Singing for 13 year old

[rogueelement]

My DD is keen to learn to sing - her school doesn't have a choir so I am not sure where to look for opportunities. She doesn't play an instrument or read music. I've thought of Stagecoach-style Saturday lessons but DD is not at all keen on musical theatre or drama. Basically very keen on girly pop singing (Ella Henderson etc). Does anyone have any ideas on what might work?

have you contacted your local county music service? Most towns have a choral society if your county has no teenage choir. I realise that a choral society will hardly be pop music but at least it would teach your daughter the basics of singing.

I am shocked at a secondary school having no choir.

Just an idea, but why don't you buy/borrow a cheap guitar and encourage her to learn a few songs at home? The guitar is a great instrument for teens who enjoy singing. Easy arrangements of pop songs are very easy to find online, there is no need to be able to read music as it's all chords and "tab" (a simplified musical notation that can be read by a complete beginner). There are also good "teach yourself" resources online.

My daughter started singing when she took up guitar. I have some videos of her early efforts and she wasn't very good, but with the help of google and lots and lots of practice she has matured into a very accomplished singer who performs regularly. She's never had lessons although she had some advice over the summer from a local teacher with an opera background who now teaches gospel/ jazz - she won't take under 15s though.

PS If this interests your daughter, let me know and I can point you at some good resources.

Ooh thank you mistigri, that's an interesting idea.

She goes to a small special school so there are limited activities available.

Would be grateful for some guitar resources if you can point them out.

Justinguitar.com has the best beginner guitarist's course on the internet, most of which is free (in fact there is no need to buy any of the materials - his songbooks cater more for the adult male beginner - but if your DD enjoys it then do make a donation to the site as it would be sad to see this fantastic resource disappear). The beginner's course covers how to hold the guitar, basic chords, picking, strumming patterns, how to read "tab" etc and provides everything a beginner needs to get going, although if your daughter enjoys it you should also consider a class (group classes are cheap, and more appropriate for guitar than other instruments; it's a social instrument).

Once your DD can play a few easy open chords - A, Am, E, Em, D, C and G - then she can tackle simple arrangements of a huge number of songs.

Ultimate-guitar.com is the place to go for tabs and lyrics (there are also other dedicated lyric sites but the ultimate-guitar tabs will show her how the lyrics and chords fit together).

If she is petite then be careful if you buy or borrow a guitar to get an instrument that suits her size/ hands - a full-size "dreadnought" steel stringed guitar is not a good choice for a small beginner. My daughter (5'2" with small hands) started on an old 3/4 sized classical guitar and then I bought her a small-bodied steel-stringed acoustic which she still plays. Steel stringed guitars are better for pop/rock as they are much easier to play chords on (especially barre chords) and you can use a pick or fingers depending on style.

My DD started playing and singing just over 18 months ago - she wasn't a very good singer at all - with practice though she's developed a nice voice (hope it is ok to post this!):

Awesome, thank you so much.

Also, what a sweetie!

If you contact your local music service they will have teachers who will be able to help.
The lessons aren't always too expensive when you consider how important it is to look after the voice.
A specialist teacher will teach correct methods so she won't harm her voice and still be able to sing as an 18 year old.
Ask if there is a county youth choir to. We don't have school choirs or orchestras here, but the county have some of the best ensembles in the country.
Personally, I wouldn't go down the youtube route for any tuition as it is important to gain good habits from the start, this can save you lots of cash from having to be remedied.