Can I sing?

“Can I sing?”

This is a question I am often asked as a singing teacher, followed by

“Would you be able to teach someone like me?”

When people ask this question, I feel they are really asking “Am I good enough to take singing lessons?” which I find rather peculiar, because it feeds the consensus that you have to be have a certain level of ability or have ‘raw talent’ to take singing lessons. A student wouldn’t be expected to know how to play a C major scale in their first clarinet lesson, so why would we expect a singer to be ‘good’ before their first lesson?

We have been watching reality television programmes surrounding singing for decades, from Popstars in the late 90s to long running programmes such as X Factor. We have also seen hopefuls being laughed out of audition rooms after blunt (and often vague) criticisms from celebrity judges. However, let’s remember that these television programmes are here for entertainment purposes and do not reflect what it means to be a singing student, or indeed, a singer, in many cases.

I believe that there is a spectrum of ability when it comes to singing and if you are able to produce vocal sound, you have the potential to sing; where your abilities lie may be different to the person next to you but anybody has the potential to improve.

The most important ability when it comes to singing, or any musical instrument for that matter, is the willingness to learn. Students don’t walk into a lesson and come out singing like Mariah Carey or Pavarotti, but whatever ability they do have is nurtured and via collaborating with their singing teacher or coach. The student will slowly and steadily build upon the skills they already have and develop their singing voice over time. If a singer struggles with intonation (to sing ‘in tune’) they may benefit from aural training and ear cleaning, which trains the ear to hear pitch more accurately. If a singer sings very quietly, exercises to activate the lower abdominal support may help with projection. Every voice is unique and students should be encouraged to develop their voice in a healthy way and within their vocal ability.

Referring back to the reality TV style scenario mentioned earlier; the idea that ‘bad singers can’t be helped’ has been ingrained into our society and people may be discouraged from singing with the fear of experiencing an X factor style rejection at their first lesson. However working collaboratively with a singing teacher that you trust and practice at home will allow your skills to flourish, as well as confidence.

So don’t let the fear of not being “good enough” stop you from singing; whether you are young, older, a complete beginner or you haven’t sang for a while, there is no reason why you shouldn’t sing – give it a go!

- Jenny