Can anyone do it ?!?

[PCH]

Hi all,

this question is totally nothing to do with astronomy, but is absolutely harmless and completely uncontroversial in any way.

I'd love to be able to sing well and in tune.

So this is my question .....

.... can anyone learn, or be taught, how to sing well and in tune, even if the voice isn't all that good to start with (bit of an understatement there, to be honest :P) Or do you basically have to have a pretty good voice to start with, before singing lessons sort of fine tune it.

Any thoughts from members who sing at any level would be much appreciated :thumbsup:

[Octane]

Paul,

I'm afraid I can't answer your question, but, here's some inspiration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1QO1daK688

H

[Nortilus]

I honestly think everyone can sing...just been able to hear yourself to keep in tune...if that makes sense...
and knowing what in tune sounds like...how to know you are hitting the right note...

[Nortilus]

and may i ask why you would like to sing?

[koputai]

There are a lot of people out there making money as singers even though they can't actually sing.

You just have to watch any music show, or 'Glee' for example. People sit at home at gasp at how
wonderfully these actors can sing. It's faked, just like 50% (my estimate, picked from where the
sun don't shine) of 'commercial' music.

Google 'Autotune'.

Cheers,
Jason.

[PCH]

Hi H,

thanks for that. I have that, through your posts, I understand a little of your musical tastes. And I'd have to say that we are worlds apart musicall, so I'm not sure whether you think your guy on the you tube sounds great, or erm ... not so great. But either way, he has a voice like an angel compared to mine ;) Cheers for the reply H :thumbsup:

[PCH]

Hi Josh,

thaniks for the replies. My reason is very simple. I've been playing guitar and piano for some time now, and especially for guitar, I just thought it might be nice to be able to sing along without frightening off all the cats and dogs for miles around :lol:

[mangrovedutch]

G'day Paul, Sing like noone is listening. If it brings you joy - even better.

Regards, Dutch

[ballaratdragons]

In a simple word, Paul: Yes.

According to all the singers and singing teachers we get in at work (Guitar Shop) they all say yes, anyone can sing with a bit of help.
And they say the trick is in the breathing, not so much finding the note.

Go for it. I did (after I gave up smoking).

[PCH]

Hey Dutch,

that sounds like a winning idea - thanks :thumbsup:

Hi Ken,

that's a very interesting reply, from someone who's done it. I knew this sort of experience would be out there - all I had to do was ask. I gave up smoking yonks ago, so that's no problem. So what was your first step Ken? Did you get professional lesson or what? If you want to pm rather than divulge your innermost secrets to all, thast would be fine :lol:

Thanks

[PCH]

Hi Jason,

thanks for that. I saw ther autotune stuff. Very impressive though not my cup of tea. I don't want to sing to make money though - I'm a bit past that - although you never know whats round the corner hey !?

But for the moment, I just want to sound ok to myself and family :D

[ballaratdragons]

No need for privacy. :lol:

Astro Camp attendees heard me howl out a terrible tune when I sang (Crowded House's 'Better be Home Soon') with my sons and I playing guitar. :lol:

No lessons, just lots and lots of singing at home with my boys.
We play guitar and sing a lot, so gradually I might get better.

I was quoting what singing teachers have told me, that "anyone can sing" :thumbsup:

[AdrianF]

Jimmy Barnes for 1

Adrian

[mswhin63]

I have been taught to sing based on my Guitar teachers request. I have long since stopped but there is a big benefit to taking lessons even if they feel a bit embarrassing to do the scales. :ashamed:

Just did a check and my teacher is still around.

[PCH]

Lol:lol: If howling is where it's at Ken, then there may be hope for me !

Adrian - "Jimmy Barnes for 1" My thoughts entirely - good point :thumbsup:

Malcolm, thanks for the thoughts there. I do think lessons just could be a help where I'm concerned ;)

Cheers

[Nortilus]

It also depends what kind of music you would like to sing...I was in a heavy metal cover band as a singer for a few years and I can tell you now that been able to sing clean vocals after singing "death metal growls" is quiet a challenge and that only practice will help strengthen your vocal chords. I have had quite a few "blow outs" as they're called from pushing my voice but found that after time it was easier to sing for longer and stay in key because of practice...
Dont be ashamed to sit in your room with the stereo blaring, singing along to your favorite songs...practice makes perfect.

[PCH]

Josh,

thanks for that advice. I guess that probably like most people, I'm thinking I'll sound pretty crappy. It will be quite a feat rising above the inital embarrassment factor when you first start hey ?! :P

[Nortilus]

Certainly is. First time I sang in public was at a pub doing an acoustic set with 2 of my friends on guitar and me singing...was about 50 people in the place and I was so nervous. Did the set and I can tell you when people are clapping you get this rush and it is the best feeling, and you get over your fear of performing pretty quick...

[PCH]

Heehee .. i'm guessing you must have had a decent voice even then, despite your own reservations and nervousness :lol: Certainly if I went and did that, they all be shouting "get off - go on - bugger off boo hiss etc!" :lol:

[Nortilus]

I've had no formal training or anything...just gave it a go...work out what you can sing and your vocal range and stick to that...

[ballaratdragons]

So what!
If you don't start you'll never get anywhere. Who cares if you hit the wrong note.



Embarrasing? Start at home, singing around the house to music. It will strengthen your vocal muscles.
When you eventually sing (or play) in public it is ALWAYS a nervous time. Even after years!
It's what keeps you going.

And yep, as Josh says, the clapping makes it all worthwhile.

Or even if it's only one of your sons saying "hey, that sounded good Dad" :ashamed:
It's a buzz :)

[PCH]

Thanks for the encouragement guys, - it's very kind and much appreciated. I'll give it a go and see how it travels. I do sort of sing around the house anyway, - that's how I know I'm not much good at it ;):)

But with a more sustained effort, lets see where it leads. Who knows what's around the corner hey ?

Thanks y'all :thumbsup:

[Suzy]

Hi Paul, "SingStar" is fantastic in helping to sing in tune, and lots of fun too. But most of all, for your own self, whether your good or not, there is a joy of singing - it brings happiness, makes us feel good, and puts a great big smile on our faces when we sing.:D
Music indeed feeds the soul. So keep at it, whether your good or not. I'm not good - but I don't care whose ear drums I break, as I'm enjoying myself so much. :nerd: Aye, pity the neighbours when I play singstar with my daughter, but... :rolleyes: :lol:

All the best with your singing, ;)
Suzy.

[blink138]

i know how you feel paul i have been practicing our new torres songs all morning and i can tell you i can belt them out now!
pat

[PCH]

Hi Pat and Suzy

thanks for the encouragement folks. Hey Suzy, the Singstar product could be a goer. Elton John here we come :thumbsup:

[AstralTraveller]

My wife starts a WEA course on singing tonight. It's the second time she has done the course but she gets a lot of 1 on 1 tuition and she reckons she still has a lot to learn (she's not wrong). The teacher reckons anyone can sing with training and practise. I think that's right but of course some people just learn to sing while others become good (or great) singers.

They spend a lot of time on fundamentals like breathing. That is certainly my weak point - I always run out of breath by the third line of a song. [I remember Pavarotti saying he learnt a lot about breathing from Joan Sutherland.] It also helps if you can 'hear' music well. My wife struggles with that - things like whether the next note is above or below the last one - but if you have played music you are likely to find that easier. I also remember someone commenting that John Belushi (aka Jake Blues) perhaps didn't have the greatest voice but he had great timing and for that reason was a great performer.

So give it a go, no matter what you'll feel better for trying. :thumbsup: