Can anyone learn to sing?

Yes!

Just do it.

Lifelong learning for singers and choir leaders

Any half-decent choir will help singers improve their skills week by week.

But sometimes that alone is not enough if you really want to develop and grow.

Vocal range 2: 5 relevant reads

This is one of a series of summary posts around a specific topic, bringing together five relevant posts from the past. 

This summary is all about vocal range: how it’s relevant to being in a choir and how you might go about finding where you fit. I’ve already referred to five older posts in the first part of this series.

You have to accept where you are as a singer or choir leader before you can improve

Many of us want things to be other than they are. Perhaps you dream of being an amazing singer, rather than the struggling beginner that you actually are.

Or maybe you wish for more singers in your choir, rather than the handful that turn up each week. In all cases, accepting the reality is the first step to getting what you want.

Ask me anything! (about singing and choirs)

I occasionally get emails from people with specific questions about choirs and singing.

These are often good starting points for writing a blog post with more general appeal.

Time to start singing – even if you’ve not done it before

Many of us resolve to try new things when the new year starts.

It might be to join the gym or to learn to cook. Why not try singing?

Using visual imagery in vocal training – help or hindrance?

I’m not technical when it comes to singing and use lots of visual imagery in my teaching.

But does it help or can it be confusing?

5 obstacles that can stop you being a singer — and how to overcome them

Many people would love to sing, but something is holding them back.

Here are five common obstacles that can easily be overcome.

The 3 steps to becoming a singer: bonus step — RELEVANT READS

I’ve now outlined all three steps to becoming a singer: 1: sing, 2: join a choir and 3: be self-aware.

image by rawpixel.com on Freepik

Now here is a bonus fourth step: relevant posts from the archives.

The 3 steps to becoming a singer: step 3 — SELF-AWARENESS

In the last two posts I’ve outlined step 1 and step 2 to becoming a singer.

Now it’s time for step 3 to help you grow and develop as a singer.

The 3 steps to becoming a singer: step 2 — JOIN A CHOIR

Last week I wrote about the first step to becoming a singer.

photo by Rex Pe

You need to actually start singing! Now here’s step 2.

The 3 steps to becoming a singer: step 1 — SING!

People often ask how they can become a singer.

Here are three simple steps to follow. Results guaranteed.

You can never be too humble to go back to basics

As singers and choir leaders we grow and develop skills over time. We leave behind us things we consider to be only for beginners.

But no matter how elementary something is, we can always learn something new by revisiting it.

Slow and steady wins the race – it takes time to become a singer or choir leader

We live in a fast, short-attention span world. People expect instant gratification.

photo by Rose Davies

But becoming competent at something takes time.

Singing allowed

Many people feel that they need permission before they can sing.

Somebody needs to tell them it’s OK before they can even open their mouths. What’s going on here?

You need to dance, then you can sing

There is an old Zimbabwean proverb that says, “if you can walk, then you can dance; if you can talk, then you can sing.”

But I believe that you need to be able to dance in order to sing well. It should be: “if you can dance, then you can sing.”

It’s good to fail as a singer (and you should do it more often)

Most singers starting out are terrified of getting it ‘wrong’. They hold back in all sorts of ways and approach singing hesitantly. 

But if you’re not ‘failing’ and getting it ‘wrong’, then you’ll never progress.

Are only ‘singers’ allowed to sing?

Following on from last week’s post (Can only singers lead choirs, only music readers arrange songs and only musicians be songwriters?), it’s time to consider ‘singers’.

 

I think most of you know by now that I believe that everyone can sing. I’d like to delve a little deeper into whether you need to be a ‘singer’ in order to sing.

Singing harmony can be hard and scary – here’s how to make it easier

Those of use who love to sing in harmony sometimes forget how hard and scary it can be for those who haven’t tried it before.

The Watersons

Here are some handy hints on how to ease your way into harmony singing without getting too worried.

When you start singing for the first time, be prepared to fail. A lot.

I mentioned skateboarder Barry Dring in my last post. And here he is again!



When he was interviewed, Barry pointed out that when learning to skateboard, you have to fall off. A lot. It’s the same with any new skill, including singing.