The Eagles used to say that playing live and having it sound different every time (even with mistakes) was what the fans came to see... We want to see humanity and passion. Not perfection.😊
"A huge part of the greatest voices of all time is vulnerability." Nail. Hammer. Bang. Thanks Fil, for standing up for real, live, human music. Everything else is inauthentic and (worst of all) soulless.
@@MikeD_ It's not IMPERFECT... squeezing notes, going sharp or flat in different places, is PART OF THEIR TALENT. It's part of feeling and delivering a performance.
@@KenOtwell A good example is like expressions on our faces. Sad and angry.....can you be in between? Sad and angry at same time? Yes, that between is same as between notes, opens up billions of other versions of expressions, rather than one expression like everybody (perfectly on the note).
This is the end result of being told that they're perfect and can do anything when growing up. Then when they put on their adult clothes and realize that they can't, they have a melt down and start crying for their safe space. Someone said something bad about Taylor Swift once and she ran away and hid for years. That's today's maturity and ability to handle conflict for you. They're all just posers.
The work Fil puts in analysing music, which is an important part of most people's lives, and promoting the importance of personality and expression rather than 'accuracy' in voices makes him deserving of at least an OBE.
Mass media point the kids to Taylor but they still know the older artists their parents play from the 70s and 80s especially. Hence, so many kids into Queen, the film helped but also into Kate Bush, Tears for Fears and all other kinds of artists.
@@davebellamy4867 One modern group I do like is Greta Van Fleet. They loved the 70s sound so much as they grew up they studied it like one studies and practices Jazz. A lot of their early stuff was compared to Floyd, but you have to start somewhere. Even Rush's earliest album sounds very contemporary with the hard rock of the time with Alex Lifeson's riffs sounding reminiscent of Tony Iommi. Now GVF sound has matured and they still have that great 70s rock feel but it's their own, as if they have become contemporaries of that age.
It was authentic until at least 1998. Cher's Believe was the first recorded song with autotune. Disney Channel in the early 2000s and Nickelodeon really started the trend because some of those kids could sing, but they were really pushed because of their look and charisma, so the computer took care of the rest. I'm a 90s guy, but I appreciate all music from the 1930s on. Until 1998, absolutely everything was the person's real voice. We had some belters in the 90s who could really sing and now, in 24 years, nobody can sing. Freddie Mercury performed at Wembly at Live Aid when he was sick. He sounded great. No autotune. I'm at the point now where I can completely forgive cheesy pop groups like Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls, because until 1999, they actually sang live. Their first albums date back to 1994 and 1995, before autotune was a thing. So as much as I hate doing it, I'll listen to them before I listen to anything from Taylor Swift.
As a former musician opening for major rock bands in the past, I will not go to concerts anymore for that very reason. Performance and show have replaced the experience of seeing musicians expressing their talent. Jazz musicians are some of the few who remain true to their music.
My love of the Bee Gees began with "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?" The breathy, vibrato soaked word "and" before the title, during the progression of the song, is a great example of emotionally charged, heartfelt vocals. We are taking humanity out of the human race in ever increasing steps.
@@barryclay9084 I was telling someone recently that one of the things (can't explain why) that hooked me on the song "Fernando" which made me a life long ABBA fan, besides the incredible harmonies was a 'catch" in the lead singer's voice at one point. It is an imperfection by today's standards I suppose, but it conveyed an emotion and caught my attention. I know that ABBA was a group that used technology (overdubs and the like) to make the sound as perfect as possible in those days. But in doing so they created a sound that was unique so I would like to think that they wouldn't have availed themselves of this technology, since it makes everyone sound more alike rather than unique. It is hard to know how they would have dealt with the pressures of the industry as it is today though. I'm glad they didn't have to and hope their music is left alone.
One of the bands I'm is going to start putting on our gig posters and socials "100% Live. No Autotune. No backing tracks. No fake vocals". I encourage all genuine bands to do this and therby encourage audiences to come and support real musicians and real singers.
Disagree. I just Midge Ure live and part of his show uses backing tracks and I couldn't have cared less. I don't need to see a member of the band playig. each musical part to enjoy the show. He and the other musician played keys and synth. If a singer was miming like Tamplin or Ashlee Simpson - that's a problem. If you are a bass player and are not plugged into the amp but the bass is in the mix - that's a problem. If I hear a bass line and don't see a bass player I'm not so thick as to think I'm being fooled.
@@scott21113 An Aussie band called The Reels had some members leave the band and they were left with just a keyboardist/guitarist/bassist, a drummer, and the vocalist - so they used tapes of the other parts of the song
Difference is, Cher used it for affect for the song. She wasn't trying to improve her pitch. She used it in the same way a guitarist uses a guitar effect.
I think they applied the deshumanizing pluging to correct the pitch and then found out that, used excessively, it sounded interesting. Nevertheless, outside of the moments the effect is cranked, the vocals are still heavily corrected...
This is false. There was only one reason to use it back then. The problem was they over cranked and someone made the decision to let it fly as a novel artifact. I started hearing it in country music and thought it was the start of the tidal wave. But for sure she sang off and and that is why it was being used. It’s just the first time we got to hear how it works. I first learned about it when it was suggested for a fretless bass performance that was wasting time and money. Suddenly I could “hear” it all over the place once I knew how it worked
Integrity, Honesty, Humility, Acceptance, Tenaciousness, Persistence, Patience and Courage are all missing, not just in the music industry, but everywhere. Cheat, lie, steal your way through is the way of the world. Like another person said, I'm so glad I was raised in the sixties and seventies. I went to countless concerts in my younger days and, inevitably, performers screwed up and forgot notes, etc. but we all loved them anyway because they were real and genuine and humble. Keep banging the drum, Fil. You are talking about things that need to be said. I just wish it was on a more grand scale so those that need to hear this the most will. Rock On.
I recently saw Stevie Wonder live and I am pretty much 100% positive he is not doing any of this. Everything was unique ti that show. It was awesome. He also had about 20 other people on stage performing live instruments and vocals. Then he’s someone who has been performing for 60 years and never has used that as a crutch and is still confident in himself.
If artist nails live version it often tends to be better than the studio one. When I first heard Endless Rain by X-Japan as a studio recording I was like; where's the magic of the life performance? To this day - I prefer the live version.
I am a Ballet teacher. We push for a technical perfection that we all know is not possible 100% of the time. But we would also much prefer seeing dancers, possibly not as perfect as perfect, can be, but with superb artistry. Nobody's muscles can always be absolutely perfect every single performance, but their artistry. their performance, their connection with the audience is absolutely mindblowing. They can not watch a video of their dancing and say, "Oh, let us lift that leg a little higher, or loop a few extra pirouettes in, and that is just fine. We accept that 100% perfect is not going to happen. The sad part is that music has gone this insane way. Next, we will see violinists who also have to "find" every note and are often a quarter tone out, being told to pitch correct that!
Funny you should say this as I took my wife to a Swan Lake performance for her birthday last wkend. If 'pitch corrected' so to speak all the dancers would lift every movment in line / precise time etc etc . But the magic was not in that 'fiction'. It was in the whole expressive ability of each one of them all sometimes moving together to the same goal..to convey the story, the emotional highs and lows, of the whole experience of Swan Lake. So called 'perfection' is often not 'artistic'. I'm a classically trained musician (piano) and understand the nuances of rhythm and 'rubato' and clearly in the dance field it's the same, the moving / borrowing of time to make it impactive at the right highlighted moments of the story is crucial. If that was 'corrected' and every movement was metronomic no-one would ever bother watching it. That's what's happening here and so good to see Fil exposing it
As someone pointed out, while they pitch-correct the hell out of voices, it's interesting to note that they DON'T do it to guitar solos (or other instruments, I assume). It's like they somehow realize that the humanity and "imperfections" behind a solo make it sound better ... but they then can't apply that to a vocal performance. Your comment also reminded me of one quote I like: "To make mistakes is human. To know when to keep them is art."
Well said Fil!!! Your message IS getting out there, slowly but surely! Thank goodness for people like you and Rick Beato who are trying to expose the music industry's flaws and weaknesses which ultimately harm the artist fore mostly, and the music industry in the end run.
Thank you, Fil, for righteously critiquing the music industry and its morals, and also for encouraging singers to keep it real. I love listening to singers/ songwriters, and I want to hear YOUR voice, people! The true you. I think it's beautiful. The most beautiful and attractive thing you can be is yourself.
Completely agree with the loss of personality, character, and vulnerability that comes with altered vocals. It’s part of my own philosophy as an artist and producer, and I feel lucky to have your videos to send people to when I tire of explaining this position. Cheers to you, sir 👑
@@Spo-Dee-O-DeeA disaster when someone sings off key or a disaster when people don't buy the concert tickets because they don't want to hear mechanized voices?
There plenty of bands not using corrective aids. Saying that every one does it is like since Hollywood cheats on their sppuse evrryone cheats. Nope. The band down as the pub doesnt.. lots of touring bands dont. Educate your ears. You can hear it. If i was a swifty who paid thousands to hear her sing i would be looking for class action status and get my money back. She perpeturated a fraud. Get a billion back and crap would be over.
@@Spo-Dee-O-Deebut that's where singing lessons come in with a proper singing teacher who will show you hiw tolook after your voice. It is an instrument after all.
I won't be paying to watch a mime thats the point of goin to a concert a true live experience I can stay home n just listen to recording why pay all that money for a mime its scandalous and should stop ppl shud boycott these concerts
Have we become so critical and judgementalof others as to make everyone feel perfect is the only acceptable outcome? I like originality. Let's bring that back. ❤
I don't think that's the reason for the standardized use of pitch-correction. It reminds me of yogurt. 30 years ago, your average strawberry yogurt had a lot less sugar. Then one company made it a little sweeter. So, other companies had to follow suit. The sugar got higher and higher and higher, going back and forth between the companies for years, before they settled on a whopping 23g of sugar in the average 5.5 oz strawberry yogurt. Sure, there's some niche styles out there that buck that trend, but those are the exceptions. In fact, a Hunt's Pudding Cup, now has 20% LESS sugar than your average sweetened yogurt. Think about that with the rise of pitch-correction and autotune.
Every word so spot on, Fil. This world and the entertainment industry in particular is dying from a cancer of inauthenticity. And you are right by calling it fear of failure. It's a catastrophic conformity based entirely in fear. Thank you for all you are and all you do!
Thank you for putting out this video. I feel much better about singing. For myself, you have given me the inspiration to continue singing with confidence and peace knowing that my voice in it’s authenticity is good enough and with practice I can achieve amazing things as an artist.😊❤️
There is no short cut to success. If you’re pitchy, you’ll be found out sooner or later. Artistes of old paid their dues by constantly gigging improving themselves.
Fil I think this is my favourite video of yours I’ve watched! Absolutely spot on in your assessment of what’s happening today. It’s a sad sad time. I’m a music producer and I question this on a daily basis even though I’m guilty of reaching for auto-tune and pitch correction because that’s “just what the industry expects and wants”.
You are "the industry". Why willingly/blindly continue with this deception if you question it daily? You are obviously not asking the question hard enough!
@@MICHAELMcCARTHY-h7fto be clear I’m not involved in any deception. I don’t work on altering or mixing live performances and then passing off a “live” vocal as being perfect. However in the genre I work in (pop) it is expected and indeed actively wanted by the artists and some labels I work with for that “polished” sound. If I don’t deliver that, then unfortunately I would likely not be rehired in the future. I get your point, I do, but we are caught in a vicious circle right now whereby if the artists want to have the same sound as the artists they’re competing with (rightly or wrongly) then that is how I and other producers have to interweave pitch correction in to our mixes.
John Fogerty's 1997 'Premonition' live concert he make's a comment on stage where he states if there is any mistakes during the performance, they won't be corrected. He knew what was going on in in the industry already in 1997.
He's sometimes doing two full shows for sound check, so by the time you see him in the evening it's the third for the day. Auto tune wold run and hide of embarrassment. 😂
There is a line in a Bruce Cockburn song which says 'the trouble with normal is it always gets worse'. How true this is when considering the music industry today.
David Bowie - autotune would destroy his voice. There was a Polish singer Czesław Niemen with a characteristic, scratchy voice but this made him unique. Autotune would kill his voice as well.
Hi Fil. Been with you for years and talking about this. All the girls sound the same and boys sound the same. In the 80s we knew who was singing because everyone was unique. Madonna didn't sound like Annie Lennox, Tracy Chapman didn't sound like Wendy Matthews. We loved that ❤️ I play piano on my channel and record live. If I stuff it, I stuff it... and you know I'm real and a human. We need to celebrate our differences in music. There's room for everyone. PS. Turned off radio back in early 90s. Records still rule 🤟
Yeah I agree. The people that comment that “that’s the way it is and they’re ok with it “, makes me cringe. Why bother learning and spending all the time practicing and on good equipment when you can buy software to make you sound “perfect” and nobody cares. There’s just no artistic value. That’s like buying a snapshot of a Picasso.
Dead on 100% right, start to finish! This is one of your best videos ever. And that’s saying a lot, because you have so many great ones. The imperfections (within reason of course) in our voices are what makes us unique.
Auto tune in music, make up and filters on social media, PEDs in sports. This is a problem in many industries, and as you said a big part of the problem is most people don’t know. They think their idol is just the way they are naturally, and if you try to tell them otherwise, they’ll argue with you and deny it. These enhancements become the new “natural” standard to the masses.
I’m a bang average pub singer and I’ve recently had to work on my voice because I was struggling. A little bit of work, trial and error and I’ve managed to sort it out to some degree. Surely if a shitkicker like me can do it then so can the ‘professionals’. It angers me because live music is something I love dearly
Yeah, but that is the problem. A lot of people don’t want to put in the work. I remember that Paul McCartney once said that when The Beatles first came to the USA, many thought that they were some kind of overnight sensation. They hadn’t seen the years of playing preparation that went on in Hamburg, Germany for sometimes 8 hours a night, the over 1000 songs in their repertoire, etc. Now, a lot of people either haven’t, or don’t even want to, put in the work required to become a better performer.
@@marikothecheetah9342 Ever heard of the Cassandra Syndrome? If you look it up, you'll likely find it talks about couples finding it impossible to navigate the extraordinary, but the reality is the disillusion of the common man with the miraculous. I talk of performance as a narrative, but this issue first arose when MIDI started translating the dots (I had a han in that, improvising ABC notation copying songs in the RVWML in 67) a quarter of a century ago. No humanity. A performer must be more than human. I long to hear Beowulf - from Grendel's side.
Yep lack of diversity. We all must sound the same. Why?! Reminds me of the song, "if everybody looked the same, we'd get tired of looking at each other". When we sound different, our uniqueness is what is beautiful and interesting.
In the Beach Boys movie, about their music in the 60’s… trying to get started they went to a record company & sang someone else’s song. They said…. “Come back when you have your own unique sound…something DIFFERENT…then we’ll talk.” Music back then was sooo varied & unique & creative!
It's about having the confidence to admit you're not perfect. Art is all about being human, after all. I saw Peter Gabriel play in Manchester years ago, and he sat down at the piano to start a song, and played the wrong chord. He just stopped, smiled, said "let's try that again, shall we?" and immediately did so. That's a real musician - a real HUMAN - and the audience loved it.
Spot on Fil. I love that you talked about equal temperament. When great singers sing together acapella, they often move away from A440 because they ‘tune in’ to the natural harmonics in their voices as dictated by what they are singing. And it is truly magical. So sad that we are now so far away from this in the industry and public understanding.
It’s the gradual elimination of everything that makes us human - including our imperfections. I’m new to your channel but absolutely LOVE your videos/content. You are refreshingly honest and informative.
I've really like you calling out this out. I've been listening to a lot of Japanese rock (due to a reaction you did years ago for Band-Maid) and while my ears are not as good as yours, I can still tell that most of the female rock/metal bands don't appear to be using pitch correct as I can hear when they sing off key. Once again, thanks for calling out this problem in the music industry.
Reading this comment reminds me of exist†trace. I don't think they used pitch correction since the vocals sound raw even in the studio version. I've heard Band-Maid's name somewhere but haven't listened to any of their songs, I'll give them a try.
Brother Phil you're talking about integrity and ego. Many artists today sadly have too little of one and too much of the other. Unfortunately it seems like the new norm for modern music. Bummer.
I saw a sad comment from someone who wanted to upload a video, to her channel, of herself singing without pitch correction. She's fine with the way her voice sounds, but she's afraid that viewers will compare her to all the pitch corrected voices they hear, and judge her negatively. She wasn't deciding between pitch correcting or not pitch correcting, she was deciding between uploading with her natural voice, or not uploading at all, and she was leaning toward not uploading. 😢
@@flamencoprofthe issue is that a lot of people don't know or refuse to believe pitch-correcting is as prelevant as it is, so they won't really pay attention to her disclaimer because in their eyes nothing is pitch corrected anyway. Basically I can't blame her for feeling scared, though of course I do hope she gains the confidence to upload anyway and people who know about the industry-wide issue and value actual real singing will find her.
The very last word of Joe Cockers recording of “You Are So Beautiful” is, I think, the absolute epitome of vocal authenticity and artistic integrity because it’s debatable whether he actually reaches the note. His struggle to do so embodies the emotion of that moment. If imperfection comes from a place of integrity and authenticity, then I’ll take imperfection every time because it’s human and not contrived gimmickry. I think, in light of this conversation that’s being had now, it would be a great idea to re-record that Cher song without the auto tune to showcase her great natural voice. When Neil Young recorded his very first solo album,he apparently wanted it to be perfect and he overdubbed part after part in an attempt to make it so. All these years later he is not happy with it and subsequent studio albums were done by rolling tape and recording what happened. Much of Dylan’s work was done that way as well. Great art is, by definition, not perfect.
Great points! Everybody saying, "Be your authentic self, be yourself," and then giving you non -authentic vocals...? What message do you think people are getting? Try being YOUR authentic selves, singers!
You have done a great thing bringing this to light Fil, I find the moment I hear everything so perfectly pitch corrected I tend to switch off as for some reason it just doesn't connect with me.
I'm glad you brought this up in this way -- these ARE good musicians, singers, and songwriters. They don't want to lie -- they're caught in the middle of it. Someone has to be the first, and at this point, it's like the Spanish Prisoner problem.
Great video again, Fil. I think it's a sign of the times. It comes down to vanity, recognition and perception - although, it's all virtual. The lure of "perfection" is too hard to resist for the artist with the knowledge that most of the listening audience would have no idea otherwise.
I commented on an earlier video of Fil's that these shows are "entertaent experiences" not "comcerts" - in the way we grew up with. There is a generational component here where I think younger people want the "just like the record but at a 'live show' experience". One thing leads to another I suppose.
I guess I am not going to see anyone singing live anymore....now that I know all of this..glad I grew up in the 70's...great music..not fake like now...such a shame they do this... I don't expect an artist who's from the 60s.And 70s to sound like they used to and yet, yeah, when you see some of their videos and stuff they sound great.They shouldn't sound like that anyway.Thanks for all the information for all you do Fil, you're pretty amazing❤
I love your videos where you analyze tracks and find obvious pitch correction, but it'd be really cool if you could also show examples of singers who don't use autotune so we can see what those lines look and sound like. Thanks for all your hard work!
He does. A few i can think of are Pavarotti , Karen Carpenter, there are more but just can’t remember them all. Search in his past videos to find them.
Thank you for addressing 'Authenticity'. I'm 65 yrs old. I grew up in the greatest generation for rock music. I'm a multi instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, performer, with 4 decades of recording I personally don't like my vocal singing voice, but I get over it! I've refused to use auto tune or pitch correction since these programs became affordably available over 15 yrs ago. My favorite male vocalists like Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker and Paul Rogers weren't 'Pitch perfect'. They were heart and soul! You can critique the heck out of these three phenomenal singers and point out where they were 'pitchy'. Their pitchiness is what made them sensational! Their personality shines through. Today's artist live behind deception, and it'll destroy their future. Be real. Be who God intended you to be. Let your heart and soul shine. Thank you Fill. Great episode
To me anything from the 1920s through say up and until the mid 1990s was when the singers were still real. The musicians actually had to play their instruments. I don't care what genre it came from either. Country music may not be your preferred taste, but listen to George Jones and "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" from 1985. Then pick your genre, artists and substitute the names referred to in it. That song looking back speaks volumes.
Fil, I think you nailed it when you talked about risk. It’s too risky for the industry to invest in an unedited original voice and hope an audience will appreciate it, then to shape the expectation of the audience by standardizing the product.
People love to tout their authenticity these days unless, of course, it doesn't make them look better than others. Brilliant, as ever, Fil. A discussion on authenticity is what artists and the industry of fakery needs to hear.
I am proud to say I never use auto tune in my studio music NOR my live performances and that is my choice. Many people cannot tell the difference unfortunately between autotuned vox and natural vocals. I like the way my natural voice sounds and I am not a fan of the melodyne sound at all. ❤I’d love if we can bring back authenticity in music!
Fil, great video! You have absolutely nailed it! Imagine all the great talent we are missing out on due to the Fear Factor! Those afraid that they are not good enough! Those who are "Removing Their Personality" from their music simply sound like everyone else! So sad! Well done, Fil! 💜
@@veramilton833 Because they want to be the next Taylor Swift or something, or they end up like every other pop star, because using autotune and ghost writers and dressing up like trash is where the money is.
First off, I enjoy your videos, Fil; they are very informative and truthful. I agree that it’s a sad state of affairs right now in the music industry, especially with regards to pitch correction and auto tune. I’m a singer songwriter myself, and when I perform live, whether it’s a 2 1/2 hour concert or a two song open mic set, I do not use any pitch correction software. I don’t have the best voice, and I don’t care. At least I’m being me.
It was the stultification of US music that led me to so many wonderful artists from Asia and Africa. So thank you big music companies, you helped me find Diana Ankudinova and many others.
Queen live killers (1979) was edited, in that it was the best live performances pasted together, but this was minimal and disclosed on the album, and never auto turned..
Fil is one of the most learned and important contributors to the music world and fans. A very kind and respectful guy with balls like a bowling alley because no one would dare bring out this information. Thank you Fil.
I know so many younger, talented singers who put it on their voice because they don't feel like their voice is beautiful enough. It makes me so sad because I think their natural voice is so incredible.
@@VIDEOHEREBOB with emotions depth! Yes. Luckily, I don't hear a lot of people doing that anymore at least. It drove me nuts when I was younger though. Like, that doesn't make you a better singer doing that.
@@VIDEOHEREBOB True. Besides the ubiquitous heavy tuning, every other song has that stupid "hot-cross-buns" melody, just jumping up and down the first 3 notes of whatever major scale they're in, and it ought to be ILLEGAL to use it any more. IT STINKS!! It's more grating than a 1-5-6-4 progression.
The thing about Believe is that no one hearing that song when it first came out thought that was Cher’s natural, unedited voice. The secrecy today around widespread use of autotune etc. makes it materially different IMO
Agreed. It was OBVIOUSLY manipulated. It was an EFFECT. I liked that song in the early 2000s (I was late to the party), because the LYRICS spoke to me. I did not care about how she was singing it, other than it was decent, and didn’t offend my ears. It sounded kinda weird and cool, because it was new. I never thought she was singing “naturally” on that song, and that did not actually matter in any way.
I have no issue with musicians using pitch correction software or other audio tools as an artistic choice, nor do I mind if they lip sync on stage. However, it becomes unethical when they present a pre-recorded track as a live performance or deny that their vocals have been enhanced. If they didn’t think what they are doing is wrong, they wouldn’t work so hard to keep the truth from coming out.
Great video Fil You deserve an award from the paying public . and I suggest that award is a badge /T shirt logo " KEEP MUSIC CLEAN-NO PITCH CORRECTION THANKS FIL". or words of that effect..
Fil...you nailed it! You are saying everything that I have been saying for years! Everything you said is accurate. And yes... These pre-recorded songs that these bands are pushing off as live performances are nothing but a fraud! As a musician I can spot it instantly, but it is hard to believe how many people are fooled that it's live. It's incredibly annoying.
Phil is the only honest person in the music industry right now. I wish you could find a mainstream way like on television or something and create some kind of TV show out of this. I believe people would like it.
My step son is on utube as a natural singer not an altered voice. He did this so that venues that hire him can see and hear what they are getting if he is hired. I add this so you know there are islands of musical authenticity out there. Thank you for your teaching and your authenticity.
I never hear beauty standards brought into this conversation. Vocalists weren't always pretty, but they were always talented. Nowadays, the opposite is true.
I was going to say, "only in one niche of the pop music world," but i started thinking about faces in country, and even singer-songwriter types. And you're right, they are all typically kinda hot, too. Less so with the guys, i think. But i notice it there as well.
I listen mostly to French female singers that can actually sing live, and I can tell, by my ear, there are differences, that are human in nature, slight imperfections at times, or a phrase done with more emphasis, etc. Pomme, Louane, Maelle, for starters. Then there is Hayley Williams, for example, I have seen videos of her training with her vocal coach. She is exemplary.
The best part of music is the human element. We make mistakes, we get a little out of key and we miss notes on our instruments. My favorite example of this is Aerosmith’s “Live Bootleg”. It’s real and it’s what the people heard that day during that particular performance. It’s a beautiful thing.❤️🤘
This is why I’m 💯behind artists like Haley Reinhart who’s proudly independent & in control of her songs & career, and has set herself through her publishing company up for passive income so she can choose to perform in intimate venues, not forced to constantly tour… she’s as genuine as they come ✌🏻
@@ChiefBridgeFuser haha yeah... I think its ok to use technology,,, and when or if someone asks, Hey did ya use some technology ? , then that is the opportunity for authenticity... just tell the truth ... simple... even bands that use backing tracks... when they lie about it then they lost the opportunity for authenticiy... and as a result and by default are also no genuine... Personally I prefer an honest performance...
@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx you might want to Google Bob Dylan live to find all the live Bob Dylan concerts. The most recent one was apparently at Albert Hall in 2024.
Sadly, social media has created an entire generation of "fake perfection" and "fake perfect lives" - and ultimately, it is very empty and unsatisfying for those who try to fake it. This is what causes so much of the anxiety and depression that we see in society today, in my opinion.
How right you are, i have been doing covers now for a year and a half. I had to put diclaimers for this and still get the odd comment "you don't sound like the original singer". Some friends even told me "why dont you just use pitch correction?", I make it a point not to auto tune nor pitch correct but my videos are not live, they are recorded and I choose my best takes for the final product. Its hard to be compared to others doing that. Either way, love your channel and keep going!
Thumbs up! Thank you for staying true to yourself and not stepping into the pitchcorrection-autotune-rabbithole... So glad that there are still people who remain authentic. Good luck with the covers, I hope that some day your friends will realise how unique your version is just because you kept it real.
I drop a stick whilst tracking drums, I leave it in, I don't edit anything I do and I get grief for it, people don't listen to human music anymore. Fil has amazing hat hair! It's better than a mullet! Is that an Jurassic park T-shirt?
Fil, you are an effing music God. I'm 57 yrs old. I didn't grow up with this as the norm. Tonight I was listening to an REM show from 84' in chicago and there was zero technical intervention. What's happening now, to me, is 100% fraud. And I agree with your keen assessment 100%. It's sick and sad. I cannot abide by it.
"Removing your personality" - nailed it; that is exactly what pitch correction is doing.
The Eagles used to say that playing live and having it sound different every time (even with mistakes) was what the fans came to see...
We want to see humanity and passion. Not perfection.😊
This is the problem with OVERuse of technology. A huge bulk of it is homogenised.
I think they are removing their personality first then adding the pitch correction.
Totaly agree.
Songs without pitch correction or autotune are closer to the heart.
I remember Robert Plant, when asked to play a song like the record, said, "I'm not a damn juke box."
YES!!!!!
And why would you want that?
Actually that is a excuse for winging it which is what often happens..so the joke is on you people.
😂 good one, great reply
He was awful in the ‘70s live.
"A huge part of the greatest voices of all time is vulnerability." Nail. Hammer. Bang. Thanks Fil, for standing up for real, live, human music. Everything else is inauthentic and (worst of all) soulless.
It's just FAKE!
Hearing an imperfection adds character to the singer and voice.
@@MikeD_ It's not IMPERFECT... squeezing notes, going sharp or flat in different places, is PART OF THEIR TALENT. It's part of feeling and delivering a performance.
@@KenOtwell A good example is like expressions on our faces. Sad and angry.....can you be in between? Sad and angry at same time? Yes, that between is same as between notes, opens up billions of other versions of expressions, rather than one expression like everybody (perfectly on the note).
This is the end result of being told that they're perfect and can do anything when growing up. Then when they put on their adult clothes and realize that they can't, they have a melt down and start crying for their safe space. Someone said something bad about Taylor Swift once and she ran away and hid for years. That's today's maturity and ability to handle conflict for you. They're all just posers.
Proudly singing off key for 60 years!
🤣🤣
Well said 😆😂😄😅
As long as "you" enjoy it that's all that matters.
@homegown1234 wisdom
your services to music should win you an unlikely Grammy
He might be upsetting the all mighty powers that be. But he is doing a great service . Like the RNRHOF , they don't care. Self serving pieces of 💩.
Unlikely Grammy, LOL
We can be 100% sure that if Fil performs on the Grammy awards show he WILL NOT use autotune!
The work Fil puts in analysing music, which is an important part of most people's lives, and promoting the importance of personality and expression rather than 'accuracy' in voices makes him deserving of at least an OBE.
Yeah pretty sure he's already burned any possible bridges with the mainstream recording industry LOL
Prime reason I see so many young people watch 70s 80s and 90s music and are blown away by the talent and the sound. They're instantly hooked.
As someone born in 2004 now I know why I avoid Drake and Taylor Swift.
Mass media point the kids to Taylor but they still know the older artists their parents play from the 70s and 80s especially. Hence, so many kids into Queen, the film helped but also into Kate Bush, Tears for Fears and all other kinds of artists.
@@davebellamy4867 that's exactly what I'm thinking it's like they try to shove certain artists down my throat when I'm looking for something
@@davebellamy4867 One modern group I do like is Greta Van Fleet. They loved the 70s sound so much as they grew up they studied it like one studies and practices Jazz. A lot of their early stuff was compared to Floyd, but you have to start somewhere. Even Rush's earliest album sounds very contemporary with the hard rock of the time with Alex Lifeson's riffs sounding reminiscent of Tony Iommi. Now GVF sound has matured and they still have that great 70s rock feel but it's their own, as if they have become contemporaries of that age.
I'm so glad I was a teen in the 70s. The music was amazing and authentic.
Same goes for the 1960s.
The singer songwriters of the 70’s were so talented. Something todays stars no absolutely nothing about 👎🏻
It was authentic until at least 1998. Cher's Believe was the first recorded song with autotune. Disney Channel in the early 2000s and Nickelodeon really started the trend because some of those kids could sing, but they were really pushed because of their look and charisma, so the computer took care of the rest. I'm a 90s guy, but I appreciate all music from the 1930s on. Until 1998, absolutely everything was the person's real voice. We had some belters in the 90s who could really sing and now, in 24 years, nobody can sing. Freddie Mercury performed at Wembly at Live Aid when he was sick. He sounded great. No autotune. I'm at the point now where I can completely forgive cheesy pop groups like Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls, because until 1999, they actually sang live. Their first albums date back to 1994 and 1995, before autotune was a thing. So as much as I hate doing it, I'll listen to them before I listen to anything from Taylor Swift.
Why else would it be so popular amongst millennials?
@@christhornycroft3686The Buggles passed the voice through pitch processing.
And at least Cher did it as a deliberate effect.
As a former musician opening for major rock bands in the past, I will not go to concerts anymore for that very reason. Performance and show have replaced the experience of seeing musicians expressing their talent. Jazz musicians are some of the few who remain true to their music.
The beauty of a live performance is the imperfection. Thanks Fil for your integrity and authenticity.
Well, no-one has ever said that to me after another of my appalling attempts at entertaining them with my incompetence.
@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx I for one admire your stellar self-deprecating humour!
Nailed it, Fil. I'm still incensed by the pitch correction of Barry Gibb. The vulnerability in his falsetto was what made those songs so beautiful.
My love of the Bee Gees began with "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?"
The breathy, vibrato soaked word "and" before the title, during the progression of the song, is a great example of emotionally charged, heartfelt vocals. We are taking humanity out of the human race in ever increasing steps.
They need to keep their grubby hands off of the older music.
They played You Win Again earlier and it's my favourite song by The Bee Gees
people should be arrested for that.
@@barryclay9084 I was telling someone recently that one of the things (can't explain why) that hooked me on the song "Fernando" which made me a life long ABBA fan, besides the incredible harmonies was a 'catch" in the lead singer's voice at one point. It is an imperfection by today's standards I suppose, but it conveyed an emotion and caught my attention. I know that ABBA was a group that used technology (overdubs and the like) to make the sound as perfect as possible in those days. But in doing so they created a sound that was unique so I would like to think that they wouldn't have availed themselves of this technology, since it makes everyone sound more alike rather than unique. It is hard to know how they would have dealt with the pressures of the industry as it is today though. I'm glad they didn't have to and hope their music is left alone.
One of the bands I'm is going to start putting on our gig posters and socials "100% Live. No Autotune. No backing tracks. No fake vocals".
I encourage all genuine bands to do this and therby encourage audiences to come and support real musicians and real singers.
Disagree. I just Midge Ure live and part of his show uses backing tracks and I couldn't have cared less. I don't need to see a member of the band playig. each musical part to enjoy the show. He and the other musician played keys and synth. If a singer was miming like Tamplin or Ashlee Simpson - that's a problem. If you are a bass player and are not plugged into the amp but the bass is in the mix - that's a problem. If I hear a bass line and don't see a bass player I'm not so thick as to think I'm being fooled.
@@scott21113 Too much cope for my taste. Hard pass.
Autotune is for guitarists.
Would you get rid of MIDI keyboards and sequences? Asking for New Order and The Who.
@@scott21113 An Aussie band called The Reels had some members leave the band and they were left with just a keyboardist/guitarist/bassist, a drummer, and the vocalist - so they used tapes of the other parts of the song
I LOVE this guy. He's doing "God's Work", musically speaking. I'm glad he's succeeding. 👍👍👍❤❤❤️
Difference is, Cher used it for affect for the song. She wasn't trying to improve her pitch. She used it in the same way a guitarist uses a guitar effect.
and it made the song unique and timeless 🎉
I think they applied the deshumanizing pluging to correct the pitch and then found out that, used excessively, it sounded interesting. Nevertheless, outside of the moments the effect is cranked, the vocals are still heavily corrected...
@@davidmario88Stll. A crappy record.
Yes she used it selectivley
This is false. There was only one reason to use it back then. The problem was they over cranked and someone made the decision to let it fly as a novel artifact. I started hearing it in country music and thought it was the start of the tidal wave. But for sure she sang off and and that is why it was being used. It’s just the first time we got to hear how it works. I first learned about it when it was suggested for a fretless bass performance that was wasting time and money. Suddenly I could “hear” it all over the place once I knew how it worked
Integrity, Honesty, Humility, Acceptance, Tenaciousness, Persistence, Patience and Courage are all missing, not just in the music industry, but everywhere. Cheat, lie, steal your way through is the way of the world. Like another person said, I'm so glad I was raised in the sixties and seventies. I went to countless concerts in my younger days and, inevitably, performers screwed up and forgot notes, etc. but we all loved them anyway because they were real and genuine and humble. Keep banging the drum, Fil. You are talking about things that need to be said. I just wish it was on a more grand scale so those that need to hear this the most will. Rock On.
Well said!!!
"Freedom of their voice" This is all a fan wants. I go to a concert to hear a different live version of a song. It makes the experience special.
I recently saw Stevie Wonder live and I am pretty much 100% positive he is not doing any of this. Everything was unique ti that show. It was awesome. He also had about 20 other people on stage performing live instruments and vocals. Then he’s someone who has been performing for 60 years and never has used that as a crutch and is still confident in himself.
If artist nails live version it often tends to be better than the studio one. When I first heard Endless Rain by X-Japan as a studio recording I was like; where's the magic of the life performance? To this day - I prefer the live version.
Jeff Buckley live in Chicago singing "Lover You Should've Come Over", is a perfect example. ♥️✨
@@WendyDarling1974Stevie is a rare gem. At his age he still sang every single note live ❤ hands down a vocal legend and respectable music figure
I am a Ballet teacher. We push for a technical perfection that we all know is not possible 100% of the time. But we would also much prefer seeing dancers, possibly not as perfect as perfect, can be, but with superb artistry. Nobody's muscles can always be absolutely perfect every single performance, but their artistry. their performance, their connection with the audience is absolutely mindblowing. They can not watch a video of their dancing and say, "Oh, let us lift that leg a little higher, or loop a few extra pirouettes in, and that is just fine. We accept that 100% perfect is not going to happen.
The sad part is that music has gone this insane way. Next, we will see violinists who also have to "find" every note and are often a quarter tone out, being told to pitch correct that!
Funny you should say this as I took my wife to a Swan Lake performance for her birthday last wkend. If 'pitch corrected' so to speak all the dancers would lift every movment in line / precise time etc etc . But the magic was not in that 'fiction'. It was in the whole expressive ability of each one of them all sometimes moving together to the same goal..to convey the story, the emotional highs and lows, of the whole experience of Swan Lake. So called 'perfection' is often not 'artistic'. I'm a classically trained musician (piano) and understand the nuances of rhythm and 'rubato' and clearly in the dance field it's the same, the moving / borrowing of time to make it impactive at the right highlighted moments of the story is crucial. If that was 'corrected' and every movement was metronomic no-one would ever bother watching it. That's what's happening here and so good to see Fil exposing it
As someone pointed out, while they pitch-correct the hell out of voices, it's interesting to note that they DON'T do it to guitar solos (or other instruments, I assume). It's like they somehow realize that the humanity and "imperfections" behind a solo make it sound better ... but they then can't apply that to a vocal performance.
Your comment also reminded me of one quote I like: "To make mistakes is human. To know when to keep them is art."
As college student, a LONG time ago, I had the amazing opportunity to take a ballet class with a piano accompanist. It was fantastic!!!
Well said Fil!!! Your message IS getting out there, slowly but surely! Thank goodness for people like you and Rick Beato who are trying to expose the music industry's flaws and weaknesses which ultimately harm the artist fore mostly, and the music industry in the end run.
It harms humanity first
Thank you, Fil, for righteously critiquing the music industry and its morals, and also for encouraging singers to keep it real. I love listening to singers/ songwriters, and I want to hear YOUR voice, people! The true you. I think it's beautiful. The most beautiful and attractive thing you can be is yourself.
Completely agree with the loss of personality, character, and vulnerability that comes with altered vocals. It’s part of my own philosophy as an artist and producer, and I feel lucky to have your videos to send people to when I tire of explaining this position. Cheers to you, sir 👑
A few weeks ago on TH-cam I watched the premiere upload of Linda Ronstadt Live in Hollywood. No autotuning or pitch correction, just pure Linda bliss.
BRAVO‼️ Cheers to the push for TRUTH and authenticity. I am so thankful for your channel.
Totally agree
Could you talk about Raye? She’s a British singer and I believe she’s one of the real true singers out there right now.
True artists doing authentic live concerts should start adding "no autotune" and "we don't lipsync" to their tour advertising. 😅
@@Spo-Dee-O-DeeA disaster when someone sings off key or a disaster when people don't buy the concert tickets because they don't want to hear mechanized voices?
There plenty of bands not using corrective aids. Saying that every one does it is like since Hollywood cheats on their sppuse evrryone cheats. Nope. The band down as the pub doesnt.. lots of touring bands dont. Educate your ears. You can hear it.
If i was a swifty who paid thousands to hear her sing i would be looking for class action status and get my money back. She perpeturated a fraud. Get a billion back and crap would be over.
@@Spo-Dee-O-Deebut that's where singing lessons come in with a proper singing teacher who will show you hiw tolook after your voice. It is an instrument after all.
I won't be paying to watch a mime thats the point of goin to a concert a true live experience I can stay home n just listen to recording why pay all that money for a mime its scandalous and should stop ppl shud boycott these concerts
So true!
Like the Body Positivity movement we need a Vocal Positivity movement so people will be comfortable in their own voices. No more FLAT shaming!
FLAT shaming - I love it.
As a fat person… I love this
What about sharp shaming? I’m always sharp.
Have we become so critical and judgementalof others as to make everyone feel perfect is the only acceptable outcome? I like originality. Let's bring that back. ❤
I don't think that's the reason for the standardized use of pitch-correction. It reminds me of yogurt. 30 years ago, your average strawberry yogurt had a lot less sugar. Then one company made it a little sweeter. So, other companies had to follow suit. The sugar got higher and higher and higher, going back and forth between the companies for years, before they settled on a whopping 23g of sugar in the average 5.5 oz strawberry yogurt. Sure, there's some niche styles out there that buck that trend, but those are the exceptions. In fact, a Hunt's Pudding Cup, now has 20% LESS sugar than your average sweetened yogurt. Think about that with the rise of pitch-correction and autotune.
Right on!!!!!!!!
The best channel on internet nowadays! 👍🏽🎸🤘🏽
Amen, bro'. Hope your message reach far out there.
Bad is just bad, but corrected is horrible.
Every word so spot on, Fil. This world and the entertainment industry in particular is dying from a cancer of inauthenticity. And you are right by calling it fear of failure. It's a catastrophic conformity based entirely in fear. Thank you for all you are and all you do!
Thank you for putting out this video. I feel much better about singing. For myself, you have given me the inspiration to continue singing with confidence and peace knowing that my voice in it’s authenticity is good enough and with practice I can achieve amazing things as an artist.😊❤️
70s and 80s had great singers. I'm happy I had the opportunity to hear great natural singers.
90s, too.
Mechanical, that's a great term. Today's music is MECHANICAL. YEEECCCH!!!!!!
There is no short cut to success. If you’re pitchy, you’ll be found out sooner or later. Artistes of old paid their dues by constantly gigging improving themselves.
No soul,mis my complaint.
@@ALong-fo5so There definitely are shortcuts if you know the right people and have the right equipment.
Fil I think this is my favourite video of yours I’ve watched! Absolutely spot on in your assessment of what’s happening today. It’s a sad sad time. I’m a music producer and I question this on a daily basis even though I’m guilty of reaching for auto-tune and pitch correction because that’s “just what the industry expects and wants”.
You are "the industry". Why willingly/blindly continue with this deception if you question it daily? You are obviously not asking the question hard enough!
@@MICHAELMcCARTHY-h7fto be clear I’m not involved in any deception. I don’t work on altering or mixing live performances and then passing off a “live” vocal as being perfect. However in the genre I work in (pop) it is expected and indeed actively wanted by the artists and some labels I work with for that “polished” sound. If I don’t deliver that, then unfortunately I would likely not be rehired in the future.
I get your point, I do, but we are caught in a vicious circle right now whereby if the artists want to have the same sound as the artists they’re competing with (rightly or wrongly) then that is how I and other producers have to interweave pitch correction in to our mixes.
John Fogerty's 1997 'Premonition' live concert he make's a comment on stage where he
states if there is any mistakes during the performance, they won't be corrected. He knew
what was going on in in the industry already in 1997.
He's sometimes doing two full shows for sound check, so by the time you see him in the evening it's the third for the day. Auto tune wold run and hide of embarrassment. 😂
There is a line in a Bruce Cockburn song which says 'the trouble with normal is it always gets worse'. How true this is when considering the music industry today.
Can you imagine Aretha Franklin or Nina Simone auto corrected? Lordy! Freddie Mercury must be looking down in shock! 😢
David Bowie - autotune would destroy his voice. There was a Polish singer Czesław Niemen with a characteristic, scratchy voice but this made him unique. Autotune would kill his voice as well.
Freddie Mercury predicted it.
@@mollyhall2954And his catalogue will soon be thoroughly pitch corrected and ruined.
You don't have to imagine it. Just listen to Aretha's last studio release in 2014. One of the worst auto-tuned travesties released!
Queen’s original tracks are being re-uploaded with pitch correction.
Hi Fil. Been with you for years and talking about this. All the girls sound the same and boys sound the same. In the 80s we knew who was singing because everyone was unique. Madonna didn't sound like Annie Lennox, Tracy Chapman didn't sound like Wendy Matthews. We loved that ❤️ I play piano on my channel and record live. If I stuff it, I stuff it... and you know I'm real and a human. We need to celebrate our differences in music. There's room for everyone. PS. Turned off radio back in early 90s. Records still rule 🤟
It is sad that some people don't care that this is happening.
Most people.
Unfortunately. Many people tell me they don't really listen to music, they just have music as a background noise to kill silence. :/
A lot of people don't. They just care for "a great night out."
Yeah I agree. The people that comment that “that’s the way it is and they’re ok with it “, makes me cringe. Why bother learning and spending all the time practicing and on good equipment when you can buy software to make you sound “perfect” and nobody cares. There’s just no artistic value. That’s like buying a snapshot of a Picasso.
Yes, they might not care, but others DO CARE.
Dead on 100% right, start to finish! This is one of your best videos ever. And that’s saying a lot, because you have so many great ones. The imperfections (within reason of course) in our voices are what makes us unique.
Auto tune in music, make up and filters on social media, PEDs in sports. This is a problem in many industries, and as you said a big part of the problem is most people don’t know. They think their idol is just the way they are naturally, and if you try to tell them otherwise, they’ll argue with you and deny it. These enhancements become the new “natural” standard to the masses.
I’m a bang average pub singer and I’ve recently had to work on my voice because I was struggling. A little bit of work, trial and error and I’ve managed to sort it out to some degree. Surely if a shitkicker like me can do it then so can the ‘professionals’. It angers me because live music is something I love dearly
Yeah, but that is the problem. A lot of people don’t want to put in the work. I remember that Paul McCartney once said that when The Beatles first came to the USA, many thought that they were some kind of overnight sensation. They hadn’t seen the years of playing preparation that went on in Hamburg, Germany for sometimes 8 hours a night, the over 1000 songs in their repertoire, etc.
Now, a lot of people either haven’t, or don’t even want to, put in the work required to become a better performer.
It's 2024 bro. Everyone's perfect and everyone gets a trophy! Consequently everyone sucks. Yay!
Truer words haven't been spoken. But you forgot: you can be anything!" crap.
When everyone is somebody, then no-one's anybody.
@@JelMain "When everybody's super - no one is" - Syndrome, The Incredibles I
@@marikothecheetah9342 Ever heard of the Cassandra Syndrome? If you look it up, you'll likely find it talks about couples finding it impossible to navigate the extraordinary, but the reality is the disillusion of the common man with the miraculous. I talk of performance as a narrative, but this issue first arose when MIDI started translating the dots (I had a han in that, improvising ABC notation copying songs in the RVWML in 67) a quarter of a century ago. No humanity.
A performer must be more than human. I long to hear Beowulf - from Grendel's side.
Yep lack of diversity. We all must sound the same. Why?! Reminds me of the song, "if everybody looked the same, we'd get tired of looking at each other". When we sound different, our uniqueness is what is beautiful and interesting.
In the Beach Boys movie, about their music in the 60’s… trying to get started they went to a record company & sang someone else’s song. They said…. “Come back when you have your own unique sound…something DIFFERENT…then we’ll talk.” Music back then was sooo varied & unique & creative!
There are three very different versions of “Twist and Shout”, all by different bands and all unique.
But then they relied on the wrecking crew. 😄
I'm so glad the vocalists I chose to study were those imperfectly amazing performers who told me a story.
It's about having the confidence to admit you're not perfect. Art is all about being human, after all. I saw Peter Gabriel play in Manchester years ago, and he sat down at the piano to start a song, and played the wrong chord. He just stopped, smiled, said "let's try that again, shall we?" and immediately did so. That's a real musician - a real HUMAN - and the audience loved it.
Spot on Fil. I love that you talked about equal temperament. When great singers sing together acapella, they often move away from A440 because they ‘tune in’ to the natural harmonics in their voices as dictated by what they are singing. And it is truly magical. So sad that we are now so far away from this in the industry and public understanding.
This is the greatest treasure a vocalist or musician could receive. I hope they listen and take heed.
Thank you Fil for campaigning for real art!! The TRUTH matters!
It’s the gradual elimination of everything that makes us human - including our imperfections.
I’m new to your channel but absolutely LOVE your videos/content. You are refreshingly honest and informative.
I've really like you calling out this out. I've been listening to a lot of Japanese rock (due to a reaction you did years ago for Band-Maid) and while my ears are not as good as yours, I can still tell that most of the female rock/metal bands don't appear to be using pitch correct as I can hear when they sing off key. Once again, thanks for calling out this problem in the music industry.
That would include The Warning
@@csbsrich Agree, from what I can tell, their vocals are not processed (and I'll admit that I have trouble hearing what Fil can hear).
Reading this comment reminds me of exist†trace. I don't think they used pitch correction since the vocals sound raw even in the studio version.
I've heard Band-Maid's name somewhere but haven't listened to any of their songs, I'll give them a try.
BORIS!!!! (Japan's best stoner rock band)
Amazing video! Great message! Truer than true. I can only listen to real, classic artists these days
As a biology major, I respect his use of science. I call modern crap, sterile and fake.
Brother Phil you're talking about integrity and ego. Many artists today sadly have too little of one and too much of the other. Unfortunately it seems like the new norm for modern music. Bummer.
I saw a sad comment from someone who wanted to upload a video, to her channel, of herself singing without pitch correction. She's fine with the way her voice sounds, but she's afraid that viewers will compare her to all the pitch corrected voices they hear, and judge her negatively. She wasn't deciding between pitch correcting or not pitch correcting, she was deciding between uploading with her natural voice, or not uploading at all, and she was leaning toward not uploading. 😢
Now that IS sad. She needs to simply upload it in her natural voice!
Now that is sad ! To lack confidence in her own, natural, voice which separates her from the pitch corrected voices of others.
Can you send her this video?
She should upload with a disclaimer that it is NOT corrected and an explanation.
@@flamencoprofthe issue is that a lot of people don't know or refuse to believe pitch-correcting is as prelevant as it is, so they won't really pay attention to her disclaimer because in their eyes nothing is pitch corrected anyway. Basically I can't blame her for feeling scared, though of course I do hope she gains the confidence to upload anyway and people who know about the industry-wide issue and value actual real singing will find her.
The very last word of Joe Cockers recording of “You Are So Beautiful” is, I think, the absolute epitome of vocal authenticity and artistic integrity because it’s debatable whether he actually reaches the note. His struggle to do so embodies the emotion of that moment. If imperfection comes from a place of integrity and authenticity, then I’ll take imperfection every time because it’s human and not contrived gimmickry. I think, in light of this conversation that’s being had now, it would be a great idea to re-record that Cher song without the auto tune to showcase her great natural voice. When Neil Young recorded his very first solo album,he apparently wanted it to be perfect and he overdubbed part after part in an attempt to make it so. All these years later he is not happy with it and subsequent studio albums were done by rolling tape and recording what happened. Much of Dylan’s work was done that way as well. Great art is, by definition, not perfect.
Great points! Everybody saying, "Be your authentic self, be yourself," and then giving you non -authentic vocals...? What message do you think people are getting? Try being YOUR authentic selves, singers!
You have done a great thing bringing this to light Fil, I find the moment I hear everything so perfectly pitch corrected I tend to switch off as for some reason it just doesn't connect with me.
I'm glad you brought this up in this way -- these ARE good musicians, singers, and songwriters. They don't want to lie -- they're caught in the middle of it. Someone has to be the first, and at this point, it's like the Spanish Prisoner problem.
they are cowardly. just like the ones that go down and suck off (literally) high powered people in order to be allowed to stay relevant.
The work you are doing is important, Fil. Truly. Stay the course. Love that you are being real about all this. It needed to happen.
Great video again, Fil. I think it's a sign of the times. It comes down to vanity, recognition and perception - although, it's all virtual. The lure of "perfection" is too hard to resist for the artist with the knowledge that most of the listening audience would have no idea otherwise.
I commented on an earlier video of Fil's that these shows are "entertaent experiences" not "comcerts" - in the way we grew up with.
There is a generational component here where I think younger people want the "just like the record but at a 'live show' experience". One thing leads to another I suppose.
I guess I am not going to see anyone singing live anymore....now that I know all of this..glad I grew up in the 70's...great music..not fake like now...such a shame they do this... I don't expect an artist who's from the 60s.And 70s to sound like they used to and yet, yeah, when you see some of their videos and stuff they sound great.They shouldn't sound like that anyway.Thanks for all the information for all you do Fil, you're pretty amazing❤
Small venues and small stars like Matt Kearney!,
Me too, concerts were so good back when
@cden409 they were grand...Chicago...Moody Blues...😁
@@donnababi5767 I saw The Moody Blues in the 90’s
@cden409 awesome..such a great band...I saw them in the 80's
I love your videos where you analyze tracks and find obvious pitch correction, but it'd be really cool if you could also show examples of singers who don't use autotune so we can see what those lines look and sound like. Thanks for all your hard work!
He does. A few i can think of are Pavarotti , Karen Carpenter, there are more but just can’t remember them all. Search in his past videos to find them.
Thank you for addressing 'Authenticity'. I'm 65 yrs old. I grew up in the greatest generation for rock music. I'm a multi instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, performer, with 4 decades of recording I personally don't like my vocal singing voice, but I get over it! I've refused to use auto tune or pitch correction since these programs became affordably available over 15 yrs ago. My favorite male vocalists like Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker and Paul Rogers weren't 'Pitch perfect'. They were heart and soul! You can critique the heck out of these three phenomenal singers and point out where they were 'pitchy'. Their pitchiness is what made them sensational! Their personality shines through. Today's artist live behind deception, and it'll destroy their future. Be real. Be who God intended you to be. Let your heart and soul shine. Thank you Fill. Great episode
To me anything from the 1920s through say up and until the mid 1990s was when the singers were still real. The musicians actually had to play their instruments. I don't care what genre it came from either. Country music may not be your preferred taste, but listen to George Jones and "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" from 1985. Then pick your genre, artists and substitute the names referred to in it. That song looking back speaks volumes.
The unfortunate truth behind music today for the last 20 and over years. Thank you Fil
Again ... Learnt and learning so much. Thank you.
Fil, I think you nailed it when you talked about risk. It’s too risky for the industry to invest in an unedited original voice and hope an audience will appreciate it, then to shape the expectation of the audience by standardizing the product.
People love to tout their authenticity these days unless, of course, it doesn't make them look better than others. Brilliant, as ever, Fil. A discussion on authenticity is what artists and the industry of fakery needs to hear.
Fil is telling us it's okay to be our authentic selves. That's a very powerful message. 🪽 💜 🪽
“Everyone can be super! And when everyone’s super… No one will be.”
~ Syndrome - The Incredibles
Hahahahahaha 😆
@ 👍🤣
I am proud to say I never use auto tune in my studio music NOR my live performances and that is my choice. Many people cannot tell the difference unfortunately between autotuned vox and natural vocals. I like the way my natural voice sounds and I am not a fan of the melodyne sound at all. ❤I’d love if we can bring back authenticity in music!
Fil, great video! You have absolutely nailed it! Imagine all the great talent we are missing out on due to the Fear Factor! Those afraid that they are not good enough! Those who are "Removing Their Personality" from their music simply sound like everyone else! So sad! Well done, Fil! 💜
I agree
It's good that we are missing out those great talents.
@@asosyalpicimamk Why is it a good thing for others to be afraid they are not good enough?
@@veramilton833 Because they want to be the next Taylor Swift or something, or they end up like every other pop star, because using autotune and ghost writers and dressing up like trash is where the money is.
@@asosyalpicimamkWell , I disagree with you! However, you are entitled to your opinion! I think you have completely missed the message.
First off, I enjoy your videos, Fil; they are very informative and truthful. I agree that it’s a sad state of affairs right now in the music industry, especially with regards to pitch correction and auto tune. I’m a singer songwriter myself, and when I perform live, whether it’s a 2 1/2 hour concert or a two song open mic set, I do not use any pitch correction software. I don’t have the best voice, and I don’t care. At least I’m being me.
You're doing an extraordinary job. Cont success.
It was the stultification of US music that led me to so many wonderful artists from Asia and Africa. So thank you big music companies, you helped me find Diana Ankudinova and many others.
Queen live killers (1979) was edited, in that it was the best live performances pasted together, but this was minimal and disclosed on the album, and never auto turned..
Fil is one of the most learned and important contributors to the music world and fans. A very kind and respectful guy with balls like a bowling alley because no one would dare bring out this information. Thank you Fil.
EXACTLY! Here we are, gigging singers, with years of study, and we're superceded by computerized voices. It's very disheartening.
Yep.
I know so many younger, talented singers who put it on their voice because they don't feel like their voice is beautiful enough. It makes me so sad because I think their natural voice is so incredible.
@@TinuvielthefairAnd all these overused riffs and runs....tell the audience the story!
@@VIDEOHEREBOB with emotions depth! Yes. Luckily, I don't hear a lot of people doing that anymore at least. It drove me nuts when I was younger though. Like, that doesn't make you a better singer doing that.
@@VIDEOHEREBOB True.
Besides the ubiquitous heavy tuning, every other song has that stupid "hot-cross-buns" melody, just jumping up and down the first 3 notes of whatever major scale they're in, and it ought to be ILLEGAL to use it any more. IT STINKS!!
It's more grating than a 1-5-6-4 progression.
What an amazing video - I hope people listen and reach their authentic self and voice.
The thing about Believe is that no one hearing that song when it first came out thought that was Cher’s natural, unedited voice. The secrecy today around widespread use of autotune etc. makes it materially different IMO
Agreed. It was OBVIOUSLY manipulated. It was an EFFECT. I liked that song in the early 2000s (I was late to the party), because the LYRICS spoke to me. I did not care about how she was singing it, other than it was decent, and didn’t offend my ears. It sounded kinda weird and cool, because it was new. I never thought she was singing “naturally” on that song, and that did not actually matter in any way.
Until now, I thought this was an intented "futuristic" effect. Never liked the song anyway.
Amazing, what one can learn here.
I have no issue with musicians using pitch correction software or other audio tools as an artistic choice, nor do I mind if they lip sync on stage. However, it becomes unethical when they present a pre-recorded track as a live performance or deny that their vocals have been enhanced. If they didn’t think what they are doing is wrong, they wouldn’t work so hard to keep the truth from coming out.
As a true raw natural voice, I've been waiting for a respectable industry pro to say this.❤ Thank-you
Bring back originality. I like singers that just get up and do it for REAL!
Preach, brother!
Great video Fil You deserve an award from the paying public . and I suggest that award is a badge /T shirt logo " KEEP MUSIC CLEAN-NO PITCH CORRECTION THANKS FIL". or words of that effect..
We’re living in an episode of the TWILIGHT ZONE!!
Fil...you nailed it! You are saying everything that I have been saying for years! Everything you said is accurate. And yes... These pre-recorded songs that these bands are pushing off as live performances are nothing but a fraud! As a musician I can spot it instantly, but it is hard to believe how many people are fooled that it's live. It's incredibly annoying.
Help me, Karaoke, you're my only hope!
I bet karaoke decks have autotune
Thank you ! My favorite concert was Dan Fogelberg in1991 he was on stage with just his guitar and piano. It was beautiful, warts and all.
Phil is the only honest person in the music industry right now. I wish you could find a mainstream way like on television or something and create some kind of TV show out of this. I believe people would like it.
My step son is on utube as a natural singer not an altered voice. He did this so that venues that hire him can see and hear what they are getting if he is hired. I add this so you know there are islands of musical authenticity out there. Thank you for your teaching and your authenticity.
I never hear beauty standards brought into this conversation. Vocalists weren't always pretty, but they were always talented. Nowadays, the opposite is true.
I was going to say, "only in one niche of the pop music world," but i started thinking about faces in country, and even singer-songwriter types. And you're right, they are all typically kinda hot, too. Less so with the guys, i think. But i notice it there as well.
Although I am not a musician myself, I have always enjoyed your videos and analyses surrounding the music industry.
I listen mostly to French female singers that can actually sing live, and I can tell, by my ear, there are differences, that are human in nature, slight imperfections at times, or a phrase done with more emphasis, etc. Pomme, Louane, Maelle, for starters. Then there is Hayley Williams, for example, I have seen videos of her training with her vocal coach. She is exemplary.
The best part of music is the human element. We make mistakes, we get a little out of key and we miss notes on our instruments. My favorite example of this is Aerosmith’s “Live Bootleg”. It’s real and it’s what the people heard that day during that particular performance. It’s a beautiful thing.❤️🤘
The most saught after commodity in this coming world is going to be "Authenticity" (along with being "Genuine")
"We keep it 'Real'!"
How can we produce authenticity at scale? 😮😅😂
This is why I’m 💯behind artists like Haley Reinhart who’s proudly independent & in control of her songs & career, and has set herself through her publishing company up for passive income so she can choose to perform in intimate venues, not forced to constantly tour… she’s as genuine as they come ✌🏻
@@ChiefBridgeFuser haha yeah... I think its ok to use technology,,, and when or if someone asks, Hey did ya use some technology ? , then that is the opportunity for authenticity... just tell the truth ... simple... even bands that use backing tracks... when they lie about it then they lost the opportunity for authenticiy... and as a result and by default are also no genuine... Personally I prefer an honest performance...
And if you can fake those, you've got it made 😉
I agree with you as well that the emotional truth of a singer is what matters. Not the technical quality of the performance.
Love to see Bob Dylan's attitude to pitch correction!!
I mean, we've got to give him his due, he's still learning to sing at 80+, that's some dedication
I would argue he could not be auto tuned he’s not close to any lines and is arguably the first rapper I requested fil to try pitch correcting Dylan
There are no live videos of Dylan. Why?
@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx you might want to Google Bob Dylan live to find all the live Bob Dylan concerts. The most recent one was apparently at Albert Hall in 2024.
@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx He is an aggressive blocker. The only stuff that gets through and stays up iirc are from the Newport Folk Festival.
It's been a long time coming but Fil, you've nailed it in this video, awesome!🙃
Social media and TH-cam made musicians paranoid. Heaven forbid you make a mistake.
Humans make mistakes . Robots do not .
🤖 🎤 🎶
Sadly, social media has created an entire generation of "fake perfection" and "fake perfect lives" - and ultimately, it is very empty and unsatisfying for those who try to fake it. This is what causes so much of the anxiety and depression that we see in society today, in my opinion.
How right you are, i have been doing covers now for a year and a half. I had to put diclaimers for this and still get the odd comment "you don't sound like the original singer". Some friends even told me "why dont you just use pitch correction?", I make it a point not to auto tune nor pitch correct but my videos are not live, they are recorded and I choose my best takes for the final product. Its hard to be compared to others doing that. Either way, love your channel and keep going!
Thumbs up! Thank you for staying true to yourself and not stepping into the pitchcorrection-autotune-rabbithole... So glad that there are still people who remain authentic. Good luck with the covers, I hope that some day your friends will realise how unique your version is just because you kept it real.
I drop a stick whilst tracking drums, I leave it in, I don't edit anything I do and I get grief for it, people don't listen to human music anymore. Fil has amazing hat hair! It's better than a mullet! Is that an Jurassic park T-shirt?
I don't think that's "hat hair" - that's just everyday "Fil hair" & I'm here for it. 😊
Do you love this wonderful man? Purely objective & clearly truthful in every way -Cheers Fil
great job again Fil
Fil, you are an effing music God. I'm 57 yrs old. I didn't grow up with this as the norm. Tonight I was listening to an REM show from 84' in chicago and there was zero technical intervention. What's happening now, to me, is 100% fraud. And I agree with your keen assessment 100%. It's sick and sad. I cannot abide by it.