You get up to sing. You belt it out. You sound... quiet? Muddy? Like you're singing from another room?
It might not be your voice. It might be how you're holding the mic.
The One Thing Most People Get Wrong
Hold the mic straight toward your mouth. Not at an angle. Not off to the side. Not pointed at your chin or your cheek.
Straight. Toward. Your mouth.
That's it. That's the whole secret.
Most beginners hold the mic at an angle - like they're holding a phone or a drink. It feels natural, but it sounds terrible. Your voice slides past the mic instead of going into it. The result: you sound distant and weak, the KJ cranks your volume, and now there's feedback.
Point it directly at your mouth and suddenly you exist.
How Close?
Close enough that you could almost kiss it, but don't actually touch it with your lips. A couple inches away. If you're not sure, err on the side of closer.
Too far away and you'll sound faint. Too close and you'll get that muffled, boomy effect - but honestly, too close is better than too far.
Never Do This
Don't tap the mic to test it.
"Is this thing on?" tap tap tap
The KJ hates you now. Tapping can damage the equipment. If you're not sure the mic is working, just speak into it normally or give the KJ a look. They'll sort it out.
When Your Hands Are Shaking
Nerves happen. Your hands might tremble. That's okay.
Just remember: shaky hands mean shaky mic position, which means your sound will be inconsistent. If you're nervous, focus on keeping that mic pointed straight and steady. It gives you something to concentrate on besides the fear.
A trick that helps: grip firmly. A loose nervous grip wobbles more than a firm one.
The Mic Is Why You Sound Bad
Here's the thing nobody tells beginners: a lot of people think they "can't sing" when really their mic technique is just awful.
They hold it at a weird angle, sound thin and distant, and assume that's their voice. It's not. It's physics.
Fix your mic position and you might discover you sound better than you thought.
See you at the mic. (Held correctly.)
Photo by John Matychuk on Unsplash