Ep. 71: I've Practiced This Song 100 Times and It STILL Doesn't Sound Right!

Hey fabulous performer!

You know that moment when you’ve been working your butt off on a song - practicing it over and over, and it still doesn’t sound the way you hoped it would? It’s not matching that vision in your head. And instead of getting excited to sing it, you’re left frustrated, maybe even a little discouraged.

First of all, you’re not alone. That feeling is so common among singers—especially when we’re covering someone else’s song. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to stay stuck in that cycle. Let’s break it down together and talk about why that discontent might be showing up… and what to do about it.

Why Covers Can Be So Frustrating

Let’s start with what’s likely the biggest issue: we’re trying to mimic the original artist.

We want to hit that high note like Beyoncé, match that Ariana Grande riff perfectly, or nail the exact tone of the artist we love. And while mimicking can be useful as a starting point - it’s a great way to explore new styles and challenge your technique - it cannot be the final goal.

Here’s the reality (and I say this with love): you and I will never sound like the original artist. Why? Anatomy.

Yup. Your vocal folds, your mouth shape, your larynx—those physical structures make your voice unique. Just like a tuba can’t sound like a trumpet, your voice is built a certain way, and that’s a beautiful thing. You’re not “failing” if you don’t sound like the original. Your voice is just built differently.

That doesn't mean you can’t master amazing vocal skills. You can learn that run, belt that high note, and shape your sound, but it’ll always sound like you doing it. And that's exactly what your audience wants.

Master the Skill, Not the Artist

Let’s use Beyoncé as an example. Say you do learn the iconic run on “Hit me like a ray of sun…” from Halo. Awesome! That means you’ve gained agility, speed, and musicality. But that doesn’t suddenly mean you sound like Beyoncé.

What it does mean? Your voice is developing, growing more flexible and expressive. Celebrate that! And stop measuring success by how much you sound like the artist. Instead, celebrate what your voice is capable of doing.

So... How Do You Make a Cover Your Own?

Let’s pivot. Instead of trying to duplicate the original, let’s talk about what you can do to make your cover stand out—and feel like YOU:

Highlight Your Superpowers

Not great at riffs? That’s okay. What are you amazing at?

• Do you have a stunning high range? Show it off!

• Is your tone rich and soulful in the low notes? Lean into that.

• Can you create magic with a breathy, emotional delivery? Use it.
  

Bring your best to the performance - not someone else’s “best.”

Simplify the Runs

That 7-note run tripping you up? Turn it into a 3-note phrase that’s still expressive but fits your voice. Simplifying isn’t “cheating.” It’s smart. Especially if it lets you sing with confidence and connection instead of stress and strain.

Change the Key (Seriously!)

It’s 2025. There is no excuse not to change the key of a song.

If you’re not singing in a Broadway show with a locked-in score, you can and should change the key to fit your voice. It doesn’t matter if Beyoncé sang Halo in one key - what matters is what works for YOU. Transpose it. Own it.

Pair Technique with Emotion (Or It’s Just… Meh)

One more thing: all the technique in the world won’t move your audience if there’s no emotion behind it.

You can belt, riff, and flip all day - but if it doesn’t feel intentional, your audience will check out. Emotion and expression must go hand-in-hand with your technical choices.

And no, you don’t need a deep sob story for every lyric. If your intention is simply, “This part of the song is so fun! I want the audience to feel that joy too,” then great! That’s still honest, and that honesty is what keeps us engaged as listeners.

Your Song, Your Voice, Your Way

To wrap it all up, here’s how to reclaim joy in your singing:

1. Stop trying to sound like the original artist. Learn from them, but don’t measure your worth by comparison.

   
   

2. Simplify when needed. You don’t need to prove anything by struggling through an impossible run.

   
   

3. Change the key. Make it easier for your voice to shine.

   
   

4. Sing with intention. Every sound should come from a feeling, not just technical know-how.

   
   

Tools I Love for Transposing or Practicing Covers:

Here are a few resources to help you with changing keys or simplifying tracks:

• iReal Pro – Great for musicians who perform live and want flexible backing tracks.
  

• Karaoke Version – Buy custom backing tracks and change the key before you download.
  

• Transpose Pitch on YouTube – Use the gear icon → Playback speed & pitch tools to experiment live.

🎤 Remember: You’ve chosen this path because music moves you—and you want to move others. Let go of the perfection trap and bring your truth to the mic.

I’m cheering you on, always.

🌶️ Check out my SPICE UP YOUR SONG video training that breaks down other voice & performance techniques to take your boring covers and turn them into masterpieces! Get it HERE. ✨ Still wanna get SUPER specific with vocal stylizations and delivery that make YOUR voice shine? Join us inside the Passionate Performer Program! Different payment options with a 7-day trial: CLICK HERE to learn more.