To consider singing lessons in my 40s?

I started singing lessons last year at the age of 45 after a lifetime of having a terrible voice and being scared of anyone hearing it. I look forward to my fortnightly lessons so much and I practice every day. Now I can join in at karaoke 😁 🎤 So inspired that I'm now trying to teach myself jazz piano, despite my E in GCSE music 🎵.

Definitely!

I did it. I was waiting for my DD while she did dance lessons on a Saturday morning and noticed the place had an adult singing class at the same time. There were 4-6 of us and we had a lot of fun. It was brilliant for helping with breathing, extending my vocal range, listening techniques to blend with the others and giving me confidence to just get up and do it. People are so quick to tell you your singing is bad, but it very rarely is; it's just your lack of confidence or their insecurity.

I now sing in my local community choir and I'm the one everyone looks to for the top notes! I joined a different choir for a while which had a member who just droned on one note, but she enjoyed it and was fully accepted, so you just need to find your place.

And why not? Singing is good for you. It makes you breathe properly which, let's face it, most of us don't do. Most of the time, we breathe off the top of our lungs but if you're breathing properly, you can actually feel your lower back expand and you get better posture.

To get this started, bend over a chair and breathe deeply. Concentrate on the muscles at the base of your spine and think of them opening and expanding. It might take a bit of work but you start to feel them move. When this happens, you can support your voice more easily and you won't get tired when singing. Eventually, it becomes second nature and breathing properly is very calming.

(It's also good if you have to give presentations or give a speech - or even doing exams!)

You don't need singing lessons per se, just join a local rock or pop choir so that your voice becomes used to singing loudly regularly.

Definitely go for it! Singing is great for body, mind and soul. Will help you with breath control, breathing from the right place to power and control your notes. Helps with pitching, intonation, clarity and pitch. And more besides!

it’s fun!

I am a singing teacher and run a pop choir. Singing is a brilliant activity in so many ways. Lessons will definitely help you to look after your voice properly and expand your capabilities. It’s quite usual to have a small range prior to lessons (probably around the part of your range where you naturally speak) but a good singing teacher will know how to help you hit the high (and low!) notes.
Rock Choir is good but is very expensive. You may well find a more local option that is cheaper and just as good by the way!

Do it. You only get one life.

Im in the rock choir too. Joined as it pushed me out of my comfort zone. One of the best things I've ever done. Great music, instruction on breathing etc. Songs are awesome. This term we start with September by earth wind and fire. Terms resume nationally in a couple of weeks and taster sessions are offered for new people. The rock choir website will have all the info you need and an option to book a taster session. If its not for you definitely get yourself some singing lessons. You're worth it!

So gorgeous to hear about Rock Choir - I'm going to join, wonderfully flexible being able to go to local group or online.... thank you!!!

You don’t need singing lessons to join a choir, but they do help. I’ve always sung but didn’t take lessons till I was in my 50s. It made so much difference. Btw 2 octaves is not a normal range. For most amateurs it will be less. I can now do a bit more (username refers).

Do it, OP! I am an adult having piano lessons because they were barred when I was a child, so why would an adult having singing lessons be any different?

Singing is supposed to be good for your mental health, and in my patch of Wales at least, being in a choir is perfectly normal! One of the choirs even went to sing in Spain quite recently 😀

Do it! I started at 48 and love it. Youll do exercises to strengthen your voice and your breathing will improve too. And it’s fun. X

There's a podcast from self-care club where the hosts join a choir and have a singing lesson. It's a few years old but might be worth a listen. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/choir/id1505703522?i=1000541637616

Learning just a little bit of proper technique will make a huge difference, especially as your voice gets tired easily. Singing uses lots of muscles that need training and strengthening like any other muscles. You use your vocal cords and your diaphragm, and even your lats when you’re belting out high notes! You’ll see a similar difference to if you’re used to splashing up and down a pool waving your limbs everywhere and then you get some proper swimming technique - everything moves in the most efficient way and gives you more power whilst using less energy.

It’s also proven to be good for your mental health. Lots of relaxation exercises involve breathing in quickly and out slowly and this is what you do in singing (and also smoking…obvs less healthy but it’s partly why people find it relaxing!)

You don’t necessarily need private lessons as a decent choir will help you with some vocal warm ups and breathing technique, as well as giving social benefits and being super fun.

I’m not a particularly talented singer myself but I’m so much better when I train properly and use proper technique.

There’s no no age limit to ambition or passions. Most voices can be trained and 121 is the least scary way to do it. Go for it

@Needacupofteaandcrackers This was me!!! and I learnt to sing in tune with confidence - not all the time, but with songs I've practised. And I confidently sang a solo in front of a couple of hundred people!! And when singing Happy Birthday at a friend's 50th, which is one I'd practised, the opera singer next to me said I had a lovely voice!! And I was told age 11 to just mouth the words as I was putting the rest of my class off!!!

@QueenOfToast thank you for the link, going to look into it! This has been a great thread to accidentally stumble upon today as it is something I have always wanted to do.

Going to look into this. Love the sound of this!!

Absolutely go for it. No question at all!

I have seen choirs called something like,," can't sing" choirs. No one should be denied or denying themselves the pleasure of singing.

For @HelpMeGetThrough and anyone else interested in Rock Choir … https://rockchoir.com/
The new term starts soon and you can sign up for a free taster session.

Go for it! I started singing lessons in my early forties - and went up to Grade 6 ABRSM exams - sadly my singing teacher stopped when she had a baby, and I didn’t try and find a new teacher.
I now sing in a ladies choir - it’s great fun