Many people would love to sing, but something is holding them back.
Here are five common obstacles that can easily be overcome.
1. I can’t sing
It’s amazing many people believe this.
But how do you know? Did you try once and it didn’t go to plan?
Or have you not even bothered yet somehow know that you won’t be able to do it?
There are so many different reasons why you might think you can’t sing. It could be because you:
- don’t sound like your favourite pop star (see Never let the fake perfection of pop singers put you off singing)
- have been told that you sound awful (see Never tell someone they can’t sing – it is brutal, damaging and untrue)
- can’t reach the high (or low) notes (see But I can’t sing that high!)
- are tone deaf (see Are you tone deaf? Very unlikely!)
- haven’t had singing lessons (see Do you need singing lessons in order to sing?)
See also Why can’t I sing?
These false beliefs can stop you from even trying to sing. The dilemma is that in order to be a singer you have to sing. You just have to do it!
Here are some older posts to help get you started:
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“Everyone can sing” – what the hell does that mean??!!
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6 facts about singing to help first-time singers
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12 false beliefs about singing that can prevent you from even trying –
don’t let them stop you!
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How to sing – the definitive guide
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When you start singing for the first time, be prepared to fail. A lot.
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How to enjoy singing and not worry what others think
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Why are so many people afraid to open their mouths and sing?
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Finding your voice can be scary – but don’t let that stop you
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Some people take pride in saying they can’t sing – but is that just fear
talking?
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Want to sing but are scared of being judged? Here’s what to do
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The only thing stopping you from being a better singer is …
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How do you get to the truth of what your singing ability really is?
2. I can’t sing in tune
That may be true. It’s true of all of us from time to time. Just like playing tennis or baking bread or crocheting, singing in tune is a skill that can be learnt. It doesn’t happen overnight, so give it some time. And in any case, does it really matter?
See How do I know if I’m singing in tune? and Singing out of tune isn’t always a bad thing.
3. I can’t remember songs or lyrics
Neither can I! When people say this they often mean that they can’t remember a song after one or two practices. They have an expectation that ‘real’ singers only have to hear a song once and they’ve committed it to memory. That is not the case. It can take many months for a song to really bed in.
It takes time to learn a song. Many weeks of practice and repetition. And to learn it by heart takes even longer. If you find remembering difficult, then make sure you have some aids to help. Why not print the lyrics out?
See Why does it take me so long to learn a song? Everyone else seems to pick it up fast and Why you might need lyric sheets for even simple songs in English.
4. I don’t like the sound of my voice
I don’t think many of us do. It’s only with the invention of recording devices that we’ve been able to hear ourselves. And what we hear seldom matches what we think we sound like. it’s something you can get over by listening to recordings of your voice often enough until you get used to it.
Try to figure out why you don’t like your voice. Does it sound like you’re straining or do you have an unrealistic expectation? Is there something you can change (sing in a different range, try to be more relaxed)?
See Learning to love the sound of you own voice and What to do if you don’t have a ‘nice’ voice and Not everyone will like your singing voice – but that’s OK.
5. nobody will want me in their group
This is very common. Why on earth would you want to ‘inflict’ your voice on anyone else? And if you’re not a ‘proper’ singer, how can you ever be up to the standard to sing with others?
There are many choirs and singing groups out there these days which are open to everyone. They don’t have auditions and you don’t need to have any singing experience. You can learn ‘on the job.’
See Can you join a choir if you can’t hit a note?
There we have it — there are no real reasons why you shouldn’t be
singing. If not now, when? — start singing NOW!
Chris Rowbury
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