Anyone Can Learn to Sing Better

Would you like to learn to sing better? Short of maybe Barbra Streisand or some other such vocal luminary, who wouldn't?

My singing career is notable for its futility. In seventh grade, three of us were permanently excused from any effort to raise our voices in song. Our teacher labeled us 'hopeless cases' (although one of us later found fame as the subject of an "America's Most Wanted" episode; ironically, he was captured as a result of his natural falsetto voice which was identified by a viewer!).

To continue the ironic theme, I later married a conservatory trained singer and pianist who once traveled with Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. I wanted to be able sing at a tolerable level of skill, and asked her to teach me. After all, she was earning big money teaching other people.

I can't say she didn't try. Still, my singing lessons were a fiasco, and my humiliation and her frustration led to their early demise. We eventually divorced, and I continued to dread birthday parties and avoided karaoke bars like plague.

Then, around Christmas, I was talking with a co-worker who had won a karaoke contest at a local pub. He was going to perform again, and invited me to attend his performance along with the gang from the office who were psyched up to have everybody give it a try. I told him my history and explained that I didn't want to face the needling that was sure to come up when it was my turn to take the mike.

He was understanding and told me that he'd always been able to sing well enough to avoid smirks, but decided to learn to sing better. He has a wife and six kids, and found that the cost of private singing lessons just wasn't in the budget. Then, he decided to check the internet for some kind of on-line singing lessons or learn to sing software.

He told me that he'd been amazed at the resources available to teach yourself how to sing. There were even a number of sites that offered free advice on how to improve your singing voice, and plenty of tips on vocal techniques. He started off with the free offerings and practiced vocal exercises. He learned that a simple change of posture made a significant difference in his singing voice.

He worked with freeware that showed him on his computer screen how far he was off pitch, and did the exercises to train his ear and his head how to hit the right notes. Eventually he invested in learn to sing software and taught himself how to sing at home. He got up the nerve to try karaoke and made tapes of himself to learn to hear how his voice sounded outside of his head.

Well, I took a pass on the karaoke outing, but I did follow up with the learn to sing at home resources I found on the internet. I only practiced when I was home alone, with the doors and windows closed, and have kept it up over several months. I learned singing exercises and singing techniques and applied them.

Then, last week came the acid test. My son had his thirtieth birthday party and invited his singing teacher mother and me to attend. When the time came to sing "Happy Birthday" I had to strain to remember all that I'd learned, and let it out. I saw his mother looking at me as I sang, and she smiled; not smirked, smiled!

Afterwards, she complimented me on my singing, and said she could hardly believe it was me making those sounds. I have no delusions about a singing career, but it sure has made me happy to get this far. My experience has really taught me something. With some simple adjustments, and a little bit of guidance, anyone can learn to sing better! Who knows? Maybe someday I'll make it to one of those karaoke get-togethers.

If you, like me, have struggled with getting your voice to do what you want it to do, you should not just give up and sit silently on the sidelines. Check around for helpful resources like those I mentioned. There really is help available for people who want to Learn to Sing [http://www.startsinging.info]

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Can Anyone Learn To Sing?

There are many myths surrounding the art of singing. Many people believe that only "special" people can sing, that you have to be "born" with the ability or that it is "too late" for them to learn. However, almost all vocal coaches agree that anyone, yes anyone, can learn to sing!

Expensive lessons are not necessarily the best way to learn to sing. Not every singer who becomes famous took expensive singing lessons early on in their careers. Mimicry and self confidence can often help the most.

Don't be intimidated by what you see on pop culture television. Remember that shows such as American Idol are cleverly produced for shock value. Many of the terrible candidates you see trying out are the worst case examples of people who have no control of pitch or volume. They were selected purely for entertainment; most of them could learn to sing properly if they applied themselves and spent some time on vocal training exercises.

To dispel another singing myth, very few people are really "tone-deaf". It's a term often used to identify someone who sings badly off key, off pitch or with too much volume. The reality is less than 2% of the population is tone deaf. People who cannot sing on pitch simply need ear training. This can be done with the help of a qualified vocal coach or by investing in a good quality learn-to-sing program.

Anyone can learn to sing but not every voice is suited for all kinds of music. The human voice is an instrument, much like any other musical instrument and part of studying singing is learning about your unique instrument and what it is ideally suited for.

When you start your singing career you might not have any of your own songs. That's fine but remember,if you do not sing your own material, it is important to choose the right songs for your voice. If you have a gentle voice if would not be wise to sing the hugely powered vocals of a Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston song as you could end up damaging your voice!

Sing within your ability but be passionate about your work. The tone of your voice is much more important than the range. People will love or hate your voice based on its sound character, not how many notes you can hit. Never sacrifice tone for range (stay inside your range). There are instances of professional, commercially successful singers with only a single octave range (Billie Holiday and Johnny Mathis).

The only standard for what makes a professional or commercially-viable singer is the ability to sing in pitch and to be unique. Do not simply copy your favourite singer's voice. It takes a lot more than voice if you are interested in becoming a professional singer. You need to have a unique style about you and your voice is just one extension of that style.

Singing well is a skill, improved upon with proper breathing coordination. It is an extension of speech. To become a "good" singer you must be able to breathe properly, sing with power (resonance) and sing in pitch. To become a "great" singer you'll need to add dynamics and develop a style that's all your own.

Find the joy in singing. There's nothing like watching someone performing in their "element." If you love singing, then it'll show no matter how well you sing. Believe and trust in yourself and don't assume that you know it all. It takes time to develop your sound AND your voice. Sing proudly, no matter what your level of expertise or experience, and remember that learning to sing should be an enjoyable experience. Smile and have fun whenever you sing!

Sophie Curran is a singer and freelance writer. She regularly contributes articles and advice on how to start your singing career, how to promote and record your songs and how to sell your music online. For more tips and a list of recommended resources to boost your singing or song writing career visit Learn To Sing today..

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