Raja Kumbang. My Theories, Thoughts and Practicalities…

I love to sing.

Though I started off playing percussions for X-zora. Tablas and congos.

Then I went to play guitar.

After that, I played keyboard for the Strangers.

Then, I switched to playing bass and singing back-up with NV.

The thing is, all these 3 bands are essentially the same band, but with just a few tweaks in the line-up.

Haha~

I’m still with NV, as a bassist, back-up vox, music arranger, soundman, sound & recording engineer and songwriter.

But I move all around with project bands here and there, singing my heart out. Rock, pop, 50’s to 90’s, evergreens and such.

I think the term that fits me is “Wedding Singer” cos I play at a whole lot of weddings, malay and non-malay ones.

Most of the time, I sing with minus-1 tracks, but I prefer performing with backliners because it is different, and all the nuances of playing live is what makes live music such a superb experience.

Around 5 years ago, I attended a 5 month vocal grooming and coaching course. Damn bloody expensive it was, but I guess it was worth my money. I couldn’t sing well before, but now…

The different techniques and styles of various genres were taught. Classical, pop, R&B, soul, etc. There was emphasis in Clarity, Diction, Enunciation, Control, Vibrato, Pitching, Breathing, Timing and Balance.

Sadly, Rock wasn’t in the syllabus.
Rock is the one genre that I had to learn by myself.

The grinding, wide-throat voice of Ian Gillian, the high, hollow voice of David Coverdale, the strong, controlled voice of Ronnie James Dio, the tweedy tone of Ozzy Osbourne, the low, rich, throaty baritone of Rob Thomas, the relaxed but still tight pitch of Anthony Keidis and many others.

So many different techniques and styles all in one genre.

What a challenge it is if one is able to sing in all the different styles.

I wish to accomplish that.

Hey, you can call me ambitious, but isn’t a man supposed to be ambitious?

So, to all those about to rock, I salute you.

Meanwhile, sing me a song, you’re a singer…