i personally think voice control is not so important. With the amount of polishing they do in studios nowadays even i can sing. I think stage presence is THE most important aspect of the music scene today. Nobody gives a crap if you can sing well or have a nice voice. All you need are good looks and "choreography" and a style that will make you unforgettable (how u spell unforgetable? unforgettabel?...wtf does this word even exist?). Which when combined with a great or rather unique voice will make you a legend. Example like led_zep said Freddie Mercury (Or the band Queen in general). And Queen also had one more plus point, audience participation. We Will Rock You was a hit because it was simple and it's cool when an entire stadium is banging and clapping along.

Nobody can really tell you what to do on stage, you have to think of ways to catch the attention of the judges/audience. Different people do it differently. If the audience love you, who gives a shit about the judges? Your role is to please the audience, not judges. You don't need the judges, they're just morons there for show. And i don't think there is a marking scheme, because performing arts is very very subjective. And when i say performing arts, i refer to the MTV stuff; more entertainment. Because for classical music (piano, violin etc.) they do have a marking scheme. Of course i have no idea about that.

I believe it inforgettabel... just jk. You got it right the first time.
Reminds me of another thing - song choice. If you wish to get to warm up the audience, We Will Rock You is definitely the perfect choice. It might sound cheesy at first, but it works. Faizal did it in his OiAM finale performance, the crowd loved it. In fact, I've done it with my band too and got away with it. On the other hand, if you're ballader, pick a ballad that you truly feels and one that suits your range.

I'm not too sure about the marking scheme, but what I know is, if you lack the stage presence and confidence, you're definitely marked down. You don't have to be a great singer to score points, it will be a great advantage if you could sing a few octaves but if you're not, know your strengths and exploit them.

don't drink cold water,

Want a shoot at Malaysia Idol heh ?

Well, you have to learn to sing infront of thousands of people. You may sound good infront of 100 but when the camera focus on you, and the whole Malaysia watch you sing .... that's where you'll break if you don't have enough pratice. That's called "stage fright". Judges (the good ones, not the poyo ones) will know if you're having one, one way they'll know is when you're not natural on stage.

Audiences ? They would prefer if you can bring them along into your singing. They don't like just to watch you sing and vote for you and that's it. I don't know how to say it ... but its like, get the audiences going, you know what i mean ? See how Jaclyn Victor or Daniel Lee when they sing .... they don't sing alone, the audiences sings along with them, they are alive !!! .... and it takes something special to win thier hearts.

Oh yea, don't drink milk and eat nasi lemak or currry when you want to sing

Not gonna go for any Malaysian Idol, or reality show or something. It's just a gospel songs singing competition organized by my church.

maybe my way is quite strange, but it really helps!

- Go pee before the competition starts 1/2 hour earlier.
- Dun talk much and dun drink water before the competition sarts 1/2 hour.
- Practice makes perfect. Old fashioned but sometimes works!!!
- When practice, do open your mouth as big as possible (3 fingers in the mouth).
- That is when you sing some part like 'a', someart really opens your mouth big !!!!

Maybe my explanation not gud. Wanna know more details, can PM me o!

drink chocolate milk to sound like cookie monster

And smoke 5 packs of cigs a day.....
DEFINITELY Cookie Monster voice.

aight here are a few tips tht i learned frm my vocalist,
n his an awesome rock vocalist.

1. nvr drink ice water.
2. cut down on smoking. (improves ur breathing techique)
3. whisky actually improves singing for rock genre (no, im not encouraging u to drink)
4. practise the DO,RE,MI notes.. it really helps to hold a key
5. Honey doesnt work for everyones voice, so be carefull...
6. the proper singing techinque is singing by using the stomach not the throat
7. make sure u get proper rest b4 ur performance day, coz the voice does get tired if u dun have enuff sleep, or if uve been over training it. ( n profressional judges can tell this just by hearing u sing).

thts all i know lar..
i didnt say this is profressional advice.. just wat i know lar..
hope it helps.
take care... n all the best.

funny how this blues singer i met ...or should i say...a bunch of singers i met back in uk sing well..n drink like hell...n also eat fish n chips like HELL...seriously LOTS OF CHIPS...

so i think it depends on the individual if he can take fried stuff n alchohol...