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kelly514
Nov 10, 2008, 12:49 PM
Just wondering if everyone has the ability to sing on pitch if they train? Or is it a gift?

I'm not sure about if I should stop vocal lessons because the improvements are very slight (every week) and I don't know if it's worth it... I don't know if I have to be born with the right set of vocal cords in order to sing on pitch...

DivaSCarter7888
Nov 10, 2008, 03:18 PM
Well...

I have been singing since 2, and (not to be boastful) I sing very well and its probably because I grew up in a family that is very musical. Mom, Dad, uncle, aunt, grandmother all either sing wonderfully or play 3/more instruments lol

So with that said, a proff. Of mine told me that if you don't use it you'll lose it... for example if you grow up in an artistic house, you have more opportunities to express yourself artistically. And if you don't those opportunities naturally won't present themselves...

So in your case, if you've been taking vocal lessons for a period longer than 6 mo. And your not seeing the kind of results you want, or even results that are significant... dont waste your money, or maybe it's the coach...

And in my opinion I don't think everybody has the ability to sing on pitch lol


Hope that helped :)

Clough
Nov 11, 2008, 04:33 AM
Hi, kelly514!

If you really want to sing, I would encourage you to keep trying. If not by taking lessons, then by getting involved in a chorus or choir of some kind where the director actually teaches the group how to sing rather than just directing them.

After decades of directing and teaching singing to individuals and groups of all ages, I can say that I've never met anyone who couldn't be taught to sing, and on pitch, as long as everything about them physically as well as mentally was in the range of what might be considered to be "normal". We're just not all born with a Stradivarius for an instrument with which to sing.

Some people might have what we call a talent or gift for doing anything musical or other things in the arts really well. However, even those who would appear to be talented have to practice in order to maintain whatever level their at or toward which they want to achieve. Please think about this, the great inventor, Thomas Edison once said that, "Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration". How true that is!

Also, the vocal folds, or what are commonly called the vocal chords are just one of many parts of your body that are used when producing sounds. You might not realize it, but when we speak, even though it might not sound like singing, it is on pitches. You might have heard the phrase used that so-and-so speaks in a sing-songy voice. The person speaking that way is coming close to singing by the way that he or she speaks.

How old are you and how much time do you spend practicing between lessons, please? A lesson isn't practice. And, it's not just practice that makes perfect, but perfect practice that makes perfect!

Do you play another instrument besides singing? If so, what would be that instrument or instruments, please?

Thanks!

kelly514
Nov 11, 2008, 11:52 PM
Hey!

Thanks so much for the input... I've only started, it's been maybe 2 weeks, my prof says that I can hit most of the notes, but transitioning is hard when you have to go high pitched... I practice every day for about 20 minutes, sometimes more... and lessons are 3 times a week...

It's just that my brother also takes lessons, but he got it from the first shot, like from the first lesson, my prof was astonished at his range and capability that he's being taught stuff that's way way advanced... and he's performed in a concert (and was applauded by everyone for his talent)... I play the flute, have been since I was very very young... apart from that, I play the piano on occasion, but I'm not amazing at it...

Everyone in my family is very musical, parents, grand-parents... uncles... it's just that I never really bothered to get into it till now... and I'm not sure if I should quit, because if I can't get it right, then there's no point in keeping up the lessons...

Alty
Nov 11, 2008, 11:53 PM
Kelly, keep at it. There's a reason that people who train to sing, sing better than people who don't train. Don't give up on your dream. :)

Ferghus
Nov 12, 2008, 12:57 AM
just wondering if everyone has the ability to sing on pitch if they train?? Or is it a gift??

i'm not sure abt if i should stop vocal lessons because the improvements are very slight (every week) and i don't know if it's worth it........i don't know if i have to be born with the right set of vocal cords in order to sing on pitch......
IT depends, heh. I've seen it all. While I have a good ear for music and can sing on key, I have witnessed a GREAT guitar player, that once he opened his mouth... you cringed because his vocals were so off key. And a campfire folksinger who knew the words to dozens of great folksongs, but couldn't stay on key to save his life.

Listen to yourself on a tape recorder... and record yourself after each lesson... you should be able to hear a difference if there is any.

For some reason, many people who can't stay on key, can't hear themselves while they are singing in the same way they can hear recordings.

kelly514
Nov 13, 2008, 01:58 AM
True, what I hear when I record and when I actually sing are quite different... I don't know why?. my voice also seems different to me when I'm singing (as opposed to when I'm listening to it on a tape recorder)... can't imagine why though

Clough
Nov 13, 2008, 02:40 AM
true, what i hear when i record and when i actually sing are quite different.........i don't know why?............my voice also seems different to me when i'm singing (as opposed to when i'm listening to it on a tape recorder)............can't imagine why though

When people first hear recordings of themselves, they're usual really shocked and embarrassed because they're so self-conscious about themselves. Just takes some getting used to realizing that it really is you on the recording. For some voice teachers, they pretty much insist that their students who are just starting, record their lessons.

How you, or for that matter, anything sounds, is a matter of perspective of the person or "thing" that's doing the listening or recording, such as a person or recording device of any kind. Also, some recording devices aren't as "true" to recording the actual sounds that are recorded. It depends on the quality of the recording device and also the quality of the speakers as well as the system through which the recording is being played.

Try cupping your hands behind your ears, bending your ears forward a little and then singing. You'll be able to have a different perspective of the sound of your voice.

Clough
Nov 13, 2008, 02:53 AM
hey!

thanks so much for the input.....i've only started, it's been maybe 2 weeks, my prof says that i can hit most of the notes, but transitioning is hard when you have to go high pitched.......i practice every day for about 20 minutes, sometimes more.....and lessons are 3 times a week........

it's just that my brother also takes lessons, but he got it from the first shot, like from the first lesson, my prof was astonished at his range and capability that he's being taught stuff that's way way advanced....and he's performed in a concert (and was applauded by everyone for his talent)............i play the flute, have been since i was very very young.....apart from that, i play the piano on occasion, but i'm not amazing at it.........

everyone in my family is very musical, parents, grand-parents....uncles....it's just that i never really bothered to get into it till now......and i'm not sure if i should quit, because if i can't get it right, then there's no point in keeping up the lessons..........

Hi again, kelly514!

Two weeks isn't really much time to accomplish anything musically, especially if it's something that's new to you. You need to give it a number of months to see true progress with your voice.

I do look forward to some other dialogue with you as to what you do on the flute and piano. Since profiles of certain members who have posted something in their profile aren't available right now due to a recent update of this site, but will hopefully be available again soon. If you might like to know more information about who I am, please click here. (http://www.naymz.com/search/craig/clough/792504)

I did ask you previously how old you were and would appreciate knowing that. It makes a difference in how we might proceed here.

Thanks!