Learning how to sing--how difficult is it?

Started by XB-70 Valkyrie, September 28, 2014, 09:29:59 PM

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XB-70 Valkyrie

I have a pretty good/strong baritone (maybe bass) voice that sees frequent use in the shower, but I don't really know how to sing and have never had lessons. I have played classical piano for years, but I certainly have nothing approaching perfect pitch.

This is something that has mystified me for some time. How does one learn how to sing? I would actually like to try and teach myself. I have no aspirations of performing or doing this professionally. I would like to sing some Gregorian chant like this guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf1td_BJLDQ (I suppose this is probably rather difficult, and not the thing one should start on). I also love lieder/art song, anything by Bach, and Charles Trenet, Sinatra, Tom Lehrer, and a whole host of others. To show you how not-serious I am, I don't even think I would bother finding an accompanist.

So, I would like to experiment for fun, greatly improve my ability to sing on key, and see where it leads. Any ideas?
If you really dislike Bach you keep quiet about it! - Andras Schiff

Wakefield

Quote from: XB-70 Valkyrie on September 28, 2014, 09:29:59 PM
I have a pretty good/strong baritone (maybe bass) voice that sees frequent use in the shower, but I don't really know how to sing and have never had lessons. I have played classical piano for years, but I certainly have nothing approaching perfect pitch.

This is something that has mystified me for some time. How does one learn how to sing? I would actually like to try and teach myself. I have no aspirations of performing or doing this professionally. I would like to sing some Gregorian chant like this guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf1td_BJLDQ (I suppose this is probably rather difficult, and not the thing one should start on). I also love lieder/art song, anything by Bach, and Charles Trenet, Sinatra, Tom Lehrer, and a whole host of others. To show you how not-serious I am, I don't even think I would bother finding an accompanist.

So, I would like to experiment for fun, greatly improve my ability to sing on key, and see where it leads. Any ideas?

I can't provide you any useful advice, but I can say I've really enjoyed your post. I guess because it's written with a sort of unusual openness, even naivety to express what seems to be a crazy idea, born in the shower. I loved it.  :)   
"Isn't it funny? The truth just sounds different."
- Almost Famous (2000)

XB-70 Valkyrie

#2
Thanks. In addition to my career as a scientist and artist (www.kevinjcarpenter.com), I also aspire to become this generation's Jack Kerouac (but not its Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau).  :laugh:
If you really dislike Bach you keep quiet about it! - Andras Schiff

Wakefield

Quote from: XB-70 Valkyrie on September 28, 2014, 09:54:05 PM
Thanks. In addition to my career as a scientist and artist (www.kevinjcarpenter.com), I also aspire to become this generation's Jack Kerouac (but not its Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau).  :laugh:

:D ;D :D

Good luck!!!
"Isn't it funny? The truth just sounds different."
- Almost Famous (2000)

DaveF

The same as with learning any instrument, you can teach yourself (there are plenty of singing tutors available) or pay for lessons - although unlike learning a lot of instruments, even two or three lessons with a good teacher can make a great difference to your technique of sound-production.  I can almost guarantee that, if you've got any voice at all (which you clearly have), then you'll be amazed at the increase in volume and quality that a few well-taught exercises can make.  And there's so much you can do by yourself, notably learning to stay in tune - no-one can teach you that.  It's good, for example, to try to sing a melody with wide leaps in it, then to go back to the piano and see how out-of-tune you've gone.  Work on pitch will help; if you get a feel for how your voice strays from true intonation (99.9% of us go flat) then you can work on correcting that.  Anyway, best of luck.  Looking forward to your first YouTube clip.

DF
"All the world is birthday cake" - George Harrison

Karl Henning

One way to test the waters is to find a chorus or choir where volunteers are accepted (perhaps with a low-stress audition), and learn by getting right in there and taking part.
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

jochanaan

Singing seems to be a universal, almost instinctive activity.  Learning to sing well--ah, that's where the difficulties begin. :)
Imagination + discipline = creativity

Karl Henning

Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

jochanaan

Imagination + discipline = creativity

Karl Henning

Good thing I had already swallowed that mouthful of tea!
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

jochanaan

Imagination + discipline = creativity