Auto-Tune (some times incorrectly called audio-tune) has already been talked about, written about, and criticized in just about every way shape or form; I agree with these criticisms. I, too, am among those who are frustrated that some artists get the easy way out when it comes to singing and I am baffled that people would pay to see an artist who can’t sing properly. I’ve seen many comments and criticisms on Youtube, and various blogs about artists who tend to abuse auto-tune and while I agree that there shouldn’t be such an abuse, I think a lot of us music fans tend to not think about all the sacrifices all the work and all the talent it takes to make it in such a difficult business.
Some elements we tend to disregard when it comes the “talent” an artist or performer has include:
Stage Presence: An artist who performs live can either command an audience and bend them to his or her will or act very awkwardly and give a poor performance. An example of an artist who I think has great stage presence is Madonna, I’ve watched her Confessions Tour and she has this flow with it, she can get the audience to praise her every move, and she commands the stage and rocks it out. Now, Madonna isn’t known for her vocal power or ability (she does have a decent vibrato though) but she still made it through the business with many of her other talents, like stage presence.
Business Smarts: As we all know, artists don’t just make music and go on with their lives, they make money from this music. But it’s not so simple to just make music and make millions of dollars (of course some one-hit wonders can do this, but I wouldn’t consider them established artists), artists have to deal with music business: copyright laws, royalties, trademarks etc. If these artists aren’t smart or well prepared they could be heading for bankruptcy quickly, think of Toni Braxton who unfortunately went through bankruptcy twice; she may have been a talented artist but not so much in the financial department.
Charisma/It/X Factor: There’s something about artist that draws us to them, a lot of people say it’s undefined but I feel that it can be defined by a type of confidence; an artist who knows they have star power, and isn’t afraid to use it. This confidence radiates and infects others and they gain their fanbase, or haters. An artist who has this It Factor, can have it even without the same vocal ability of other artists. Rihanna for example has established her place as an artist among the same ranks as Lady GaGa even though she may not have the same vocal ability as Lady GaGa.
Instruments: Many artists are instrumentalists, they play many instruments and some actually self-produce their music. Ke$ha is a songwriter and plays guitar along with Katy Perry who also writes songs and plays guitar. It’s not easy to pick up an instrument it takes time and training. This taken into account, many artists do play instruments, a good portion play more than one; so much for no-talent hack.
As fans we should think a bit more about the background skills and talents that our current artists have before we say that they are worthless and have no talent whatsoever. These artists made it through a difficult industry and it can’t all be just because of their looks; it took hard work. I’m not saying for artists to continue abusing Auto-Tune, I feel that Auto-Tune shouldn’t even be used. I’m also not saying for people to quit criticizing artists; go right ahead! I’m just saying that all of us, myself included should be more informed as consumers and fans.