Are you born with a good singing voice or can it be taught?

[lisabees]

Just curious. Dd8 has been begging for the last year to take voice lessons. She sings all the time; she is on pitch. But, she doesn't have a beautiful voice.

 

I know another 8 year old girl, who has an amazing voice. Never took a lesson. Her mother said she was singing before she talked.

 

So, it got me to thinking if I should even get dd lessons. She is doing a local version of Annie. Didn't get a main role, of course, because she cannot sing.

 

Is there hope? Or should we guide her down a different path?

[Parrothead]

I'm fairly certain singing can be taught as long as one isn't tone deaf.

[zenjenn]

I think it can be taught, but like anything else, natural talent plays a part.

 

So, I believe she can be taught to sing, but she can't necessarily be taught to be an amazing singer, kwim?

 

Also, anyone who can sing on pitch can make a great addition to a choir even if they aren't an amazing solo singer. Being in a choir can be a really enjoyable experience.

[Hedgehog]

Just curious. Dd8 has been begging for the last year to take voice lessons. She sings all the time; she is on pitch. But, she doesn't have a beautiful voice.

 

Many musical kids can sing on pitch, but not well. This is why singing lessons are needed.. the student needs to learn technique. And there are many different ways of singing and genres to specialise in.

 

If you'd rather not go down that route for any reason, then I would let your dd listen to as many instruments as she can (think Young Person's Guide) and let her choose the one she likes best.

[Tap]

If she likes to sing, I would get her a coach and discover what is there to work with. Not everyone has a beautiful sounding voice but being able to sing well, is a benefit to anyone. Whether they will just play around with Karaoke, be in a choir, or just feel comfortable singing at church or around a camp fire....having a bit of training is a valuable tool.

[littlebug42]

Just as an FYI, I have consulted with several people, including the director of the opera department at the local university, and generally, voice lessons are not recommended for girls until they hit the 11 year old and up range. Damage can be done to their young voices if pushed too early. It was recommended to me that we seek piano lessons for a while and move on to the voice lessons later.

 

That being said, I do agree that you can learn to sing but without some component of natural talent, you won't ever really be amazing at it.

[myfunnybunch]

Another option is a children's choir. In a good choir they are trained to listen to their voice and their singing "ear" is developed. Typically, it's less costly than private voice lessons and still offers a chance to sing and perform. In our community, there's quite a bit of crossover between the children's choir and the children's theater.

 

Cat

[Splash]

We did the children's choir and musical theater class route with our kids. our 16 yr old son just started lessons (he has an nice voice but could use some direction on how to maximize his natural voice) his teacher says for males not before 16, females he prefers 13.

 

Instruments are great to develop their ear as well.

[Starr]

I've heard children's voices develop amazingly in a professional children's choir. We've been advised from professionals to wait until they are in their teens for private lessons.

[GailV]

Just as an FYI, I have consulted with several people, including the director of the opera department at the local university, and generally, voice lessons are not recommended for girls until they hit the 11 year old and up range. Damage can be done to their young voices if pushed too early.

 

Another option is a children's choir. In a good choir they are trained to listen to their voice and their singing "ear" is developed. Typically, it's less costly than private voice lessons and still offers a chance to sing and perform. In our community, there's quite a bit of crossover between the children's choir and the children's theater.

 

Cat

 

I've heard children's voices develop amazingly in a professional children's choir. We've been advised from professionals to wait until they are in their teens for private lessons.

 

:iagree:

 

These are the types of things I've heard from music teachers, including vocal teachers -- wait until the kids are older. Also, even in the teen years, choose a teacher who works with that age group. Several local teachers specify that they will not teach below a certain age.

 

A couple of years ago my younger dd could barely carry a tune in a bucket. In the past year she's suddenly blossomed, and played Mary Poppins last school year, then Dorothy (Wizard of Oz) over the summer. So I'm firmly in the camp that says voices can develop later. My older dd's teacher does an amazing job helping kids learn voice placement and overtones, which help define a "good" voice.

 

One of the books I was reading about talent a couple of summers ago (maybe The Talent Code -- ?? -- there were so many, and they're all running together in my mind now) talked about developing vocal ability, and how one small studio developed many of today's popular singers. The premise of the book was that what we think of as talent is learned, not necessarily innate.

 

BTW, one of the local teachers gets a little bent out of shape about Annie since there's a tendency for the lead to "belt" the numbers, which can damage the voice. So maybe you can be happy that your dd didn't get the lead.

Edited October 2, 2011 by GailV

[TranquilMind]

I'm fairly certain singing can be taught as long as one isn't tone deaf.

 

Right. Technique and even quality, to a degree, can be improved.

 

But NOTHING can fix tone-deafness. I have one child like this. Beautiful, brilliant...can't really sing, no matter what, though can sort of follow others off key. Doesn't even really hear the notes, I think.

[Hedgehog]

Just as an FYI, I have consulted with several people, including the director of the opera department at the local university, and generally, voice lessons are not recommended for girls until they hit the 11 year old and up range. Damage can be done to their young voices if pushed too early. It was recommended to me that we seek piano lessons for a while and move on to the voice lessons later.

 

:iagree: I missed the OP's DD's age.. my bad.. yes, it is preferable to wait, sometimes beyond 11. It depends on the child's development: a good teacher will be able to assess this. But children's choir can be fun, and the Kodaly method is appropriate for any age.

[LidiyaDawn]

Right. Technique and even quality, to a degree, can be improved.

 

But NOTHING can fix tone-deafness. I have one child like this. Beautiful, brilliant...can't really sing, no matter what, though can sort of follow others off key. Doesn't even really hear the notes, I think.

 

That's me. I can kinda follow the basic "outline" of an easy song - like, say, Jingle Bells - but leave me to sing it alone and I'll wander right out of tune.

 

I can hear songs in my head - but I can. not. make them come out of my mouth. This drives dd14 nuts - she has that perfect pitch or whatever it is, never forgets a tune and can sing and/or play anything by ear. We like a lot of the same music, so we'll be doing up the dishes and I'll be all 'sing sing sing' LALALALALA LALA LALALA and the next thing I know I'm getting a handful of soap bubbles stuffed in my mouth. :p

[lisabees]

You all are wonderful. I had no idea that it was unwise to start lessons early. A chorus/choir sounds like a lovely idea. We will go down that path. :001_smile:

 

And, yes, the girls are definitely "belting" out those Annie songs. Certainly not the best way to teach a kid to sing. Dd is just as happy to be singing and dancing as one of the no-name orphans. The experience will be just as memorable.

 

Thanks again!!

[FO4UR]

Music Ed - vocal, here.:001_smile:

 

 

Piano - Get her in great piano lessons with a teacher who does a ton of ear training exercises. Great singing requires great EARS.

 

:iagree:Wait on actual voice lessons until after puberty.

 

It may seem that some young kids can sing well....but the tides will turn after puberty. It's difficult for kids to sing in tune in their chest voices (easy-peasy for most kids in their head voices, however). Most music heard in our culture is chesty...so kids try to mimic that chest voice and think they can't sing as well. They CAN...the head voice is simply a foreign concept, and uncomfortable, eventhough it's most natural for children. (Those fire engine noises that boys make - head voice...I rest my case.:tongue_smilie:) My ds8 can mimic me perfectly. I'm a mezzo-sop.

 

So...I err on the side of recommending no voice lessons at all early...b/c I have seen SO FEW good teachers for that age range. If you can find a children's choir that teaches a high light head voice, I would go for that. (Beware though...I've heard some wretched children's choirs...)

 

 

 

fwiw - I did violin, saxophone, and had a couple of dynamic elem music teachers in my early years (One was Kodaly certified.). In my middle school years, I opted for band instead of choir b/c even then I could tell a bad teacher...:lol:. In high school, I went back to choir, began private voice lessons and went on to college to major in voice...won a full-ride scholarship for a Master's based on my vocal work...so voice lessons in elementary are highly uneccessary, if not harmful. It couldn't have hurt that I come from a musical family...from Bluegrass to Broadway to Bartoli, somebody was always playing/singing something...and always an accompanist for me somewhere.

 

All that said, my life-long woe is that I did not get piano lessons as a YOUNG child and my fingers do not read music as fast as my head.

[AuntieM]

Musical theater for youth, with demanding rehearsal schedules and complex choreography, can be a voice wrecker for young participants. The directors are often looking for volume. Striving for volume when breathless from a dance rouine can cause a performer to forgo good technique and wear out those vocal chords.

 

I agree that formal training should come later, generally around the age of puberty. However, a kid who wants to sing is going to sing! So if you can find a voice teacher that will give your daughter just a lesson or two on how to breathe correctly (generally speaking) and how to recognize when she's straining her voice, I think those would be valuable lessons.

 

I wish I had known this all before my dd lost her stage singing voice. Two years later, with a lovely, patient teacher, she has a beautiful soprano voice (she had been singing mostly alto parts in shows). She misses musical theater, but enjoys singing with her school and church choirs.

 

And I agree with the suggestion to study piano in the meantime. Learning to read music and recognize notes/keys are important skills for singers.

[lisabees]

Oooooh - Please explain head voice vs chest voice. Okay, I know the difference. But, which one are the great singers using? Are the rock singers using one kind, jazz singers another? Can the head voice really be strong and loud enough? I've always been so confused about this. Clearly, I know nothing about music.

 

I sang in the school choir, though, and loved every minute. I was glad the other voices drowned out mine! :D

 

eta: So grateful for everyone's thoughts. Thank you for sharing your expertise and experiences! I had no idea there was more to my question than yes or no! I now understand the importance of finding a great teacher (and what that means).

Edited October 3, 2011 by lisabees

[gardenmom5]

It can be taught - I know of one man who was constantly told his voice wasn't that great and he'd never make is professionally - he made a decent living singing tenor in operas.

 

One thing about voice lessons - wait until she's older. There are many choirs for girls out there she can join - learn to read music, play an instrument, speak foreign langauges. the best voice instructors will not teach children who are still growing as it can damage their larnyx - this from a woman who sings with the Met. (and for her MS recital - had to sing in five different langauges.)

[Guest submarines]

That's me. I can kinda follow the basic "outline" of an easy song - like, say, Jingle Bells - but leave me to sing it alone and I'll wander right out of tune.

 

I can hear songs in my head - but I can. not. make them come out of my mouth. This drives dd14 nuts - she has that perfect pitch or whatever it is, never forgets a tune and can sing and/or play anything by ear. We like a lot of the same music, so we'll be doing up the dishes and I'll be all 'sing sing sing' LALALALALA LALA LALALA and the next thing I know I'm getting a handful of soap bubbles stuffed in my mouth. :p

 

That's me as well! However a music teacher told me once that if I did ear exercises I could become better at carrying a tune. Something like someone would play two notes that are next to each other on the piano for you, until you recognise them consistently. Then two notes while skipping the one in between. And so on. I really want to do those exercise and see whether I improve, but I have no one to do this for me (yet). I hope to enlist DD, though! :lol:

[GailV]

So if you can find a voice teacher that will give your daughter just a lesson or two on how to breathe correctly (generally speaking) and how to recognize when she's straining her voice, I think those would be valuable lessons.

 

 

After dd was cast as Mary Poppins, after rehearsals began, the head of the production came to me privately and said she was concerned that dd might be developing some bad habits (she wasn't specific, but I'm pretty sure dd was forcing her voice, among other things), and would we consider signing her up for just a few lessons to correct those bad habits in that show so her voice would be protected longer term -- much blah blah blah about how they don't usually recommend lessons at that age, but want to have a little extra time to work one-on-one with dd. I am amazingly CLUELESS about this stuff, so I said "sure". Wow, now as I read this thread I see how we stumbled blindly into a place that actually knew what they were doing when it comes to working with kids in musical theater.

[GailV]

Music Ed - vocal, here.:001_smile:

 

 

Piano - Get her in great piano lessons with a teacher who does a ton of ear training exercises. Great singing requires great EARS.

 

:iagree:Wait on actual voice lessons until after puberty.

 

It may seem that some young kids can sing well....but the tides will turn after puberty. It's difficult for kids to sing in tune in their chest voices (easy-peasy for most kids in their head voices, however). Most music heard in our culture is chesty...so kids try to mimic that chest voice and think they can't sing as well. They CAN...the head voice is simply a foreign concept, and uncomfortable, eventhough it's most natural for children. (Those fire engine noises that boys make - head voice...I rest my case.:tongue_smilie:) My ds8 can mimic me perfectly. I'm a mezzo-sop.

 

So...I err on the side of recommending no voice lessons at all early...b/c I have seen SO FEW good teachers for that age range. If you can find a children's choir that teaches a high light head voice, I would go for that. (Beware though...I've heard some wretched children's choirs...)

 

 

 

fwiw - I did violin, saxophone, and had a couple of dynamic elem music teachers in my early years (One was Kodaly certified.). In my middle school years, I opted for band instead of choir b/c even then I could tell a bad teacher...:lol:. In high school, I went back to choir, began private voice lessons and went on to college to major in voice...won a full-ride scholarship for a Master's based on my vocal work...so voice lessons in elementary are highly uneccessary, if not harmful. It couldn't have hurt that I come from a musical family...from Bluegrass to Broadway to Bartoli, somebody was always playing/singing something...and always an accompanist for me somewhere.

 

All that said, my life-long woe is that I did not get piano lessons as a YOUNG child and my fingers do not read music as fast as my head.

 

This is fascinating to me. Is there someplace I can find out more about these things -- books, journal articles, or somesuch on vocal development in children?

 

I hear parents talking about a particular children's chorus around here, and what they say is so very different -- the professional musicians say one thing, and a non-musician parent has a totally different opinion -- I think some of what they're getting at is the same as what you're saying here.

 

My kids aren't in this chorus, and never will be, but I like to understand these things. I can peek inside a dance class and have a pretty good idea whether I like the way they're doing stuff, I can somewhat do the same with piano, but with voice I'm stumbling around relying on blind luck. Plus I'm just sort of nosey that way, wanting to know how things work, even if I don't "need" to.

[AuntieM]

Oooooh - Please explain head voice vs chest voice. Okay, I know the difference. But, which one are the great singers using?

 

<skip>

 

I now understand the importance of finding a great teacher (and what that means).

 

When I think of a fabulous head voice, Julie Andrews is the first to come to mind. What a fantastic talent!

[sparrow]

When I think of a fabulous head voice, Julie Andrews is the first to come to mind. What a fantastic talent!

 

:iagree:It's so clear and clean. I also love Alison Krauss.

 

I remember years ago hearing Renee Fleming on NPR. She was talking about natural vocal talent and that she could hear someone speak on the subway, and from the tone of their speaking voice, know that they'd have a beautiful singing voice, if they were trained.

[fairfarmhand]

my dd was a terrible singer about staying on key and following the tune until she started piano. My dh and I are both decent singers so we were like "Where did that come from?" But she's gotten better as she gets older.

[Jan in SC]

My ds is 11 and he has been in voice lessons for about a year. Voice lessons for the younger child are much different than for an older child/teen. A younger child will learn to match pitch, sight read, and learn scales.

 

My son does theatre and sings in a boys (treble) choir. The choir is amazing and teaches proper technique at all times. He takes private voice for theatre, too. He does this to prevent injury from community theatre music directors that don't warm-up and force him to sing too loudly. He is learning what his voice is capable of doing and when to say -no- to requests that will hurt it.

 

Choirs are great, but I would be very selective. Look for a choir that teaches theory, as well. I wouldn't take private voice from a choir director I didn't know very well. I like to set up a system of checks and balances. If both teachers are correcting his breathing in the same way, I feel better.

[Meriwether]

I think people are born with a range the same way I believe people are born with an intelligence range instead of a number. I think environmental factors can help you top out your intelligence range or drag you down to your bottom iq. I think with training you could make the most of your voice. I don't think eveyone can attain the same singing ability as others.

[lisabees]

:iagree:It's so clear and clean. I also love Alison Krauss.

 

I remember years ago hearing Renee Fleming on NPR. She was talking about natural vocal talent and that she could hear someone speak on the subway, and from the tone of their speaking voice, know that they'd have a beautiful singing voice, if they were trained.

 

OP here! So is using the head voice the proper way to sing?

[AuntieM]

OP here! So is using the head voice the proper way to sing?

 

Not being a voice teacher, I can only tell you what I observe with my teen dd, now that she has been trained in the differences between head and chest voice.

 

She has a range that her head voice falls into, hers is a rather high soprano. But all the notes of a song don't always stay in that range; depending on the music, she sometimes has to reach down into that chest voice to hit the lower notes. Her head voice is more.... crystalline... the chest voice is more... Broadway. To move between the two, her teacher has helped her learn to "jump the river" properly, smoothly, with confidence, when it is necessary to reach a note.

 

Not a professional, just basing this on my experience with dd.

 

I think the head voice is preferable for its more beautiful sound, but the chest voice is often suited to the character being portrayed in musical theater.

 

Surely someone can give you a better explanation!

[Liza Lee]

Just as an FYI, I have consulted with several people, including the director of the opera department at the local university, and generally, voice lessons are not recommended for girls until they hit the 11 year old and up range. Damage can be done to their young voices if pushed too early. It was recommended to me that we seek piano lessons for a while and move on to the voice lessons later.

 

That being said, I do agree that you can learn to sing but without some component of natural talent, you won't ever really be amazing at it.

 

:iagree:

 

Two of my daughters took voice lessons in their teens. Their teacher wanted girls to be at least 13 and boys at least 16 IIRC.

[chepyl]

Just as an FYI, I have consulted with several people, including the director of the opera department at the local university, and generally, voice lessons are not recommended for girls until they hit the 11 year old and up range. Damage can be done to their young voices if pushed too early. It was recommended to me that we seek piano lessons for a while and move on to the voice lessons later.

 

:iagree:

 

We do not offer voice lessons before age 10. Prior to that we encourage kids to take our musical theatre classes, where proper vocal technique is stressed during rehearsals. The reasoning is partly due to damaging their voice, but also because a 10 year old can understand anatomy a little better. My SIL teaches vocal amatomy as she teaches vocal technique. They need control over their muscles to make them work the way they need to for proper singing.

 

Oooooh - Please explain head voice vs chest voice. Okay, I know the difference. But, which one are the great singers using? Are the rock singers using one kind, jazz singers another? Can the head voice really be strong and loud enougth? I've always been so confused about this. Clearly, I know nothing about music.

 

I sang in the school choir, though, and loved every minute. I was glad the other voices drowned out mine! :D

 

eta: So grateful for everyone's thoughts. Thank you for sharing your expertise and experiences! I had no idea there was more to my question than yes or no! I now understand the importance of finding a great teacher (and what that means).

 

The head voice is generally higher, crisp and clear when trained well. This is where you will hear the vibrator in singing. It means the sound resonate In your head. The chest voice is generally lower, it can be deep and beautiful as well. It means the sound is resonating in the chest.

 

What you don't want, is the sound resonating in the throat. Belting can be done without hurting the voice, but it needs to be learned as an older, more experienced student, with a trained belt instructor.

 

OP here! So is using the head voice the proper way to sing?

No, both are correct, you can also mix the two. It just takes training. Many POP stars are not trained. You can ID and untrained singer by the veins popping out of their neck as they strain to hold or hit a note....makes me cringe!

 

Find a choir or music class that teaches good technique to your kids. She should be learning:

How to breathe from her diaphragm-lots of hands on tummies, possibly laying on the floor watching their bellies rise. Exhailing for as long as they can. And various bathing games.

How to match pitch.

How to have volume without screaming.

If you hear screaming while singing, go elsewhere.

They will learn and memorize songs.

 

Good luck..

Edited October 3, 2011 by chepyl
typing on my phone....can't see it until I hit post!!

[lisabees]

Thank you for such a fascinating thread! You all have taught me a lot. Some of you (and your kids) must be very talented. I only wish...

 

I will do some asking around about various teachers/choirs/piano teachers who excel at ear training etc.

 

Thank you all so much!

[Lady Florida.]

I used to think I was tone deaf, but when I was teaching high school, I once asked the chorus teacher about this. I told him I sing off key, am aware that I'm off key, but have no idea how to correct it. He said that's a lack of training. He told me that I was truly tone deaf I wouldn't even realize I was off key.

 

Apparently even though training doesn't create a good singing voice (I believe some people really do have better voices than others), you can be taught to sing reasonably well.

[tofugirl101]

I'm 14, and I'm taking voice lessons right now. Where can I perform in front of others? I don't want to do choirs (too many bad experiences with those), so maybe someone has suggestions. :)

[KristinaBreece]

That's me as well! However a music teacher told me once that if I did ear exercises I could become better at carrying a tune. Something like someone would play two notes that are next to each other on the piano for you, until you recognise them consistently. Then two notes while skipping the one in between. And so on. I really want to do those exercise and see whether I improve, but I have no one to do this for me (yet). I hope to enlist DD, though! :lol:

 

Sight singing/ear training I was the hardest class I took as a music major. I mean, getting the basics of that was harder for me than Music History IV. (Add to this that I took the class as an instrumentalist with 22 vocalists in my class... Yikes!) I used this website to help me with individual practice.

[Guest submarines]

Sight singing/ear training I was the hardest class I took as a music major. I mean, getting the basics of that was harder for me than Music History IV. (Add to this that I took the class as an instrumentalist with 22 vocalists in my class... Yikes!) I used this website to help me with individual practice.

 

Thanks! The link doesn't work for me, though. I don't ever imagine I will achieve any real profficiency, but I hope to be able to distinguish individual notes in the basic G key on the piano :001_smile:

 

I'd love to have a site that would help me practice!

[KristinaBreece]

Thanks! The link doesn't work for me, though. I don't ever imagine I will achieve any real profficiency, but I hope to be able to distinguish individual notes in the basic G key on the piano :001_smile:

 

I'd love to have a site that would help me practice!

 

Good Ear

 

Link fixed!

[Guest submarines]

I used to think I was tone deaf, but when I was teaching high school, I once asked the chorus teacher about this. I told him I sing off key, am aware that I'm off key, but have no idea how to correct it. He said that's a lack of training. He told me that I was truly tone deaf I wouldn't even realize I was off key.

 

Apparently even though training doesn't create a good singing voice (I believe some people really do have better voices than others), you can be taught to sing reasonably well.

 

This is encouraging, thanks! I'd like to be able to sing with my kids, I don't care about the voice part. I just want to carry a tune!

[Guest submarines]

Good Ear

 

Link fixed!

 

The sound won't play or me...I guess I need to update whatever it is that I need to update... I will try later. Thank you!

[myfunnybunch]

Find a choir or music class that teaches good technique to your kids. She should be learning:

How to breathe from her diaphragm-lots of hands on tummies, possibly laying on the floor watching their bellies rise. Exhailing for as long as they can. And various bathing games.

How to match pitch.

How to have volume without screaming.

If you hear screaming while singing, go elsewhere.

They will learn and memorize songs.

 

This, exactly. I'd add how to match voices with other singers, and even for young kids, singing in simple parts, which develops their ear for harmony.

 

My sons' choir director just wrote to parents in the newsletter about her small group work, teaching the kids to recognize their light voices vs. a "pushed tone".

 

Cat

[FO4UR]

Oooooh - Please explain head voice vs chest voice. Okay, I know the difference. But, which one are the great singers using?

 

 

Great singers have full command of all of it.:D (Few and far between...)

 

Poor singers are stuck with one small bag of tricks. Most music teachers fit into this category....:auto:

 

Terrible singers have damaging habits. Most pop singers fit into this category...if not all...

 

 

 

 

 

This is fascinating to me. Is there someplace I can find out more about these things -- books, journal articles, or somesuch on vocal development in children?

 

I hear parents talking about a particular children's chorus around here, and what they say is so very different -- the professional musicians say one thing, and a non-musician parent has a totally different opinion -- I think some of what they're getting at is the same as what you're saying here.

 

My kids aren't in this chorus, and never will be, but I like to understand these things. I can peek inside a dance class and have a pretty good idea whether I like the way they're doing stuff, I can somewhat do the same with piano, but with voice I'm stumbling around relying on blind luck. Plus I'm just sort of nosey that way, wanting to know how things work, even if I don't "need" to.

 

It's kinda like reading about how to paint...I learned 99% of everything I know through experience, through live tutors/teachers.

 

Musicians disagree even amongst themselves. I tread lightly here b/c I'm waiting for another vocalist to disagree with me.:tongue_smilie:

 

The difference between head/chest voice is in the placement of the airflow. The head voice sounds more like a flute, and the chest voice sounds more like a saxophone. I can't think of ANY good examples in the world of popular music...at all...(ducking and dodging tomatoes)

 

 

 

I think people are born with a range the same way I believe people are born with an intelligence range instead of a number. I think environmental factors can help you top out your intelligence range or drag you down to your bottom iq. I think with training you could make the most of your voice. I don't think eveyone can attain the same singing ability as others.

 

 

Voices are intruments. The bigger the instrument, the lower it sounds...the smaller, the higher... That said, few - VERY FEW - people even know the full range of their own instrument. It's less variable than one would think.

 

Every voice box of a certain size will be capable of producing a same range of pitches...the instrumentalist will either be able to do it well or not...and that has nothing to do with genetics. It has to do with training, how the vocalist expels air.

 

 

OP here! So is using the head voice the proper way to sing?

 

 

For young children learning to sing in tune, yes.

 

For post-pubescent people, notsomuch...using the head to mold sound is neccessary, but it's only a portion thereof... and different voice teachers approach this differently.

 

 

I'll venture into an analogy...children must learn arithmetic before delving into math. Children must master in tune, head voice singing before delving into real vocal training. And, armpit hair is generally neccessary before that leap into mature work.

 

 

Thank you for such a fascinating thread! You all have taught me a lot. Some of you (and your kids) must be very talented. I only wish...

 

I will do some asking around about various teachers/choirs/piano teachers who excel at ear training etc.

 

Thank you all so much!

 

 

I'm just a very loud LOUD soprano...out of shape and seriously lacking a professional outlet.:tongue_smilie: If I were a good soprano, I'd have enough control to not be so loud...:lol:

[GailV]

It's kinda like reading about how to paint...I learned 99% of everything I know through experience, through live tutors/teachers.

 

Drat. I was afraid of that. Guess I'll have to keep pestering people in real life. Fortunately I'm learning to do that in a flattering way (as opposed to my natural inclination to just blurt things out).

 

 

Every voice box of a certain size will be capable of producing a same range of pitches...the instrumentalist will either be able to do it well or not...and that has nothing to do with genetics. It has to do with training, how the vocalist expels air.

 

This last bit sounds like what dd said her new voice teacher explained to her. This was while they were spending a month working on breathing and anatomy, by the way, and was the PERFECT way to entice her to practice breathing exercises every day.

 

 

And, armpit hair is generally neccessary before that leap into mature work.

 

 

Okay, that is priceless!

[Guest submarines]

What's the opinion on Jackie Evancho? Which voice does she use, and what about her training?

[Laurie4b]

Right. Technique and even quality, to a degree, can be improved.

 

But NOTHING can fix tone-deafness. I have one child like this. Beautiful, brilliant...can't really sing, no matter what, though can sort of follow others off key. Doesn't even really hear the notes, I think.

 

I don't know the exact meaning of tone deaf, but I once had a foster daughter who could.not. sing. on. key. It was AWFUL! I did take her for voice lessons because she loved to sing and the teacher was able to teach her to sing on key. First, she would play a note and ask foster dd to match it. She did this for a while, helping her to make the match and eventually she was able to. Once she could do that, it wasn't very long before she was able to be taught to sing on key. We didn't do a lot of lessons.