Has anyone taken singing lessons?

KittyVonCatsworth · 2022-01-22T18:02:53+00:00

I don't think I can sing but I also don't think I'm totally beyond teaching. I want to do some things that push me outside of my comfort zone so I signed up to singing lessons. Has anyone done this? What can I expect and did you go to an OK singer to average / good?

LadyCathdeBourgh · 22/01/2022 18:08

Watching as I'm interested to know!

KaptainKaveman · 22/01/2022 18:12

Yes. A good teacher will show you how to use your stomach and lungs, head voice and chest voice etc. Singing lessons totally changed my voice! My dd has them at school with a lovely teacher.

HandforthParishCouncilClerk · 22/01/2022 18:13

I have had a lot of singing lessons in the past, but I have always been able to sing, so it might be a bit different.

What I would say is that the voice is a muscle, and singing lessons are like any other sport or hobby - almost everyone can get to a decent level with enough practice but most won’t be an Olympian or professional.

If you’re going into it for a challenge and to learn something new, what do you have to lose?

KaptainKaveman · 22/01/2022 18:13

Go for it OP!

Marzipano · 22/01/2022 18:15

I took some rock/pop singing lessons having never really sung before. I loved it!

It was 1:1 in a recording studio, although no recordings were made thankfully. I went from being incapable of singing along to the radio to being reasonably confident at karaoke, which was far more than I expected.

asnippersdream · 22/01/2022 18:16

Oh I'm following as I'd love to have singing lessons. But scared though as I only sing in my car.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 22/01/2022 18:33

Yes, I've been having lessons for years now. And singing in choirs. You'll be surprised how much your voice will improve. Enjoy!

Original poster

KittyVonCatsworth · 22/01/2022 20:27

Oooo, thank you all! I'm quite excited now instead of nervous!

OP posts:

WildRosie · 22/01/2022 20:41

My piano teacher also does voice tuition. I've heard one or two of her pupils when I've been waiting outside the door for my lesson. I wasn't exactly blown away but that was some weeks ago so I hope they've improved. She will have no doubt helped them in the right direction. I would do likewise but I'm a coward. Don't you be a coward too. Go for it!

DrSbaitso · 22/01/2022 20:44

Yes. I've always been a decent singer naturally (in tune, pleasant tone, have been asked to sing for various things) but lessons definitely showed me how to use my body and voice better, increased my range and my power and made it clear how very physical this is.

Copasetic · 22/01/2022 20:45

My 19 year old has had singing lessons since she was 11. At that point she quite a sweet little voice (nothing special) but was very shy. She now has a really nice voice and really quite a strong soprano voice. Without the lessons I really don't think her voice would have been a fraction of what it is now. I'd say definitely go for it!

FortySeven · 22/01/2022 21:03

Ooh, go for it OP, 100%. It's always been a dream of mine to have singing lessons... can't afford them atm but I hope to in future. I'm trying to persuade my DD (anxious, SEN) to have them as singing is meant to be so good for confidence/mood.

Dustyblue · 23/01/2022 02:43

I had lessons for years, even did minor chorus work with Australian Opera in my younger days.

You'll learn lots about how to project your voice, even now in a speaking voice I can make myself heard above a din!

Do you know if you're a soprano or alto? If not that's the first thing you'll find out. It's great fun, I hope you enjoy it!

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 23/01/2022 02:47

Singing is like being an artist it's a gift. I don't think it's something you can be taught. If you're tone deaf you're never going to have a voice like Vera Lynn no matter how much money you spend on lessons.

DrSbaitso · 23/01/2022 04:04

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

Singing is like being an artist it's a gift. I don't think it's something you can be taught. If you're tone deaf you're never going to have a voice like Vera Lynn no matter how much money you spend on lessons.

But anyone can learn to sing in tune and to improve their technique.

Dustyblue · 23/01/2022 04:55

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

Singing is like being an artist it's a gift. I don't think it's something you can be taught. If you're tone deaf you're never going to have a voice like Vera Lynn no matter how much money you spend on lessons.

Wow, way to dampen the OP's enthusiasm. Are you always this optimistic and encouraging?

I doubt she's hoping to be the next Adele. Just learning a new skill she's interested in.

RedMozzieYellowMozzie · 23/01/2022 05:24

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

Singing is like being an artist it's a gift. I don't think it's something you can be taught. If you're tone deaf you're never going to have a voice like Vera Lynn no matter how much money you spend on lessons.

OP can aim higher than Vera Lynn surely. Not a shining example of an outstanding singer.

Nice of you to piss on the Ops chips though.

Flatandhappy · 23/01/2022 05:41

DD has and the difference after a year was amazing. She always had what I would call "a nice voice" but her range increased massively, she learned how to breathe properly and I was quite blown away when I heard her sing. Enjoy yourself.

HandforthParishCouncilClerk · 23/01/2022 08:59

@Awwlookatmybabyspider that’s simply not true - the vast majority of people can learn to sing. No, they won’t be recording artists, but they can learn to have a pleasant sound and to take joy from music.

Sunnysidegold · 23/01/2022 09:12

Go for it op! I really wish I could have lessons just to make it passable when I have to sing in class (primary teacher).

I think I don't sound awful but it would be nice to learn a bit more about it. Interesting to hear how lessons have really helped - I always thought you had to have a really brilliant natural voice or something.

KaptainKaveman · 23/01/2022 09:17

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

Singing is like being an artist it's a gift. I don't think it's something you can be taught. If you're tone deaf you're never going to have a voice like Vera Lynn no matter how much money you spend on lessons.

Vera Lynne? that's your benchmark?

Ignore this comment OP.

Eleganz · 23/01/2022 09:21

What type of singing do you want to do OP?

I'm a classically trained singer who has had a lot of singing lessons in the past.

It is important to find a teacher that is aligned to what you want to achieve. Little point in going to an classical/opera specialist if you just want to learn to croon a bit better on the karaoke.

However, regardless of style the basics are the same, focus on posture, breathing, sound production (use of your diaphragm, vocal chords, mouth and tongue to change the sounds you make) and using your ear (tuning and intonation).

Eleganz · 23/01/2022 09:23

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

Singing is like being an artist it's a gift. I don't think it's something you can be taught. If you're tone deaf you're never going to have a voice like Vera Lynn no matter how much money you spend on lessons.

Very untrue.

Yes you might not ever be a professional, but you can learn and get a lot better. I've know plenty of people who've started singing as adults with no prior experience who have become competent singers in the choirs I am in and direct.

horseymum · 23/01/2022 09:28

Anyone can get better. Not everyone will be amazing but there is such pleasure in singing. My Ds couldn't sing back a note his piano teacher played on the piano he was so bad at pitching but with practice he got better and now's sings really nicely.
Very few people are tone deaf, that's a myth told to put people off.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 23/01/2022 09:33

I've had singing lessons for 2 years now and it's the best thing I've ever done. It's a real confidence boost to be able to sing.

It's like learning any other musical instrument - it takes time and practice, scales and exercises. You can absolutely learn to play your voice as an instrument and be good at it too.