So embarrassed about not singing in tune. Has anyone taken singing lessons as an adult?

[SSSandy]

How did it go? I know I should probably just try it but I feel a bit of a fool TBH doing it.

Ssandy, I was out off singing by criticism too () silly in retrospect as I was chosen for the choir and solo pieces at school but my sisters wouldn't lay off.... now I can sing well at home and with my family, but my nerve goes anywhere else. DS1 has a beautiful singing voice though (noted as 'perfect' in his report) and I work hard to make sure he enjoys his voice. Typically, he ahtes singing but ds2 showing signs of talent now...

Singing is about having fun. You don't need to be able to do it in public, just with those who love you and whom you trust. Then you can relax and you'll be at your best anyway

Hub, do you work full time? Is there any chance of you taking dd to a music group, or does your dw already do that?

We have a dad who sometimes comes and it's lovely to have a lower voice singing along. My dd has always loved sitting with her head on my dh's chest when he sings to her. The vibrations must feel nice.

There are choirs of all sorts. Some meet in each other's houses and never do concerts! Some meet in pubs and sing drunken songs!!!!

However, it sounds like you would enjoy some individual singing lessons, to help build your confidence and help you begin to sing in tune. (I'm sure you're not really as bad as you're making out!) Some songs are harder to sing in tune than others. "Happy Birthday" is really hard because there are lots of "leaps" ie. the notes are not next door to each other. Row, Row, Row your boat can also be hard because of the "Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily" bit which jumps down in intervals.

I'm now wracking my brains to think of songs which are easier to sing in tune. I'll have a think and come back later.

SFPC - you're so right. It's absolutely about having fun. I feel so sad that so many people have been put off singing by being criticised.

There is a song we use for teaching children based on a 5 note scale called have you ever had a penguin home to tea (lots of fun actions too)

What are the words Julienetmum? I'm not sure if I know it, but I'd like to!!!

I definitely am as bad as hub is making out he is. In fact, probably worse. No one would have the smallest chance of recognising any tune that I was trying to sing by listening to my rendition of it. Are there specialist teachers for the really terrible who would like to be able to carry a tune? Or do you use the same teachers as people who can sing already?

pmsl @ who sings worse.

Thanks for the suggestions littlefishyone.

I will cogitate on them.

Seems Adult Education Centres offer singing lessons for adults. Keep coming across their websites.

Ages ago I found a website for an adult singing course. They taught adults who basically had never learnt to sing properly or to read music. They were in small groups and met for I think 2-3 months. All the participants in one of the courses had written about the experience and it was exactly the kind of thing I would like to do. I remember thinking, I wish there was something like that on offer where I live. It was definitely available in London, I know, other cities too but I can't for the life of me remember what the scheme was called. It was affordable too.

I think it's called Elementary Shower Singing Part I.

They finished with something from carmina burana, so must have been challenging but sounded like fun. Mind you showering in a group could be interesting too, with or without the singing!

(LF - Yes, we've enrolled in a music exploration course from September and I think I'll be the one taking dd, but it depends on which day. One of our favourite activities (LOL - our only activity really) has been 'Rhyme Time' where a facilitator sings songs with actions and the parents / kids follow. Great fun and ours was free.)

Oooh... mixed showering. The mind boggles.

Lemonaid - If only you could attach a sound link to a message with you singing a song, we could all tell you that you're really not as bad as you think you are.

Repeat after me:

I am not as bad as I think I am.
I'm not even as bad as Hub.

Singing teachers teach all ages and abilities. You really, really can sing - it's just about controlling your breathing, listening and having fun.

If I could attach a sound link to a message with me singing a song I would have discovered a new, cheap and deadly form of WMD and would probably find myself invaded before I'd finished hitting "Post".

Actually it's quite tempting to work out how to make and upload a sound clip of me singing just so that I could see the post from you reading "Lemonaid, I take it back -- you really are as bad as you think you are". I think I have a microphone somewhere...

Have you ever had a penguin home for tea
Take a look at me a penguin you will see

Penguin attention
Penguin begin
(1st time) Right arm (pause for 2 beats)
(2nd time) Right arm,(pause) left arm
3rd time right arm etc right leg
4th time right arm etc left leg

5th time right arm etc penguins salute!

Tune

CDEFG A GFEDC

The penguins attention bit is spoken.

Oh yes, it's just come flooding back. I learnt it as a warm up song at a singers' conference a few years ago. It's a great one, but we added another couple of verses, which had the penguins nodding their heads and and sticking tongues out as well. Most amusing after a few pints!

Littlefish, talking of warm ups have you heard of the chiken tikka collection. A book of fun warm ups for young children like

Chicken tikka chiken tikka chicken tikka starter
(repeat twice)
and a portion of pilau rice

We got the book from a company called dotdismus.com

Sounds great Julienetmum - I'll look out for it.

Where do you teach?

I help out at dh's Stagecoach school in the 4-6 year old class. I'm not the proper teacher as I arn't confident enough yet at the drama but I go in and assist.