# Is it possible to learn to sing? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574 "2003-05-26T14:22:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/1 "2003-05-26T14:22:01Z")
One of my biggest annoyances in life is my complete inability to sing. If I could sing, even a little, this (lack of) skill would probably not bother me anywhere near as much as it does. But the grass truly is always greener and all that. I am seriously considering going to professional lessons to see if I can actually learn to sing in any key. I’m not (I think)actually tone deaf (I can play and tune my guitar OK) but seem to have a complete inability to hit any notes. Well, at least I know how poor I am and desist in singing in public places. Now, don’t get me wrong: I don’t want to be Pavarotti or Sinatra or whatever, I’d just like to be able to join in at “Happy Birthday” without sounding like a croaky twat. It’s not too much to ask, is it? But, anyhow: the question is, can I be taught to sing quite easily, or is there some people just fundamentally incapable of producing an attractive garble from their throats? If I can be taught, what sort of person would be the best to help me? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Tal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/54ee81/32.png) [@Tal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tal)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/2 "2003-05-26T14:27:12Z")
If you’re not tone deaf, I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t benefit a good deal from lessons. It doesn’t mean you’ll end up with a voice people want to listen to, because some of us just dont’ have the right sounding voice no matter how on-key we are - but you’ll enjoy it anyway - and really, isn’t that what matters? you could look up singing teachers in your phone book…or failing that music schools usually have a singing section ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/3 "2003-05-26T14:33:39Z")
I have looked up some individauls in the Yellow Pages, but have yet to make the call. I think the biggest hurdle is (in my head) going to someplace for the lessons and having them say _“Oh God, you’re so beyond our help”_ and having to leave, embarrassed and heart-broken. 😉 Maybe I’m just not ready to hear that I’ll never be like Frank. How much do lessons cost (roughly) anyhow? Anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/4 "2003-05-26T14:33:51Z")
My family are infamously bad singers. You know (well, Aro might not know) how in some high schools they used to have “Glee Clubs” for singers? My father was in the “Gloom Club” (that’s not a joke, he really was). And us children have all inherited his talent. My sister, however, did take singing lessons a few years ago and there was a _noticeable_ improvement. Still wouldn’t win any awards, but she’s no worse than average now, at least. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/5 "2003-05-26T14:53:56Z")
A few lessons certainly can’t hurt, and a good teacher won’t tell you, “You suck! Get out of my studio NOW!” if it just doesn’t work out. I’d say yes, give it a try – I thought I couldn’t sing for YEARS but it turns out that given a couple of years of lessons, I can. One avenue to finding a teacher would be through a local college; my former school’s music department offered lessons of all sorts to people of all ages. I want to learn the guitar, myself, but I don’t have a decent one or the money to buy one. Oh well, maybe later. ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/6 "2003-05-26T15:00:48Z")
**Ruadh** , since you’re reading this thread, what does ‘splenetic’ mean, and when have I ever been that before? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elfje](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19b73/32.png) [@elfje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfje)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/7 "2003-05-26T15:01:56Z")
Aro, a piano would be ideal in helping you sing. The simple do re mi fa sol la ti do on the piano, and you trying to sing along, in key, would be the best way to learn. But yes, a teacher would be better than trying it on your ownm as there are breathing techniques and posture and such that would help with projecting your voice. If I teach you how to sing, will you teach me how to play the guitar? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/8 "2003-05-26T15:56:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aro \* > \*\ ***Ruadh** , since you’re reading this thread, what does ‘splenetic’ mean, and when have I ever been that before? 😃 \*\* Open a dictionary ya lazy bassa 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/9 "2003-05-26T16:02:55Z")
I did, but it wasn’t in my pocket dictionary. It is in [here](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=splenetic) though, so I see what it means now. Am I really _“A person regarded as irritable.”_ Never! 😉 **elfje** , that sounds dangerously like a plan, except I’m as bad a teacher as I am a singer, so not sure how it would pan out. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ageless6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@ageless6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ageless6)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/10 "2003-05-26T16:11:16Z")
I’d just be satisfied to hear your “croaky twat” impression. I’d put my ear against one of those.(Actually, stereo would be…oh, never mind). ---
**Author:** ![PhuQan\_G\_Nyus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f14d63/32.png) [@PhuQan\_G\_Nyus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhuQan_G_Nyus)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/11 "2003-05-26T16:11:26Z")
I think the biggest mistake people make when trying to sing especially with others is trying to match their range. If you have a low voice for instance dont try to match christina aguilera. You can still sing along but you have to start at a lower octave so that the higher notes are still in your range. A c in a low range will still harmonize nicely with a c in a high range. The trick is learning your specific range and for that matter being willing to accept its limitations 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TVGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/82dd89/32.png) [@TVGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/12 "2003-05-26T16:12:10Z")
Of course you can learn to sing. It’s like any other learned skill. If you already play a guitar, then you already have at least the fundamental musical skills to read music, etc., right? The key that seems to get results by the various choral and muscial teachers that I’ve worked with and know is basic pitch matching. Hit a note on the guitar or a piano and try to match the pitch of the note with your voice. If you’re not actually tone deaf, you should easily be able to hear the difference and adjust your voice to match perfectly. I’ve known some AWFUL singers over the years who have been able to make a pretty fair improvement by starting with this simple technique. ---
**Author:** ![PhuQan\_G\_Nyus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f14d63/32.png) [@PhuQan\_G\_Nyus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhuQan_G_Nyus)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/13 "2003-05-26T16:15:26Z")
Shoot hit submit too fast… I was going to suggest getting some karaoke songs. (if you have a decent midi supporting sound card there are some very good midi files available on the net look for “\*.kar” files. Or get van bascos midi player it is free and supports lyrics embedded in midi files. Otherwise buy a cd or something coughkazaacough there are some very good quality karaoke mp3s and real player and others can read and even find lyrics for you. If you haven’t tried karaoke much you might be surprised how much easier it is to sing a sng without another lead vocal pulling you off key. ---
**Author:** ![Aro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b3f665/32.png) [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/14 "2003-05-26T16:22:05Z")
I can sing individual notes (to a fashion) like you say, its only when words come into play that I really struggle. Me = :wally Actually, there are some songs which I can ‘sing’ so much better than others, either through familarity or that they happen to fall into my extremely limited range. I think my main problem is trying to copy the original singers voice, rather than the key he is singing in: especially if it is Bono, Adam Duritz, Thom Yorke, Liam Gallagher, Paul Simon, Eddie Vedder, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Chris Martin, Tom Petty etc… they are have different voices yet I can’t hear past the voice and follow the actual song in key. I think I need to _know_ how to practice first before I can begin to practice, if that makes sense? I’m going home to annoy the neighbours now… ---
**Author:** ![elfje](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19b73/32.png) [@elfje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfje)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/15 "2003-05-26T16:23:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aro \* > \*\*I did, but it wasn’t in my pocket dictionary. It is in [here](http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=splenetic) though, so I see what it means now. > > Am I really _“A person regarded as irritable.”_ Never! 😉 > > **elfje** , that sounds dangerously like a plan, except I’m as bad a teacher as I am a singer, so not sure how it would pan out. 🙂 \*\* excuses, excuses! see, if i do ever get to see you, you’ll have to sing us a song, just to prove you’re really _that_ bad I’m already looking forward to it 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/16 "2003-05-26T16:29:53Z")
There’s a new-agey singing method that really does have amazing results. I attended a load of [Natural Voice](http://www.naturalvoice.net) classes when I was at college, and, out of 25 people, 10 of them couldn’t sing before the classes began. At the end of the classes, 24 people could sing (one guy was totally untouchable). Furthermore, one of the ‘non-singers’ turned out to have the most beautiful female singing voice I’ve ever heard. I did both this kind of singing tuition, and classical, and only the former had any results for me. It’s all a bit pretentious and silly, but it really gets results. Highly recommended. ---
**Author:** ![Medea\_s\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Medea\_s\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Medea_s_Child)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/17 "2003-05-26T22:54:10Z")
Yes, anyone not totally tone deaf can learn to sing, and most of them quite well. (If I could learn to sing, so can you. Before I took lessons I had terrible pitch and a tiny whispery voice. Then I took lessons, for a long, long time, because I loved singing. At the end of high school I had a three octave range and great control and expression. Lots of fun. Since I’ve stopped taking lessons I have returned to my smaller voice and range, but I know I could get it back if I worked at it.) There are a few main things to sing well, matching pitches, breath control, and limber/strength training similar in concept to any other sport. But if you just want to carry a tune, a year or so of weekly lessons will be more than enough. Find a teacher you liek hanging out with, because some of the better techniques can feel/look pretty stupid so its good to have someone you are confortable with. ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/18 "2003-05-26T23:03:44Z")
What Medea’s Child said. And I’m a singing/piano teacher. Actual tone-deaf people are very VERY rare, and usually also have some difficulty in telling different vocal intonations apart (in natural speech). So barring that, of course you can learn to sing. It’s frustrating at first because most of what you will do is learning to hear the note to sing, and produce the sound - learning how to control pitch production. After that, it’s smooth sailing. Lesson prices vary - here, usually between 18 to 25$ for a half hour lesson. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/19 "2003-05-27T03:36:46Z")
“here, usually between 18 to 25$ for a half hour lesson.” Well that’s very informative, Ms. “In my emergency pants” 😉 (😉 means i’m kidding). ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2003, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-learn-to-sing/177574/20 "2003-05-27T16:49:40Z")
Aro, Im deaf & I can’t hear myself talk, but yes, I could learn to sing a song. I have been taught how to with my friend, a voice coach. Haven’t done it for sometime though.