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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask whether you can sing?

204 replies

Apoiads · 12/04/2019 01:30

I can sing, but I don't, because I'm shy.
I sang once in public in a pub and apparently everyone was talking about me the next day (I was really proud to hear that). That gives me every sort of stage fright and fear of performance failure that you might imagine, so I haven't sung since.
I sound a bit like this woman when I sing...

So I can 'carry a tune' but I'm never going to set the world on fire!

My dd can sing, but not x-factor level, she's just good at carrying a tune 'I can get by' as she says herself.

Less about me.

I'd love to hear from any singers - I think it's a beautiful talent that you either have or haven't. Anyone who's a shower singer care to share?

OP posts:
billybagpuss · 12/04/2019 07:44

@wineandroses is correct. Tone deaf is very rare I’ve only ever met one kid who I really don’t think I could have helped (piano teacher but occasionally teach singing) it only takes a little training to listen to the pitching and in some cases to understand that the voice can actually change pitch.

But the most important advice ’if you can’t sing well, sing enthusiastically and release all those happy endorphins’

ginnybag · 12/04/2019 07:45

I can sing, and I agree that everyone can sing, too.

Not everyone is going to be able to front a musical in the West End or win a grammy, but if you can talk on more than one note, you can sing.

It is about listening, as a pp said, and so much about singing the right things in the right range for your voice without trying to copy the tricks and idiosyncrasies of individual performers.

Weirdly, hymns and Christmas carols are ace for giving it a bash. Pick one you know, start where feels right and crack on. The more you do, the better you'll get.

Damntheman · 12/04/2019 07:45

I have an alright voice and perfect pitch so I can carry a tune but I do not consider myself anything special :) But then, I went to music conservatoire for education and lived with actual singers (opera and musical theatre) so my bar may be a little high.

NeverSayFreelance · 12/04/2019 07:50

"But there's no future in the past when you're 15 years..."

I love that song! Known it for years. Always makes me cry too. Celtic Woman have a version and every time I've seen them perform it live I end up a big pool of sobs.

But yes, I can sing! Don't do it publicly - but I do have a voice. I like musical theatre songs though - that's what my voice is suited for. I'm no pop star Grin

IJustLostTheGame · 12/04/2019 07:56

I can sing.
Well I think I can after a few glasses of wine.
That counts

CeeCeeEnnEss · 12/04/2019 08:02

I can. Soprano 1, in a choir. It makes me happy.

FenellaMaxwell · 12/04/2019 08:08

I can - I’m a decent mezzo, and my belt’s not bad, but I’m very rusty and I get terrible stage fright so I don’t sing for anyone but the dog and my toddler nowadays!

Damntheman · 12/04/2019 08:08

Singing in a choir is very good for you. Not only for your vocal development, but also socially and emotionally. There are a ton of benefits! I don't do it because I can't cope with that level of time commitment, but it's definitely a worthwhile thing to look into!

ItsAllGone19 · 12/04/2019 08:09

I can sing in tune...I wouldn't have reached grade 8 in my instrument if I was tone deaf.

However I definitely have more of a choir/chorus/ensemble voice.

gggrrrargh · 12/04/2019 08:13

I can sing very well which is a nice talent to have. Like a previous poster I don’t have enough confidence to try anything major with it. I sing with a charity band sometimes which is nice.

The talent I am envious of is people who play guitar I am still trying to play about 20 years later!

LittleCandle · 12/04/2019 08:15

I can sing. I was very good, but unfortunately, the effects of having 2 operations on my thyroid have finally caught up with my voice and my top notes are a lot more of a strain than they were. I also am no longer singing as much as I was, as I couldn't commit to rehearsals with a choir in previous jobs.

I did my first solo at 4 and if someone says sing, I am up there. There is no high like applause!

haverhill · 12/04/2019 08:17

I can hold a tune well and have a pleasant voice which has received compliments. I ain’t no Adele though!

UnaOfStormhold · 12/04/2019 08:25

You might enjoy Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys - a very entertaining book which has a theme about finding the confidence to sing your song. It starts, "In the beginning were the words, and they came with a tune..."

LimaLemur · 12/04/2019 08:32

I was always so embarrassed about my singing voice and was so scared about singing in public, but I was also really curious about singing and how I could get over my fear.

I’m still very, very shy about the idea of singing in front of people, but I’ve recently started singing lessons with a colleague who’s a trained opera singer, and I love every minute of the lessons. It’s very early days so we’re still focussing just on breathing exercises and voice exercises, but the feeling from doing the voice exercises and seeing what my voice can do is the best feeling in the world. I look forward to every lesson and really love it.

I would absolutely recommend to everyone to have a go at either starting singing lessons or joining a choir if you feel like it - it’s an amazing feeling.

donquixotedelamancha · 12/04/2019 08:47

I can sing, but am not permitted to. 29 years ago a full session of the UN defined my singing as a crime against humanity.

The are rumours that Bashar Al Assad has used recordings of my early renditions against civilian targets but, other than that, the world we never have the pleasure again.

RestingBitchFaced · 12/04/2019 08:51

No I can't sing, I really wish I could though. Make the most of your talent OP

FudgeBrownie2019 · 12/04/2019 08:56

I can sing in an Elvis-on-the-karaoke kind of way where I'm two tequila's in and the world's a beautiful place. Neil Diamond is where I really shine, though. I sing with the DC before bed each night (never the 13 year old now because frankly 13 years of my noise has ruined his life enough) but DS8 loves a bedtime singsong.

DH was good enough as a teen to release an album, something MIL never lets me forget (as if I could; he's always singing weird harmonies to Absolute Radio) and is an incredible singer. He's shy unless he's 57 pints in, though, so I'm the performer out of the two of us.

NoCanoe · 12/04/2019 09:23

We used to start every morning at school with a hymn after prayers.
I ended up being told to mime!!

I never recovered from that sheer awful embarrassment. I was 8. No one has heard me sing since.

OliveTree3 · 12/04/2019 09:30

This is weird because although I always loved singing, and sung a lot in private, I was passable but not good and definitely not great. So I never sang in front of anyone else. The I started going out with a musician and got the courage to sing with him and suddenly I became really good, as in good enough to perform (not that I have, I’m not that brave yet but I think I will be in time) I don’t know why my ability increased so much, it wasn’t like he instructed me or I took lessons or sang more frequently but could it be possible that it was a psychological block before? I’m so delighted because I always wanted to be good and now suddenly I am, it’s crazy!

Imfinehowareyou · 12/04/2019 11:13

@LimaLemur do you think you need a singing teacher who specialises in non singers or would any singing teacher work? I would love to have lessons but am so embarrassed by my voice (wasnt allowed in infant or junior school choirs - that rejection really stayed with me). I don't actually think I'm that bad. Just have no technique.

Adversecamber22 · 12/04/2019 11:24

I have sung in various choirs over the years. I joined a church choir as a child and am proud I have a Royal school of church music medal. I was a soprano but am out practice. The last choir I was in was a sort of classical ladies choir that was quite formal but that was a decade ago. I sing at home when doing housework, I sing in Latin when I’m feeling down. DH and I if reminded of a song or band will burst out a line or two in unison, DS laughs and looks bemused.

Marchinupandownagain · 12/04/2019 11:34

DH says everyone can sing

Clearly never heard my DH (or any of his family, eek - they all sing/sang REALLY badly in different ways)...
A choir director once said something like that, took DH on for singing lessons and afterwards amended it to "well, nearly everyone, there are always exceptions"

kittensarecute · 12/04/2019 11:39

Yes i can sing. I'm not pro or anything but i sing lots and love it.

VickyEadie · 12/04/2019 11:39

When I was at primary school my class teacher told I couldn't sing. I was the only girl in my class not in the choir and had to stand on my own in assembly until the teacher I'd had in the previous year got me to stand with her class. I was 9. I never ever sang in front of anyone until I was 41 and my current partner - who is a musician - overheard me singing to myself. She told me I can sing and persuaded me to record myself and listen to it. I fucking CAN sing. The bastard humiliated me 52 years ago and he was talking bollocks.

thecatneuterer · 12/04/2019 11:44

I really can't sing at all. It's not that I'm tone deaf - I know where the notes should be and I know I'm not singing them - I just have no idea how to make the right notes. I don't care though - I have a talent for dancing - other people can sing - other people can imitate accents - whatever. Everyone has different abilities.

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