Getting the Most out of a singer!

JBeats wrote:What up MPC fam,
I got this singer and she is real hot, beautiful voice. She is also write great songs. The only problem is I cant get her to open up on her songs. I mean it is almost like she falls in love with how she wrote the song, and doesnt want to change it for nothing. For example: Say at the end of her verse leading into the chorus, she sings her last couple of notes down. I want her to take them up, so there is a build up to the chorus. She "tries" but always says that she doesnt like it, that it doesnt sound right, even though I think its hot. It can be frustrating. Basically just asking how can I get the most out of her with out offending her. Thanks for the help.

Voice of experience.
I don't know you or her so I'll speak from a genralized perspective.

First thing you have to do is stop assuming you are right and she is wrong.
She says it doesn't sound right, you say it does, who's really right?
Try to get a feel for why she doesn't trust your judgement. One of the most important things about the Producer/Artist relationship is trust and respect.
Without it conflict is always there on some level.

Things to try:
1) get some other people involved in listening to the results
2) get a good understanding of the song she's trying to create
3) try variations in the music to cause a build up of to cause her to feel the build up
4) get her to listen to some other artist and try to help her understand voicing, melody and harmony. That could help her to hear things in a more realistic sense.
5)***important*** do multiple takes of the song both ways, mix it down both ways then let her pick. This way if she's a real artist you are covered since the final say is hers. If you are a real producer you are covered since the final say is yours. If you are dealing with a real label the final say is theres.

It's funny how someone can criticize every song they hear on the radio but can't give the same level of evaluation to their product.

JBeats if she's someone you are trying to develope as opposed to just working with back off and try to bring her up to speed at a slower pace by helping her to understand the need for various changes not just becuase it better or right.
She has to beleive in and feel what she's doing to give it her all.
We developed a female artist once who started having problems and it was all because she really wanted to do gospel not r&b, so she started to lose her drive.

Good luck

Definately apprectiate the info on this one. I have tried bringing in other people to help "us" out, but she tends to get nervous about it. As far as being comfortable, we have know each other for a few years and maybe thats my problem, assuming that just because we know each other that she wouldn't have a problem singing in front of me. Another thing that you guys made me think about was the fact that when ever she does come in to do work, she is always singing of the paper, which I think is making the song loose some of its "soul". Definatley going to give all of your ideas a try, and I will post something for ya to check out. Much love fam.

Another thing you might wanna try(if you haven't already) if her overall performance is lacking is sweetening up her headphone mix by applying fx such as reverb or delay to her vocals. Don't track them(then you're stuck with 'em), just set up her mix for them, this can add some needed "feeling" to her vocal that can often inspire a better performance.

I havent tried that Idea, but I like and will try. Thanks

cooocooo that's pretty genius...make em think they sound more sparkly then they actually do to improve performance...

just don't overdo it on the echo or it'll **** em up. i'm gonna try that on myself sometime.

It is genius but not mine, it's a common studio technique.