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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

If you can't sing, you aren't musical?

19 replies

Twix42 · 27/10/2022 18:12

DC (9) has been picked to play an instrument (they had a music test at school). I aways thought DC wasn't particularly musical as their singing voice isn't amazing, so I'm a bit shocked they did well in the school instrument test really, as only the high performers on the test get picked to learn the instrument..

Aibu to think attempting an instrument might be a waste of time?

OP posts:

Ponoka7 · 27/10/2022 18:14

Why would you connect the two? They are different skills, using different parts of the body.

TimeForTeaAndG · 27/10/2022 18:15

Singing isn't a necessity to be good at an instrument. I wasn't great at singing but I could play flute and violin to high standards in high school.

Let him learn, music is so good for brain development, maths, motor skills....

StillWeRise · 27/10/2022 18:16

well if they did well at the test then presumably they have some ability- do they want to play the instrument? will you have to pay for it? as long as its not the violin, I'd say go for it
however, I am slightly surprised - the worst singer I know (really really bad) is also very unmusical

TimeForTeaAndG · 27/10/2022 18:16

Sorry, I misread DC as DS

Iwritethissittinginthekitchensink · 27/10/2022 18:17

What do you mean by their singing voice isn’t amazing? Because it helps to be able to hold a tune and rhythm and recognise a pitch, but not having a good tone/quality of singing voice has nothing to do with ability to play an instrument.

Sight singing is a part of instrument exams, but you don’t need to have an amazing voice to do that - just need to be able to sing the right pitch/rhythm really.

Ilovewheelychairs · 27/10/2022 18:19

As an instrument teacher, singing isn't a great indicator of talent for another instrument. Often 'bad' singing is due to a lack of ability to control their voice rather than lack of musical talent, and voices mature much later on anyway (music college vocal applicants have historically been told to take a year or two out before applying for this reason). A good sense of rhythm, pulse and identification of pitch aurally is a much better indicator.

Although I subscribe to the mentality that the only requirement for my students to learn with me is the desire to learn my instrument. I will never turn them away if they want to learn, regardless of their ability.

ancientgran · 27/10/2022 18:19

I don't think there is a rule. Your DC obviously did well in the test, me on the other hand can't sing and I think I'd be called tone deaf, I don't understand people enjoying listening to music, it is noise to me. Be glad DC isn't like me, I feel like I have missed something in life.

Noidlet · 27/10/2022 18:21

I am absolutely tone deaf and cannot hold a tune when it comes to singing.

Got a grade 5 in Clarinet through school music lessons. Started age 10, continued to age 16.

There are some aspects of the exams that require you to vocalise (or at least they used to between 1999 and 2005) but never affected my results.

Reading music, understanding music and learning to play an instrument well is not connected in any way to raw singing ability.

See also: my mother, part of youth orchestras, proficient in multiple instruments. Can't sing for toffee 😂

littlepeas · 27/10/2022 18:22

Learning to play an instrument is never a waste of time. It will no doubt improve his singing.

syntoandtoast · 27/10/2022 18:23

I'm not a great singer though I can hold basic tunes. Got grade 8 on 2 instruments and a performance diploma from the royal schools in another. Not necessarily a prerequisite for musicality though I agree it does usually help

littlepeas · 27/10/2022 18:23

TimeForTeaAndG · 27/10/2022 18:16

Sorry, I misread DC as DS

I did too!

CrossStichQueen · 27/10/2022 18:26

I cannot sing for toffee but I can play the recorder, clarinet, piano/keyboard, glockenspiel, drums and a little guitar as it's a new hobby. I dont mean just play 1 tune, for all but guitar I have completed assessments by the musical bodies associated with each instrument.
YABU

SusanPerbCallMeSue · 27/10/2022 18:28

Why would it be a waste of time? If they want to do it then it won't be. They may not be the best ever, but if they like it that's what matters, surely?

ThrowawayBerna · 27/10/2022 18:29

Think about how characterful, but not perfect, Burt Bacharach and Leonard Cohen are in performing their acknowledgedly brilliant music. There is no automaic link between ability to sing an ability to play...or, shock...compose. Singers who play are doubly blessed. Enjoy!

Burgoo · 27/10/2022 18:29

Singing and music aren't the same you know?

Notimeforaname · 27/10/2022 18:32

I dont know how youve come up with this.

I haven't got a note in my head but am a dancer.

My friend cant move her feet to a beat even if you paid her, she has the most amazing singing voice.

I know people who play instruments exceptionally well. They cannot dance or sing.

Original poster

Twix42 · 27/10/2022 18:44

I think it's just what I've always thought... Singing = Musical.... Very Happy to be proven wrong though!!

I have other kids who make a nice sound when they sing, but were not interested in instruments at all.....
DC just isn't a natural singer....
There's hope!!

OP posts:

ReneBumsWombats · 27/10/2022 18:52

Most singers can't read music. Plenty of musicians can't sing or aren't very good at it. Someone who sings and doesn't play an instrument probably doesn't know much about the technical side of music.

ElizabethBest · 27/10/2022 19:05

My ex’s brother plays piano, guitar, drums, clarinet, flute, cello all perfectly and works as a professional music producer. His singing voice would make your ears bleed! I’m a pretty good singer. I have my grade 8 etc. Can’t play any instruments to save my life as I have zero coordination. The two have nothing in common.

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