are that you won't be siging any record deals after you've taken lessons. But if you enjoy singing and would like to become better at it, vocal lessons can help you improve your singing ability to a certain degree. Voice teachers work one-on-one with you to teach you about proper breathing and singing techniques to help you sound better when you sing.

As for stagefright, it's a pretty natural feeling. Most people get freaked when they have to perform in front of a crowd. Vocal lessons might help you become more confident about your voice - even if they can't make you into a totally fabulous singer - and that confidence can go a long way towards eliminating your nervousness about performing.

When it comes to recorded music, even people with amazing natural singing talent sometimes need extra help. Just as you suspect, almost all the singing you have ever heard on a CD or on the radio has been electronically assisted. When singers go into a music studio to record a song, their music producer uses a bunch of electronic gadgets to "enhance" the singer's voice, making it sound completely smooth, professional and perfect. When you see someone live in concert, unless they're lip-synching to a recording of themselves, they rarely sound as good as they do on their album. That's because there's no electronic help, and also because it's hard to sing perfectly when you're running around a huge stage or doing exhausting dance numbers.

When you see someone live in concert, unless they're lip-synching to a recording of themselves, they rarely sound as good as they do on their album. That's because there's no electronic help, and also because it's hard to sing perfectly when you're running around a huge stage or doing exhausting dance numbers.

Now, this part made me laugh.

i have never had a problem with Bernard's singing. to me it is the perfect contrast to the powerful music new order make. i even like it when he buggers up a lyric improvises a line, hits the wrong note etc. having said that i wish he's tone down his shrieks when he performs Joy Division songs.

Are they gonna perform Decades ever again?

Ronald Kirsch wrote: i have never had a problem with Bernard's singing. to me it is the perfect contrast to the powerful music new order make. i even like it when he buggers up a lyric improvises a line, hits the wrong note etc. having said that i wish he's tone down his shrieks when he performs Joy Division songs.

Yeah, I'd say the same as Ronald; Bernie flubbing lyrics or being off-key is part of the charm of NO live- quit the crap during JD songs though or let Hooky sing them instead.

I agree with all of you on this one. Seeing NO (or any other group) live is fun since the unexpected happens.

I don't believe all of Bernard's work is electronically assisted. Sure, there's probably equaliziation with added echo to give it that polished sound but no auto tuner and all that nonsense. The reason he sounds crap live most the time is pre-stage nerves, not trying hard enough, and remember when you're strumming away like Bernard does sometimes there's no chance of perfect vocals all in key.

Adam R wrote: I don't believe all of Bernard's work is electronically assisted. Sure, there's probably equaliziation with added echo to give it that polished sound but no auto tuner and all that nonsense. The reason he sounds crap live most the time is pre-stage nerves, not trying hard enough, and remember when you're strumming away like Bernard does sometimes there's no chance of perfect vocals all in key.

There's a couple of tracks on WFTSC where you can hear a corrector. First time ever tho. (Krafty is a particular example BTW) And it's for effect more than anything.

Ii liked.... "vocal lessons can't make you christina Ag'"

Good, or I'd want my money back.

I posted this in response to viewing the 511 DVD. It was the first concert DVD that I purchased, and I didn't expect something like this.

Well when you're a new fan and you've been watching vids such as true faith where you see this ice cold, imaculate, emotionless being, you'd expect live performances to be like that. And then you get the 511 DVD and all of a sudden see this jumping around on stage, yes - it is very confusing indeed. This is the situation of new fans of course.

You expect something in the veign of the old Bernard, still, eyes closed, straight and direct. Instead you get uncle and grandad coming out to perform a few old numbers. Oh well, that's the way it goes, just got to learn and adapt.

I've gotta say though, it's still great seeing them live in their current form, when Glastonbury 2005 came on and they performed the excitement is still all there.

Glasto 2005 was ace - NO BLUE MONDAY

Steve Campbell wrote: There's a couple of tracks on WFTSC where you can hear a corrector.

How can you tell?

Barney's got the perfect voice for New Order-- he's really underrated as a vocalist.

Comrade Shampanyov wrote: Barney's got the perfect voice for New Order-- he's really underrated as a vocalist.

but he's no christina aguilera.

Digital Mike wrote: Glasto 2005 was ace - NO BLUE MONDAY

The voice of Bernard Sumner was perfect since the first new order album,later after Confusion and blue monday EP, we did not found the same voice, maybe the style of music changed when house and electronic music emerged.

The voice of Bernard Sumner was good since the first new order album,later after Confusion and blue monday EP, we did not found the same voice, maybe the style of music changed when house and electronic music emerged.

I respect Bernard's singing talent, OK. I just read the response to my 511 DVD post. I can say that I am adapted to his unusual stage presence, whoops, the strange dancing, and all. :)

AgentWood wrote:

Comrade Shampanyov wrote: Barney's got the perfect voice for New Order-- he's really underrated as a vocalist.

but he's no christina aguilera.

we have to appreciate small mercies, don't we.

More the question is: Is Barney a shit singer?

Admittedly,he cannae sing live,but new order wouldnae be new order without the silky tones of senor sumner!

nuts wrote: More the question is: Is Barney a shit singer?

Admittedly,he cannae sing live,but new order wouldnae be new order without the silky tones of senor sumner!

I think if he tries, he can sing live. There have been good live performances with good vocals - Reading 93, Montreaux jazz festival - but I think he just needs to warm up properly.

[quote user="nuts"]More the question is:Is Barney a shit singer?Admittedly,he cannae sing live,but new order wouldnae be new order without the silky tones of senor sumner!I think Sumner was in the top on the backstagePalace(Paris) springtime 82, because he still walked on the step of curtis till the birth of house music ,and i did not found stokholm monsters ugly too ,the badest thing is the concert still short because it was really a good time.